1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 22, 1999 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------- FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. (Originator of the Trusts Described Herein) (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) DELAWARE 38-3082892 (State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.) CORPORATION TRUST CENTER JEROME B. VAN ORMAN, JR. 1209 ORANGE STREET CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801 3031 WEST GRAND BOULEVARD (302-658-7851) DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202 (Address, including zip code, and telephone (313-556-1508) number, including (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone area code, of principal executive offices of number, Registrant) including area code, of agent for service) ------------------------- WITH A COPY TO: ROBERT L. SCHWARTZ, ESQ. GENERAL COUNSEL CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. 3031 WEST GRAND BOULEVARD DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202 ------------------------- APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: from time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined in light of market conditions. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend reinvestment plans, check the following box. X If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPOSED PROPOSED AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) OFFERING PRICE(1) FEE - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asset Backed Securities.............................. $1,000,000 100% $1,000,000 $264 - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. ------------------------- THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 22, 1999 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ CENTRAL ORIGINATING LEASE TRUST (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) DELAWARE 38-3278697 (State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.) C/O LEASE AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. CORPORATION TRUST CENTER JEROME B. VAN ORMAN, JR. 1209 ORANGE STREET LEASE AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801 3031 WEST GRAND BOULEVARD (302-658-7851) DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202 (Address, including zip code, and telephone (313-556-1508) number, including (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone area code, of principal executive offices of number, Registrant) including area code, of agent for service) ------------------------ WITH A COPY TO: ROBERT L. SCHWARTZ, ESQ. GENERAL COUNSEL LEASE AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. 3031 WEST GRAND BOULEVARD DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202 ------------------------ Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: from time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined in light of market conditions. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROPOSED PROPOSED AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) OFFERING PRICE(1) FEE(2) - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Secured Notes................................ $1,000,000 100% $1,000,000 $264 - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. (2) Previously paid. A separate registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333- ) registering asset backed securities, which are secured by the secured notes, is being concurrently filed under which a registration fee of $264 has been paid. ------------------------ THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 EXPLANATORY NOTE This registration statement contains three forms of prospectus relating to the offering of: - asset backed notes and/or asset backed certificates secured by loan receivables by various Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trusts created from time to time by Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., with that form of prospectus identified on the outside front cover page as the "Preliminary Owner Trust Prospectus Form;" - asset backed certificates by various GMAC Grantor Trusts secured by loan receivables created from time to time by Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., with that form of prospectus identified on the outside front cover page as "Preliminary GMAC Grantor Trust Prospectus Form;" - asset backed notes and/or asset backed certificates secured by secured notes by various Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trusts created from time to time by Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., with that form of prospectus identified on the outside front cover page as "Preliminary Secured Note Prospectus Form;" and three forms of prospectus supplement relating to the offering of: - particular series of asset backed notes and/or classes of asset backed certificates secured by loan receivables, with that form of prospectus supplement identified on the outside front cover page as the "Preliminary Owner Trust Prospectus Supplement Form;" - particular classes of asset backed certificates secured by loan receivables, with that form of prospectus supplement identified on the outside front cover page as "Preliminary GMAC Grantor Trust Prospectus Supplement Form;" and - particular series of asset backed notes and/or classes of asset backed certificates secured by secured notes, with that form of prospectus supplement identified on the outside front cover page as "Preliminary Secured Note Prospectus Supplement Form." Each prospectus supplement form relates only to the securities described therein. 4 THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. VERSION 1 PROSPECTUS CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES ASSET TRUSTS Asset Backed Notes Asset Backed Certificates CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. Seller GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION Servicer THE TRUSTS-- YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON - We will form a new trust to issue each series of PAGE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. securities. The notes of any series - The primary assets of each trust will be a pool represent obligations of the of fixed rate retail motor vehicle instalment sales related trust only. The contracts, including security interests in the certificates of such series automobiles and light trucks financed under such represent the beneficial contracts. interest in the related trust only. The certificates and THE SECURITIES-- notes issued by any trust do not represent obligations of or - will represent indebtedness of the related trust interests in, and are not (in the case of notes) or beneficial interests in guaranteed by Capital Auto the related trust (in the case of certificates); Receivables, Inc., GMAC or any of their affiliates. - will be paid only from the assets of the related trust and other available funds, including amounts This prospectus may be used to on deposit in any related reserve account; offer and sell any securities only if accompanied by the - will represent the right to payments in the related prospectus supplement. amounts and at the times described in the related prospectus supplement; - may benefit from one or more forms of credit enhancement; and - will be issued as part of a designated series, which will include one or more classes of notes and may include one or more classes of certificates. NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. [DATE] 5 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT We provide information to you about the notes or certificates, which we refer to as the "securities," in two separate documents: (a) this prospectus, which provides general information and terms of the securities, some of which may not apply to a particular series of securities, including your series. (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement, which will provide information regarding the pool of contracts held by the trust and will specify the terms of your series of securities. IF THE TERMS OF YOUR SERIES OF SECURITIES VARY BETWEEN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with other or different information. We are not offering the securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. We do not claim that the information in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date other than the dates stated on their respective covers. You can find definitions of the capitalized terms used in this prospectus in the "Glossary of Terms to Prospectus" which appears at the end of this prospectus and in the "Glossary of Terms to Prospectus Supplement" which appears at the end of the prospectus supplement. 2 6 RISK FACTORS You should consider the following risk factors in deciding whether to purchase the securities. RISK OF UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES DUE TO PRIORITY OF CERTAIN LIENS ON FINANCED VEHICLES OR RECEIVABLES Obligors who purchase financed vehicles give GMAC a security interest in those vehicles. If GMAC fails to perfect its security interest in a financed vehicle, GMAC must repurchase the receivable from the trust. GMAC will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles to the seller. The seller will in turn assign its security interest in the financed vehicles to the trust and the trust will pledge such security interest to the indenture trustee. If, for any reason, these assignments and this pledge are not perfected, the interests of the seller, the trust and the indenture trustee would be subordinate to, among others, the following: (1) bankruptcy trustee of the obligor, (2) subsequent purchaser of the financed vehicle and (3) holder of a perfected security interest The trust and the indenture trustee may not be able to collect on a defaulted receivable in the absence of a perfected security interest in the related financed vehicle. Even if the trust and the indenture trustee has a perfected security interest in the financed vehicles, certain events could jeopardize that interest, such as: (1) fraud or forgery by the vehicle owner, (2) negligence or fraud by the servicer, (3) mistakes by government agencies and (4) liens for repairs or unpaid taxes. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Security Interest in Vehicles" in this prospectus. GMAC, the seller and the indenture trustee will file financing statements with respect to each pool of receivables sold to a trust. The financing statements will perfect the security interests of the seller, the trust and the indenture trustee in the pool of receivables. However, GMAC will serve as the custodian of the receivables and will not physically segregate or mark the receivables to indicate that they have been sold to the seller, sold by the seller to the trust or pledged by the trust to the indenture trustee. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this prospectus. If another party purchases or takes a security interest in the receivables (1) for value, (2) in the ordinary course of business and (3) without actual knowledge of the seller's, the trust's or the indenture trustee's interest, such purchaser or secured party will acquire an interest 3 7 in the receivables superior to the trust's and the indenture trustee's interest. POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS AND DELAYS IN PAYMENTS DUE TO BANKRUPTCY If GMAC filed for bankruptcy under the federal bankruptcy code or any state insolvency laws, a court may (1) consolidate the assets and liabilities of GMAC with those of the seller, (2) decide that the sale of the receivables to the seller was not a "true sale" or (3) disallow a transfer of receivables prior to the bankruptcy. Thus, the receivables might become part of GMAC's bankruptcy estate, in which case you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your securities. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Sales of Receivables by GMAC" in this prospectus. MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS Obligors may prepay the receivables in full or in part at any time. In addition, the receivables may be prepaid as a result of defaults or from credit life, disability or physical damage insurance. Also, GMAC or the seller may be required to repurchase receivables from a trust in certain circumstances, and the servicer may have the right to purchase all remaining receivables from a trust pursuant to its optional purchase right. Each such prepayment, repurchase or purchase will shorten the average life of the related securities. A variety of unpredictable economic, social and other factors influence prepayment rates. You will bear all reinvestment risk resulting from a faster or slower rate of prepayment, repurchase or extension of the receivables held by your trust, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement. LIMITED ENFORCEABILITY OF THE RECEIVABLES Federal and state consumer protection laws regulate the creation and enforcement of consumer loans such as the receivables. Specific statutory liabilities are imposed upon creditors who fail to comply with these regulatory provisions. In some cases, this liability could affect an assignee's ability to enforce secured loans such as the receivables. If an obligor had a claim for violation of these laws prior to the Cutoff Date, GMAC must repurchase the receivable unless the breach is cured. If GMAC fails to repurchase such receivable, you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your securities. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Consumer Protection Laws" in this prospectus. LIMITED OBLIGATIONS OF GMAC AND THE SELLER GMAC, the seller and their respective affiliates are generally not obligated to make any payments to you 4 8 with respect to your securities and do not guarantee payments on the receivables or your notes or certificates. However, GMAC will make representations and warranties with respect to the characteristics of the receivables and such representations and warranties will then be assigned to the trust. If GMAC breaches the representations and warranties, it may be required to repurchase the applicable receivables from the trust. If GMAC fails to repurchase such receivables, you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your securities. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this prospectus. LIMITED ASSETS OF EACH TRUST No trust will have any significant assets or sources of funds other than its receivables, its rights in any reserve account or other rights or credit enhancements as are specified in the related prospectus supplement. The securities will represent interests in the related trust only. Except as described in the related prospectus supplement, the securities will not be insured or guaranteed by GMAC, the seller, the owner trustee, the indenture trustee, any of their affiliates or any other person or entity. You must rely primarily on payments on the related receivables and on the reserve account for repayment of your securities. In addition, with respect to the defaulted receivables, you may have to look to the obligors on the related receivables and the proceeds from the repossession and sale of financed vehicles which secure defaulted receivables. If these sources are insufficient, you may receive payments late or not receive back your full principal investment or all interest due to you. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions," "--Credit Enhancement" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in this prospectus. LIMITED ABILITY TO RESELL SECURITIES The underwriters may assist in the resale of securities, but they are not required to do so. A secondary market for any securities may not develop. If a secondary market does develop, it might not continue or it might not be sufficiently liquid to allow you to resell any of your securities. LIMITED NATURE OF RATINGS The securities for each trust will be issued only if they receive the required rating. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the securities. The ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time. Ratings on the securities do not address the timing of distributions of principal on the securities prior to their applicable final scheduled payment date. 5 9 THE TRUSTS With respect to each series of securities, the seller will establish a separate trust by selling and assigning the trust property described below to the trust in exchange for the related securities. Each series of securities will include one or more classes of asset backed notes and one or more classes of asset backed certificates. The related prospectus supplement will specify which classes of notes and certificates included in each series will be offered to investors. The trust property of each trust will include: (1) a pool of retail instalment sales contracts for new and used automobiles and light trucks (we refer to these contracts as "receivables"), all Scheduled Payments due thereunder on and after the Cutoff Date to be specified in the prospectus supplement (in the case of Scheduled Interest Receivables) and all payments received thereunder on and after the Cutoff Date (in the case of Simple Interest Receivables), in each case exclusive of any amount allocable to the premium for physical damage insurance force-placed by the servicer, (2) such amounts as from time to time may be held in separate trust accounts established and maintained pursuant to the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the proceeds of such accounts, (3) security interests in the financed vehicles and, to the extent permitted by law, any accessions thereto, (4) any recourse against dealers with respect to the receivables, (5) except for those receivables originated in Wisconsin, the right to proceeds of credit life, credit disability, physical damage or other insurance policies covering the financed vehicles and (6) certain rights of the seller under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement. To the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement, a Reserve Account or other form of credit enhancement may be held by the owner trustee or the indenture trustee for the benefit of holders of the securities. The Reserve Account, if any, for a series of securities may not be included in the property of the related trust but may instead be a segregated trust account held by the indenture trustee for the benefit of the holders of such related securities. Except as otherwise set forth in the related prospectus supplement, the activities of each trust will be limited to: (1) acquiring, managing and holding the related receivables and the other assets of the trust and proceeds therefrom, (2) issuing the related securities and making payments and distributions thereon and (3) engaging in other activities that are necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish any of the foregoing or are incidental thereto or connected therewith. The servicer will continue to service the receivables held by each trust and will receive fees for such services. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses" in this prospectus. To facilitate the servicing of the receivables, the trust will authorize GMAC, as Custodian, to retain physical possession of the receivables held by each trust and other documents relating thereto as custodian for the trust. Due to the administrative burden and expense, the certificates of title to the financed vehicles will not be 6 10 amended to reflect the sale and assignment of the security interest in the financed vehicles to the seller or the trust or the pledge thereof by the trust to the indenture trustee. In the absence of such an amendment, the trust and the indenture trustee may not have a perfected security interest in the financed vehicles in all states. None of the trust, the indenture trustee nor the owner trustee will be responsible for the legality, validity or enforceability of any security interest in any financed vehicle. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" and "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this prospectus. The principal offices of each trust will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. THE OWNER TRUSTEE The owner trustee for each trust will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. The owner trustee's liability in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities is limited solely to the express obligations of such owner trustee set forth in the related trust agreement. An owner trustee may resign at any time, in which event the servicer, or its successor, will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The administrator of a trust may also remove the owner trustee if the owner trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as owner trustee under the related trust agreement or if the owner trustee becomes insolvent. In such circumstances, the administrator will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. Any resignation or removal of an owner trustee and appointment of a successor trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor trustee. THE RECEIVABLES POOLS The receivables in each pool of receivables have been or will be acquired by General Motors Acceptance Corporation through its nationwide branch system, directly or through General Motors Corporation, from automobile and light truck dealers pursuant to agreements with General Motors dealers and dealerships affiliated with General Motors dealers. See "The Seller" and "The Servicer" in this prospectus. The receivables have been or will be originated by participating dealers in accordance with GMAC's requirements under the dealer agreements. The receivables have been or will be acquired in accordance with GMAC's underwriting standards in the ordinary course of business, which evaluate the prospective purchaser's ability to pay and creditworthiness, as well as the asset value of the vehicle to be financed. GMAC's standards generally also require physical damage insurance to be maintained on each financed vehicle. The receivables have been or will be acquired by GMAC in the ordinary course of business. The receivables to be held by each trust will be selected from GMAC's portfolio for inclusion in a pool of receivables by several criteria, including that, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, each receivable (1) is secured by a new or used vehicle, (2) was originated in the United States, (3) provides for level monthly payments (except for the first and last payments which may be different from the level payments) that fully amortize the Amount Financed over its original term to maturity and (4) satisfies the other criteria set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Each receivable is classified as either a Scheduled Interest Receivable or a Simple Interest Receivable. If an obligor elects to prepay a Scheduled Interest Receivable in full, the 7 11 obligor is entitled to a rebate of the portion of the Scheduled Payments attributable to unearned finance charges. The amount of the rebate is determined with reference to the contract type and applicable state law. With minor variations based on state law, actuarial rebates are calculated on the basis of a constant interest rate. Rebates calculated on a Rule of 78s or sum-of-the-digits basis are smaller than the corresponding rebates under the actuarial method. Scheduled Interest Receivables provide for Rule of 78s rebates except in states that require the actuarial method. Distributions to noteholders and certificateholders will not be affected by Rule of 78s rebates, because all allocations with respect to Scheduled Interest Receivables for purposes of the related trust are made using the actuarial method. The portion of a pool of receivables which consists of Scheduled Interest Receivables will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. Payments pursuant to a Simple Interest Receivable are allocated between finance charges and principal based on the actual date on which a payment is received. Late payments (or early payments) on a Simple Interest Receivable may result in the obligor making a greater (or smaller) number of payments than originally scheduled. The amount of any such additional payments required to pay the outstanding principal balance in full generally will not exceed the amount of an originally scheduled payment. If an obligor elects to prepay a Simple Interest Receivable in full, the obligor will not receive a rebate attributable to unearned finance charges. Instead, the obligor is required to pay finance charges only to, but not including, the date of prepayment. The amount of finance charges on a Simple Interest Receivable that would have accrued from and after the date of prepayment if all monthly payments had been made as scheduled will generally be greater than the rebate on a Scheduled Interest Receivable that provides for a Rule of 78s rebate, and will generally be equal to the rebate on a Scheduled Interest Receivable that provides for an actuarial rebate. The portion of a pool of receivables which consists of Simple Interest Receivables will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. Information with respect to each pool of receivables will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement, including, to the extent appropriate, the composition, distribution by APR, states of origination and portion of such pool of receivables secured by new vehicles and by used vehicles. WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE SECURITIES The weighted average life of the securities will generally be influenced by the rate at which the principal balances of the related receivables are paid, which payment may be in the form of scheduled amortization or prepayments. For this purpose, the term "prepayment" includes charge-offs, liquidations due to defaults and repurchases by the seller or GMAC pursuant to the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, as well as receipt of proceeds from credit life and casualty insurance policies. All of the receivables are prepayable at any time without penalty to the obligor. The rate of prepayment of automotive receivables is influenced by a variety of economic, social and other factors, including the fact that an obligor generally may not sell or transfer the financed vehicle securing a receivable without the consent of the servicer. Any reinvestment risk resulting from prepayment of receivables will be borne entirely by the holders of securities. See also "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Transfer of Vehicles" in this prospectus. POOL FACTORS AND TRADING INFORMATION Each Note Pool Factor and each Certificate Pool Factor will initially be 1.0000000. Thereafter the Note Pool Factor and the Certificate Pool Factor will decline to reflect 8 12 reductions in the outstanding principal balance of the notes, or the reduction of the Certificate Balance of the certificates, as the case may be. A noteholder's portion of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the related class of notes is the product of (1) the original denomination of such noteholder's note and (2) the note pool factor. A certificateholder's portion of the aggregate outstanding Certificate Balance for the related class of certificates is the product of (A) the original denomination of the certificateholder's certificate and (B) the Certificate Pool Factor. With respect to each trust, the noteholders will receive reports on or about each Payment Date concerning payments received on the receivables, the Aggregate Principal Balance, each Note Pool Factor and various other items of information. Noteholders of record during any calendar year will be furnished information for tax reporting purposes not later than the latest date permitted by law. See "Certain Information Regarding the Securities--Reports to Securityholders." Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to the trust, the certificateholders will receive reports on or about each Distribution Date concerning payments received on the receivables, the Aggregate Principal Balance, each Certificate Pool Factor and various other items of information. Certificateholders of record during any calendar year will be furnished information for tax reporting purposes not later than the latest date permitted by law. See "Certain Information Regarding the Securities--Reports to Securityholders" in this prospectus. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the net proceeds to be received by the seller from the sale of the securities of a given series will be applied to the purchase of the receivables from GMAC. THE SELLER Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC, was incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 6, 1992. The seller is organized for the limited purposes of purchasing receivables from GMAC, transferring such receivables to third parties, forming trusts and engaging in related activities. The principal executive offices of the seller are located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. GMAC Auto receivables Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 16, 1990, was merged with and into the seller on February 22, 1996. It was also organized for the limited purposes of purchasing receivables from GMAC, transferring such receivables to third parties, forming trusts and engaging in related activities. The seller has taken steps in structuring the transactions contemplated hereby that are intended to make it unlikely that the voluntary or involuntary application for relief by GMAC under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar applicable state laws will result in consolidation of the assets and liabilities of the seller with those of GMAC. These steps include the creation of the seller as a separate, limited-purpose subsidiary pursuant to a certificate of incorporation containing certain limitations (including restrictions on the nature of the seller's business and a restriction on the seller's ability to commence a voluntary case or proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar applicable state laws without the unanimous affirmative vote of all of its directors). Under certain circumstances, the seller is required to have at least one director who qualifies under its By-laws as an "Independent Director." 9 13 If, notwithstanding the foregoing measures, a court concluded that the assets and liabilities of the seller should be consolidated with the assets and liabilities of GMAC in the event of the application of the federal bankruptcy laws to GMAC, a filing were made under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar applicable state laws by or against the seller, or an attempt were made to litigate the consolidation issue, then delays in distributions on the notes and the certificates (and possible reductions in the amount of such distributions) could occur. See also "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Sale of Receivables by GMAC" in this prospectus. Certain of the securities issued by a trust may be sold by the seller in private placements or other transactions and will not be offered hereby and by the related prospectus supplement. The seller may also retain all or a portion of the certificates or of one or more classes of notes issued by each trust as described in the related prospectus supplement. THE SERVICER GMAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors, was incorporated in 1919 under the New York Banking Law relating to investment companies. GMAC relinquished this status and became a Delaware corporation on January 1, 1998. Operating directly and through subsidiaries and associated companies in which it has equity investments, GMAC provides a wide variety of automotive financial services to and through franchised General Motors dealers in many countries throughout the world. Financial services also are offered to other dealerships in which General Motors dealers have an interest and to the customers of those dealerships. Other financial services offered by GMAC or its subsidiaries include insurance, mortgage banking and investment services. The principal business of GMAC and its subsidiaries is to finance the acquisition and resale by franchised General Motors dealers of various new automotive and nonautomotive products manufactured by General Motors or certain of its subsidiaries and associates, and to acquire from such dealers, either directly or indirectly, instalment obligations covering retail sales and leases of new General Motors products as well as used units of any make. In addition, new products of other manufacturers are financed. GMAC also leases motor vehicles and certain types of capital equipment to others. GMAC has its principal office at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 (Tel. No. 212-418-6120) and administrative offices at 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202 (Tel. No. 313-556-5000). DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES Certain information concerning GMAC's experience in the United States pertaining to delinquencies on new and used retail automobile and light truck receivables and repossessions and net loss information relating to its entire vehicle portfolio (including receivables previously sold which GMAC continues to service) will be set forth in each prospectus supplement. There can be no assurance that the delinquency, repossession and net loss experience on any pool of receivables will be comparable to prior experience. THE NOTES GENERAL With respect to each trust, one or more classes of notes will be issued pursuant to the terms of an indenture, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration 10 14 statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the notes and the indenture. Where particular provisions or terms used in the indenture are referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each class of notes will initially be represented by one or more notes, in each case registered in the name of the nominee of DTC (in the United States) or Cedelbank or Euroclear (in Europe) except as set forth below. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, notes will be available for purchase in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof in book-entry form only. The seller has been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede & Co. Accordingly, Cede & Co. is expected to be the holder of record of the notes. Unless and until definitive notes are issued under the limited circumstances described herein or in the related prospectus supplement, no noteholder will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing a note. All references herein to actions by noteholders refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participating organizations. All references herein to distributions, notices, reports and statements to noteholders refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede & Co., as the registered holder of the notes, as the case may be, for distribution to noteholders in accordance with DTC's procedures with respect thereto. See "Certain Information Regarding the Securities--Book-Entry Registration" and "--Definitive Securities" in this prospectus. PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE NOTES The timing and priority of payment, seniority, allocations of loss, Interest Rate and amount of or method of determining payments of principal and interest on the notes will be described in the related prospectus supplement. The right of holders of any class of notes to receive payments of principal and interest may be senior or subordinate to the rights of holders of any other class or classes of notes in the series, as described in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, payments of interest on the notes will be made prior to payments of principal thereon. A series may include one or more classes of Strip Notes entitled to (1) principal payments with disproportionate, nominal or no interest payment or (2) interest payments with disproportionate, nominal or no principal payments. Each class of notes may have a different Interest Rate, which may be a fixed, variable or adjustable Interest Rate (and which may be zero for certain classes of Strip Notes), or any combination of the foregoing. The related prospectus supplement will specify the Interest Rate for each class of notes, or the initial Interest Rate and the method for determining the Interest Rate. One or more classes of notes of a series may be redeemable under the circumstances specified in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, payments to noteholders of all classes within a series in respect of interest will have the same priority. Under certain circumstances, the amount available for such payments could be less than the amount of interest payable on the notes on any of the Payment Dates specified for any class of notes in the related prospectus supplement. In that case, each such class of noteholders will receive their ratable share (based upon the aggregate amount of interest due to such class of noteholders) of the aggregate amount available to be distributed in respect of interest on the notes. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" and "--Credit Enhancement" in this prospectus. 11 15 In the case of a series of notes which includes two or more classes of notes, the sequential order and priority of payment in respect of principal and interest, and any schedule or formula or other provisions applicable to the determination thereof, of each such class will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, payments in respect of principal and interest of any class of notes will be made on a pro rata basis among all of the notes of such class. Notes legally and/or beneficially owned by the seller or its affiliates will be entitled to equal and proportionate benefits under the indenture, except that such notes that are both legally and beneficially owned by the seller or its affiliates will be deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of determining whether the requisite percentage of noteholders have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the Related Documents. If more than one class of notes in a series is issued and the rights of the classes are different with respect to voting on any matters, including giving any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the Related Documents, such rights will be described in the related prospectus supplement. THE INDENTURE A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The seller will provide a copy of the applicable indenture (without exhibits) upon request to a holder of notes issued thereunder. Modification of Indenture Without Noteholder Consent. Each trust and related indenture trustee (on behalf of such trust) may, without consent of the related noteholders, enter into one or more supplemental indentures for any of the following purposes: (1) to correct or amplify the description of the collateral or add additional collateral; (2) to provide for the assumption of the notes and the indenture obligations by a permitted successor to the trust; (3) to add additional covenants for the benefit of the related noteholders; (4) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the indenture trustee; (5) to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provision of the indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any other Related Document; (6) to provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor indenture trustee or to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary and permitted to facilitate the administration by more than one trustee; (7) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture in order to comply with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and (8) to add any provisions to, change in any manner, or eliminate any of the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of noteholders under such indenture; provided that any action specified in this clause (8) shall not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any related noteholder unless noteholder consent is otherwise obtained as described below. Modification of Indenture With Noteholder Consent. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, with the consent of the holders of a 12 16 majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes affected thereby, the trust and the indenture trustee may execute a supplemental indenture to add provisions to, change in any manner or eliminate any provisions of, the related indenture, or modify in any manner the rights of the related noteholders. Without the consent of the holder of each outstanding related note affected thereby, however, no supplemental indenture will: (1) change the due date of any instalment of principal of or interest on any note or reduce the principal amount thereof, the interest rate specified thereon or the redemption price with respect thereto or change any place of payment where or the coin or currency in which any note or any interest thereon is payable or modify any of the provisions of the indenture in such manner as to affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal due on any note on any Payment Date; (2) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of certain provisions of the indenture regarding payment; (3) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes the consent of the holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or of certain defaults thereunder and their consequences as provided for in the indenture; (4) modify any of the provisions of the indenture regarding the voting of notes held by the related trust, any other obligor on the notes, the seller or an affiliate of any of them; (5) reduce the percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the notes the consent of the holders of which is required to direct the indenture trustee to sell or liquidate the assets of the trust if the proceeds of such sale would be insufficient to pay the principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest on the outstanding notes; (6) decrease the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the notes required to amend the sections of the indenture which specify the applicable percentage of aggregate principal amount of the notes necessary to amend the indenture; or (7) permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of the indenture with respect to any part of the assets of the trust or, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated in the indenture, terminate the lien of the indenture on any such collateral or deprive the holder of any note of the security afforded by the lien of the indenture. Events of Default; Rights Upon Event of Default. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, Events of Default under the indenture will consist of: (1) any failure to pay interest on the related notes as and when the same becomes due and payable, which failure continues unremedied for five days; (2) except as provided in clause (3), any failure (A) to make any required payment of principal on the notes or (B) to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenants or agreements in the indenture, which failure in the case of a default under clause (2)(B) materially and adversely affects the rights of related noteholders, and which failure in either case continues for 30 days after the giving of written notice of such failure (X) to the trust, to the seller or the servicer, as applicable, by the indenture 13 17 trustee or (Y) to the seller or the servicer, as applicable, and the indenture trustee by the holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the related notes; (3) failure to pay the unpaid principal balance of any related class of notes on or prior to the respective final scheduled Payment Date for such class; and (4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership with respect to the trust indicating its insolvency, reorganization pursuant to bankruptcy proceedings or inability to pay its obligations. However, the amount of principal required to be paid to noteholders under the related indenture will generally be limited to amounts available to be deposited therefor in the note Distribution Account. Therefore, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the failure to pay principal on a class of notes generally will not result in the occurrence of an Event of Default unless such class of notes has a final scheduled Payment Date, and then not until such final scheduled Payment Date for such class of notes. If an Event of Default should occur and be continuing with respect to the notes of any series, the related indenture trustee or holders of a majority in principal amount of such notes then outstanding may declare the principal of the notes to be immediately due and payable. Such declaration may, under certain circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, if the notes of any series are declared due and payable following an Event of Default with respect thereto, in lieu of the trust maintaining possession of the assets of the trust and continuing to apply collections on such receivables as if there had been no declaration of acceleration, the related indenture trustee may: (1) institute proceedings to collect amounts due on foreclosed property, (2) exercise remedies as a secured party or (3) sell the assets of the trust. In such event, any money or property collected by the indenture trustee shall be applied: (1) first to the indenture trustee for fees, expenses and indemnification due to it under the indenture and not paid, if any, (2) next to the related owner trustee for amounts due (not including amounts due for payments to the certificateholders) under the Related Documents and (3) the remainder to the related Collection Account for distribution pursuant to the Related Documents. The indenture trustee, however, is prohibited from selling the related receivables following an Event of Default, unless: (1) the holders of all the outstanding related notes consent to such sale, (2) the proceeds of such sale are sufficient to pay in full the principal of and the accrued interest on such outstanding securities at the date of such sale or (3) (X) there has been a default in the payment of interest or principal on the notes, (Y) the indenture trustee determines that the receivables will not continue to provide sufficient funds on an ongoing basis to make all payments on the notes as such 14 18 payments would have become due if such obligations had not been declared due and payable and (Z) the indenture trustee obtains the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding amount of the notes. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement following a declaration upon an Event of Default that the notes are immediately due and payable, (X) noteholders will be entitled to ratable repayment of principal on the basis of their respective unpaid principal balances and (Y) repayment in full of the accrued interest on and unpaid principal balances of the notes will be made prior to any further distribution of interest on the certificates or in respect of the Certificate Balance. Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the indenture trustee, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of notes, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of such notes, if the indenture trustee reasonably believes it will not be adequately indemnified against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with such request. Subject to the provisions for indemnification and certain limitations contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of a trust, voting together as a single class will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee and the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such notes then outstanding voting together as a single class, may, in certain cases, waive any default with respect thereto, except a default in the payment of principal or interest or a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent of all of the holders of such outstanding notes. No holder of a note of any series will have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the related indenture, unless: (1) such holder previously has given to the indenture trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, (2) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of a trust voting together as a single class such series have made written request of the indenture trustee to institute such proceeding in its own name as indenture trustee, (3) such holder or holders have offered the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity, (4) the indenture trustee has for 60 days failed to institute such proceeding and (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the indenture trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such outstanding notes. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any trust and if it is known to the indenture trustee, the indenture trustee will mail to each noteholder of such trust notice of the Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a failure to make any required payment of principal of or interest on any note, the indenture trustee may withhold the notice beyond such 90-day period if and so long as it determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the interests of noteholders. 15 19 In addition, each indenture trustee and the related noteholders, by accepting the related notes, will covenant that they will not, for a period of one year and one day after the termination of the related trust agreement, institute against the related trust or seller, any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. Neither the indenture trustee nor the owner trustee in its individual capacity, nor any holder of a certificate including, without limitation, the seller, nor any of their respective owners, beneficiaries, agents, officers, directors, employees, affiliates, or any successors or assigns of the indenture trustee or the owner trustee will, in the absence of an express agreement to the contrary, be personally liable for the payment of the principal of or interest on the related notes or for the agreements of the related trust contained in the indenture. Certain Covenants. Each indenture provides that the related trust may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity, unless: (1) the entity formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger is organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia, (2) such entity expressly assumes the trust's obligation to make due and punctual payments on the notes and the performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of the trust under the indenture, (3) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately after such merger or consolidation, (4) the trust has been advised that the rating of the related notes or certificates then in effect would not be reduced or withdrawn by the Rating Agencies as a result of such merger or consolidation, (5) any action necessary to maintain the lien and security interest created by the related indenture has been taken and (6) the trust has received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such consolidation or merger would have no material adverse tax consequence to the trust or to any related noteholder or certificateholder. Each trust will not, among other things, except as expressly permitted by the Related Documents (i.e., the indenture, the Transfer and Servicing Agreements and certain related documents for that trust): (1) sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the trust, (2) claim any credit on or make any deduction from the principal and interest payable in respect of the related notes (other than amounts withheld under the Code or applicable state law) or assert any claim against any present or former holder of such notes because of the payment of taxes levied or assessed upon the trust, (3) dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part, (4) permit the validity or effectiveness of the related indenture to be impaired or permit any person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to the related notes under such indenture except as may be expressly permitted thereby or (5) permit any lien, charge, excise, claim, security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden the assets of the trust or any part thereof, or any interest therein or the proceeds thereof. 16 20 Except as specified in the related prospectus supplement, a trust may not engage in any activity other than as specified under "The Trusts" above. No trust will incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness other than indebtedness incurred pursuant to the related notes and the related indenture or otherwise in accordance with the Related Documents. Annual Compliance Statement. Each trust will be required to file annually with the related indenture trustee a written statement as to the fulfillment of its obligations under the indenture. Indenture Trustee's Annual Report. The indenture trustee will be required to mail each year to all related noteholders, to the extent required under the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report relating to its eligibility and qualification to continue as indenture trustee under the related indenture, any amounts advanced by it under the indenture, the amount, interest rate and maturity date of certain indebtedness owing by the trust to the indenture trustee in its individual capacity, the property and funds physically held by the indenture trustee as such and any action taken by it that materially affects the notes and that has not been previously reported. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The indenture will be discharged with respect to the related notes upon the delivery to the related indenture trustee for cancellation of all such notes or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with the indenture trustee of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of such notes. The indenture trustee will continue to act as indenture trustee under the indenture and the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement for the benefit of the related certificateholders until such time as all payments in respect of Certificate Balance and interest due to such certificateholders have been paid in full. THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE The indenture trustee for a series of notes will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. The indenture trustee may give notice of its intent to resign at any time, in which event the trust will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The trust may also remove the indenture trustee if the indenture trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the indenture or if the indenture trustee becomes insolvent or otherwise becomes incapable of acting. In such circumstances, the trust will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes outstanding also have the right to remove the indenture trustee and appoint a successor. Any resignation or removal of the indenture trustee and appointment of a successor trustee does not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor trustee. THE CERTIFICATES GENERAL With respect to each trust, one or more classes of certificates may be issued pursuant to the terms of a trust agreement, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The certificates issued by each trust may be offered hereby or may be sold in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act or retained by the seller or its affiliates. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the certificates and the trust agreement. Where particular provisions or terms used in the trust agreement are referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. 17 21 Each class of certificates to be sold by the certificate underwriters (as defined in the related prospectus supplement) will initially be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the DTC, except as set forth below. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, any certificates offered under any such prospectus supplement will be available for purchase in minimum denominations of $20,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof in book-entry form only and resales or other transfers of the certificates will not be permitted in amounts of less than $20,000. The seller has been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede & Co. Accordingly, Cede & Co. is expected to be the holder of record of any offered certificates that are not retained by the seller. Unless and until definitive certificates are issued under the limited circumstances described herein or in the related prospectus supplement, no such certificateholder (other than the seller) will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing a certificate. In such case, all references herein to actions by certificateholders refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from the DTC participants and all references herein to distributions, notices, reports and statements to certificateholders refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede & Co., as the registered holder of the certificates, as the case may be, for distribution to certificateholders in accordance with DTC's procedures with respect thereto. See "Certain Information Regarding the Securities--Book Entry Registration" and "--Definitive Securities" in this prospectus. Certificates owned by the seller or its affiliates will be entitled to equal and proportionate benefits under the trust agreement, except that, unless all such certificates are owned by the seller and its affiliates, such certificates will be deemed not to be outstanding for purposes of determining whether the requisite percentage of certificateholders have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the Related Documents (other than commencement by the trust of a voluntary proceeding in bankruptcy as described in "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Insolvency Event)." Under the trust agreement, the trust (and the owner trustee on its behalf) and the related certificateholders, by accepting the related certificates, will covenant that they will not, for a period of one year and one day after the termination of the trust agreement, institute against the seller any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST AND CERTIFICATE BALANCE The timing and priority of distributions, seniority, allocations of loss, Pass Through Rate and amount of or method of determining distributions with respect to Certificate Balance and interest (or, where applicable, with respect to Certificate Balance only or interest only) on the certificates of any series will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions of interest on the certificates will be made on the Distribution Dates specified in the related prospectus supplement and will be made prior to distributions with respect to Certificate Balance. A series may include one or more classes of Strip Certificates, entitled to (1) distributions in respect of Certificate Balance with disproportionate, nominal or no interest distributions, or (2) interest distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no distributions in respect of Certificate Balance. Each class of certificates may have a different Pass Through Rate, which may be a fixed, variable or adjustable Pass Through Rate (and which may be zero for certain classes of Strip Certificates), or any combination of the foregoing. The related prospectus supplement will specify the Pass Through Rate for each class of certificate, or the initial Pass Through Rate and the method for determining the Pass Through Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, interest on the certificates will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day 18 22 months. Distributions in respect of the certificates will be subordinate to payments in respect of the notes as more fully described in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions in respect of Certificate Balance of any class of certificates will be made on a pro rata basis among all of the certificateholders of such class. In the case of a series of certificates which includes two or more classes of certificates, the timing, sequential order, priority of payment or amount of distributions in respect of principal, and any schedule or formula or other provisions applicable to the determination thereof, of each such class shall be as set forth in the related prospectus supplement. CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE SECURITIES BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION The Depository Trust Company is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its DTC participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between DTC participants through electronic book-entries, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to indirect DTC participants such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, securityholders (i.e., holders of a beneficial interest in a book-entry security) that are not DTC participants or indirect DTC participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other interests in, securities may do so only through DTC participants and indirect DTC participants. In addition, securityholders will receive all distributions of principal and interest from the owner trustee or indenture trustee, as applicable, through DTC participants. Under a book-entry format, securityholders may experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will be forwarded by the owner trustee or indenture trustee, as applicable, to Cede & Co. , as nominee for DTC. DTC will forward such payments to its DTC participants, which thereafter will forward them to indirect DTC participants or securityholders. Except for the seller, it is anticipated that the only noteholder and certificateholder will be Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Securityholders will not be recognized by the trustee as noteholders or certificateholders, as such term is used in the trust agreement and indenture, as applicable, and securityholders will be permitted to exercise the rights of securityholders only indirectly through DTC and its DTC participants. Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and its operations, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers of securities among DTC participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to the securities and to receive and transmit payments of principal of, and interest on, the securities. DTC participants and indirect DTC participants with which securityholders have accounts with respect to the securityholders similarly are required to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective securityholders. Accordingly, although securityholders will not possess securities, the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and its operations provide a mechanism by which securityholders will receive payments and will be able to transfer their interests. 19 23 Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect DTC participants and certain banks, the ability of securityholders to pledge securities to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or to otherwise act with respect to such securityholders may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate for such securities. DTC has advised the seller that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a noteholder under the related indenture or a certificateholder under the related trust agreement only at the direction of one or more DTC participants to whose accounts with DTC the notes or certificates are credited. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that such actions are taken on behalf of DTC participants whose holdings include such undivided interests. In addition to holding notes through DTC participants or indirect DTC participants of DTC in the United States as described above, holders of book-entry notes may hold their notes through Cedelbank or Euroclear in Europe if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Cedelbank and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Cedelbank's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositaries which in turn will hold such positions in customers' securities accounts in the depositaries' names on the books of DTC. Transfers between Cedelbank participants and Euroclear participants will occur in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Cedelbank participants or Euroclear participants, on the other hand, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing systems by its depositary. Cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Cedelbank participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries. Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the Business Day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Cedelbank participants on such Business Day. Cash received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a result of sales of securities by or through a Cedelbank participant or a Euroclear participant to a participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Cedelbank or Euroclear cash account only as of the Business Day following settlement in DTC. For information with respect to tax documentation procedures, see "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--Characterization and Treatment--Tax Consequences to Foreign Noteholders" in this prospectus. Cedelbank is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depository. Cedelbank holds securities for its participating organizations and facilitates the clearance and 20 24 settlement of securities transactions between Cedelbank participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Cedelbank participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Transactions may be settled in Cedelbank in any of 28 currencies, including United States dollars. Cedelbank provides to Cedelbank participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Cedelbank interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depository, Cedelbank is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Cedelbank participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Cedelbank is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Cedelbank participant, either directly or indirectly. Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 29 currencies, including United States dollars. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC described above. Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear Operator under contract with Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C. Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C. establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly. The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission. Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and the applicable Belgian law. These laws and procedures govern transfers of securities and cash with Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under these laws and procedures only on behalf of Euroclear participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants. Distributions with respect to notes held through Cedelbank or Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Cedelbank participants or Euroclear participants in accordance with the relevant system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositary. Such distributions will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant United States tax laws and regulations. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--Characterization 21 25 and Treatment--Information Reporting and Backup Withholding" in this prospectus. Cedelbank or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to be taken by a noteholder under the indenture or other Related Document on behalf of a Cedelbank participant or Euroclear participant only in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures and subject to its depositary's ability to effect such actions on its behalf through DTC. Although DTC, Cedelbank and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of DTC, Cedelbank and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Except as required by law, neither the trust, the seller, the servicer, the administrator, the owner trustee nor the indenture trustee will have any liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the notes or the certificates of any series held by Cede, as nominee for DTC, by Cedelbank or by Euroclear in Europe, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. DEFINITIVE SECURITIES Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, any notes and certificates originally issued in book-entry form will be issued in fully registered, certificated form as definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be, to noteholders, certificateholders or their respective nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if (1) the related administrator advises the appropriate trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as depository with respect to such securities and the trust is unable to locate a qualified successor, (2) the administrator, at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system through DTC or (3) after the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Servicer Default, holders representing at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of such securities advise the appropriate trustee through DTC in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the best interest of the holders of such securities. Upon the occurrence of any event described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the appropriate trustee will be required to notify DTC of the availability of definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be. DTC shall notify all the note owners or certificate owners, as applicable, of the availability of definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be. Upon surrender by DTC of the definitive certificates representing the securities and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the appropriate trustee will reissue such securities as definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be, to holders thereof. Distributions of principal of, and interest on, the definitive securities will thereafter be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the related indenture or related trust agreement, as applicable, directly to holders of definitive securities in whose names the definitive securities were registered at the close of business on the last day of the preceding Monthly Period. Such distributions will be made by check mailed to the address of such holder as it appears on the register maintained by the indenture trustee or owner trustee, as applicable. The final payment on any definitive security, however, will be made only upon 22 26 presentation and surrender of such definitive security at the office or agency specified in the notice of final distribution to the holders of such class. Definitive securities will be transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the appropriate trustee or of a registrar named in a notice delivered to holders of definitive securities. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the appropriate trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith. REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS With respect to each trust, on or prior to each Payment Date, the servicer will prepare and provide to the indenture trustee a statement to be delivered to the related noteholders on such Payment Date and on or prior to each Distribution Date, the servicer will prepare and provide to the owner trustee a statement to be delivered to the related certificateholders. Each such statement to be delivered to noteholders will include the information set forth below as to the notes with respect to such Payment Date or the period since the previous Payment Date on such notes, as applicable. Each such statement to be delivered to certificateholders will include the information set forth below as to the certificates with respect to such Distribution Date or the period since the previous Distribution Date, as applicable: (1) the amount of the distribution allocable to principal of each class of the notes and to the Certificate Balance of each class of certificates; (2) the amount of the distribution allocable to interest on or with respect to each class of securities; (3) the Aggregate Principal Balance as of the close of business on the last day of the preceding Monthly Period; (4) the aggregate outstanding principal balance and the Note Pool Factor for each class of notes, and the Certificate Balance and the Certificate Pool Factor for each class of certificates, each after giving effect to all payments reported under (1) above on such date; (5) the aggregate amount in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account or on deposit with the servicer as Payments Ahead and the change in such amount from the previous statement, as the case may be; (6) the amount of outstanding Monthly Advances on such date; (7) the amount of the Total Servicing Fee paid to the servicer with respect to the related Monthly Period or Periods, as the case may be; (8) the Interest Rate or Pass Through Rate for the next period for any class of notes or certificates with variable or adjustable rates; (9) the amount, if any, distributed to noteholders and certificateholders from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account or from other forms of credit enhancement; (10) the Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall, the Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall, the Certificateholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall and the Certificateholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall (each as defined in the related prospectus supplement), if any, and the change in such amounts from the preceding statement; and (11) the balance of the Reserve Account, if any, on such date, after giving effect to changes therein on such date. 23 27 Each amount set forth pursuant to subclauses (1), (2), (7), (9) and (10) with respect to notes or certificates will be expressed as a dollar amount per $1,000 of the initial principal balance of the notes or the initial Certificate Balance, as applicable. Within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the end of each calendar year during the term of the trust, the trustees will mail to each holder of a class of securities who at any time during such calendar year has been a securityholder, and received any payment thereon, a statement containing certain information for the purposes of such securityholder's preparation of federal income tax returns. As long as the holder of record of the securities is Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, beneficial owners of the securities will receive tax and other information from DTC participants and indirect DTC participants rather than from the trustees. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" in this prospectus. THE TRANSFER AND SERVICING AGREEMENTS Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the following summary describes certain terms of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements relating to each trust consisting of: (1) the Pooling and Servicing Agreement pursuant to which the seller will purchase receivables from GMAC, the servicer will agree to service such receivables, and GMAC, as Custodian, will agree to act as custodian for the documents evidencing the receivables, (2) the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement pursuant to which a trust will acquire such receivables from the seller and agree to the servicing thereof by the servicer and the appointment of GMAC as Custodian, (3) the trust agreement pursuant to which such trust will be created and certificates will be issued and (4) the administration agreement pursuant to which GMAC will undertake certain administrative duties with respect to such trust. Forms of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements in the above list have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The seller will provide a copy of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements (without exhibits) upon request to a holder of securities described therein. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements. Where particular provisions or terms used in the Transfer and Servicing Agreements are referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of such summary. SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES On the Closing Date specified in the related prospectus supplement, GMAC will sell and assign to the seller, without recourse, its entire interest in the related receivables, including its security interests in the financed vehicles, pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement between GMAC and the seller. On the Closing Date, the seller will transfer and assign to the applicable trust, without recourse, its entire interest in the related receivables, including its security interests in the financed vehicles, pursuant to a Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement among the seller, the servicer and the trust. Each receivable with respect to a trust will be identified in a schedule which will be on file at the locations set forth in an exhibit to the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. The trust will, concurrently with such transfer 24 28 and assignment, execute and deliver the related notes and certificates to the seller in exchange for such receivables. Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement, the seller will sell the related securities offered hereby (which may or may not include all securities of a series) to the respective underwriters set forth in the related prospectus supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus. In each Pooling and Servicing Agreement, GMAC will represent and warrant to the seller, among other things, that: (1) the information provided in the related schedule of receivables exhibit to the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement is correct in all material respects; (2) the obligor on each receivable is required to maintain physical damage insurance covering the financed vehicle in accordance with GMAC's normal requirements; (3) as of the Closing Date, to the best of its knowledge, the related receivables are free and clear of all filed security interests, liens, charges and encumbrances on account of work, labor or materials (other than tax liens and other liens that arise by operation of law) and no offsets, defenses or counterclaims have been asserted or threatened; (4) as of the Closing Date, each receivable is or will be secured by a first perfected security interest in favor of GMAC in the financed vehicle; and (5) each related receivable, at the time it was originated complied, and as of the Closing Date complies, in all material respects with applicable federal and state laws, including, without limitation, consumer credit, truth-in-lending, equal credit opportunity and disclosure laws. In the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the seller will assign the representations and warranties of GMAC, as set forth above, to the trust, and will represent and warrant to the trust that the seller has taken no action which would cause such representations and warranties of GMAC to be false in any material respect as of the Closing Date. As of the last day of the second (or, if the seller elects, the first) month following the discovery by the seller, the servicer, the owner trustee or the indenture trustee of a breach of any representation or warranty of the seller or GMAC that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related securityholders in any receivable, the seller, unless the breach is cured in all material respects, will repurchase (or, will enforce the obligation of GMAC under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement to repurchase) such Warranty Receivable from the trust at a price equal to the Warranty Payment. The seller or GMAC, as applicable, will be entitled to receive any amounts held by the servicer or in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account with respect to such Warranty Receivable. The repurchase obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to the trust, the noteholders, the indenture trustee, the certificateholders or the owner trustee for any such uncured breach. In each Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the servicer will covenant that: (1) except as contemplated in such Agreement, the servicer will not release any financed vehicle from the security interest securing the related receivable, (2) the servicer will do nothing to impair the rights of the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders or the certificateholders in the related receivables and (3) the servicer will not amend or otherwise modify any such receivable such that the Amount Financed, the APR, the total number of Scheduled Payments (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable) or the number of originally scheduled due dates (in 25 29 the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) is altered or such that the last Scheduled Payment (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable) or the last scheduled due date (in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) occurs after the final scheduled Distribution Date. As of the last day of the second (or, if the servicer so elects, the first) month following the discovery by the servicer, the owner trustee or the indenture trustee of a breach of any covenant that materially and adversely affects any receivable and unless such breach is cured in all material respects, the servicer will make an Administrative Purchase Payment with respect to such Administrative Receivable. The servicer will be entitled to receive any amounts held by the servicer or in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account with respect to such Administrative Receivable. This repurchase obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to the trust, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders for any such uncured breach. Pursuant to each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the trust will agree to GMAC acting as custodian to maintain possession, as the trust's agent, of the related retail instalment sale contracts and any other documents relating to the receivables. To assure uniform quality in servicing both the receivables and GMAC's own portfolio of receivables, as well as to facilitate servicing and save administrative costs, the documents will not be physically segregated from other similar documents that are in GMAC's possession or otherwise stamped or marked to reflect the transfer to the related trust so long as GMAC is the custodian of such documents. However, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements reflecting the sale and assignment of such receivables to the trust and the pledge by the trust to the indenture trustee will be filed, and the servicer's accounting records and computer files will reflect such sale and assignment. Because such receivables will remain in the possession of GMAC, as Custodian, and will not be stamped or otherwise marked to reflect the assignment to the trust or the pledge to the indenture trustee, if a subsequent purchaser were able to take physical possession of the receivables without knowledge of the assignment, the trust's and the indenture trustee's interests in such receivables could be defeated. ACCOUNTS With respect to each trust, the servicer will establish and maintain one or more Collection Accounts, in the name of the indenture trustee on behalf of the related noteholders and the certificateholders, into which all payments made on or with respect to the related receivables will be deposited. The servicer will establish and maintain with respect to each trust a Note Distribution Account, in the name of the indenture trustee on behalf of the related noteholders, in which amounts released from the Collection Account and any Reserve Account or other credit enhancement for payment to such noteholders will be deposited and from which all distributions to such noteholders will be made . The servicer will establish and maintain with respect to each trust a Certificate Distribution Account, in the name of the owner trustee on behalf of the related certificateholders, in which amounts released from the Collection Account and any Reserve Account or other credit enhancement for distribution to such certificateholders will be deposited and from which all distributions to such certificateholders will be made. The servicer will establish for each trust a Payment Ahead Servicing Account, in the name of the indenture trustee, into which to the extent required by the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, early payments by or on behalf of obligors on Scheduled Interest Receivables which do not constitute either Scheduled Payments or Prepayments will be deposited until such time as payment becomes due. The Payment Ahead Servicing Account will not be property of the related trust. Unless otherwise provided in the 26 30 related prospectus supplement, the Payment Ahead Servicing Account will initially be maintained in the trust department of the indenture trustee. For any series, funds in the Designated Accounts (i.e., the Collection Account, the Note Distribution Account and any Reserve Account and other accounts identified as such in the related prospectus supplement) will be invested as provided in the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement in Eligible Investments. Eligible Investments are generally limited to investments acceptable to the Rating Agencies then rating the related notes and certificates at the request of the seller as being consistent with the rating of such notes. Except as described below or in the related prospectus supplement, Eligible Investments are limited to obligations or securities that mature no later than the business day preceding the next Distribution Date or, in the case of the Note Distribution Account, the next Payment Date with respect to the notes. To the extent permitted by the Rating Agencies, funds in any Reserve Account may be invested in related notes that will not mature prior to the next Payment Date with respect to the notes. Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, such notes will not be sold to meet any shortfalls unless they are sold at a price equal to or greater than the unpaid principal balance thereof if, following such sale, the amount on deposit in such Reserve Account would be less than the related Specified Reserve Account Balance. Thus, the amount of cash in any Reserve Account at any time may be less than the balance of the Reserve Account. If the amount required to be withdrawn from any Reserve Account to cover shortfalls in collections on the receivables (as provided in the related prospectus supplement) exceeds the amount of cash in the Reserve Account, a temporary shortfall in the amounts distributed to the noteholders or certificateholders could result, which could, in turn, increase the average life of the notes or the certificates. Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, investment earnings on funds deposited in the Designated Accounts and the Payment Ahead Servicing Account, net of losses and investment expenses, will be payable to the servicer. The Designated Accounts will be maintained in either of two types of accounts. The first type of account is a segregated account with an eligible institution. The institutions which are eligible are: (1) the corporate trust department of the related indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable, or (2) a depository institution organized under the laws of the United States of America or any one of the states thereof or the District of Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank) as long as that depository institution: (A) has either (X) a long-term unsecured debt rating acceptable to the Rating Agencies or (Y) a short-term unsecured debt rating or certificate of deposit rating acceptable to the Rating Agencies and (B) has its deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor thereto. The second type of account is a segregated trust account with the corporate trust department of a depository institution organized under the laws of the United States of America or any one of the states thereof or the District of Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank). This depository institution must have corporate trust powers and act as trustee for funds deposited in the account and the securities of that depository institution must have a credit rating from each Rating Agency then rating such institution in one of its generic rating categories which signifies investment grade. 27 31 Any other accounts to be established with respect to a trust will be described in the related prospectus supplement. SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES With respect to each trust, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, on each Distribution Date, the servicer will receive a Total Servicing Fee equal to the following: - a basic servicing fee for the prior month equal to one-twelfth of the Basic Servicing Fee Rate specified in the related prospectus supplement multiplied by the Aggregate Principal Balance of all receivables held by such trust as of the first day of such Monthly Period - an additional servicing fee equal to the lesser of (1) the amount by which (A) the amount equal to the aggregate amount of the basic servicing fees for such Distribution Date and all prior Distribution Dates exceeds (B) the aggregate amount of additional servicing fees paid to the servicer on all prior Distribution Dates and (2) the amount by which the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account on such Distribution Date (after giving effect to all deposits, withdrawals and payments affecting any such Reserve Account other than the additional servicing fees and payments to the seller) exceeds the Specified Reserve Account Balance - any unpaid basic servicing fees from all prior Distribution Dates and the additional servicing fees to the extent of funds available therefor. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, the Total Servicing Fee for each Monthly Period and any portion of the Total Servicing Fee that remains unpaid from prior Distribution Dates may be paid at the beginning of such Monthly Period out of collections for such Monthly Period. In addition, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to each trust, the servicer will be entitled to retain any late fees, prepayment charges or certain similar fees and charges collected during a Monthly Period and any investment earnings on trust accounts during a Monthly Period. The foregoing amounts with respect to each trust are intended to compensate the servicer for performing the functions of a third party servicer of automobile receivables as an agent for their beneficial owner, including collecting and posting all payments, responding to inquiries of obligors on the receivables, investigating delinquencies, sending payment coupons to obligors, reporting tax information to obligors and policing the collateral. Such amounts will also compensate the servicer for its services as the pool of receivables administrator, including making Monthly Advances, accounting for collections, furnishing monthly and annual statements to the owner trustee and the indenture trustee with respect to distributions and generating federal income tax information for the trust, the certificateholders and the noteholders. Such amounts also will reimburse the servicer for certain taxes, the fees of the owner trustee and the indenture trustee, accounting fees, outside auditor fees, data processing costs and other costs incurred in connection with administering the pool of receivables. SERVICING PROCEDURES The servicer will make reasonable efforts to collect all payments due with respect to the receivables held by any trust and will, consistent with the related Pooling and Servicing 28 32 Agreement and Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, follow such collection procedures as it follows with respect to comparable automobile receivables that it services for itself or others. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in this prospectus. The servicer is authorized to grant certain rebates, adjustments or extensions with respect to a receivable. However, if any such modification of a receivable alters the Amount Financed, the APR, the total number of Scheduled Payments (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable) or the number of originally scheduled due dates (in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) such that the last Scheduled Payment (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable) or the last scheduled due date (in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) occurs after the final scheduled Distribution Date, the servicer will be obligated to purchase such receivable. If the servicer determines that eventual payment in full of a receivable is unlikely, the servicer will follow its normal practices and procedures to realize upon the receivable, including the repossession and disposition of the financed vehicle securing the receivable at a public or private sale, or the taking of any other action permitted by applicable law. The servicer will be entitled to receive its liquidation expenses as specified in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement as an allowance for amounts charged to the account of the obligor, in keeping with the servicer's customary procedures, for refurbishing and disposition of the financed vehicle and other out-of-pocket costs related to the liquidation. COLLECTIONS With respect to each trust, the servicer will deposit all payments on the related receivables received from obligors and all proceeds of receivables collected during each Monthly Period into the related Collection Account not later than two Business Days after receipt. However, the servicer may retain such amounts until the related Distribution Date at any time that: (1) GMAC is the servicer; (2) there exists no Servicer Default; and (3) either: (A) the short-term unsecured debt of the servicer is rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or (B) certain arrangements are made which are acceptable to the Rating Agencies. Pending deposit into the Collection Account, collections may be employed by the servicer at its own risk and for its own benefit and will not be segregated from its own funds. Collections on a Scheduled Interest Receivable made during a Monthly Period (other than an Administrative Receivable or a Warranty Receivable) which are not late fees, prepayment charges or certain other similar fees or charges will be applied first to any outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made by the servicer with respect to such receivable and then to the Scheduled Payment. Any Excess Payment will be held by the servicer (or, if the servicer has not satisfied conditions (2) and (3) described in the second preceding paragraph, will be deposited in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account), and will be treated as a Payment Ahead, except as described in the following sentence. If and to the extent that an Excess Payment (1) together with any unapplied payments ahead exceeds the sum of three Scheduled Payments, or (2) constitutes, either alone or together with any previous unapplied payments ahead, full prepayment, then such portion of such Excess 29 33 Payment shall not be deemed a payment ahead and shall instead be applied as a full or partial Prepayment. Collections made during a Monthly Period with respect to Simple Interest Receivables (other than Administrative Receivables and Warranty Receivables) which are not late fees or certain other similar fees or charges will be applied first to the payment to the servicer of Excess Simple Interest Collections, if any, and next to principal and interest on all such receivables. Excess Simple Interest Collections represent the excess, if any, of (1) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust to the extent allocable to interest over (2) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust, assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date. Collections on Administrative Receivables and Warranty Receivables (including Administrative Purchase Payments and Warranty Payments) will generally be applied in the manner described above, except that unapplied Payments Ahead on a Scheduled Interest Receivable will be made to the servicer or the seller, as applicable, and Administrative Purchase Payments and Warranty Payments on a Simple Interest Receivable will not be applied to Excess Simple Interest Collections. MONTHLY ADVANCES Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, if the full Scheduled Payment due on a Scheduled Interest Receivable is not received by the end of the month in which it is due, whether as the result of any extension granted to the obligor or otherwise, the amount of Payments Ahead, if any, not previously applied with respect to such receivable will be applied by the servicer to the extent of the shortfall and the Payments Ahead will be reduced accordingly. If any shortfall remains, the servicer will make a Scheduled Interest Advance equal to the amount of such shortfall. The servicer will be obligated to make a Scheduled Interest Advance only to the extent that the servicer, in its sole discretion, expects to recoup such advance from subsequent collections or recoveries on any receivable. The servicer will be reimbursed for any Scheduled Interest Advances with respect to a receivable from subsequent payments or collections relating to such receivable. At such time as the servicer determines that Scheduled Interest Advances will not be recoverable from payments with respect to such receivable, the servicer will be entitled to recoup its Scheduled Interest Advances from collections from other related receivables. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to each trust, as of the last day of each Monthly Period, the servicer will make a Simple Interest Advance equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date over (2) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust to the extent allocable to interest. In addition, with respect to each trust, the servicer will be paid, to the extent all previously made Simple Interest Advances exceed all Excess Simple Interest Collections previously paid to the servicer, all Liquidation Proceeds realized with respect to Simple Interest Receivables allocable to accrued and unpaid interest thereon (but not including interest for the then current Monthly Period). Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer will not make any advance with respect to principal on any Simple Interest Receivable. 30 34 DISTRIBUTIONS With respect to each trust, beginning on the Payment Date or Distribution Date, as applicable, specified in the related prospectus supplement, distributions of principal and interest (or, where applicable, of principal or interest only) (with respect to the notes) and distributions in respect of Certificate Balance and interest (or, where applicable, of Certificate Balance or interest only) (with respect to the certificates) on each class of securities entitled thereto will be made by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable, to the noteholders and the certificateholders. The timing, calculation, allocation, order, source, priorities of and requirements for all payments to each class of noteholders and all distributions to each class of certificateholders will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. With respect to each trust, on each Payment Date and Distribution Date, collections on the receivables will be transferred from the Collection Account to the Note Distribution Account and the Certificate Distribution Account for distribution to noteholders and certificateholders as and to the extent described in the related prospectus supplement. Credit enhancement, such as a Reserve Account, will be available to cover any shortfalls in the amount available for distribution on such date to the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions in respect of principal and Certificate Balance will be subordinate to distributions in respect of interest, and distributions in respect of the certificates will be subordinate to payments in respect of the notes, as more fully described in the related prospectus supplement. CREDIT ENHANCEMENT The amounts and types of credit enhancement arrangements and the provider thereof, if applicable, with respect to each class of securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. If and to the extent provided in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement may be in the form of subordination of one or more classes of securities, Reserve Accounts, overcollateralization, letters of credit, credit or liquidity facilities, repurchase obligations, third party payments or other support, cash advances or deposits or such other arrangements as may be described in the related prospectus supplement or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, credit enhancement for a series of securities may cover one or more other series of securities. The presence of a Reserve Account and other forms of credit enhancement is intended to enhance the likelihood of receipt by the noteholders and the certificateholders of the full amount of principal or Certificate Balance, as the case may be, and interest due thereon and to decrease the likelihood that the noteholders and the certificateholders will experience losses. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the credit enhancement for a class of securities will not provide protection against all risks of loss and will not guarantee repayment of the entire principal balance or Certificate Balance, as the case may be, and interest thereon. If losses occur which exceed the amount covered by any credit enhancement or which are not covered by any credit enhancement, securityholders will bear their allocable share of deficiencies. In addition, if a form of credit enhancement covers more than one series of securities, securityholders of any such series will be subject to the risk that such credit enhancement will be exhausted by the claims of securityholders of other series. Reserve Account. If so provided in the related prospectus supplement, pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the seller will establish for a series a Reserve Account which will be maintained with the indenture trustee. 31 35 Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the Reserve Account will not be included in the property of the related trust but will be a segregated trust account held by the indenture trustee for the benefit of noteholders and certificateholders. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the Reserve Account will be funded by an initial deposit by the seller on the Closing Date of the Reserve Account Initial Deposit (in the amount set forth in the related prospectus supplement). To the extent, if any, described in the related prospectus supplement, the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account will be increased on each Distribution Date thereafter up to the Specified Reserve Account Balance (as defined in the related prospectus supplement) by the deposit therein of the amount of collections on the related receivables remaining on each such Distribution Date after the payment of the Total Servicing Fee and the distributions and allocations to the noteholders and the certificateholders required on such date. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement or agreed by the seller, amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account after payments to noteholders, certificateholders and the servicer may be paid to the seller to the extent that such amounts exceed the Specified Reserve Account Balance. Upon any distribution to the seller of amounts from the Reserve Account, neither the noteholders nor the certificateholders will have any rights in, or claims to, such amounts. NET DEPOSITS As an administrative convenience during such Monthly Periods as the servicer is permitted to hold payments on receivables until the related Distribution Date, the servicer will also be permitted to make the deposit of collections, aggregate Monthly Advances, Warranty Purchase Payments and Administrative Purchase Payments for any trust for or with respect to the Monthly Period net of distributions to be made to the servicer for such trust with respect to the Monthly Period. Similarly, the servicer may cause to be made a single, net transfer from the Collection Account to the related Payment Ahead Servicing Account, or vice versa. The servicer, however, will account to the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders with respect to each trust as if all deposits, distributions and transfers were made individually. In addition, in connection with any trust at any time that the servicer is not required to remit collections on a daily basis, the servicer may retain collections allocable to the notes or the Note Distribution Account until the related Payment Date, and pending deposit into the Collection Account or the Note Distribution Account, such collections may be employed by the servicer at its own risk and for its own benefit and will not be segregated from its own funds. On each Payment Date, the servicer, the seller, the indenture trustee and the owner trustee will make all distributions, deposits and other remittances with respect to the notes or the Note Distribution Account of a trust for the periods since the previous distribution was to have been made. If Payment Dates do not coincide with Distribution Dates, all distributions, deposits or other remittances made on a Payment Date will be treated as having been distributed, deposited or remitted on the Distribution Date for the applicable Monthly Period for purposes of determining other amounts required to be distributed, deposited or otherwise remitted on such Distribution Date. STATEMENTS TO TRUSTEES AND TRUST Prior to each Payment Date and Distribution Date, with respect to each trust the servicer will provide to the indenture trustee and the owner trustee as of the close of business on the last day of the preceding Monthly Period a statement setting forth substantially the same information as is required to be provided in the periodic reports provided to securityholders on 32 36 such date described under "Certain Information Regarding the Securities--Reports to Securityholders" in this prospectus. EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that a firm of independent public accountants will furnish to the owner trustee and the indenture trustee on or before August 15 of each year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related Closing Date, a statement as to compliance by the servicer during the preceding twelve months ended June 30 (or in the case of the first such certificate, the period from the Closing Date to the June 30 of such year) with certain standards relating to the servicing of the receivables, the servicer's accounting records and computer files with respect thereto and certain other matters. Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will also provide for delivery to the owner trustee and the indenture trustee, on or before August 15 of each year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related Closing Date, of a certificate signed by an officer of the servicer stating that the servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement throughout the preceding twelve months ended June 30 (or in the case of the first such certificate, the period from the Closing Date to the June 30 of such year) or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, describing each such default. Such certificate may be provided as a single certificate making the required statements as to more than one Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. Copies of such statements and certificates may be obtained by securityholders by a request in writing addressed to the applicable indenture trustee or owner trustee. In each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the seller will agree to give the indenture trustee and the owner trustee notice of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become a Servicer Default. In addition, the seller will agree to give the indenture trustee, the owner trustee and the trust notice of certain covenant breaches which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a Servicer Default. CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICER Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that GMAC may not resign from its obligations and duties as servicer thereunder and under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, except upon determination that GMAC's performance of such duties is no longer permissible under applicable law. No such resignation will become effective until the related indenture trustee or a successor servicer has assumed GMAC's servicing obligations and duties under the related Transfer and Servicing Agreements. Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will further provide that, except as specifically provided otherwise, neither the servicer nor any of its directors, officers, employees and agents will be under any liability to the related trust or the related noteholders or certificateholders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action pursuant to the related Transfer and Servicing Agreements or the related indenture or for errors in judgment. Neither the servicer nor any such person will be protected against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (except errors in judgment) in the performance of the servicer's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder. Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will further provide that the servicer and its directors, officers, employees and agents will be reimbursed by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee for any contractual damages, liability or expense 33 37 incurred by reason of such trustee's wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (except errors in judgment) in the performance of such trustee's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder or under the related trust agreement or the related indenture. In addition, each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the servicer is under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to the servicer's servicing responsibilities under the related Transfer and Servicing Agreements and that, in its opinion, may cause it to incur any expense or liability. The servicer may, however, undertake any reasonable action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of the related Transfer and Servicing Agreements and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and the interests of the noteholders and the certificateholders thereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom will be expenses, costs and liabilities of the related trust, and the servicer will be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the related Collection Account. Any such indemnification or reimbursement will reduce the amount otherwise available for distribution to the noteholders and the certificateholders. Under the circumstances specified in each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, any entity into which the servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the servicer is a party, or any entity succeeding to the business of the servicer or, with respect to its obligations as servicer, any entity 50% or more of the voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors, which entity in each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the servicer under the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, will be the successor of the servicer under such Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. So long as GMAC acts as servicer, the servicer may at any time subcontract any duties as servicer under any Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement to any entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors or to any entity that agrees to conduct such duties in accordance with the servicer's servicing guidelines and the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. The servicer may at any time perform specific duties as servicer through subcontractors who are in the business of servicing receivables similar to the receivables, provided that no such delegation will relieve the servicer of its responsibility with respect to such duties. SERVICER DEFAULT Except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, Servicer Defaults under each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement will consist of: (1) any failure by the servicer to make any required distribution, payment, transfer or deposit or to direct the related indenture trustee to make any required distribution, which failure continues unremedied for five Business Days after written notice from the indenture trustee or the owner trustee is received by the servicer or after discovery of such failure by an officer of the servicer; (2) any failure by the servicer to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant or agreement in such Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the related trust agreement or the related indenture, which failure materially and adversely affects the rights of the noteholders or the certificateholders and which continues unremedied for 90 days after the giving of written notice of such failure to the servicer by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee or to the servicer, the indenture trustee and the owner trustee by holders of notes or 34 38 certificates, as applicable, evidencing not less than 25% in principal amount of such outstanding notes or of such Certificate Balance or after discovery of such failure by an officer of the servicer; (3) any representation, warranty or certification made by the servicer in such Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto proves to have been incorrect when made and which has a material adverse effect on the rights of the related securityholders and which effect continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the giving of written notice thereof to the servicer by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee; or (4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership with respect to the servicer by the servicer indicating its insolvency, reorganization pursuant to bankruptcy proceedings, or inability to pay its obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there will be no Servicer Default where a Servicer Default would otherwise exist under clause (1) above for a period of ten Business Days or under clause (2) or (3) for a period of 60 days if the delay or failure giving rise to such Servicer Default was caused by an act of God or other similar occurrence. Upon the occurrence of any such event, the servicer will not be relieved from using its best efforts to perform its obligations in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the servicer will provide the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the seller and the securityholders prompt notice of such failure or delay by it, together with a description of its efforts to so perform its obligations. RIGHTS UPON SERVICER DEFAULT As long as a Servicer Default under a Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement remains unremedied, the related indenture trustee or holders of related notes evidencing not less than a majority in principal amount of such then outstanding notes (or, if the notes have been paid in full and the indenture has been discharged with respect thereto, the related owner trustee or the holders of related certificates evidencing not less than a majority of the aggregate outstanding Certificate Balance of all certificates other than certificates owned by the trust, the seller, GMAC or any of their affiliates) may terminate all the rights and obligations of the servicer under such Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, whereupon such indenture trustee will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the servicer under such agreements and will be entitled to similar compensation arrangements. If, however, a bankruptcy trustee or similar official has been appointed for the servicer, and no Servicer Default other than such appointment has occurred, such trustee or official may have the power to prevent the indenture trustee or the noteholders from effecting a transfer of servicing. If the indenture trustee is unwilling to so act, it may, and if it is unable to so act, it will appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of, a successor with a net worth of at least $100,000,000 and whose regular business includes the servicing of automotive receivables and which satisfies the other criteria set forth in the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. The indenture trustee may make such arrangements for compensation to be paid, which in no event may be greater than the servicing compensation to the servicer under such Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS With respect to each trust, the holders of notes evidencing at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding related notes (or if all of the notes have been paid in full, 35 39 holders of the related certificates whose certificates evidence not less than a majority of the outstanding Certificate Balance) may, on behalf of all such noteholders and certificateholders, waive any default by the servicer in the performance of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement and its consequences, except a Servicer Default in making any required deposits to or payments from any of the Designated Accounts or the Certificate Distribution Account in accordance with the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. No such waiver will impair such noteholders' or certificateholders' rights with respect to subsequent defaults. AMENDMENT Each of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements may be amended by the parties thereto without the consent of the related noteholders or certificateholders: (1) to cure any ambiguity, (2) to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein or in any other Related Document, (3) to add or supplement any credit, liquidity or other enhancement arrangement for the benefit of noteholders or certificateholders (provided that if any such addition affects any class of noteholders or certificateholders differently than any other class of noteholders or certificateholders, then such addition will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any class of noteholders or certificateholders), (4) to add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the seller, the servicer, the owner trustee or the indenture trustee or (5) to add, change or eliminate any other provisions of such Agreement in any manner that will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the noteholders or the certificateholders. Each such Agreement may also be amended by the parties thereto with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such then outstanding notes and the holders of such certificates evidencing at least a majority of the Certificate Balance for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of such Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of such noteholders or certificateholders. No such amendment may: (1) increase or reduce in any manner the amount of, or accelerate or delay the timing of, distributions of payments that are required to be made on any note or certificate without the consent of the holder thereof, any Interest Rate, any Pass Through Rate or the Specified Reserve Account Balance, (2) adversely affect the rating of any series by any Rating Agency without the consent of two-thirds of the principal amount of the outstanding notes or the Voting Interests of the outstanding certificates, as appropriate, of such series or (3) reduce the aforesaid percentage required of noteholders or certificateholders to consent to any such amendment without the consent of all of the noteholders or certificateholders, as the case may be. 36 40 INSOLVENCY EVENT Each trust agreement will provide that the owner trustee does not have the power to commence a voluntary proceeding in bankruptcy relating to the related trust without the unanimous prior approval of all certificateholders (including the seller); provided, however, that under no circumstance will the owner trustee commence any such proceeding prior to the date that is one year and one day after the termination of the trust. In the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the servicer and the seller will covenant that they will not, for a period of one year and one day after the final distribution with respect to the related notes and the related certificates to the Note Distribution Account or the Certificate Distribution Account, as applicable, institute against the related trust any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. CERTIFICATEHOLDER LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION Under each trust agreement, certificateholders will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of for profit corporations under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Each Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement provides that the servicer will indemnify the indenture trustee and the owner trustee from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or cost arising out of or incurred in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties pursuant to the Transfer and Servicing Agreements, including any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim. Neither the indenture trustee nor owner trustee will be so indemnified if such acts or omissions or alleged acts or omissions constitute willful misfeasance bad faith or negligence by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable. In addition, the servicer will indemnify the trust, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders against losses arising out of the negligence, willful misfeasance or bad faith of the servicer in the performance of its duties under the Transfer and Servicing Agreements and the indenture or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder. The servicer will also indemnify such parties against any taxes that may be asserted against such parties with respect to the transactions contemplated in the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, other than taxes with respect to the sale of receivables or securities, the ownership of receivables or the receipt of payments on securities or other compensation. TERMINATION Each trust will terminate upon the final distribution by the indenture trustee and the owner trustee of all monies and other property of the trust in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement, the indenture and the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement (including in the case of the exercise by the servicer of its repurchase option as described below). Upon termination of the trust and payment (or deposit into the Note Distribution Account and the Certificate Distribution Account) of all amounts to be paid to the related securityholders, any remaining assets of the trust and any amounts remaining on deposit in the related Reserve Account will be paid to the seller. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, in order to avoid excessive administrative expense, the servicer, or its successor, will be permitted at its option to purchase from each trust, as of the last day of any Monthly Period, if the then outstanding Aggregate Principal Balance of the receivables held by such trust is 10% or less of the Aggregate Amount Financed, all remaining related receivables and other trust assets at a 37 41 price equal to the aggregate Administrative Purchase Payments for such receivables plus the appraised value of any other property held as part of the trust (which amount will in no event be less than the sum of the outstanding notes and certificates plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon) and determined as of the end of such Monthly Period. As further described in the related prospectus supplement, any related outstanding notes will be redeemed concurrently therewith and the subsequent distribution to related certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to the trust agreement will effect early retirement of the certificates. The indenture trustee will give written notice of redemption to each related noteholder of record and the owner trustee will give written notice of termination to each related certificateholder of record. The final distribution to any noteholder or certificateholder will be made only upon surrender and cancellation of such noteholder's note at an office or agency of the indenture trustee specified in the notice of redemption or such certificateholder's certificate at an office or agency of the owner trustee specified in the notice of termination. ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT GMAC, in its capacity as administrator, will enter into an administration agreement with each trust and the related indenture trustee pursuant to which GMAC, as administrator, will agree, to the extent provided in such administration agreement, to provide the notices and to perform other administrative obligations required by the related indenture. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, as compensation for the performance of the administrator's obligations under the administration agreement and as reimbursement for its expenses related thereto, GMAC, as administrator, will be entitled to an administration fee in an amount equal to $1,500 per month. The servicer will pay the administration fee. CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES SECURITY INTEREST IN VEHICLES In all states in which the receivables have been originated, retail instalment sale contracts such as the receivables evidence the credit sale of automobiles and light trucks by dealers to purchasers. The contracts also constitute personal property security agreements and include grants of security interests in the vehicles under the Uniform Commercial Code. Perfection of security interests in the vehicles is generally governed by the motor vehicle registration laws of the state in which the vehicle is located. In all states in which the receivables have been originated, a security interest in a vehicle is perfected by notation of the secured party's lien on the vehicle's certificate of title. With respect to each trust, pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, GMAC will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles securing the related receivables to the seller and pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the seller will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles securing such receivables to the trust and the trust will pledge its interest to the indenture trustee. However, because of the administrative burden and expense, no certificate of title will be amended to identify the trust as the new secured party relating to a financed vehicle or the interest of the indenture trustee therein. Also, GMAC will continue to hold any certificates of title relating to the vehicles in its possession as custodian for the seller and trust pursuant to a custodian agreement entered into pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this prospectus. 38 42 In most states, an assignment such as that under both the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement is an effective conveyance of a security interest without amendment of any lien noted on a vehicle's certificate of title, and the assignee succeeds thereby to the assignor's rights as secured party. In the absence of fraud or forgery by the vehicle owner or GMAC or administrative error by state or local agencies, in most states the notation of GMAC's lien on the certificates of title will be sufficient to protect the related trust against the rights of subsequent purchasers of a financed vehicle from an obligor or subsequent lenders to an obligor who take a security interest in a financed vehicle. If there are any financed vehicles as to which GMAC failed to obtain a perfected security interest, its security interest would be subordinate to, among others, subsequent purchasers of the financed vehicles and holders of perfected security interests. Such a failure, however, would constitute a breach of the warranties of GMAC under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and, if the interests of the securityholders in the related receivable are materially and adversely affected, would create an obligation of GMAC to repurchase such receivable unless the breach is cured. Similarly, the security interest of the related trust in the vehicle could be defeated through fraud or negligence and, because the trust is not identified as the secured party on the certificate of title, by the bankruptcy petition of the obligor. Under the laws of most states, the perfected security interest in a vehicle would continue for four months after a vehicle is moved to a state other than the state in which it is initially registered and thereafter until the vehicle owner re-registers the vehicle in the new state. A majority of states generally require surrender of a certificate of title to re-register a vehicle. Accordingly, a secured party must surrender possession if it holds the certificate of title to the vehicle or, in the case of vehicles registered in states providing for the notation of a lien on the certificate of title but not possession by the secured party, the secured party would receive notice of surrender of the certificate of title from the state department of motor vehicles. Thus, the secured party would have the opportunity to re-perfect its security interest in the vehicles in the state of relocation. In states that do not require surrender of a certificate of title for registration of a motor vehicle, re-registration could defeat perfection. In the ordinary course of servicing receivables, the servicer takes steps to effect re-perfection upon receipt of notice of re-registration or information from the obligors as to relocation. Similarly, when an obligor sells a vehicle, the servicer must surrender possession of the certificate of title or will receive notice as a result of its lien noted thereon and accordingly will have an opportunity to require satisfaction of the related receivable before release of the lien. Under each Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the servicer is obligated to take appropriate steps, at the servicer's expense, to maintain perfection of security interests in the financed vehicles. Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a motor vehicle and liens for unpaid taxes take priority over even a perfected security interest in a financed vehicle. The Code also grants priority to certain federal tax liens over the lien of a secured party. The laws of certain states and federal law permit the confiscation of motor vehicles by governmental authorities under certain circumstances if used in unlawful activities, which may result in the loss of a secured party's perfected security interest in the confiscated motor vehicle. Under each Pooling and Servicing Agreement, GMAC will have represented to the seller that, as of the Closing Date, each receivable is or will be secured by a first perfected security interest in favor of GMAC in the financed vehicle. The seller will have assigned such representation, among others, to the owner trustee pursuant to the related Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. However, liens for repairs or taxes, or the confiscation of a financed vehicle, could arise at any time during the term of a receivable. No notice will be given to the owner trustee, the indenture trustee, the noteholder or the certificateholder if such a lien or confiscation arises. 39 43 REPOSSESSION In the event of default by vehicle purchasers, the holder of the retail instalment sale contract has all the remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code, except where specifically limited by other state laws. Among the Uniform Commercial Code remedies, the secured party has the right to perform self-help repossession unless such act would constitute a breach of the peace. Self-help is the method employed by the servicer in most cases and is accomplished simply by retaking possession of the financed vehicle. In the event of default by the obligor, some jurisdictions require that the obligor be notified of the default and be given a time period within which he may cure the default prior to repossession. Generally, the right of reinstatement may be exercised on a limited number of occasions in any one-year period. In cases where the obligor objects or raises a defense to repossession, or if otherwise required by applicable state law, a court order must be obtained from the appropriate state court, and the vehicle must then be repossessed in accordance with that order. A secured party may be held responsible for damages caused by a wrongful repossession of a vehicle. NOTICE OF SALE; REDEMPTION RIGHTS The Uniform Commercial Code and other state laws require the secured party to provide the obligor with reasonable notice of the date, time and place of any public sale and/or the date after which any private sale of the collateral may be held. In addition, a consent order between the servicer and the Federal Trade Commission imposes similar requirements for the giving of notice for any such sale. The obligor has the right to redeem the collateral prior to actual sale by paying the secured party the unpaid principal balance of the obligation plus reasonable expenses for repossessing, holding and preparing the collateral for disposition and arranging for its sale, plus, in some jurisdictions, reasonable attorneys' fees, or, in some states, by payment of delinquent instalments or the unpaid balance. DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS AND EXCESS PROCEEDS The proceeds of resale of the financed vehicles generally will be applied first to the expenses of resale and repossession and then to the satisfaction of the indebtedness. In many instances, the remaining principal amount of such indebtedness will exceed such proceeds. While some states impose prohibitions or limitations on deficiency judgments if the net proceeds from resale do not cover the full amount of the indebtedness, a deficiency judgment can be sought in those states that do not prohibit or limit such judgments. However, the deficiency judgment would be a personal judgment against the obligor for the shortfall, and a defaulting obligor can be expected to have very little capital or sources of income available following repossession. Therefore, in many cases, it may not be useful to seek a deficiency judgment or, if one is obtained, it may be settled at a significant discount. Occasionally, after resale of a vehicle and payment of all expenses and all indebtedness, there is a surplus of funds. In that case, the Uniform Commercial Code requires the creditor to remit the surplus to any holder of a lien with respect to the vehicle or if no such lienholder exists or there are remaining funds, the Uniform Commercial Code and a consent order between the servicer and the Federal Trade Commission require the creditor to remit the surplus to the former owner of the vehicle. CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws and related regulations impose substantial requirements upon lenders and servicers involved in consumer finance. These laws 40 44 include the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Procedures Act, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Federal Reserve Board's Regulations B and Z, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, the Texas Consumer Credit Code, state adoptions of the National Consumer Act and of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code and state sales finance and other similar laws. Also, state laws impose finance charge ceilings and other restrictions on consumer transactions and require contract disclosures in addition to those required under federal law. These requirements impose specific statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail to comply with their provisions. In some cases, this liability could affect an assignee's ability to enforce consumer finance contracts such as the receivables (or, if a seller with respect to a receivable is not liable for indemnifying the trust as assignee of the receivables from the seller, failure to comply could impose liability on an assignee in excess of the amount of the receivable). The so-called "holder-in-due-course rule" of the Federal Trade Commission, the provisions of which are generally duplicated by the Uniform Commercial Code, other state statutes or the common law, has the effect of subjecting a seller in a consumer credit transaction (and certain related creditors and their assignees) to all claims and defenses which the obligor in the transaction could assert against the seller. Liability under the holder-in-due-course rule is limited to the amounts paid by the obligor under the contract and the holder of the contract may also be unable to collect any balance remaining due thereunder from the obligor. Most of the receivables will be subject to the requirements of the holder-in-due-course rule. The trust, as holder of the related receivables, will be subject to any claims or defenses that the purchaser of the financed vehicle may assert against the seller of the financed vehicle. Such claims are limited to a maximum liability equal to the amounts paid by the obligor on the receivable. If an obligor were successful in asserting any such claim or defense, such claim or defense would constitute a breach of GMAC's warranties under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and may create an obligation of GMAC to repurchase the receivable unless the breach is cured in all material respects. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in this prospectus. Courts have imposed general equitable principles upon secured parties pursuing repossession and litigation involving deficiency balances. These equitable principles may have the effect of relieving an obligor from some or all of the legal consequences of a default. In several cases, consumers have asserted that the self-help remedies of secured parties under the Uniform Commercial Code and related laws violate the due process protections provided under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Courts have generally upheld the notice provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and related laws as reasonable or have found that the repossession and resale by the creditor do not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional protection to consumers. Under each Pooling and Servicing Agreement, GMAC will represent to the seller that each receivable complies with all requirements of law in all material respects. The seller will have assigned such representation, among others, to the related trust. Accordingly, if an obligor has a claim against the trust for violation of any law and such claim materially and adversely affects the related trust's interest in a receivable, such violation may create an obligation to repurchase the receivable unless the breach is cured in all material respects. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of the Receivables" in this prospectus. 41 45 OTHER LIMITATIONS In addition to the laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments, numerous other statutory provisions, including federal bankruptcy laws and related state laws, may interfere with or affect the ability of a secured party to realize upon collateral or to enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, in a Chapter 13 proceeding under the federal bankruptcy law, a court may prevent a creditor from repossessing the financed vehicle, and, as part of the rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness to the market value of the financed vehicle at the time of bankruptcy, leaving the creditor as a general unsecured creditor for the remainder of the indebtedness. A bankruptcy court may also reduce the monthly payments due under a contract or change the rate of finance charge and time of repayment of the indebtedness. TRANSFER OF VEHICLES The receivables prohibit the sale or transfer of a financed vehicle without the servicer's consent and permit the servicer to accelerate the maturity of the receivable upon a sale or transfer without the servicer's consent. The servicer will not consent to a sale or transfer and will require prepayment of the receivable. Although the servicer, as agent of each owner trustee, may enter into a transfer of equity agreement with the secondary purchaser for the purpose of effecting the transfer of the vehicle, the new obligation will not be included in the related pool of receivables. SALE OF RECEIVABLES BY GMAC As described herein, the transaction of the receivables that are being sold by GMAC to the seller and from the seller to the trust have been structured as, and will be treated by the parties as, sales. In 1993, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit found that accounts sold prior to a bankruptcy should be treated as property of the bankruptcy estate. In the event that GMAC or the seller were a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding and the bankruptcy court applied this analysis, delays or reductions in receipt of collections on the receivables to the related trust and distributions on the related securities to securityholders could occur. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS GENERAL Set forth below is a discussion of the anticipated material United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and certificates. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations thereunder, current administrative rulings, judicial decisions and other applicable authorities. There are no cases or Internal Revenue Service rulings on similar transactions involving both debt and equity interests issued by a trust with terms similar to those of the notes and the certificates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions reached herein, and no ruling from the IRS has been or will be sought on any of the issues discussed below. Furthermore, legislative, judicial or administrative changes may occur, perhaps with retroactive effect, which could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein as well as the tax consequences to noteholders and certificateholders. This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to the noteholders and certificateholders in light of their personal investment 42 46 circumstances nor, except for certain limited discussions of particular topics, to holders subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws (e.g., financial institutions, broker-dealers, life insurance companies and tax-exempt organizations). This information is directed to prospective purchasers who purchase notes or certificates in the initial distribution thereof, who are citizens or residents of the United States, including domestic corporations and partnerships, and who hold the notes or certificates as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND ANY OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES OR CERTIFICATES. The following discussion addresses notes and certificates falling into four general categories: (1) notes (other than Strip Notes or any other series of notes specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the related prospectus supplement) which the seller, the servicer and the noteholders will agree to treat as indebtedness secured by the related receivables, (2) certificates representing interests in a trust which the seller, the servicer and the applicable certificateholders will agree to treat as equity interests in a grantor trust (i.e., a Tax Trust ), (3) certificates (including Strip Certificates) and Strip Notes, representing interests in a trust which the seller, the servicer and the applicable holders will agree to treat as equity interests in a partnership (i.e., a Tax Partnership), and (iv) certificates, all of which are owned by the seller, representing interests in a trust which the seller and the servicer will agree to treat as a division of the seller and hence disregarded as a separate entity (i.e., a Tax Non-Entity), in each case for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. The prospectus supplement for each series of certificates will indicate whether the related trust fund is a Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity. Because the seller will treat each Tax Trust as a grantor trust, each Tax Partnership as a partnership, and each Tax Non-Entity as a division of seller, for federal income tax purposes, the seller will not comply with the tax reporting requirements that would apply under any alternative characterizations of a Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity. For purposes of this discussion, references to a "holder" are to the beneficial owner of a note, Trust Certificate, Partnership Certificate or Tax Non-Entity Certificate, as the context may require. THE NOTES Characterization as Debt. With respect to each series of notes (except for Strip Notes and any series which is specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the applicable prospectus supplement), regardless of whether such notes are issued by a Tax Trust or a Tax Partnership or a Tax Non-Entity, Tax Counsel to the seller, will deliver its opinion to the effect that the notes will be treated as debt for federal income tax purposes. The seller, the servicer and each noteholder, by acquiring an interest in a note, will agree to treat the notes as indebtedness for federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes. See "Trust Certificates--Classification of Trusts and Trust Certificates", "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates" or "Tax Non-Entity Certificates--Classification of Tax Non-Entity and Tax Non-Entity Certificates" for a discussion of the potential federal income tax consequences to noteholders if the IRS were successful in challenging the characterization of a Tax Trust, a Tax Partnership or a Tax Non-Entity, as applicable, for federal income tax purposes. Treatment of Stated Interest. Based on the foregoing opinion, and assuming the notes are not issued with OID, the stated interest on a note will be taxable to a noteholder as ordinary income when received or accrued in accordance with such noteholder's method of tax 43 47 accounting. Interest received on a note may constitute "investment income" for purposes of certain limitations of the Code concerning the deductibility of investment interest expense. Original Issue Discount. Except to the extent indicated in the related prospectus supplement, no series of notes will be issued with OID. In general, OID is the excess of the "stated redemption price at maturity" of a debt instrument over its "issue price," unless such excess falls within a statutorily defined de minimis exception. A note's "stated redemption price at maturity" is the aggregate of all payments required to be made under the note through maturity except "qualified stated interest." Qualified stated interest is generally interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at fixed intervals of one year or less during the entire term of the instrument at certain specified rates. The "issue price" will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes are sold, excluding sales to bond holders, brokers or similar persons acting as underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. If a note were treated as being issued with OID, a noteholder would be required to include OID in income as interest over the term of the note under a constant yield method. In general, OID must be included in income in advance of the receipt of cash representing that income. Thus, each cash distribution would be treated as an amount already included in income (to the extent OID has accrued as of the date of the interest distribution and is not allocated to prior distributions), or as a repayment of principal. This treatment would have no significant effect on noteholders using the accrual method of accounting. However, cash method noteholders may be required to report income with respect to the notes in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to such income. Even if a note has OID falling within the de minimis exception, the noteholder must include such OID in income proportionately as principal payments are made on such note. A holder of a Short-Term Note which has a fixed maturity date not more than one year from the issue date of such note will generally not be required to include OID on the Short-Term Note in income as it accrues, provided such holder is not an accrual method taxpayer, a bank, a broker or dealer that holds the note as inventory, a regulated investment company or common trust fund, or the beneficial owner of certain pass-through entities specified in the Code, or provided such holder does not hold the instrument as part of a hedging transaction, or as a stripped bond or stripped coupon. Instead, the holder of a Short-Term Note would include the OID accrued on the note in gross income upon a sale or exchange of the note or at maturity, or if such note is payable in installments, as principal is paid thereon. Such a holder would be required to defer deductions for any interest expense on an obligation incurred to purchase or carry the Short-Term Note to the extent it exceeds the sum of the interest income, if any, and OID accrued on such note. However, a holder may elect to include OID in income as it accrues on all obligations having a maturity of one year or less held by the holder in that taxable year or thereafter, in which case the deferral rule of the preceding sentence will not apply. For purposes of this paragraph, OID accrues on a Short-Term Note on a ratable (straight-line) basis, unless the holder irrevocably elects (under regulations to be issued by the Treasury Department) with respect to such obligation to apply a constant interest method, using the holder's yield to maturity and daily compounding. A holder who purchases a note after the initial distribution thereof at a discount that exceeds a statutorily defined de minimis amount will be subject to the "market discount" rules of the Code, and a holder who purchases a note at a premium will be subject to the bond premium amortization rules of the Code. Disposition of Notes. If a noteholder sells a note, the holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the holder's 44 48 adjusted tax basis in the note. The adjusted tax basis of the note to a particular noteholder will equal the holder's cost for the note, increased by any OID and market discount previously included by such noteholder in income with respect to the note and decreased by any bond premium previously amortized and any principal payments previously received by such noteholder with respect to such note. Any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the note was held as a capital asset, except for gain representing accrued interest or accrued market discount not previously included in income. Capital gain or loss will be long-term if the note was held by the holder for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term. Any capital losses realized generally may be used by a corporate taxpayer only to offset capital gains, and by an individual taxpayer only to the extent of capital gains plus $3,000 of other income. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Each Tax Trust, Tax Partnership and Tax Non-Entity will be required to report annually to the IRS, and to each related noteholder of record, the amount of interest paid on the notes (and the amount of interest withheld for federal income taxes, if any) for each calendar year, except as to exempt holders (generally, corporations, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit-sharing trusts, individual retirement accounts, or nonresident aliens who provide certification as to their status). Each holder will be required to provide to the related Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity, under penalties of perjury, a certificate containing the holder's name, address, correct federal taxpayer identification number and a statement that the holder is not subject to backup withholding. Should a nonexempt noteholder fail to provide the required certification, the Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity will be required to withhold, from interest otherwise payable to the holder, 31% of such interest and remit the withheld amount to the IRS as a credit against the holder's federal income tax liability. The IRS has issued new regulations governing the backup withholding and information reporting requirements. The new regulations are generally effective for payments made after December 31, 1999. Noteholders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the impact, if any, of the new regulations. Because the seller will treat each Tax Trust as a grantor trust, each Tax Partnership as a partnership, each Tax Non-Entity as a division of the seller and all notes (except Strip Notes and any other series of notes specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the related prospectus supplement) as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes, the seller will not comply with the tax reporting requirements that would apply under any alternative characterizations of a Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity. Tax Consequence to Foreign Noteholders. If interest paid (or accrued) to a noteholder who is a Foreign Person is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Foreign Person, the interest generally will be considered "portfolio interest," and generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax and withholding tax, as long as the Foreign Person: (1) is not actually or constructively a "10 percent shareholder" of a related Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or the seller (including a holder of 10 percent of the applicable outstanding certificates) or a "controlled foreign corporation" with respect to which the related Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or the seller is a "related person" within the meaning of the Code, and (2) provides an appropriate statement, signed under penalties of perjury, certifying that the beneficial owner of the note is a Foreign Person and providing that Foreign Person's name and address. If the information provided in this statement changes, the 45 49 Foreign Person must so inform the related Tax Trust or Tax Partnership within 30 days of such change. If such interest were not portfolio interest or if applicable certification requirements were not satisfied, then it would be subject to United States federal income and withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent unless reduced or eliminated pursuant to an applicable tax treaty. The IRS has amended the transition period relating to new regulations governing backup withholding and information reporting requirements. Withholding certificates or statements that are valid on December 31, 1999, may be treated as valid until the earlier of its expiration or December 31, 2000. All existing certificates or statements will cease to be effective after December 31, 2000. Any capital gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note by a Foreign Person will be exempt from United States federal income and withholding tax, provided that (1) the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the Foreign Person, and (2) in the case of a foreign individual, the Foreign Person is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year. If the interest, gain or income on a note held by a Foreign Person is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the Foreign Person, the holder (although exempt from the withholding tax previously discussed if an appropriate statement is furnished) generally will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the interest, gain or income at regular federal income tax rates. In addition, if the Foreign Person is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30 percent of its "effectively connected earnings and profits" within the meaning of the Code for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty. TRUST CERTIFICATES Classification of Trusts and Trust Certificates. With respect to each series of certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as Trust Certificates, Tax Counsel will deliver its opinion to the effect that the related Tax Trust will not be taxable as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, but should be classified as a grantor trust under Sections 671 through 679 of the Code. For each such series, the seller and the certificateholders will express in the trust agreement and on the Trust Certificates their intent that, for federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, the Trust Certificates will represent an equity interest in the Tax Trust. Although Tax Counsel will opine that each such Tax Trust should properly be characterized as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes, such opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts and no assurance can be given that this characterization would prevail. If the IRS were to contend successfully that any such Tax Trust is not a grantor trust, such Tax Trust should be classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership which is not taxable as a corporation. The income reportable by the holders of such Trust Certificates as partners could differ from the income reportable by the holders of such Trust Certificates as grantors of a grantor trust. However, it is not expected that such differences would be material. If a Tax Trust were classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership, the IRS might contend that it is a "publicly traded partnership" taxable as a corporation. If the IRS were to contend successfully that a Tax Trust is an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, such Tax Trust would be subject to federal and state income 46 50 tax at corporate rates on the income from the receivables (reduced by deductions, including interest on any notes unless the notes were treated as an equity interest). See "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates" below. Despite Tax Counsel's opinion that a Tax Trust should be classified as a grantor trust, the lack of cases or rulings on similar transactions, as discussed above, permits a variety of alternative characterizations in addition to the position to be taken that the Trust Certificates represent equity interests in a grantor trust. For example, because Trust Certificates will have certain features characteristic of debt, the Trust Certificates might be considered indebtedness of a Tax Trust, the seller or the Issuer. Except as described above, any such characterization would not result in materially adverse tax consequences to certificateholders as compared to the consequences from treatment of Trust Certificates as equity in a trust, described below. The following discussion assumes that Trust Certificates represent equity interests in a grantor trust. Grantor Trust Treatment. As a grantor trust, a Tax Trust will not be subject to federal income tax. Subject to the discussion below under "Treatment of Fees or Payment," in Tax Counsel's opinion each certificateholder will be required to report on its federal income tax return its pro rata share of the entire income from the receivables and any other property in the related Tax Trust for the period during which it owns a Trust Certificate, including interest or finance charges earned on the receivables and any gain or loss upon collection or disposition of the receivables, in accordance with such certificateholder's method of accounting. A certificateholder using the cash method of accounting should take into account its pro rata share of income as and when received by the owner trustee. A certificateholder using an accrual method of accounting should take into account its pro rata share of income as it accrues or is received by the owner trustee, whichever is earlier. Assuming that the market discount rules do not apply, the portion of each payment to a certificateholder that is allocable to principal on the receivables will represent a recovery of capital, which will reduce the tax basis of such certificateholder's undivided interest in the receivables. In computing its federal income tax liability, a certificateholder will be entitled to deduct, consistent with its method of accounting, its pro rata share of interest paid on any related notes, reasonable servicing fees, and other fees paid or incurred by the related Tax Trust. If a certificateholder is an individual, estate or trust, the deduction for such certificateholder's pro rata share of such fees will be allowed only to the extent that all of such certificateholder's miscellaneous itemized deductions, including such fees, exceed 2% of such certificateholder's adjusted gross income. Because the servicer will not report to certificateholders the amount of income or deductions attributable to miscellaneous charges, such a certificateholder may effectively underreport its net taxable income. See "Treatment of Fees or Payments" below for a discussion of other possible consequences if amounts paid to the servicer exceed reasonable compensation for services rendered. Treatment of Fees or Payments. It is expected that income will be reported to certificateholders on the assumption that the certificateholders own a 100% interest in all of the principal and interest derived from the related receivables. However, a portion of the amounts paid to the servicer or the seller may exceed reasonable fees for services. There are no authoritative guidelines, for federal income tax purposes, as to the maximum amount of compensation that may be considered reasonable for servicing the receivables or performing other services, in the context of this or similar transactions; accordingly, Tax Counsel is unable to give an opinion on this issue. If amounts paid to the servicer or the seller exceed reasonable compensation for services provided, the servicer or the seller or both may be viewed as having retained, for federal income tax purposes, an ownership interest in a portion 47 51 of each interest payment with respect to certain receivables. As a result, such receivables may be treated as "stripped bonds" within the meaning of the Code. To the extent that the receivables are characterized as "stripped bonds," the income of the related Tax Trust allocable to certificateholders would not include the portion of the interest on the receivables treated as having been retained by the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, and such Tax Trust's deductions would be limited to reasonable servicing fees, interest paid on any related notes and other fees. In addition, a certificateholder would not be subject to the market discount and premium rules discussed below with respect to the stripped receivables, but instead would be subject to the OID rules of the Code. However, if the price at which a certificateholder were deemed to have acquired a stripped receivable is less than the remaining principal balance of such receivable by an amount which is less than a statutorily defined de minimis amount, such receivable would not be treated as having OID. In general, it appears that the amount of OID on a receivable treated as a "stripped bond" will be de minimis if it is less than 1/4 of 1% for each full year remaining after the purchase date until the final maturity of the receivable, although the IRS could take the position that the weighted average maturity date, rather than the final maturity date, should be used in performing this calculation. If the amount of OID was de minimis under this rule, the actual amount of discount on such a receivable would be includible in income as principal payments are received on the receivable. If the OID on a receivable were not treated as de minimis, a certificateholder would be required to include any OID in income as it accrues, regardless of when cash payments are received, using a method reflecting a constant yield on the receivables. It is possible that the IRS could assert that a prepayment assumption should be used in computing the yield of a stripped receivable. If a stripped receivable is deemed to be acquired by a certificateholder at a significant discount, such prepayment assumption could accelerate the accrual of income by a certificateholder. It is also possible that any fees deemed to be excessive could be recharacterized as deferred purchase price payable to the seller by certificateholders in exchange for the related receivables. The likely effect of such recharacterization would be to increase current taxable income to a certificateholder. Discount And Premium. The following discussion generally assumes that the fees and other amounts payable to the servicer and the seller will not be recharacterized as being retained ownership interests in the receivables (as discussed above). A purchaser of a Trust Certificate should be treated as purchasing an interest in each receivable and any other property in the related Tax Trust at a price determined by allocating the purchase price paid for the Trust Certificate among the receivables and other property in proportion to their fair market values at the time of purchase of the Trust Certificate. It is believed that the receivables were not and will not be issued with OID; therefore, a Tax Trust should not have OID income. However, the purchase price paid by such Tax Trust for the receivables may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of the receivables at the time of purchase. If so, the receivables will have been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. The market discount on a receivable will be considered to be zero if it is less than the statutorily defined de minimis amount. Any gain on the sale of a Trust Certificate attributable to the holder's share of unrecognized accrued market discount on the related receivables would generally be treated as ordinary income to the holder. Moreover, a holder who acquires a Trust Certificate representing an interest in receivables acquired at a market discount may be required to defer 48 52 a portion of any interest expense otherwise deductible with respect to indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the Trust Certificate until the holder disposes of the Trust Certificate in a taxable transaction. Instead of recognizing market discount, if any, upon a disposition of Trust Certificates (and deferring any applicable interest expense), a holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as the discount accrues. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. In the event that a receivable is treated as purchased at a premium (i.e., the allocable portion of the certificateholder's purchase price for the related Trust Certificate exceeds the remaining principal balance of the receivable), such premium will be amortizable by a certificateholder as an offset to interest income (with a corresponding reduction in basis) under a constant yield method over the term of the receivable if the certificateholder makes an election. Any such election will apply to all debt instruments held by the certificateholder during the year in which the election is made and to all debt instruments acquired thereafter. Disposition of Trust Certificates. Generally, capital gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of Trust Certificates in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the Trust Certificates sold. A certificateholder's tax basis in a Trust Certificate will generally equal his cost increased by any OID and market discount previously included in income, and decreased by any bond premium previously amortized and by the amount of principal payments previously received on the receivables held by the related Tax Trust. Any gain on the sale of a Trust Certificate attributable to the holder's share of unrecognized accrued market discount on the related receivables would generally be treated as ordinary income to the certificateholder, unless such certificateholder makes the special election described under "Discount and Premium" above. If a certificateholder is required to recognize an aggregate amount of income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions described above) over the life of the Trust Certificates that exceeds the aggregate cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to a capital loss upon the retirement of the Trust Certificates. Backup Withholding. Distributions made on Trust Certificates and proceeds from the sale of the certificates will be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% if, as discussed above with respect to the notes, the certificateholder fails to comply with certain identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Code. Tax Consequences to Foreign Trust Certificateholders. Interest attributable to receivables which is received by a certificateholder which is a Foreign Person will generally not be subject to the normal 30% withholding tax imposed with respect to such payments, provided that such certificateholder is not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that such certificateholder fulfills certain certification requirements discussed above under "The Notes--Tax Consequences to Foreign Noteholders." PARTNERSHIP CERTIFICATES Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates. With respect to each series of certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as Partnership Certificates, the seller and the servicer will agree, and the certificateholders will agree by their purchase of such Partnership Certificates, to treat the Tax Partnership as a partnership for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, with the partners of such 49 53 Partnership being the certificateholders and the seller (in its capacity as recipient of distributions from the Reserve Account), and any related notes being debt of such Tax Partnership. However, the proper characterization of the arrangement involving the Tax Partnership, the Partnership Certificates, the seller and the servicer is not clear because there is no authority on transactions closely comparable to that contemplated herein. If the Tax Partnership were classified as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, such Tax Partnership would be subject to corporate income tax. Any such corporate income tax could materially reduce or eliminate cash that would otherwise be distributable with respect to the Partnership Certificates (and certificateholders could be liable for any such tax that is unpaid by such Tax Partnership). However, upon the issuance of each series of Partnership Certificates, Tax Counsel will deliver its opinion generally to the effect that such Tax Partnership will not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation. Even if a Tax Partnership were not classified as an association taxable as a corporation, it would be subject to corporate income tax if it were a "publicly traded partnership" taxable as a corporation. However, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, even if such Tax Partnership were treated as a publicly traded partnership, it would not be taxable as a corporation because it would meet certain qualifying income tests. Nonetheless, if a Tax Partnership were treated as a publicly traded partnership and the Partnership Certificates were treated as equity interests in such a partnership, certain holders could suffer adverse consequences. For example, certain holders might be subject to certain limitations on their ability to deduct their share of the Tax Partnership's expenses. Despite Tax Counsel's opinion that a Tax Partnership will be classified as a partnership and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, the lack of cases or rulings on similar transactions, as discussed above, permits a variety of alternative characterizations in addition to the position to be taken that the Partnership Certificates represent equity interests in a partnership. For example, because the Partnership Certificates will have certain features characteristic of debt, the Partnership Certificates might be considered indebtedness of the Tax Partnership, the seller or the Issuer. Except as described above, any such characterization would not result in materially adverse tax consequences to certificateholders as compared to the consequences from treatment of the Partnership Certificates as equity in a partnership, described below. The following discussion assumes that the Partnership Certificates represent equity interests in a partnership. Partnership Taxation. A Tax Partnership will not be subject to federal income tax, but each certificateholder will be required to separately take into account such holder's allocated share of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of such Tax Partnership. The Tax Partnership's income will consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the related receivables (including appropriate adjustments for market discount, OID, and bond premium) and any gain upon collection or disposition of such receivables. The Tax Partnership's deductions will consist primarily of interest paid or accrued with respect to any related notes, servicing and other fees, and losses or deductions upon collection or disposition of the related receivables. The tax items of a partnership are allocable to the partners in accordance with the Code, Treasury Regulations and the partnership agreement (with respect to any series of Partnership Certificates, the trust agreement and related documents). Each trust agreement 50 54 for a Tax Partnership will provide that the certificateholders will be allocated taxable income of the related Tax Partnership for each month equal to their allocable share of the sum of: (1) the Pass Through Rate on the related Partnership Certificates for such month; (2) an amount equivalent to interest that accrues during such month on amounts previously due on such Partnership Certificates but not yet distributed; (3) any Tax Partnership income attributable to discount on the related receivables that corresponds to any excess of the principal amount of the Partnership Certificates over their initial issue price; and (4) any Prepayment Surplus payable to the Partnership Certificates for such month. In addition, each trust agreement for a Tax Partnership will provide that the certificateholders will be allocated their allocable share for each month of the entire amount of interest expense paid by the related Tax Partnership on any related notes. If the Tax Partnership issues any Strip Notes or Strip Certificates, it will also provide that the related certificateholders will be allocated taxable income of such Tax Partnership for each month in the amounts described in the related prospectus supplement. All taxable income of the Tax Partnership remaining after the allocations to the certificateholders will be allocated to the seller. It is believed that the allocations to certificateholders will be valid under applicable Treasury Regulations, although no assurance can be given that the IRS would not require a greater amount of income to be allocated to certificateholders. Moreover, even under the foregoing method of allocation, certificateholders may be allocated income equal to the entire Pass Through Rate plus the other items described above, and holders of Strip Notes or Strip Certificates may be allocated income equal to the amount described in the related prospectus supplement, even though the related Tax Partnership might not have sufficient cash to make current cash distributions of such amount. Thus, cash basis holders will in effect be required to report income from the Partnership Certificates on the accrual method. In addition, because tax allocations and tax reporting will be done on a uniform basis for all certificateholders but certificateholders may be purchasing Partnership Certificates at different times and at different prices, certificateholders may be required to report on their tax returns taxable income that is greater or less than the amount reported to them by the related Tax Partnership. Additionally, all of the taxable income allocated to a certificateholder that is a pension, profit sharing or employee benefit plan or other tax-exempt entity (including an individual retirement account) will constitute "unrelated business taxable income" generally taxable to such a holder under the Code. An individual taxpayer may generally deduct miscellaneous itemized deductions (which do not include interest expense) only to the extent they exceed two percent of adjusted gross income, and, certain additional limitations may apply. Those limitations would apply to an individual certificateholder's share of expenses of a Tax Partnership (including fees to the servicer) and might result in such holder being taxed on an amount of income that exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to such holder over the life of such Tax Partnership. Each Tax Partnership intends to make all tax calculations relating to income and allocations to certificateholders on an aggregate basis. If the IRS were to require that such calculations be made separately for each receivable, a Tax Partnership might be required to incur additional expense but it is believed that there would not be a material adverse effect on certificateholders. 51 55 Discount and Premium. It is believed that the receivables were not and will not be issued with OID and, therefore, that a Tax Partnership should not have OID income. However, the purchase price paid by such Tax Partnership for the related receivables may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of such receivables at the time of purchase. If so, such receivables will have been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. (As indicated above, each Tax Partnership will make this calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be required to recompute it on a receivable by receivable basis.) Each Tax Partnership will make an election that will result in any market discount on the related receivables being included in income currently as such discount accrues over the life of such receivables. As indicated above, a portion of such market discount income will be allocated to certificateholders. Section 708 Termination. Under Section 708 of the Code, a Tax Partnership will be deemed to terminate for federal income tax purposes if 50% or more of the capital and profits interests in such Tax Partnership are sold or exchanged within a 12-month period. If such a termination occurs, a Tax Partnership will be considered to contribute all of its assets to a new partnership followed by a liquidation of the original Tax Partnership. A Tax Partnership will not comply with certain technical requirements that might apply when such a constructive termination occurs. As a result, such Tax Partnership may be subject to certain tax penalties and may incur additional expenses if it is required to comply with those requirements. Furthermore, a Tax Partnership might not be able to comply due to lack of data. Disposition of Certificates. Generally, capital gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of Partnership Certificates in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the Partnership Certificates sold. A certificateholder's tax basis in a Partnership Certificate will generally equal his cost increased by his share of the related Tax Partnership's income (includible in his income) for the current and prior taxable years and decreased by any distributions received with respect to such Partnership Certificate. In addition, both tax basis in the Partnership Certificates and the amount realized on a sale of a Partnership Certificate would include the holder's share of any related notes and other liabilities of such Tax Partnership. A holder acquiring Partnership Certificates of the same series at different prices may be required to maintain a single aggregate adjusted tax basis in such Partnership Certificates, and, upon a sale or other disposition of some of the Partnership Certificates, allocate a pro rata portion of such aggregate tax basis to the Partnership Certificates sold (rather than maintaining a separate tax basis in each Partnership Certificate for purposes of computing gain or loss on a sale of that Partnership Certificate). If a certificateholder is required to recognize an aggregate amount of income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions described above) over the life of the Partnership Certificates that exceeds the aggregate cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to a capital loss upon the retirement of the Partnership Certificates. Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, each Tax Partnership's taxable income and losses will be determined monthly and the tax items for a particular calendar month will be apportioned among the certificateholders in proportion to the principal amount of the Partnership Certificates or a fractional share of the Strip Notes or Strip Certificates owned by them as of the first Record Date following the end of such month. As a result, a holder purchasing Partnership Certificates may be allocated tax items (which will affect its tax liability and tax basis) attributable to periods before its actual purchase. 52 56 The use of such a monthly convention may not be permitted by existing regulations. If a monthly convention is not allowed (or only applies to transfers of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses of a Tax Partnership might be reallocated among the certificateholders. The owner trustee is authorized to revise a Tax Partnership's method of allocation between transferors and transferees to conform to a method permitted by future regulations. Section 754 Election. In the event that a certificateholder sells its Partnership Certificate for greater (less) than its adjusted basis therefor, the purchasing certificateholder will have a higher (lower) basis in the Partnership Certificates than the selling certificateholder had. The tax basis of the related Tax Partnership's assets will not be adjusted to reflect that higher (or lower) basis unless such Tax Partnership were to file an election under Section 754 of the Code. In order to avoid the administrative complexities that would be involved in keeping accurate accounting records, as well as potentially onerous information reporting requirements, a Tax Partnership will not make such an election. As a result, certificateholders might be allocated a greater or lesser amount of Tax Partnership income than would be based on their own purchase price for Partnership Certificates. Administrative Matters. For each Tax Partnership, the related owner trustee is required to keep or have kept complete and accurate books of such Tax Partnership. Such books will be maintained for financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of each Tax Partnership will be the calendar year. The owner trustee will file a partnership information return (IRS Form 1065) with the IRS for each taxable year of such Tax Partnership and will report each certificateholder's allocable share of items of Tax Partnership income and expense to holders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. Any person that holds Partnership Certificates as a nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the related Tax Partnership with a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial owners and the Partnership Certificates so held. Each Tax Partnership will provide the Schedule K-1 information to nominees that fail to provide such Tax Partnership with the information referenced in the preceding sentence and such nominees will be required to forward such information to the beneficial owners of the related Partnership Certificates. Generally, holders must file tax returns that are consistent with the information return filed by the related Tax Partnership or be subject to penalties unless the holder notifies the IRS of all such inconsistencies. The seller, as the tax matters partner for each Tax Partnership, will be responsible for representing the certificateholders in any dispute with the IRS. The Code provides for administrative examination of a partnership as if the partnership were a separate taxpayer. Generally, the statute of limitations for partnership items does not expire until three years after the date on which the partnership information return is filed or deemed filed. Any adverse determination following an audit of the return of a Tax Partnership by the appropriate taxing authorities could result in an adjustment of the returns of the certificateholders and, under certain circumstances, a certificateholder may be precluded from separately litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the related Tax Partnership. An adjustment could result in an audit of a certificateholder's returns and adjustments of items not related to the income and losses of the related Tax Partnership. Tax Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders. It is not clear whether any Tax Partnership would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for purposes of federal withholding taxes with respect to non-United States persons because there is no clear authority regarding that issue under facts substantially similar to those described herein. Although it is not expected that any Tax Partnership would be engaged in a trade or 53 57 business in the United States for such purposes, such Tax Partnership will withhold as if it were so engaged in order to protect such Tax Partnership from possible adverse consequences of a failure to withhold. It is expected that each Tax Partnership will withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is allocable to foreign certificateholders as if such income were effectively connected to a United States trade or business, at a rate of 35% for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations and 39.6% for all other foreign holders. In determining a holder's nonforeign status, a Tax Partnership may generally rely on the holder's certification of nonforeign status signed under penalties of perjury. Each foreign holder might be required to file a United States individual or corporate income tax return and pay tax (including, in the case of a corporation, the branch profits tax) on its share of the related Tax Partnership's income. Each foreign holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to the related Tax Partnership on Form W-8 in order to assure appropriate crediting of the taxes withheld. A foreign holder generally would be entitled to file with the IRS a claim for refund with respect to taxes withheld by the related Tax Partnership, taking the position that no taxes were due because such Tax Partnership was not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, the IRS may assert that the tax liability should be based on gross income, and no assurance can be given as to the appropriate amount of tax liability. Backup Withholding. Distributions made on any Partnership Certificates and proceeds from the sale of such Partnership Certificates will be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% if, as discussed above with respect to the notes, the certificateholder fails to comply with certain identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Code. TAX NON-ENTITY CERTIFICATES Classification of Tax Non-Entity and Tax Non-Entity Certificates. With respect to certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as Tax Non-Entity Certificates and which are entirely owned by the seller, the seller and the servicer will agree, pursuant to the "check-the-box" Treasury Regulations, to treat the Tax Non-Entity as a division of the seller, and hence a disregarded entity, for federal income tax purposes. In other words, for federal income tax purposes, the seller will be treated as the owner of all the assets of the Tax Non-Entity and the obligor of all the liabilities of the Tax Non-Entity. Under the "check-the-box" Treasury Regulations, unless it is treated as a Tax Trust for federal income tax purposes, an unincorporated domestic entity with more than one equity owner is automatically classified as a Tax Partnership for federal income tax purposes. If the trust is classified as a Tax Non-Entity when all its equity interests are wholly-owned by the seller and if certificates are then sold or issued in any manner which results in there being more than one certificateholder, the trust will be treated as a Tax Partnership. If certificates are issued to more than one person, the seller and the servicer will agree, and the applicable certificateholders will agree by their purchase, to treat the trust as a Tax Partnership for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, with the partners of such partnership being the certificateholders (including the seller) and the notes being debt of such partnership. Risks of Alternative Characterization. If a Tax Non-Entity were an association or a "publicly traded partnership" taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to corporate income tax as discussed above under "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates." 54 58 STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES The above discussion does not address the tax treatment of any Tax Trust, Tax Partnership, Tax Non-Entity, notes, certificates, noteholders or certificateholders under any state or local tax laws. The activities to be undertaken by the servicer in servicing and collecting the receivables will take place throughout the United States and, therefore, many different tax regimes potentially apply to different portions of these transactions. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the state and local tax treatment of any Tax Trust, Tax Partnership or Tax Non-Entity as well as any state and local tax consequences to them of purchasing, holding and disposing of notes or certificates. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Benefit Plans such as a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan, and individual retirement accounts and certain types of Keogh Plans and certain collective investment funds or insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans and accounts are invested, from engaging in certain transactions with persons that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Code with respect to such Benefit Plan. A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax or other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code for such persons. The acquisition or holding of securities by a Benefit Plan could be considered to give rise to a prohibited transaction if the seller, the servicer, the related trust or any of their respective affiliates is or becomes a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to such Benefit Plan. In addition, certain transactions involving the trust might be deemed to constitute prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Code with respect to a Benefit Plan that purchased notes or certificates if assets of the trust were deemed to be assets of the Benefit Plan. Under the United States Department of Labor's plan assets regulations, the assets of the trust would be treated as plan assets of a Benefit Plan for the purposes of ERISA and the Code only if the Benefit Plan acquired an "equity interest" in the trust and none of the exceptions contained in the plan assets regulation was applicable. An equity interest is defined under the plan assets regulations as an interest other than an instrument which is treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features. The likely treatment of notes and certificates is discussed in the related prospectus supplement. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to ERISA requirements. A plan fiduciary considering the purchase of notes should consult its tax and/or legal advisors and refer to the applicable prospectus supplement regarding whether the assets of the trust would be considered plan assets, the possibility of exemptive relief from the prohibited transaction rules and other issues and their potential consequences. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION On the terms and conditions set forth in one or more underwriting agreements with respect to each trust, the seller will agree to sell to each of the underwriters named therein and in the related prospectus supplement, and each of such underwriters will severally agree to purchase from the seller, the principal amount of each class of securities of the related series set forth therein and in the related prospectus supplement. 55 59 In each underwriting agreement, the several underwriters will agree, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the securities described therein which are offered hereby and by the related prospectus supplement if any of such securities are purchased. In the event of a default by any such underwriter, each underwriting agreement will provide that, in certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. Each prospectus supplement will either (1) set forth the price at which each class of securities being offered thereby will be offered to the public and any concessions that may be offered to certain dealers participating in the offering of such securities or (2) specify that the related securities are to be resold by the underwriters in negotiated transactions at varying prices to be determined at the time of such sale. After the initial public offering of any securities, the public offering price and such concessions may be changed. Each underwriting agreement will provide that the seller will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The indenture trustee may, from time to time, invest the funds in the Designated Accounts in Eligible Investments acquired from the underwriters. Under each underwriting agreement, except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the closing of the sale of any class of securities subject thereto will be conditioned on the closing of the sale of all other such classes. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. LEGAL OPINIONS Certain legal matters relating to the notes and the certificates will be passed upon for each trust, the seller and GMAC by Robert L. Schwartz, Esq., General Counsel of the seller and Assistant General Counsel of GMAC, and by Kirkland & Ellis, special counsel to the seller, each trust and GMAC. Mr. Schwartz owns shares of each of the classes of General Motors common stock and has options to purchase shares of General Motors common stock, $1 2/3 par value. Certain federal income tax matters will be passed upon for GMAC, each trust and the seller by Kirkland & Ellis. WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We filed a registration statement relating to the securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement includes additional information. The servicer will file with the SEC all required annual, monthly and special SEC reports and other information about the trust. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). 56 60 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update the information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference any future SEC reports and materials filed by or on behalf of the trust until we terminate our offering of the certificates. As a recipient of this prospectus, you may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing us at: General Motors Acceptance Corporation, 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202. 57 61 GLOSSARY OF TERMS TO PROSPECTUS This Glossary of Terms to Prospectus is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Related Agreements, forms of which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. References to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. "Administrative Purchase Payment" means, (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, a release of all claims for reimbursement of Scheduled Interest Advances made on such receivable plus the sum of (A) all remaining Scheduled Payments on such receivable, (B) an amount equal to any reimbursements of outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made to the servicer with respect to such receivable from the proceeds of other receivables, and (C) all past due Scheduled Payments with respect to which a Scheduled Interest Advance has not been made, less the rebate that would be payable to the obligor on such receivable were the obligor to prepay such receivable in full on such day. (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, a payment equal to the Amount Financed less that portion of all payments made on or prior to the last day of the related Monthly Period allocable to principal. "Administrative Receivable" means a receivable which the servicer is required to purchase as a result of a breach of a covenant which materially and adversely affects any receivable held by the related trust pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement or which the servicer has elected to repurchase pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Aggregate Amount Financed" means the aggregate Amount Financed under the receivables held by a trust as specified in the related prospectus supplement. "Aggregate Principal Balance" means with respect to each trust as of any date, the sum of the Principal Balances of all outstanding receivables (other than Liquidating Receivables) held by the trust on such date. "Amount Financed" means, with respect to a receivable, the aggregate amount advanced toward the purchase price of the financed vehicle, including accessories, insurance premiums, service and warranty contracts and other items customarily financed as part of retail automobile instalment sale contracts and related costs less: (1) (A) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, payments due from the related obligor prior to the related Cutoff Date allocable to principal and (B) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, payments received from the obligor prior to the related Cutoff Date allocable to principal; and (2) any amount allocable to the premium for physical damage insurance covering the financed vehicle force-placed by GMAC. "APR" means, with respect to a receivable, the annual percentage rate. "Basic Servicing Fee Rate" means, with respect to a trust, the Basic Servicing Fee Rate specified in the related prospectus supplement. 58 62 "Benefit Plan" means a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan, and individual retirement accounts and certain types of Keogh Plans and certain collective investment funds or insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans and accounts are invested. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banks in New York, New York, Detroit, Michigan or Chicago, Illinois may, or are required to, remain closed. "Certificate Distribution Account" means any account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Certificate Pool Factor" means, for each class of Certificates, a seven-digit decimal which the servicer will compute prior to each distribution with respect to such certificates indicating the remaining certificate balance as of the close of such date, as a fraction of the initial certificate balance. "Closing Date" means the Closing Date specified in the related prospectus supplement. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "Collection Account" means any account designated as such, established pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Cutoff Date" means, with respect to a trust, the Cutoff Date specified in the related prospectus supplement. "Designated Accounts" means the Collection Account, the Note Distribution Account, and any Reserve Account and other accounts identified as such in the related prospectus supplement and for which the funds on deposit are invested in Eligible Investments. "Distribution Date" means the date or dates specified in the related prospectus supplement on which the trust makes payments on the notes and the certificates. "Eligible Investments" means generally investments (1) which are acceptable to the Rating Agencies as being consistent with the rating of such notes and (2) that mature no later than the business day preceding the next Distribution Date or Payment Date. "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. "Euroclear Operator" means the operator of Euroclear, which is the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York. "Events of Default" has the meaning, unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, set forth in "The Notes--The Indenture--Events of Default; Rights Upon Events of Default." "Excess Payment" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the portion of a payment on such receivable in excess of the Scheduled Payment thereon which is not late fees, prepayment charges or certain other similar fees or charges. "Excess Simple Interest Collections" means, with respect to a Monthly Period, the excess, if any, of (1) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust to the extent allocable to interest over (2) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust, assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date. 59 63 "Foreign Person" means a nonresident alien, foreign corporation or other non-United States person. "General Motors" means General Motors Corporation. "GMAC" means General Motors Acceptance Corporation. "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service. "Liquidation Proceeds" means, with respect to a Liquidating Receivable, all amounts realized with respect to such receivable, net of amounts that are required to be refunded to the obligor on such receivable. "Liquidating Receivables" means a receivable as to which the servicer has: (1) reasonably determined, in accordance with customary servicing procedures, that eventual payment of amounts owing on such receivable is unlikely, or (2) repossessed and disposed of the financed vehicle. "Monthly Advance" means, with respect to a trust, as of the last day of the Monthly Period, either a Scheduled Interest Advance or a Simple Interest Advance, or both, as applicable, in respect of the related Monthly Period. "Monthly Period" means, with respect to a Distribution Date, the calendar month preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. "Note Distribution Account" means any account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Note Pool Factor" means, for each class of notes, a seven-digit decimal which the servicer will compute prior to each distribution with respect to such notes indicating the remaining outstanding principal balance of such notes, as of the close of such date, as a fraction of the initial outstanding principal balance of such notes. "OID" means original issue discount. "Partnership Certificates" means certificates (including Strip Certificates) and Strip Notes issued by a Tax Partnership. References to a holder of these certificates shall be to the beneficial owner thereof. "Payment Date" means the dates for payments on any class of notes as specified in the prospectus supplement. "Payment Ahead" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, any Excess Payment (not representing prepayment in full of such receivable) that is of an amount such that the sum of such Excess Payment (together with any unapplied Payments Ahead) is equal to or less than three times the Scheduled Payment. "Payment Ahead Servicing Account" means any account designated as such established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Pooling and Servicing Agreement" means, with respect to each trust, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between GMAC and the seller, as amended and supplemented from time to time. "Prepayments" means Excess Payments other than a Payment Ahead. "Prepayment Surplus" means, on any Distribution Date on which a Prepayment is to be applied with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, that portion of the Prepayment, net 60 64 of any rebate to the obligor of the portion of the Scheduled Payments attributable to unearned finance charges, which is not allocable to principal. "Principal Balance" means, as of any date with respect to any receivable, the Amount Financed minus the sum of either: (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, (A) that portion of all Scheduled Payments due on or prior to such date allocable to principal, (B) that portion of any Warranty Payment or Administrative Purchase Payment with respect to such receivable allocable to principal and (C) any Prepayment applied by the servicer to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable, or (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, (A) that portion of all payments received on or prior to such date allocable to principal and (B) that portion of any Warranty Payment or Administrative Purchase Payment with respect to such receivable allocable to principal. "Rating Agencies" means the rating agencies then rating a class of notes or certificates at the request of the seller. "Related Documents" means the indenture, the Transfer and Servicing Agreements and other related documents for a trust. "Reserve Account" means, with respect to a trust, the account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement. "Scheduled Interest Advance" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the amount, as of the last day of the Monthly Period, by which the amount of the Scheduled Payment exceeds the amount of the Payments Ahead not previously applied to such receivable and any amounts received by an obligor in respect of such Scheduled Payment. "Scheduled Interest Receivables" means receivables pursuant to which the payments due from the obligors during any month are allocated between finance charges and principal on a scheduled basis, without regard to the period of time which has elapsed since the preceding payment was made, using the actuarial method or the method known as the Rule of 78s or sum-of-the-digits method. "Scheduled Payment" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the payment set forth in such receivable due from the obligor during any month. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Servicer Default" has the meaning set forth in "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Servicer Defaults." "Short-Term Note" means a note which has a fixed maturity date not more than one year from the issue date of such note. "Simple Interest Advance" means, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, as of the last day of each Monthly Period, the amount advanced by the servicer equal to the excess, if any, of 61 65 (1) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date over (2) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the trust to the extent allocable to interest. "Simple Interest Receivables" means receivables which provide for the allocation of payments between finance charges and principal based on the actual date on which a payment is received. "Strip Certificates" means one or more classes of certificates entitled to disproportionate, nominal or no distributions of Certificate Balance or interest. "Strip Notes" means one or more classes of notes entitled to disproportionate, nominal or no distributions of principal or interest. "Tax Counsel" means Kirkland & Ellis, as special tax counsel to the seller. "Tax Non-Entity" means a trust in which all of the certificates in such trust which are owned by the seller, and the seller and the servicer agree to treat the trust as a division of the seller and hence disregarded as a separate entity for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. "Tax Non-Entity Certificates" means certificates issued by a Tax Non-Entity. References to a holder of these certificates shall be to the beneficial owner thereof. "Tax Partnership" means a trust in which the seller, the servicer and the applicable holders agree to treat certificates (including Strip Certificates) and Strip Notes as equity interests in a partnership for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. "Tax Trust" means a trust in which the seller, the servicer and the applicable certificateholders agree to treat the certificates of the trust as equity interests in a grantor trust for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. "Total Servicing Fee" has the meaning set forth in "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses." "Transfer and Servicing Agreements" means, with respect to each trust, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, the trust agreement and the administration agreement. "Trust Certificates" means certificates issued by a Tax Trust. References to a holder of these certificates shall be to the beneficial owner thereof. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement" means, with respect to each trust, the Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of the related Closing Date, among the servicer, the seller and the trust, as amended and supplemented from time to time. "Warranty Payment" means: (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the sum of all remaining Scheduled Payments on such receivable, plus all past due Scheduled Payments with respect to which a Scheduled Interest Advance has not been made, plus all outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances on such receivable, plus an amount equal to any reimbursements of outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made to the servicer with respect to such receivable from the proceeds of other receivables, minus (1) the rebate 62 66 that would be payable to the obligor on such receivable were the obligor to prepay such receivable in full on such day and (2) any Liquidation Proceeds with respect to such receivable previously received (to the extent applied to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable); or (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, the Amount Financed minus (A) that portion of all payments received on or prior to the last day of the related Monthly Period allocable to principal and (B) any Liquidation Proceeds with respect to such receivable (to the extent applied to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable). "Warranty Receivable" means a receivable which must be repurchased by either the trust or GMAC as a result of a breach of a representation or warranty with respect to such receivable which materially and adversely affects the interests of any securityholder in such receivable. 63 67 The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any State where the offer or sale is not permitted. VERSION 2 PROSPECTUS GMAC GRANTOR TRUSTS Asset Backed Certificates, Class A CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. Seller GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION Servicer THE TRUSTS-- CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE IN - We will form a new trust to issue each series of THIS PROSPECTUS. certificates. Each series will include two classes of certificates, the Class A Certificates The certificates of a series and the Class B Certificates. We will sell only represent the beneficial the Class A Certificates with this prospectus. interest in the related trust only. The certificates issued - The primary assets of each trust will be a pool by any trust do not represent of fixed rate retail motor vehicle installment obligations of or interests in, sales contracts, including security interests in and are not guaranteed by the automobiles and light trucks financed under Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., such contracts. GMAC, or any of their respective affiliates. THE CLASS A CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY A TRUST-- This prospectus may be used to - will represent the right to payments of principal offer and sell any certificates and interest on a monthly basis; only if accompanied by an applicable prospectus - will be rated in the highest rating category supplement. (i.e., "AAA") by at least one nationally recognized rating agency; - will be paid only from the assets of the trust and amounts on deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account; and - will be senior to the Class B Certificates issued by the trust. NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CLASS A CERTIFICATES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. , 199 68 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT We provide information to you about the certificates in two separate documents: (a) this prospectus, which provides general information and terms of the certificates. (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement, which will provide information regarding the pool of contracts held by the trust and will specify the terms of your certificate. IF THE TERMS OF THE CLASS A CERTIFICATES VARY BETWEEN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with other or different information. We are not offering the Class A Certificates in any state where the offer is not permitted. We do not claim that the information in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date other than the dates stated on their respective covers. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus are defined under the caption "Glossary of Terms" beginning on page in this prospectus. 2 69 SUMMARY - This prospectus summary highlights selected information from this document and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. To understand all of the terms of an offering of the certificates, read carefully this entire document and the accompanying prospectus supplement. THE PARTIES Issuer The Parties will create a separate trust to issue each series of certificates. The trust will operate under a pooling and servicing agreement. Seller Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC, will be the seller for each trust. Servicer GMAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation, will be the servicer for each trust. Trustee Each prospectus supplement will specify the trustee for each trust. THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES We will describe in the accompanying prospectus supplement the Class A Certificates that we are offering. Each trust will issue two classes of asset-backed certificates, the Class A Certificates and the Class B Certificates, but we will sell only the Class A Certificates pursuant to the related prospectus supplement. Interest Payments - - - The trustee will pay interest on the Class A Certificates at the Pass Through Rate, which is an interest rate that will be specified in the prospectus supplement. - - - The trustee will pay interest monthly, on the Distribution Date, which will be the 15th day of each month (or the next following business day). - - - The trustee will pay interest on the Distribution Date only if funds are available. This prospectus describes how the available funds are allocated to interest payments. - - - Interest and principal payments on the Class B Certificates will be subordinated to interest payments on the Class A Certificates. This prospectus describes the extent of the subordination. Principal Payments - - - The trustee will make a monthly principal payment on the Class A Certificates on each Distribution Date. - - - The trustee will make principal payments based on the amount of principal received during the month prior to the Distribution Date. The trustee will make principal payments only to the extent that funds are available. This prospectus describes how the available funds are allocated to principal payments. - - - The trustee will generally pay principal proportionately to the holders of Class A Certificates and Class B Certificates. The principal payments will be based on each certificateholder's percentage interest in the trust. - - - Principal payments on the Class B Certificates will be subordinated to principal and interest payments on the Class A Certificates. This prospectus describes the extent of the subordination. Subordination of Class B Certificates On each Distribution Date: - - - The trustee will make each monthly interest payment to the Class B Certificateholders only after the trustee pays the full amount of interest owed that month on the Class A Certificates. - - - The trustee will make each monthly principal payment to the Class B Certificateholders only after the trustee pays the full amount of interest and principal owed that month on the Class A Certificates. 3 70 Certificate Ratings - - - We will not issue Class A Certificates unless they are rated in the highest rating category (i.e., "AAA") by at least one nationally recognized rating agency. - - - We cannot assure that a rating agency will maintain its rating if circumstances change. If a rating agency changes its rating, no one has an obligation to provide additional credit enhancement. - - - A certificate rating is not a recommendation to buy the Class A Certificates. The rating considers only the likelihood that the trustee will pay interest on time and will ultimately pay principal. The rating does not consider the Class A Certificate's price, its suitability to a particular investor, or the timing of principal payments. THE TRUST PROPERTY The primary assets of each trust will be a pool of fixed-rate retail instalment sales contracts used to finance new and used car and light truck purchases. We refer to these contracts as " receivables" and to the persons who financed their purchases with these contracts as "obligors." The receivables in each trust will be sold by GMAC to the seller, and then by the seller to the trust. The trust property will also include, with certain exceptions described in this prospectus: - - - Monies due or received under the receivables after a cut-off date; - - - Amounts held on deposit in trust accounts maintained for the trust; - - - Security interests in the vehicles financed by the receivables; - - - Any recourse GMAC has against the dealers from which it purchased the receivables; - - - Any proceeds from claims on insurance policies covering the financed vehicles; - - - Certain rights of the seller under its purchase agreement with GMAC; and - - - All rights of the trust under the related pooling and servicing agreement. SUBORDINATION SPREAD ACCOUNT There are two different types of receivables in each trust: Scheduled Interest Receivables and Simple Interest Receivables. The way that payments are allocated between principal and interest varies depending on the type of receivable. This prospectus provides more information on the different types of receivables. The seller will maintain for the benefit of each trust a Subordination Spread Account that is separate from the trust. The Subordination Spread Account enhances the likelihood that the Class A Certificateholders will receive the full amount of principal and interest that is owed to them. The seller will fund the Subordination Spread Account as follows: - - - On the Closing Date, the seller will make an initial deposit in the Subordination Spread Account. - - - On each Distribution Date, the Subordination Spread Account will receive funds that would have been allocated to the Class B Certificates, until its balance reaches the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance. - - - The amount in the Subordination Spread Account will have a set maximum and minimum. Both of these amounts are stated in the related prospectus supplement. - - - Generally, the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance will be the minimum amount required. However, certain events relating to the collection of receivables may cause the trustee to increase the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance. See "The Certificates-- Subordination of the Class B Certificates; Subordination Spread Account" in this prospectus. ADVANCES The servicer will advance monthly payments to the trustee to compensate for untimely payments. The terms of the 4 71 advance will vary depending on the type of receivable. - - - For Scheduled Interest Receivables, the servicer will advance to the trustee the portion of each receivable that was due but unpaid as of the end of the month when due. The trust must reimburse the servicer for the advance. The servicer is obligated to advance the payment only to the extent that the servicer expects to recover the advanced amount through later collections and payments on the receivables. - - - For Simple Interest Receivables, the servicer will advance to the trustee any aggregate interest shortfall that results from obligors paying on dates other than the due dates. The trustee will pay to the servicer any surplus interest that results from obligors paying on dates other than due dates. SERVICING FEES For each series of certificates, the trustee will pay the servicer a set monthly fee as compensation for servicing the receivables. The trustee will also pay the servicer any late fees, prepayment charges and other administrative fees and expenses collected during the related month. The trustee may also pay the servicer additional servicing fees. OPTIONAL REPURCHASE The servicer may purchase all of the property of the trust when the Aggregate Principal Balance falls below 10% of the Aggregate Amount Financed. Any repurchase would result in the full payment of all outstanding Class A Certificates. TAX STATUS In the opinion of Kirkland & Ellis, special tax counsel to the seller, each trust will be classified for Federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation. certificate owners must report their respective allocable shares of income earned on trust assets. Subject to certain limitations applicable to individuals, estates and trusts, certificate owners may deduct their respective allocable shares of reasonable servicing and other fees. Individuals should consult their tax advisors to determine the federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Class A Certificates. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Subject to the considerations discussed under "ERISA Considerations," an employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, may purchase the Class A Certificates. An employee benefit plan should consult with its counsel before purchasing the Class A Certificates. 5 72 RISK FACTORS You should consider the following risk factors in deciding whether to purchase Class A Certificates. RISK OF UNCOLLECTIBLE RECEIVABLES DUE TO PRIORITY OF CERTAIN LIENS ON FINANCED Obligors who purchase financed vehicles give GMAC a security interest in those vehicles. If GMAC fails to perfect its security interest in a financed vehicle, GMAC must repurchase the receivable from the trust. VEHICLES OR RECEIVABLES GMAC will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles to the seller. The seller will in turn assign its security interest in the financed vehicles to the trust. If, for any reason, this assignment does not perfect a trust's security interest in a financed vehicle, its security interest would be subordinate to, among others, the following: - A bankruptcy trustee of the obligor - A subsequent purchaser of the financed vehicle - A holder of a perfected security interest The trust may not be able to collect on a defaulted receivable unless the trust has a perfected security interest in the related financed vehicle. Even if the trust has a perfected security interest in the financed vehicles, certain events could jeopardize that interest, such as: - Fraud or forgery by the vehicle owner - Negligence or fraud by the servicer - Mistakes by government agencies - Liens for repairs or unpaid taxes See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Security Interest in Vehicles" in this prospectus. GMAC and the seller will file financing statements with respect to each pool of receivables sold to a trust. The financing statements will perfect the security interests of the seller and the trust in the pool of receivables. However, GMAC will serve as the custodian of the receivables and will not physically segregate or mark the receivables to indicate that they have been sold to the trust. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. If another party purchases or takes a security interest in the receivables (1) for value, (2) in the ordinary course of business and (3) without actual knowledge of the seller's or the trust's interest, such purchaser or secured party will acquire an interest in the receivables superior to the trust's interest. 6 73 POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS AND DELAYS IN PAYMENTS DUE TO BANKRUPTCY If GMAC filed for bankruptcy under the federal bankruptcy code or any state insolvency laws, a court may (1) consolidate the assets and liabilities of GMAC with those of the seller, (2) decide that the sale of the receivables to the seller was not a "true sale" or (3) disallow a transfer of receivables prior to the bankruptcy. Thus, the receivables might become part of GMAC's bankruptcy estate, in which case you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your certificates. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Other Limitations" in this prospectus. MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS Obligors may prepay the receivables in full or in part. In addition, the receivables may be prepaid as a result of defaults or from credit life, disability or physical damage insurance. Also, GMAC or the seller may be required to repurchase receivables from a trust in certain circumstances, and GMAC may have the right to purchase all remaining receivables from a trust pursuant to its optional purchase right. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" and "--Termination" in this prospectus. Each such prepayment, repurchase or purchase will shorten the average life of the related Class A Certificates. A variety of unpredictable economic, social and other factors influence prepayment rates. You will bear all reinvestment risk resulting from a faster or slower rate of prepayment, repurchase or extension of the receivables held by your trust. LIMITED ENFORCEABILITY OF THE RECEIVABLES Federal and state consumer protection laws regulate the creation and enforcement of consumer loans such as the receivables. Specific statutory liabilities are imposed upon creditors who fail to comply with these regulatory provisions. In some cases, this liability could affect an assignee's ability to enforce secured loans such as the receivables. If an obligor had a claim against the trustee for violation of these laws prior to the Cutoff Date, GMAC must repurchase the receivable unless the breach is cured. If GMAC fails to repurchase such receivable, you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your certificates. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Consumer Protection Laws" in this prospectus. LIMITED OBLIGATIONS OF GMAC AND THE SELLER GMAC, the seller, and their respective affiliates are generally not obligated to make any payments to you with respect to your certificates and do not guarantee payments on the receivables or your certificates. However, GMAC will make representations and warranties with respect to the characteristics of the 7 74 receivables and such representations and warranties will then be assigned to the trust. If GMAC breaches the representations and warranties, it may be required to repurchase the applicable receivables from the trust. If GMAC fails to repurchase such receivables, you might experience reductions and/or delays in payments on your certificates. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. LIMITED ASSETS OF EACH TRUST Each trust will not have any significant assets or sources of funds other than its receivables and its rights in the Subordination Spread Account. The Class A Certificates will represent interests in the related trust only. Except as described in the related prospectus supplement, the Class A Certificates will not be insured or guaranteed by GMAC, the seller, the trustee, any of their affiliates or any other person or entity. You must rely primarily on payments on the related receivables and on the Subordination Spread Account for repayment of your Class A Certificates. If those sources are insufficient, you may receive payments late or not receive back your full principal investment. LIMITED ABILITY TO RESELL CERTIFICATES The underwriters for a series may assist in the resale of Class A Certificates, but they are not required to do so. A secondary market for any certificates may not develop. If a secondary market does develop, it might not continue or it might not be sufficiently liquid to allow you to resell any of your Class A Certificates. LIMITED NATURE OF RATINGS The Class A Certificates for each trust will be issued only if they receive the required rating. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the certificates. The ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time. Ratings on the Class A Certificates do not address the timing of distributions of principal on the Class A Certificates prior to the applicable final Distribution Date. 8 75 THE TRUSTS With respect to each series of certificates, the seller will establish a separate grantor trust by selling and assigning the trust property to the trust in exchange for the related certificates. The property of each trust will include: (1) a pool of retail instalment sales contracts for new and used automobiles and light trucks, all Scheduled Payments due thereunder on and after the Cutoff Date in the case of Scheduled Interest Receivables and all payments received thereunder on or after the Cutoff Date in the case of Simple Interest Receivables, in each case exclusive of any amount allocable to the premium for physical damage insurance force-placed by the servicer; (2) such amounts as from time to time may be held in separate trust accounts established and maintained pursuant to the related Agreement and the proceeds of such accounts; (3) security interests in the financed vehicles consisting of new and used automobiles and light trucks and, to the extent permitted by law, any accessions thereto; (4) any recourse against dealers with respect to the receivables; (5) except for those receivables originated in Wisconsin, the right to proceeds of credit life, credit disability, physical damage or other insurance policies covering the financed vehicles; and (6) certain rights of the seller under the related purchase agreement. The Subordination Spread Account for a series of certificates will not be included in the property of the related trust but will be a segregated trust account held by the trustee for the benefit of the holders of such certificates. Except as otherwise set forth in the related prospectus supplement, the activities of each trust will be limited to (1) acquiring, managing and holding the related receivables and the other assets contemplated herein and in the related prospectus supplement and proceeds therefrom; (2) issuing the related certificates and making payments and distributions thereon; and (3) engaging in other activities that are related or incidental to the foregoing and necessary, convenient or advisable to accomplish the foregoing. The servicer will continue to service the receivables held by each trust and will receive fees for such services. See "The Certificates--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses" in this prospectus. To facilitate the servicing of the receivables, the trustee will authorize General Motors Acceptance Corporation, as custodian to retain physical possession of the receivables held by each trust and other documents relating thereto as custodian for the trustee. Due to the administrative burden and expense, the certificates of title to the financed vehicles will not be amended to reflect the sale and assignment of the security interest in the financed vehicles to the trustee. In the absence of such an amendment, the trustee may not have a perfected security interest in the financed vehicles in all states. The trustee will not be responsible for the legality, validity or enforceability of any security interest in any financed vehicle. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables," "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" and "The Certificates--Duties of the Trustee" in this prospectus. If the protection provided to the Class A Certificateholders by the subordination of the related Class B Certificates and by the related Subordination Spread Account is insufficient, 9 76 the Class A Certificateholders would have to look principally to the obligors on the related receivables, the proceeds from the repossession and sale of financed vehicles which secure defaulted receivables and the proceeds from any recourse against dealers with respect to such receivables. In such event, certain factors, such as the trustee's not having perfected security interests in the financed vehicles in all states, may affect the ability to repossess and sell the collateral securing the receivables, and thus may reduce the proceeds to be distributed to certificateholders. See "The Certificates--Subordination of the Class B Certificates; Subordination Spread Account" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in this prospectus. The principal offices of each trust will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. THE RECEIVABLES The receivables in each pool of receivables have been or will be acquired by GMAC through its nationwide branch system, directly or through General Motors from automobile and light truck dealers pursuant to agreements with General Motors dealers and dealerships affiliated with General Motors dealers. See "The Servicer" in this prospectus. The receivables have been or will be originated by participating dealers in accordance with GMAC's requirements under the dealer agreements. The receivables have been or will be acquired in accordance with GMAC's underwriting standards in the ordinary course of business, which evaluate the prospective purchaser's ability to pay and creditworthiness, as well as the asset value of the vehicle to be financed. GMAC's standards generally also require physical damage insurance to be maintained on each financed vehicle. The receivables to be held by each trust will be selected from GMAC's portfolio for inclusion in a pool of receivables by several criteria, including that, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, each such receivable: (1) is secured by a new or used vehicle; (2) was originated in the United States; (3) provides for level monthly payments (except for the first and last payments which may be different from the level payments) that fully amortize the amount financed over its original term to maturity; and (4) satisfies the other criteria set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Each receivable is classified as either a Scheduled Interest Receivable or a Simple Interest Receivable. If an obligor elects to prepay a Scheduled Interest Receivable in full, the obligor is entitled to a rebate of the portion of monthly Scheduled Payments attributable to unearned finance charges. The amount of the rebate is determined with reference to the contract type and applicable state law. With minor variations based on state law, actuarial rebates are calculated on the basis of a constant interest rate. Rebates calculated on a Rule of 78s or sum-of-the-digits basis are smaller than the corresponding rebates under the actuarial method. Scheduled Interest Receivables provide for Rule of 78s rebates except in states that require the actuarial method. Distributions to Class A Certificateholders will not be affected by Rule of 78s rebates because all allocations with respect to Scheduled Interest Receivables for purposes of the related trust are made using the actuarial method. The portion of a pool of receivables which consists of Scheduled Interest Receivables will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. Payments pursuant to a Simple Interest Receivable are allocated between finance charges and principal based on the actual date on which a payment is received. Late payments (or early payments) on a Simple Interest Receivable may result in the obligor making a 10 77 greater (or smaller) number of payments than originally scheduled. The amount of any such additional payments required to pay the outstanding principal balance in full generally will not exceed the amount of any originally scheduled payment. If an obligor elects to prepay a Simple Interest Receivable in full, the obligor will not receive a rebate attributable to unearned finance charges. Instead, the obligor is required to pay finance charges only to, but not including, the date of prepayment. The amount of finance charges on a Simple Interest Receivable that would have accrued from and after the date of prepayment if all monthly payments had been made as scheduled will generally be greater than the rebate on a Scheduled Interest Receivable that provides for a Rule of 78s rebate, and will generally be equal to the rebate on a Scheduled Interest Receivable that provides for an actuarial rebate. The portion of a pool of receivables which consists of Simple Interest Receivables will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. Information with respect to each pool of receivables will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement, including, to the extent appropriate, the composition, distribution by APR, states of origination and portion of such pool of receivables secured by new vehicles and by used vehicles. WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE CERTIFICATES The weighted average life of certificates will generally be influenced by the rate at which the principal balances of the related receivables are paid, which payment may be in the form of scheduled amortization or prepayments (for this purpose, the term prepayment includes charge-offs, liquidations due to defaults and repurchases by the seller or GMAC pursuant to the related Agreement, as well as receipt of proceeds from credit life and casualty insurance policies). All of the receivables are prepayable at any time without penalty to the obligor. The rate of prepayment of automotive receivables is influenced by a variety of economic, social and other factors, including the fact that an obligor generally may not sell or transfer the financed vehicle securing a receivable without the consent of the servicer. Any reinvestment risk resulting from prepayments of receivables will be borne entirely by the certificateholders. See also "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Transfers of Vehicles" in this prospectus. CLASS A POOL FACTOR AND TRADING INFORMATION The Class A Pool Factor for each series will initially be 1.0000000; thereafter, the Class A Pool Factor will decline to reflect reductions in the related Class A Certificate Balance. The amount of a Class A Certificateholder's pro rata share of the related Class A Certificate Balance can be determined by multiplying the original denomination of the holder's certificate by the then current Class A Pool Factor. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to the trust, the certificateholders will receive reports on or about each Distribution Date concerning payments received on the receivables, the Aggregate Principal Balance, each Class A Pool Factor and various other items of information. Certificateholders of record during any calendar year will be furnished information for tax reporting purposes not later than the latest date permitted by law. See "The Certificates--Statements to Class A Certificateholders" in this prospectus. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the net proceeds to be received by the seller from the sale of the certificates will be applied to the purchase of the related receivables from GMAC. 11 78 THE SELLER The seller, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC, was incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 6, 1992. The seller is organized for the limited purposes of purchasing receivables from GMAC, transferring such receivables to third parties, forming trusts and engaging in related activities. The principal executive offices of the seller are located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. GMAC Auto Receivables Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC, incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 16, 1990 was merged with and into the seller on February 22, 1996. The seller has taken steps in structuring the transactions contemplated hereby that are intended to make it unlikely that the voluntary or involuntary application for relief by GMAC under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar applicable state laws will result in consolidation of the assets and liabilities of the seller with those of GMAC. These steps include the creation of the seller as a separate, limited-purpose subsidiary pursuant to a certificate of incorporation containing certain limitations (including restrictions on the nature of the seller's business and a restriction on the seller's ability to commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any Insolvency Law without the unanimous affirmative vote of all of its directors). The seller's By-laws include a provision that, under certain circumstances, requires the seller to have two directors who qualify under the By-laws as "Independent Directors." If, notwithstanding the foregoing measures, a court concluded that the assets and liabilities of the seller should be consolidated with the assets and liabilities of GMAC in the event of the application of the federal bankruptcy laws to GMAC, a filing were made under any Insolvency Law by or against the seller, or an attempt were made to litigate the consolidation issue, then delays in distributions on the certificates (and possible reductions in the amount of such distributions) could occur. See also "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Other Limitations" in this prospectus. THE SERVICER GMAC was incorporated in 1919 under the New York Banking Law relating to investment companies. GMAC relinquished this status and became a Delaware corporation on January 1, 1998. GMAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors. Operating directly and through subsidiaries and associated companies in which it has equity investments, GMAC provides a wide variety of automotive financial services to and through franchised General Motors dealers in many countries throughout the world. Financial services also are offered to other dealerships in which General Motors dealers have an interest and to the customers of those dealerships. Other financial services offered by GMAC or its subsidiaries include insurance, mortgage banking, and investment services. The principal business of GMAC and its subsidiaries is to finance the acquisition and resale by franchised General Motors dealers of various new automotive and nonautomotive products manufactured by General Motors or certain of its subsidiaries and associates, and to acquire from such dealers, either directly or indirectly, instalment obligations covering retail sales and leases of new General Motors products as well as used units of any make. In addition, new products of other manufacturers are financed. GMAC also leases motor vehicles and certain types of capital equipment to others. GMAC has its principal office at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 (Tel. No. 212-418-6120) and administrative offices at 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202 (Tel. No. 313-556-5000). 12 79 DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES Certain information concerning GMAC's experience in the United States pertaining to delinquencies on new and used retail automobile and light truck receivables and repossessions and net loss information relating to its entire vehicle portfolio (including receivables previously sold which GMAC continues to service) will be set forth in each prospectus supplement. There can be no assurance that the delinquency, repossession and net loss experience on any pool of receivables will be comparable to prior experience. THE CERTIFICATES Each trust will issue a series of certificates consisting of two classes: the Class A Certificates and the Class B Certificates. Each series of certificates will be issued pursuant to an Agreement to be entered into between the seller, the servicer and the trustee, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Citations to the relevant sections of the form of Agreement as filed appear below in parentheses. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the certificate and the related Agreement. Where particular provisions or terms used in an Agreement are referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. GENERAL The Class A Certificates will be offered for purchase in fully registered form in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the certificates will initially be represented by physical certificates registered in the name of the nominee of DTC, except as provided below. The seller has been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede & Co. Accordingly, Cede & Co. is expected to be the Class A Certificateholder. Unless and until definitive certificates are issued under the limited circumstances described herein or in the related prospectus supplement, no Certificate Owner will be entitled to receive a certificate representing such person's interest in such Class A Certificates. All references herein to actions by Class A Certificateholders refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from DTC participants, and all references herein to distributions, notices, reports and statements to Class A Certificateholders refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede & Co., as the registered holder of such Class A Certificates, as the case may be, for distribution to Certificate Owners in accordance with DTC procedures. (Sections 5.01 and 5.08). See "Book-Entry Registration" in this prospectus. The certificates will evidence interests in the trust created pursuant to the related Agreement. The Class A Certificates will evidence in the aggregate an undivided ownership interest of the Class A Percentage of the related trust and the Class B Certificates will evidence in the aggregate an undivided ownership interest of the Class B Percentage of the related trust. (Section 5.03). BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between DTC participants through electronic book-entries, thereby eliminating 13 80 the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to indirect DTC participants such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, Certificate Owners that are not DTC participants or indirect DTC participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other interests in, Class A Certificates may do so only through DTC participants and indirect DTC participants. In addition, Certificate Owners will receive all distributions of principal of and interest on the Class A Certificates from the trustee through DTC and its Participants. Under a book-entry format, Certificate Owners may experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will be forwarded by the trustee to Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. DTC will forward such payments to its Participants, which thereafter will forward them to indirect DTC participants or Certificate Owners. Certificate Owners will not be recognized by the trustee as Class A Certificateholders, as such term is used in each related Agreement, and Certificate Owners will be permitted to exercise the rights of Class A Certificateholders only indirectly through DTC and its Participants. Under the DTC rules, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers of Class A Certificates among Participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to the Class A Certificates and to receive and transmit payments of principal of, and interest on, the Class A Certificates. DTC participants and indirect DTC participants with which Certificate Owners have accounts with respect to the Class A Certificates similarly are required to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective Certificate Owners. Accordingly, although Class A Certificate Owners will not possess Class A Certificates, the DTC rules provide a mechanism by which Certificate Owners will receive payments and will be able to transfer their interests. Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect DTC participants and certain banks, the ability of a Certificate Owner to pledge Class A Certificates to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise act with respect to Class A Certificates, may be limited due to the lack of physical certificates for such Class A Certificates. DTC has advised the seller that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Class A Certificateholder under the related Agreement only at the direction of one or more DTC participants to whose accounts with DTC the Class A Certificates are credited. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that such actions are taken on behalf of DTC participants whose holdings include such undivided interests. Except as required by law, neither the seller nor the trustee will have any liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the Class A Certificates of any series held by Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the Class A Certificates will be issued in fully registered, certificated form to Certificate Owners or their nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if (i) the seller advises the trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as Depository with 14 81 respect to the Class A Certificates and the seller is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the seller, at its option, advises the trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through DTC or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of Default for any series, Certificate Owners representing at least a majority of the voting interests of the Class A Certificates of such series advise the trustee through DTC in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the best interests of the Certificate Owners. The "voting interests" of the Class A Certificates will be allocated among the Class A Certificate Owners in accordance with the Class A Certificate Balance represented thereby; except that in certain circumstances any Class A Certificates held by the seller, the servicer or any of their respective affiliates shall be excluded from such determination. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the trustee is required to notify DTC of the availability of definitive certificates. DTC shall notify all Class A Certificateholders of availability of definitive certificates. Upon surrender by DTC of the Class A Certificates and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the trustee will reissue the Class A Certificates as definitive certificates, and thereafter the trustee will recognize the holders of such definitive certificates as Class A Certificateholders under the related Agreement. (Section 5.10). Distribution of principal of and interest on the Class A Certificates will be made by the trustee directly to holders of definitive certificates in accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in the related Agreement. Distributions of principal of and interest on each Distribution Date will be made to holders in whose names such definitive certificates were registered at the close of business on the last day of the related Monthly Period. The final payment on any Class A Certificate (whether a definitive certificate or a Class A Certificate registered in the name of Cede & Co.) will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Class A Certificate at the office or agency specified in the related notice of final distribution to certificateholders. (Sections 5.10 and 10.01). Definitive certificates will be transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the trustee or of a registrar named in a notice delivered to holder of definitive certificates. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith. (Section 5.03). SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES AND WARRANTIES THEREON On or prior to a Closing Date, pursuant to the related purchase agreement, GMAC will sell and assign to the seller, without recourse, its entire interest in the related receivables, including the security interests in the financed vehicles, the proceeds from certain insurance policies and the proceeds from recourse against dealers with respect to such receivables. On the Closing Date, the seller will sell and assign to the trustee, without recourse, the seller's entire interest in the related receivables, including the security interests in the financed vehicles, the proceeds from certain insurance policies and the proceeds from recourse against dealers with respect to such receivables. (Section 2.01). Each receivable with respect to a trust will be identified in a schedule which will be on file at the locations set forth in an exhibit to the related purchase agreement and the related Agreement. The trustee will, concurrently with such sale and assignment, authenticate and deliver the certificates to the seller in exchange for such receivables. (Section 5.02). The seller will sell the Class A Certificates to the underwriters specified in the related prospectus supplement. See "Underwriting" in this prospectus. 15 82 In each purchase agreement, GMAC will represent and warrant to the seller, among other things, that: (1) the information set forth in the related schedule of receivables exhibit to the related purchase agreement is correct in all material respects; (2) the obligor on each related receivable is required to maintain physical damage insurance covering the financed vehicle in accordance with GMAC's normal requirements; (3) as of the related Closing Date, to the best of its knowledge, the related receivables are free and clear of all filed security interests, liens, charges and encumbrances on account of work, labor or materials (other than tax liens and other liens that arise by operation of law) and no offsets, defenses or counterclaims have been asserted or threatened; (4) as of the related Closing Date, each of the related receivables is or will be secured by a first perfected security interest in favor of GMAC in the financed vehicle; and (5) each related receivable, at the time it was originated complied, and on the related Closing Date complies, in all material respects with applicable state and federal laws, including, without limitation, consumer credit, truth-in-lending, equal credit opportunity and disclosure laws. In each related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the seller will assign the representations and warranties of the servicer, as set forth above, to the trust, and will represent and warrant to the trust that the seller has taken no action which would cause such representations and warranties of the servicer to be false in any material respect as of the Closing Date. As of the last day of the second (or, if the seller so elects, the first) month following the discovery by the seller, the servicer or the trustee of a breach of any representation or warranty of the seller or the servicer that materially and adversely affects the interests of the certificateholders of any series in any receivable held by the related trust, the seller, unless the breach is cured in all material respects, will repurchase (or will enforce the obligation of GMAC under the related purchase agreement to repurchase) such Warranty Receivable from the trust at a price equal to the Warranty Payment. The seller or GMAC, as applicable, will be entitled to receive any amounts held by the servicer or in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account with respect to such Warranty Receivable. This repurchase obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to certificateholders or the trustee for any such uncured breach. (Sections 2.04 and 2.05). In each Agreement, the servicer will covenant that: (1) except as contemplated in such Agreement, the servicer will not release any financed vehicle from the security interest securing the related receivable; (2) the servicer will do nothing to impair the rights of trustee or the certificateholders in the related receivables; and (3) the servicer will not amend or otherwise modify any receivable such that the Amount Financed, the APR, the total number of Scheduled Payments (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable) or the number of originally scheduled due dates (in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) is altered or such that the last Scheduled Payment (in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable), or the last scheduled due date (in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable) occurs after the final scheduled Distribution Date. As of the last day of the second (or, if the servicer so elects, the first) month following the discovery by the servicer or the trustee of a breach of any covenant that materially and 16 83 adversely affects any receivable held by the related trust and unless such breach is cured in all material respects, the servicer will, with respect to such Administrative Receivable, purchase the receivable from the trust at a price equal to the Administrative Purchase Payment. The servicer will be entitled to receive any amounts held by the servicer or in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account with respect to such Administrative Receivable. This repurchase obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to certificateholders or the trustee for any such uncured breach. (Sections 3.07 and 3.08). Pursuant to each Agreement, the trustee will agree to GMAC acting as custodian to maintain possession, as the trust's agent, of the retail instalment sale contracts and any other documents relating to the receivables (Section 2.02). To assure uniform quality in servicing both the receivables and GMAC's own portfolio of receivables, as well as to facilitate servicing and save administrative costs, the documents will not be physically segregated from other similar documents that are in GMAC's possession or otherwise stamped or marked to reflect the transfer to the related trust so long as GMAC is the custodian of such documents. However, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements reflecting the sale and assignment of such receivables to the trust will be filed, and GMAC's accounting records and computer files will reflect such sale and assignment. Because such receivables will remain in possession of GMAC as custodian, and will not be stamped or otherwise marked to reflect such assignment to the trust, if a subsequent purchaser were able to take physical possession of the receivables without knowledge of the assignment, the trust's interest in such receivables could be defeated. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Security Interest in Vehicles" in this prospectus. COLLECTIONS With respect to each series of certificates, the servicer will establish two accounts in the name of the trustee on behalf of the certificateholders, the Collection Account into which certain payments made on or with respect to the related receivables will be deposited, and the Certificate Account from which all distributions with respect to the related receivables and the certificates will be made. The servicer will also establish with respect to each series of certificates the Payment Ahead Servicing Account in the name of the trustee, into which, to the extent required by the related Agreement, early payments by or on behalf of obligors on a Scheduled Interest Receivable which do not constitute either Scheduled Payments or Prepayments will be deposited until such time as payment falls due. The Payment Ahead Servicing Account will not be property of the related trust. Each Collection Account and each Payment Ahead Servicing Account will be maintained with the trustee so long as (1) the trustee's short-term unsecured debt obligations have a rating of P-l by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a rating of A-l+ by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and, if rated by Fitch IBCA, Inc., a rating of F-1+ by Fitch IBCA, Inc. or (2) such accounts are maintained in the trust department of the trustee. If the short-term unsecured debt obligations of the trustee do not have the rating set forth above, the servicer will, with the trustee's assistance as necessary, cause any Collection Account and any Payment Ahead Servicing Account to be moved to a bank whose short-term unsecured debt obligations have the necessary rating or moved to the trust department of the trustee. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, each Collection Account, Payment Ahead Servicing Account and Certificate Account will initially be maintained in the trust department of the trustee. (Section 4.01). The servicer will deposit all payments on receivables held by any trust received from obligors and all proceeds of such receivables collected during each Monthly Period into the 17 84 related Collection Account not later than two business days after receipt. However, the servicer may retain such amounts until the Distribution Date at any time that: (1) GMAC is the servicer; (2) there exists no Event of Default; and (3) either (A) the short-term unsecured debt of the servicer is rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or (B) certain arrangements are made which are acceptable to the relevant rating agency or agencies. Pending deposit into the Collection Account, collections may be employed by the servicer at its own risk and for its own benefit and will not be segregated from its own funds. (Section 4.02). Collections on a Scheduled Interest Receivable held by any trust made during a Monthly Period (other than an Administrative Receivable or a Warranty Receivable) which are not late fees, prepayment charges or certain other similar fees or charges will be applied first to any outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made by the servicer with respect to such receivable and then to the Scheduled Payment. Any Excess Payment will be held by the servicer (or, if the servicer has not satisfied conditions (1), (2) and (3)described in the preceding paragraph, will be deposited in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account), and will be treated as a Payment Ahead, except as described in the following sentence. If and to the extent that an Excess Payment (1) together with any unapplied Payments Ahead, exceeds the sum of three Scheduled Payments or (2) constitutes, either alone or together with any previous unapplied Payments Ahead, full prepayment, then such portion of such Excess Payment shall not be deemed a Payment Ahead and shall instead be applied as a Prepayment. (Section 4.03(a)). Collections made during a Monthly Period with respect to Simple Interest Receivables held by any trust (other than Administrative Receivables or Warranty Receivables) which are not late fees or certain other similar fees or charges will be applied first to the payment to the servicer of Excess Simple Interest Collections, if any, and next to principal and interest on all such receivables held by the related trust. (Section 4.03(b)). With respect to a Monthly Period, Excess Simple Interest Collections represent the excess, if any, of (1) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust to the extent allocable to interest over (2) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by such trust, assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date. Collections on Administrative Receivables and Warranty Receivables (including Administrative Purchase Payments and Warranty Payments) will generally be applied in the manner described above, except that unapplied Payments Ahead on a Scheduled Interest Receivable will be made to the servicer or the seller, as applicable, and Administrative Purchase Payments and Warranty Payments on a Simple Interest Receivable will not be applied to Excess Simple Interest Collections. (Section 4.03(c)). MONTHLY ADVANCES Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, if the full Scheduled Payment due on a Scheduled Interest Receivable held by any trust is not received by the end of the month in which it is due, whether as the result of any extension granted to the obligor or otherwise, the amount of Payments Ahead, if any, not previously applied with respect to such receivable will be applied by the servicer to the extent of the shortfall and the Payments Ahead will be reduced accordingly. If any shortfall remains, the servicer will make a 18 85 Scheduled Interest Advance equal to the amount of such shortfall. The servicer will be obligated to make a Scheduled Interest Advance only to the extent that the servicer, in its sole discretion, expects to recoup such Advance, from subsequent collections or recoveries on any Scheduled Interest Receivable. The servicer will be reimbursed for any such Scheduled Interest Advances from subsequent payments or collections relating to such Scheduled Interest Receivable. Upon the determination that reimbursement from the preceding sources is unlikely, the servicer will be entitled to recoup its Scheduled Interest Advance from collections from other receivables. (Section 4.04(a)). Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to each trust, as of the last day of each Monthly Period, the servicer will make a Simple Interest Advance equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date over (2) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust to the extent allocable to interest. Any Excess Simple Interest Collections will be paid to the servicer. In addition, the servicer will be paid, to the extent all previously made Simple Interest Advances exceed all Excess Simple Interest Collections previously paid to the servicer, all Liquidation Proceeds realized with respect to Simple Interest Receivables allocable to accrued and unpaid interest thereon (but not including interest for the then current Monthly Period). The servicer will not make any advance with respect to principal on any Simple Interest Receivable. (Section 4.04(b)). DISTRIBUTIONS With respect to each trust, on or before each Distribution Date, the servicer or the trustee, as the case may be, will transfer collections on the receivables held by the related trust for the related Monthly Period and all Prepayments to the related Certificate Account. On each Distribution Date starting on the date identified in the related prospectus supplement, the trustee will cause collections made during such Monthly Period which constitute Payments Ahead to be transferred from such Certificate Account to the servicer or to the related Payment Ahead Servicing Account, if required. (Sections 4.01 and 4.06). The trustee will make distributions to the Class A Certificateholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date out of the amounts on deposit in the related Certificate Account. The amount to be distributed to the certificateholders will be determined in the manner described below. Prior to each Distribution Date, the servicer will calculate the amount to be distributed to certificateholders. The holders of the Class A Certificates will receive on each Distribution Date, to the extent of available funds, an amount equal to the sum of the related Class A Distributable Amount and any outstanding Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall and Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall (each as defined below). On each Distribution Date on which the sum of the Class A Interest Distributable Amount and any outstanding Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall from the preceding Distribution Date exceeds the related Class A Percentage of the Available Interest (after payment of the Total Servicing Fee including any unpaid Total Servicing Fees with respect to prior Monthly Periods), the Class A Certificateholders will be entitled to receive such excess: first, from the related Class B Percentage of such Available Interest, second, if such amounts are insufficient, from amounts on deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account, and third, if such amounts are insufficient, from the related Class B Percentage of the Available Principal. (Section 4.06). With respect to any series of certificates, on each Distribution Date on which the sum of the Class A Principal Distributable Amount and any outstanding Class A Principal Carryover 19 86 Shortfall from the preceding Distribution Date exceeds the Class A Percentage of the Available Principal on such Distribution Date, the Class A Certificateholders will be entitled to receive such excess, first, from the related Class B Percentage of the Available Principal, second, if such amounts are insufficient, from amounts on deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account, and third, if such amounts are insufficient, from any remaining related Available Interest. (Section 4.06). The holders of the Class B Certificates will be entitled to receive on any Distribution Date an amount equal to the sum of the related Class B Interest Distributable Amount and the Class B Principal Distributable Amount (and any shortfalls from prior Distribution Dates in payments to the Class B Certificateholders), after giving effect to (i) amounts required to pay the related Total Servicing Fee payable to the servicer on such Distribution Date, and (ii) any amounts required to be distributed to the holders of Class A Certificates pursuant to the subordination of the rights of the holders of such Class B Certificates. (Section 4.06). SUBORDINATION OF THE CLASS B CERTIFICATES; SUBORDINATION SPREAD ACCOUNT The rights of the Class B Certificateholders to receive distributions with respect to the receivables held by the related trust will be subordinated to the rights of the Class A Certificateholders of the related series in the event of defaults and delinquencies on such receivables as provided in the related Agreement. The protection afforded to the Class A Certificateholders will be effected both by the preferential right of the Class A Certificateholders to receive current distributions with respect to the receivables held by the related trust and by the establishment of a Subordination Spread Account. Each Subordination Spread Account will be created with an initial deposit by the seller of the applicable Subordination Initial Deposit and will thereafter be increased by deposit therein of amounts otherwise distributable to the related Class B Certificateholders until the amount in such Subordination Spread Account reaches an amount equal to the applicable Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance. Thereafter, amounts otherwise distributable to the Class B Certificateholders will be deposited in such Subordination Spread Account to the extent necessary to maintain the amount in such Subordination Spread Account at the applicable Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance. (Section 4.07). With respect to any series of certificates, the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance with respect to any Distribution Date, will be the Minimum Subordination Spread Amount, except that, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, if on any Distribution Date (1) the average of the Charge-off Rates for the preceding three months exceeds 2.0% or (2) the average of the Delinquency Percentages for the preceding three months exceeds 1.5%, then such Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance for such Distribution Date will be an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate Principal Balance. Such specified percentage shall be determined by deducting from the Specified Subordination Percentage (as defined in the related prospectus supplement) the following fraction, expressed as a percentage: (A) 1 minus (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the related Class A Certificate Balance and the denominator of which is the aggregate Principal Balance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event (except as described below) will any Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance be more than the Maximum Subordination Spread Amount or less than the Minimum Subordination Spread Amount. As of any Distribution Date, the amount of funds actually on deposit in any Subordination Spread Account may, in certain circumstances, be less than the applicable Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance. Finally, on any Distribution Date on which the related Class A Certificate Balance is equal to or less than the Subordination Spread Trigger (as defined in the related prospectus supplement) after giving effect to distributions on such Distribution Date, the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance will be the greater of the 20 87 applicable balance determined as described above or the Trigger Subordination Spread Amount (as defined in the related prospectus supplement). A Subordination Spread Account will not be a part of or otherwise includable in the related trust and will be a segregated trust account held by the trustee. With respect to any series of certificates, on each Distribution Date, (1) if the amounts on deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account are less than the Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance for such Distribution Date, the trustee will, after payment of any amounts required to be distributed to holders of the Class A Certificates and the payment of the Total Servicing Fee due with respect to the related Monthly Period, withdraw from the related Certificate Account and deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account the amount remaining in the Certificate Account that would otherwise be distributed to the holders of the Class B Certificates, or such lesser portion thereof as is sufficient to bring the amount in such Subordination Spread Account up to such Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance and (2) if the amount on deposit in the related Subordination Spread Account on such Distribution Date (after giving effect to all deposits or withdrawals therefrom on such Distribution Date) is greater than the applicable Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance for such Distribution Date, the trustee will release and distribute any such excess to the holders of the Class B Certificates. Upon any such distribution to the Class B Certificateholders, the Class A Certificateholders of such series will have no further rights in, or claims to, such amounts. (Section 4.07). Amounts held from time to time in each Subordination Spread Account will continue to be held for the benefit of holders of the certificates. Funds in each Subordination Spread Account will be invested as provided in the related Agreement. The holders of the Class B Certificates will be entitled to receive all investment earnings on amounts in the related Subordination Spread Account. Investment income on amounts in any Subordination Spread Account will not be available for distribution to the holders of the related Class A Certificates or otherwise subject to any claims or rights of the holders of the related Class A Certificates. (Section 4.07). If on any Distribution Date the holders of the Class A Certificates do not receive the sum of the related Class A Distributable Amount, Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall and Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date (after giving effect to any amounts applied to such deficiency which were withdrawn from the related Subordination Spread Account or withheld from the related Class B Distributable Amount), the holders of the Class B Certificates of such series will not receive any portion of the Total Available Amount. The subordination of the Class B Certificates and the related Subordination Spread Account is intended to enhance the likelihood of receipt by the Class A Certificateholders of the full amount of principal and interest on the receivables held by the related trust due them and to decrease the likelihood that the Class A Certificateholders will experience losses. However, in certain circumstances, the related Subordination Spread Account could be depleted and shortfalls could result. So long as certain conditions are satisfied, the servicer is permitted for administrative convenience to deposit in each Certificate Account only the net amount distributable to certificateholders on the Distribution Date. (Section 4.08). Similarly, the seller is entitled to net its payment obligations to the trustee against any amounts distributable on the related Class B Certificates on any Distribution Date. The amounts available for distribution to certificateholders as described above could be reduced if certain indemnification or reimbursement payments were required to be made from the related Certificate Account as 21 88 described under "Monthly Advances," "Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer" and "The Trustee" in this prospectus. The following chart sets forth an example of the application of the foregoing provisions to a hypothetical monthly distribution: September 1-September 30............... Monthly Period. The servicer receives payments and other proceeds in respect of the receivables. October 10............................. The tenth calendar day of the month. On or before this date the servicer notifies the trustee of, among other things, the amounts to be distributed on the Distribution Date. October 14............................. Record Date. Distributions on the Distribution Date are made to certificateholders of record at the close of business on this date (or, if definitive certificates are issued, the Record Date will be September 30). October 15............................. Distribution Date. On or before this date, the seller and the servicer (or the trustee) make the required remittances and transfers to the Collection Account and the Certificate Account in immediately available funds, and the trustee pays the Total Servicing Fee, distributes to holders of the Class A and Class B Certificates amounts payable in respect of the certificates and remits amounts to the Subordination Spread Account (if required). SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES With respect to each trust, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer will receive the Basic Servicing Fee for each Monthly Period equal to one-twelfth of the Basic Servicing Fee Rate specified in the related prospectus supplement multiplied by the aggregate Principal Balance of all receivables held by such trust as of the last day of the preceding Monthly Period. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement with respect to each series of certificates, the servicer will also receive the Additional Servicing for each Monthly Period. On each Distribution Date, the servicer will be paid the Total Servicing Fee consisting of the Basic Servicing Fee, any unpaid Basic Servicing Fees from all prior Distribution Dates and the Additional Servicing, to the extent of funds available therefor. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, the Total Servicing Fee for each Monthly Period (together with any portion of the Total Servicing Fee that remains unpaid from prior Distribution Dates) may be paid at the beginning of such Monthly Period out of collections for such Monthly Period. In addition, with respect to each series of certificates, the servicer will be entitled to the Supplemental Servicing Fee, representing any late fees, prepayment charges or certain similar fees and charges collected during the Monthly Period, plus any interest earned during the Monthly Period on deposits in the related Collection Account and Payment Ahead Servicing Account. The Total Servicing Fee and the Supplemental Servicing Fee with respect to each series of certificates is intended to compensate the servicer for performing the functions of a third party servicer of automobile receivables 22 89 as an agent for their beneficial owner, including collecting and posting all payments, responding to inquiries of obligors on the receivables, investigating delinquencies, sending payment coupons to obligors, reporting tax information to obligors, paying costs of collections and policing the collateral. Such amounts will also compensate the servicer for its services as the receivables Pool administrator, including making Monthly Advances, accounting for collections, furnishing monthly and annual statements to the trustee with respect to distributions and generating federal income tax information for the related trust. Such amounts also will reimburse the servicer for certain taxes, the trustee's fees, accounting fees, outside auditor fees, data processing costs and other costs incurred in connection with administering the related pool of receivables. (Section 3.09). SERVICING PROCEDURES The servicer will make reasonable efforts to collect all payments due with respect to the receivables held by any trust and will, consistent with the related Agreement, follow such collection procedures as it follows with respect to comparable automotive receivables that it services for itself or others. (Section 3.02). See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in this prospectus. The servicer is authorized to grant certain rebates, adjustments or extensions with respect to a receivable subject to certain restrictions on amending or modifying receivables, as described under "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. (Sections 3.02 and 3.07). If the servicer determines that eventual payment in full of a receivable is unlikely, the servicer will follow its normal practices and procedures to realize upon such receivable, including the repossession and disposition of the financed vehicle securing such receivable at a public or private sale, or the taking of any other action permitted by applicable law. (Section 3.04). The servicer will be entitled to receive Liquidation Expenses as an allowance for amounts charged to the account of the obligor, in keeping with the servicer's customary procedures, for refurbishing and disposition of the financed vehicle and other out-of-pocket costs related to the liquidation. (Section 3.04). REPORTS TO CLASS A CERTIFICATEHOLDERS With respect to each series of certificates, on each Distribution Date, the trustee will include with each distribution to each Class A Certificateholder (which will be Cede & Co. as the nominee for DTC unless definitive certificates are issued under the limited circumstances described herein) a statement setting forth the following information with respect to the related Monthly Period, to the extent applicable (Section 4.09(a)): (1) the amount of the distribution allocable to principal; (2) the amount of the distribution allocable to interest; (3) the aggregate Principal Balance as of the close of business on the last day of such Monthly Period; (4) the amount of the Total Servicing Fee paid to the servicer with respect to the related Monthly Period and the certificateholder's Class A Percentage of the Total Servicing Fee; (5) the amount of the Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall and Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall, if any, on such Distribution Date and the change in such amounts from those of the prior Distribution Date; (6) the Class A Pool Factor on such Distribution Date (after giving effect to payments allocated to principal reported under (i) above); 23 90 (7) the amount otherwise distributable to the Class B Certificateholders that is distributed to Class A Certificateholders on such Distribution Date; (8) the balance of the Subordination Spread Account on such Distribution Date, after giving effect to distributions made on such Distribution Date, and the change in such balance from that of the prior Distribution Date; (9) the aggregate amount in the Payment Ahead Servicing Account or on deposit with the servicer as Payments Ahead and the change in such amount from the previous Distribution Date; and (10) the amount of Monthly Advances on such Distribution Date. Each amount set forth pursuant to subclauses (1), (2), (4) and (5) above will be expressed as a dollar amount per $1,000 of original principal balance of a Class A Certificate. Within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the end of each calendar year during the term of each related Agreement, the trustee will mail to each person who at any time during such calendar year will have been a Class A Certificateholder, a statement containing the sum of the amounts described in (1), (2), (4) and (5) above for the purposes of such Class A Certificateholder's preparation of federal income tax returns. (Section 4.09(b)). See "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in this prospectus. EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE Each Agreement will provide that a firm of independent accountants will furnish to the trustee on or before August 15 of each year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related Closing Date, a statement as to compliance by the servicer during the preceding twelve months ended June 30 with certain standards relating to the servicing of the related receivables, the servicer's accounting records and computer files with respect thereto and certain other matters. (Section 3.12). Each Agreement will also provide for delivery to the trustee, on or before August 15 of such year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related Closing Date, of a certificate signed by an officer of the servicer stating that the servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the related Agreement throughout the preceding twelve months ended June 30 or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, describing each such default. Such certificate may be provided as a single certificate making the required statements as to more than one Agreement. (Section 3.11). Copies of such statements and certificates may be obtained by certificateholders by a request in writing to the trustee addressed to the Corporate Trust Office. (Section 3.11(a)). In each Agreement, the seller will agree to give the trustee notice of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default as defined in Section 8.01 therein. In addition, the seller will agree to give the trustee and the trust notice of certain covenant breaches which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default. (Section 3.11(b)). CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICER Each Agreement will provide that GMAC may not resign from its obligations and duties as the servicer thereunder, except upon determination that GMAC's performance of such duties is no longer permissible under applicable law. No such resignation will become effective until the trustee or a successor servicer has assumed GMAC's servicing obligations and duties under the related Agreement. (Section 7.05). Each Agreement will further provide that neither the servicer nor any of its directors, officers, employees and agents will be under any liability to the related trust or the 24 91 certificateholders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action pursuant to such Agreement or for errors in judgment; except that neither the servicer nor any such person will be protected against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (except errors in judgment) in the performance of the servicer's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder. Each Agreement will further provide that the servicer and its directors, officers, employees and agents will be reimbursed by the trustee for any contractual damages, liability or expense incurred by reason of the trustee's wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (except errors in judgment) in the performance of the trustee's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder. In addition, each Agreement will provide that the servicer is under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to the servicer's servicing responsibilities under such Agreement and that, in its opinion, may cause it to incur any expense or liability. The servicer may, however, undertake any reasonable action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of such Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and the interests of the certificateholders thereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom will be expenses, costs and liabilities of the related trust, and the servicer will be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the related Certificate Account. Any such indemnification or reimbursement will reduce the amount otherwise available for distribution to certificateholders. (Section 7.03). Under the circumstances specified in each Agreement, any entity into which the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, may be merged or consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, is a party, or any entity succeeding to the business of the servicer or the seller, as the case may be or with respect to its obligations as servicer, any entity 50% or more of the voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors, which entity in each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, will be the successor of the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, under each Agreement. (Sections 6.02 and 7.02). The servicer may at any time subcontract any duties as servicer under any Agreement to any entity more than 50% of the voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors. The servicer may at any time perform specific duties as servicer through subcontractors who are in the business of servicing receivables similar to the receivables, provided that no such delegation will relieve the servicer of its responsibility with respect to such duties. (Section 7.04). EVENTS OF DEFAULT With respect to any series of certificates, Events of Default under the related Agreement will consist of: (1) any failure by the servicer to make any required distribution, payment, transfer or deposit or to direct the trustee to make any required distribution, which failure continues unremedied for five business days after receipt by the servicer of notice thereof from the trustee or discovery of such failure by an officer of the servicer; (2) any failure by the seller or the servicer to observe or perform in any material respect any other of its covenants or agreements in the related Agreement which failure materially and adversely affects the rights of certificateholders and which continues unremedied for 90 days after the giving of written notice of such failure to the seller, by the trustee or to the seller and the trustee by the holders of Class A Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the voting interests thereof; 25 92 (3) any representation, warranty or certification made by the servicer in such Pooling and Servicing Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto proves to have been incorrect when made and which has a material adverse effect on the rights of the related Securityholders and which effect continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the giving of written notice thereof to the servicer by the trustee; or (4) certain events of bankruptcy insolvency or receivership with respect to the servicer. (Section 8.01). Notwithstanding the foregoing, there will be no Servicer Default where a Servicer Default would otherwise exist under clause (1) above for a period of ten Business Days or under clause (2) for a period of 60 days if the delay or failure giving rise to such Servicer Default was caused by an act of God or other similar occurrence. Upon the occurrence of any such event, the servicer will not be relieved from using reasonable efforts to perform its obligations in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the servicer will provide the trustee, the seller and the certificateholders prompt notice of such failure or delay by it, together with a description of its efforts to so perform its obligations. RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT As long as an Event of Default under an Agreement remains unremedied, the trustee or holders of Class A Certificates evidencing at least a majority of the voting interests thereof may terminate all of the rights and obligations of the servicer under such Agreement, whereupon such trustee will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the servicer under such Agreement and will be entitled to similar compensation arrangements. If, however, a bankruptcy trustee or similar official has been appointed for the servicer, and no Event of Default other than such appointment has occurred, such trustee or official may have the power to prevent the trustee or the certificateholders from effecting a transfer of servicing. If the trustee is unwilling to act, then it may and if it is unable to so act, it shall appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of, a successor having a net worth of at least $100,000,000 and whose regular business includes the servicing of automobile receivables and which satisfies the other criteria set forth in the Agreement. The trustee and such successor may agree upon the servicing compensation to be paid, which in no event may be greater than the servicing compensation to the servicer under the related Agreement. (Sections 8.02 and 8.03). WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS With respect to each trust, the holders of Class A Certificates evidencing at least a majority of the voting interests thereof may waive any default by the servicer in the performance of its obligations under the related Agreement and its consequences, except a default in making any required deposits to or payments from the related Collection Account or Certificate Account in accordance with the Agreement. No such waiver will impair the rights of the trustee or the certificateholders with respect to subsequent defaults. (Section 8.05). AMENDMENT Each Agreement may be amended by the seller, the servicer and the trustee without the consent of the Class A Certificateholders: (1) to cure any ambiguity; (2) to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; 26 93 (3) to add or supplement any credit, liquidity or other enhancement arrangement for the benefit of certificateholders; (4) to add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the seller, the servicer or the trustee for the benefit of certificateholders; or (5) to add, change or eliminate any other provisions of such Agreement in any manner that will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the certificateholders. Each such Agreement may also be amended by parties thereto with the consent of the holders of certificates evidencing at least a majority of the voting interests of each class of certificates for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of such Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of certificateholders; except that no such amendment may (A) increase or reduce in any manner the amount of, or accelerate or delay the timing of, distributions of payments that are required to be made on any related certificate, the applicable Pass Through Rate or the applicable Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance, (B) adversely affect the rating by any Rating Agency of the certificates without the consent of holders of certificates evidencing at least two-thirds of the voting interests of the outstanding certificates or (C) reduce the aforesaid percentage required of certificateholders to consent to any such amendment without the consent of all certificateholders. (Section 11.01). TERMINATION With respect to each trust, the respective obligations of the seller, the servicer and the trustee created by each Agreement will terminate upon the distribution to the related certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to such Agreement. In order to avoid excessive administrative expense, the servicer, or its successor, is permitted at its option to purchase from the related trust, as of the last day of any Monthly Period as of which the aggregate Principal Balance of all receivables held by the related trust is equal to or less than 10% of the Aggregate Amount Financed, the corpus of such trust at a price equal to the aggregate Administrative Purchase Payments for the related receivables plus the appraised value of any other property held as part of such trust less Liquidation Expenses. Exercise of such right and the subsequent distribution to certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to the related Agreement will effect early retirement of such certificates. In such case, the trustee will give written notice of termination to each certificateholder of record. The final distribution to any certificateholder will be made only upon surrender and cancellation of such certificateholder's certificate at an office or agency of the trustee specified in the notice of termination. (Sections 10.01 and 10.02). DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE The trustee will make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of any Agreement, the certificates or any receivables or related documents, and will not be accountable for the use or application by the seller or the servicer of any funds paid to the seller or the servicer in respect of the certificates or the receivables, or the investment of any monies by the servicer before such monies are deposited into the related Certificate Account. The trustee will not independently verify any receivables. If no Event of Default has occurred, the trustee will be required to perform only those duties specifically required of it under the related Agreement. Generally, those duties will be limited to the receipt of the various certificates, reports or other instruments required to be furnished to the trustee, in which case it will only be required to examine them to determine whether they conform to the requirements of the related Agreement. (Sections 9.01 and 9.05). 27 94 THE TRUSTEE The related prospectus supplement will specify the entity that will be the trustee for each trust. The trustee and any of its affiliates may hold certificates in their own names. In addition, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of certain local jurisdictions, the trustee, with the consent of the servicer, will have the power to appoint co-trustees or separate trustees of all or any part of each trust. In the event of such appointment, all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the trustee by an Agreement will be conferred or imposed upon the trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly, or, in any jurisdiction in which the trustee will be incompetent or unqualified to perform certain acts, singly upon such separate trustee or co-trustee who will exercise and perform such rights, powers, duties and obligations solely at the direction of the trustee. (Section 9.12). The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by an Agreement or to make any investigation of matters arising thereunder or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation thereunder or in relation thereto at the request, order or direction of any of the certificateholders, unless such certificateholders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby. (Section 9.04). No certificateholder will have any right under an Agreement to institute any proceeding with respect to such Agreement, unless such holder previously has given to the trustee written notice of default and unless the holders of Class A Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the voting interests of such series have made written request upon the trustee to institute such proceeding in its own name as trustee thereunder and have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity and the trustee for 30 days has neglected or refused to institute any such proceedings. (Section 11.03). The trustee may give notice of its intent to resign at any time, in which event the servicer will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The servicer may also remove the trustee if the trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the related Agreement or if the trustee becomes insolvent or unable to act. In such circumstances, the servicer will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. Any resignation or removal of the trustee and appointment of a successor trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor trustee. (Section 9.09). Each Agreement will provide that the servicer will pay the trustee's fees. (Section 9.07). Each Agreement will further provide that the trustee will be entitled to indemnification by the servicer for, and will be held harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred by the trustee in the acceptance or performance of its duties under such Agreement (other than through its own wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (other than errors in judgment) or by reason of a breach of any of its representations or warranties set forth in such Agreement). (Sections 6.01, 7.01 and 9.07). Any such indemnification by a trust will reduce the amount otherwise available for distribution to certificateholders. CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES SECURITY INTEREST IN VEHICLES In all states in which the receivables are originated, retail installment sale contracts such as the receivables evidence the credit sale of automobiles and light trucks by dealers to purchasers. The contracts also will constitute personal property security agreements and include grants of security interests in the vehicles under the Uniform Commercial Code. Perfection of security interests in the vehicles is generally governed by the motor vehicle registration laws of the state in which the vehicle is located. In all states in which the 28 95 receivables are originated, a security interest in a vehicle is perfected by notation of the secured party's lien on the vehicle's certificate of title. With respect to each trust, pursuant to the related purchase agreement, GMAC will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles securing the related receivables to the seller and pursuant to each Agreement, the seller will assign its security interest in the financed vehicles securing the receivables to the trust. However, because of the administrative burden and expense, no certificate of title will be amended to identify the related trust as the new secured party relating to a financed vehicle. Also, the servicer will continue to hold any certificates of title relating to the vehicles in its possession as custodian for the seller and the trustee pursuant to the related Custodian Agreement. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. In most states, an assignment such as that under both the related purchase agreement and the related Agreement is an effective conveyance of a security interest without amendment of any lien noted on a vehicle's certificate of title, and the assignee succeeds thereby to the assignor's rights as secured party. In the absence of fraud or forgery by the vehicle owner or GMAC or administrative error by state or local agencies, in most states the notation of the servicer's lien on the certificates of title will be sufficient to protect the related trust against the rights of subsequent purchasers of a financed vehicle from an obligor or subsequent lenders to an obligor who take a security interest in a financed vehicle. If there are any financed vehicles as to which GMAC failed to obtain a perfected security interest, its security interest would be subordinate to, among others, subsequent purchasers of the financed vehicles and holders of perfected security interests. Such a failure, however, would constitute a breach of GMAC's warranties under the related purchase agreement and, if the interests of the certificateholders in the related receivable are materially and adversely affected, would create an obligation of GMAC to repurchase such receivable unless the breach is cured. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. Similarly, the security interest of the related trust in the vehicle could be defeated through fraud or negligence and, because such trust is not identified as the secured party on the certificate of title, by the bankruptcy petition of the obligor. Under the laws of most states, the perfected security interest in a vehicle would continue for four months after a vehicle is moved to a state other than the state in which it is initially registered and thereafter until the vehicle owner re-registers the vehicle in the new state. A majority of states generally require surrender of a certificate of title to re-register a vehicle. Accordingly, a secured party must surrender possession if it holds the certificate of title to the vehicle or, in the case of vehicles registered in states providing for the notation of a lien on the certificate of title but not possession by the secured party, the secured party would receive notice of surrender if the security interest is noted on the certificate of title. Thus, the secured party would have the opportunity to re-perfect its security interest in the vehicles in the state of relocation. In states that do not require surrender of a certificate of title for registration of a motor vehicle, re-registration could defeat perfection. In the ordinary course of servicing receivables, the servicer takes steps to effect re-perfection upon receipt of notice of re-registration or information from the obligor as to relocation. Similarly, when an obligor sells a vehicle, the servicer must surrender possession of the certificate of title or will receive notice as a result of its lien noted thereon and accordingly will have an opportunity to require satisfaction of the related receivable before release of the lien. Under each Agreement, the servicer will be obligated to take appropriate steps, at the servicer's expense, to maintain perfection of security interests in the financed vehicles. Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a motor vehicle and liens for unpaid taxes take priority over even a perfected security interest in a financed vehicle. The 29 96 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, also grants priority to certain federal tax liens over the lien of a secured party. The laws of certain states and federal law permit the confiscation of motor vehicles by governmental authorities under certain circumstances if used in unlawful activities, which may result in the loss of a secured party's perfected security interest in the confiscated motor vehicle. With respect to each series of certificates, GMAC will have represented to the seller that, as of the date of issuance of the certificates of such series, each security interest in a financed vehicle is or will be prior to all other present liens (other than tax liens and other liens that arise by operation of law) upon and security interests in such financed vehicle. The seller will have assigned such representation, among others, to the related trust pursuant to the related Agreement. However, liens for repairs or taxes, or the confiscation of a financed vehicle, could arise at any time during the term of a receivable. No notice will be given to the trustee or certificateholders if such a lien or confiscation arises. REPOSSESSION In the event of default by vehicle purchasers, the holder of the retail installment sale contract has all the remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code, except where specifically limited by other state laws. Among Uniform Commercial Code remedies, the secured party has the right to perform self-help repossession unless such act would constitute a breach of the peace. Self-help is the method employed by the servicer in most cases and is accomplished simply by taking possession of the financed vehicle. In the event of default by the obligor, some jurisdictions require that the obligor be notified of the default and be given a time period within which the obligor may cure the default prior to repossession. Generally, this right of reinstatement may be exercised on a limited number of occasions in any one-year period. In cases where the obligor objects or raises a defense to repossession, or if otherwise required by applicable state law, a court order must be obtained from the appropriate state court and the vehicle must then be repossessed in accordance with that order. A secured party may be held responsible for damages caused by a wrongful repossession of a vehicle. NOTICE OF SALE; REDEMPTION RIGHTS The Uniform Commercial Code and other state laws require the secured party to provide the obligor with reasonable notice of the date, time and place of any public sale and/or the date after which any private sale of the collateral may be held. In addition, the FTC Repossession Consent Order imposes similar requirements for the giving of notice for any such sale. The obligor has the right to redeem the collateral prior to actual sale by paying the secured party the unpaid principal balance of the obligation plus reasonable expenses for repossessing, holding and preparing the collateral for disposition and arranging for its sale, plus, in some jurisdictions, reasonable attorneys' fees, or, in some states, by payment of delinquent installments or the unpaid balance. DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS AND EXCESS PROCEEDS The proceeds of resale of the financed vehicles generally will be applied first to the expenses of resale and repossession and then to the satisfaction of the indebtedness. In many instances, the remaining principal amount of such indebtedness will exceed such proceeds. While some states impose prohibitions or limitations on deficiency judgments if the net proceeds from resale do not cover the full amount of the indebtedness, a deficiency judgment can be sought in those states that do not prohibit or limit such judgments. However, the deficiency judgment would be a personal judgment against the obligor for the shortfall, and a defaulting obligor can be expected to have very little capital or sources of income available 30 97 following repossession. Therefore, in many cases, it may not be useful to seek a deficiency judgment or, if one is obtained, it may be settled at a significant discount. Occasionally, after resale of a vehicle and payment of all expenses and all indebtedness, there is a surplus of funds. In that case, the Uniform Commercial Code requires the creditor to remit the surplus to any holder of a lien with respect to the vehicle or if no such lienholder exists or there are remaining funds, the Uniform Commercial Code and the FTC Repossession Consent Order require the creditor to remit the surplus to the former owner of the vehicle. CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws and related regulations impose substantial requirements upon lenders and servicers involved in consumer finance. These laws include the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Federal Reserve Board's Regulations B and Z, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, the Texas Consumer Credit Code, state adaptations of the National Consumer Act and of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code and state sales finance and other similar laws. Also, state laws impose finance charge ceilings and other restrictions on consumer transactions and require contract disclosures in addition to those required under federal law. These requirements impose specific statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail to comply with their provisions. In some cases, this liability could affect an assignee's ability to enforce consumer finance contracts such as the receivables (or, if a seller with respect to a receivable is not liable for indemnifying the related trust as assignee of the receivables from the seller, failure to comply could impose liability on an assignee in excess of the amount of the receivable). The so called "holder-in-due-course rule" of the Federal Trade Commission, the provisions of which are generally duplicated by the UCC, other state statutes or the common law, has the effect of subjecting a seller in a consumer credit transaction (and certain related creditors and their assignees) to all claims and defenses which the obligor in the transaction could assert against the seller. Liability under the holder-in-due-course rule is limited to the amounts paid by an obligor under the contract, and the holder of the contract may also be unable to collect any balance remaining due thereunder from the obligor. Most of the receivables held by any trust will be subject to the requirements of the holder-in-due-course rule. Accordingly, the trustee, as holder of the related receivables, will be subject to any claims or defenses that the purchaser of the related financed vehicle may assert against the seller of the financed vehicle. Such claims are limited to a maximum liability equal to the amounts paid by the obligor on the receivable. If an obligor were successful in asserting any such claim or defense, such claim or defense would constitute a breach of GMAC's warranties under the related Agreement and may create an obligation of GMAC to repurchase the receivables unless the breach is cured in all material respects. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of the Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. Courts have imposed general equitable principles upon secured parties pursuing repossession and litigation involving deficiency balances. These equitable principles may have the effect of relieving an obligor from some or all of the legal consequences of a default. In several cases, consumers have asserted that the self-help remedies of secured parties under the Uniform Commercial Code and related laws violate the due process protections provided under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Courts have generally upheld the notice provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and related laws as 31 98 reasonable or have found that the repossession and resale by the creditor does not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional protection to consumers. Under each purchase agreement, GMAC will represent to the seller that each related receivable complies with all requirements of law in all material respects. The seller will assign such representation, among others, to the related trust. Accordingly, if an obligor has a claim against the trust for violation of any law and such claim materially and adversely affects the related trust's interest in a receivable, such violation may constitute a breach and would create an obligation of GMAC to repurchase such receivable unless the breach is cured in all material respects. See "The Certificates--Sale and Assignment of the Receivables and Warranties Thereon" in this prospectus. OTHER LIMITATIONS In addition to laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments, numerous other statutory provisions, including federal bankruptcy laws and related state laws, may interfere with or affect the ability of a secured party to realize upon collateral or to enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, in a Chapter 13 proceeding under the federal bankruptcy law, a court may prevent a creditor from repossessing the financed vehicle, and, as part of the rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness to the market value of the financed vehicle at the time of bankruptcy, leaving the creditor as a general unsecured creditor for the remainder of the indebtedness. A bankruptcy court may also reduce the monthly payments due under a contract or change the rate of finance charge and time of repayment of the indebtedness. TRANSFERS OF VEHICLES The receivables prohibit the sale or transfer of a financed vehicle without the servicer's consent and will permit the servicer to accelerate the maturity of the receivable upon a sale or transfer without the servicer's consent. The servicer will not consent to a sale or transfer and will require prepayment of the receivable. Although the servicer, as agent of the trustee, may enter into a transfer of equity agreement with the secondary purchaser for the purpose of effecting the transfer of the vehicle, the new obligation will not be included in the related pool of receivables. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS The following is a general discussion of the material federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Class A Certificates which are purchased in the initial distribution thereof. This summary is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion does not purport to deal with all federal tax considerations applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules (e.g., financial institutions, broker-dealers, life insurance companies and tax-exempt organizations). In addition, this summary is generally directed to prospective purchasers who purchase the Class A Certificates in the initial distribution thereof, who are citizens or residents of the United States, including domestic corporations and partnerships, and who will hold the Class A Certificates as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Investors should consult their tax advisors to determine the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Class A Certificates. Prospective investors should note that no rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to any of the federal income tax consequences discussed below, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not take contrary positions. 32 99 TAX STATUS OF THE TRUST In the opinion of Tax Counsel, each trust will be classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Subject to the discussion below under "Treatment of Fees or Payments," each Class A Certificate Owner will be treated as the owner of a pro rata undivided interest in the applicable Class A Percentage of the ordinary income and corpus portions of the related trust. INCOME OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS Subject to the discussion below under "Treatment of Fees or Payments," in the opinion of Tax Counsel, each Class A Certificate Owner will be required to report on its federal income tax return, in a manner consistent with its method of accounting, its pro rata share of the applicable Class A Percentage of the entire income of the related trust, including interest or finance charges earned on the receivables held by such trust and any gain or loss upon collection or disposition of such receivables. Assuming the market discount rules do not apply to the receivables, the portion of each monthly payment to a Class A Certificate Owner that is allocable to principal will represent a recovery of capital, which will reduce the tax basis of such Class A Certificate Owner's undivided interest in the receivables held by the related trust. In computing its federal income tax liability, a Class A Certificate Owner generally will be entitled to deduct, consistent with its method of accounting, its pro rata share of reasonable servicing fees and other fees paid or incurred by the related trust as provided in Section 162 or 212 of the Code. However, if a Class A Certificate Owner is an individual, estate or trust, the deduction for its pro rata share of such fees will be subject to certain limitations. In particular, the deduction (taken together with all of such person's other miscellaneous itemized deductions) will be allowed, for regular tax purposes, only to the extent that all of such person's miscellaneous itemized deductions, including such person's share of such fees, exceed 2% of such person's adjusted gross income (including any income from the certificates) and (in the case of an individual) only to the extent that all of such person's itemized deductions (as defined in Section 68(c) of the Code) exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 3% of such person's adjusted gross income in excess of certain statutorily-defined thresholds which are adjusted annually for inflation (for 1997, $121,200 for married individuals filing jointly) or (ii) 80% of such itemized deductions. The deduction will not be allowed for alternative minimum tax purposes. Because the trustee will not report to Class A Certificate Owners the amount of income or deductions attributable to the related Surplus Interest, Supplemental Servicing Fee or Prepayment Surplus, any such Class A Certificate Owner who is an individual, estate or trust may effectively underreport its net taxable income. See "Treatment of Fees and Payments" below for a discussion of other possible consequences if amounts paid to the servicer exceed reasonable compensation for services rendered. TREATMENT OF FEES OR PAYMENTS. It is expected that income will be reported to Class A Certificate Owners on the assumption that the Class A Certificate Owners own a 100% interest in the applicable Class A Percentage of all of the principal and interest derived from the related receivables. However, a portion of the amounts paid to the servicer or the seller may exceed reasonable fees for services rendered, by reason of the extent to which either the weighted average APR of the receivables, or the individual stated APRs of some of the receivables, exceed the Pass Through Rate. There are no authoritative guidelines, for federal income tax purposes, as to the maximum amount of compensation that may be considered reasonable for servicing the receivables or performing other services in the context of this or similar transactions; accordingly, Tax Counsel is unable to give an opinion on this issue. If amounts paid to the servicer or the seller exceed reasonable compensation for services provided, the servicer or the seller or both may be viewed as having retained, for federal income tax purposes, an ownership interest in a portion of each interest payment with respect 33 100 to certain receivables. As a result, such receivables may be treated as "stripped bonds" within the meaning of the Code. To the extent that the receivables are characterized as "stripped bonds," the income of the related trust allocable to Class A Certificate Owner would not include the portion of the interest on the receivables treated as having been retained by the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, and such trust's deductions would be limited to reasonable servicing fees and other fees. In addition, a Class A Certificate Owner purchasing certificates in the initial distribution thereof would not be subject to the market discount and premium rules discussed below with respect to the stripped receivables, but instead would be subject to the OID rules of the Code described below. It is also possible that any fees deemed to be excessive could be recharacterized as deferred purchase price payable to the seller by Class A Certificate Owners in exchange for the related receivables. The likely effect of such recharacterization would be to increase current taxable income to a Class A Certificate Owner. DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM. If the price at which a Class A Certificate Owner were deemed to have acquired a receivable (or a stripped receivable described above) is less than the remaining principal balance of such receivable by an amount which is less than a statutorily defined de minimis amount, such receivable would not be treated as having OID. In general, under Regulations it appears that the amount of OID on a receivable will be de minimis if it is less than 1/4 of 1% for each full year remaining after the purchase date until the final maturity of the receivable, although the IRS could take the position that the weighted average maturity date, rather than the final maturity date, should be used in performing this calculation. If the amount of OID is de minimis under this rule, the actual amount of OID on such a receivable would be includable in income as principal payments are received on the receivable. If the OID on a receivable (or a stripped receivable described above) were not treated as de minimis, a Class A Certificate Owner would be required to include any such OID in income as it accrues, regardless of when cash payments are received, using a method reflecting a constant yield on the receivables. Moreover, the IRS could assert that a prepayment assumption should be used in computing the yield to maturity of a receivable. If a receivable is deemed to be acquired by a Class A Certificate Owner at a significant discount, such prepayment assumption could accelerate the accrual of income by a Class A Certificate Owner. No representation is made, nor is Tax Counsel able to give an opinion, that the receivable will prepay at any particular rate. It is believed that the receivables were not and will not be issued with OID, and, therefore, a trust should not have OID income. However, the purchase price paid by a trust for the receivables may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of such receivables at the time of purchase. If so, the receivables will have been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. The market discount on a receivable will be considered to be zero if it is less than the statutorily defined de minimis amount. Any gain on the sale of a Class A Certificate attributable to the Class A Certificate Owner's share of unrecognized accrued market discount on the related receivables would generally be treated as ordinary income to the holder and would give rise to special tax reporting requirements. Moreover, a holder who acquires a Class A Certificate representing an interest in receivables acquired at a market discount may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense otherwise deductible with respect to indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the Class A Certificate until the holder disposes of the Class A Certificate in a taxable transaction. Instead of recognizing market discount, if any, upon a disposition of a Class A Certificate (and deferring any applicable interest expense), a holder may elect to 34 101 include market discount in income currently as the discount accrues. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. In the event that a receivable held by any trust is treated as purchased at a premium (i.e., the purchase price exceeds the sum of principal payments to be made thereon), such premium will be amortizable by a Class A Certificate Owner as an offset to interest income (with a corresponding reduction in the Class A Certificate Owner's basis) under a constant yield method over the term of such receivable if an election under Section 171 of the Code is made. Any such election will apply to all debt instruments held by the Class A Certificate Owner during the year in which the election is made and to all debt instruments acquired thereafter. SALE OF A CLASS A CERTIFICATE. In the opinion of Tax Counsel, if a Class A Certificate is sold, gain or loss will be recognized equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the Class A Certificate Owner's adjusted basis in such Class A Certificate. A Class A Certificate Owner's adjusted basis will equal the cost of the Class A certificate, increased by any discount previously included in income and decreased by any deduction previously allowed for premium and by the amount of principal payments previously received on the receivables held by the related trust. BACKUP WITHHOLDING Payments made on Class A Certificates and proceeds from the sale of Class A Certificates will not be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless, in general, the Class A Certificate Owner fails to comply with certain reporting procedures and is not an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Code. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Section 406 of ERISA, and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit a pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plan from engaging in certain transactions involving "plan assets" with persons that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Code with respect to the plan. ERISA also imposes certain duties and certain prohibitions on persons who are fiduciaries of plans subject to ERISA. Under ERISA, generally, any person who exercises any authority or control with respect to the management or disposition of the assets of a plan is considered to be a fiduciary of such plan. A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may generate excise tax and other liabilities under ERISA and the Code for such persons. Pursuant to a final regulation issued by the Department of Labor concerning the definition of what constitutes the "plan assets" of Benefit Plans, the assets and properties of certain entities in which a Benefit Plan makes an equity investment could be deemed to be assets of the Benefit Plan in certain circumstances. Accordingly, if Benefit Plans purchase Class A Certificates, the related trust could be deemed to hold plan assets. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the Department of Labor has granted an administrative exemption to the underwriter specified in the related prospectus supplement from certain of the prohibited transaction and conflict of interest rules of ERISA with respect to the initial purchase, the holding and the subsequent resale by Benefit Plans of certificates in pass-through trusts with respect to which such underwriter is the sole underwriter or the manager or co-manager of the underwriting syndicate and that consist of certain receivables, loans and other obligations that meet the conditions and requirements of such exemption. The receivables covered by an exemption include motor 35 102 vehicle installment obligations such as the receivables. An exemption will apply only if specific conditions (certain of which are described below) are met. The seller believes that an exemption will apply to the acquisition and holding of each series of Class A Certificates by Benefit Plans and that all conditions of such exemption other than those within the control of the investors have been or will be met. Among the conditions which must be satisfied for an exemption to apply to the acquisition by a Benefit Plan of Class A Certificates are the following: (1) The acquisition of the Class A Certificates by a Benefit Plan is on terms (including the price for the certificates) that are at least as favorable to the Benefit Plan as they would be in an arm's-length transaction with an unrelated party; (2) The rights and interests evidenced by the Class A Certificates acquired by the Benefit Plan are not subordinated to the rights and interests evidenced by other certificates of the related trust; (3) The Class A Certificates acquired by the Benefit Plan have received a rating at the time of such acquisition that is in one of the three highest generic rating categories from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or Fitch IBCA, Inc. (4) The sum of all payments made to the related underwriters in connection with the distribution of such Class A Certificates represents not more than reasonable compensation for underwriting such Class A Certificates. The sum of all payments made to and retained by the seller pursuant to the sale of the receivables to the related trust represents not more than the fair market value of such receivables. The sum of all payments made to and retained by the servicer represents not more than reasonable compensation for the servicer's services as servicer under the related Agreement and reimbursement of the servicer's reasonable expenses in connection therewith; (5) The trustee is not an "affiliate" (as defined in the exemption) of any other member of the Restricted Group (as defined below); (6) The Benefit Plan investing in the Class A Certificates is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D of the Commission under the Securities Act; and (7) The related trust satisfies the following requirements: (a) the corpus of such trust consists solely of assets of the type which have been included in other investment pools, (b) certificates in such other investment pools have been rated in one of the three highest generic rating categories of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or Fitch IBCA, Incorporated for at least one year prior to the Benefit Plan's acquisition of Class A Certificates, and (c) certificates evidencing interests in such other investment pools have been purchased by investors other than Benefit Plans for at least one year prior to any Benefit Plan's acquisition of Class A Certificates. Certain transactions are not covered by an applicable exemption. An exemption does not exempt the acquisition and holding of Class A Certificates by Benefit Plans sponsored by the Restricted Group. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, as of the date thereof, no obligor with respect to receivables included in any trust will constitute more than five percent of the aggregate unamortized principal balance of such trust. 36 103 Moreover, the exemptive relief from the self-dealing/conflict of interest prohibited transaction rules of ERISA is available, only if, among other requirements: (1) the person who has discretionary authority or renders investment advice with respect to the investment of a Benefit Plan's assets in the Class A certificates (or such person's affiliate) is an obligor with respect to five percent or less of the fair market value of the assets contained in the related trust; (2) a Benefit Plan's investment in such Class A Certificates does not exceed 25% of all of the Class A Certificates of such series outstanding at the time of the acquisition; (3) immediately after the acquisition, no more than 25% of the assets of a Benefit Plan with respect to which the person who has discretionary authority or renders investment advice are invested in certificates representing an interest in a trust containing assets sold or serviced by the same entity; and (4) in the case of the acquisition of Class A Certificates in connection with their initial issuance, at least 50% of such Class A Certificates are acquired by persons independent of the Restricted Group and at least 50% of the aggregate interest in the related trust is acquired by persons independent of the Restricted Group. An applicable exemption will also apply to transactions in connection with the servicing, management and operation of the related trust, provided that, in addition to the general requirements described above, such transactions are carried out in accordance with the terms of a binding pooling and servicing agreement and the pooling and servicing agreement is provided to, or described in all material respects in the prospectus or private placement memorandum provided to investing Benefit Plans before the Plans purchase Class A Certificates issued by the related trust. Each Agreement is a pooling and servicing agreement as defined in the related exemption. All transactions relating to the servicing, management and operations of each trust will be carried out in accordance with the related Agreement, which Agreement is described in all material respects in "The Certificates" and in the related prospectus supplement. Any Benefit Plan fiduciary considering the purchase of Class A Certificates should consult with its counsel with respect to the applicability of the related exemption and other issues and determine on its own whether all conditions have been satisfied and whether the certificates are an appropriate investment for a Benefit Plan under ERISA and the Code. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION On the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement with respect to each series of certificates, the seller will agree to sell to each of the underwriters named therein and in the related prospectus supplement, and each of such underwriters will severally agree to purchase from the seller, the principal amount of Class A Certificates set forth therein and in the related prospectus supplement. In each underwriting agreement, the several underwriters will agree, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the Class A Certificates described therein which are offered hereby and by the related prospectus supplement if any of such Class A Certificates are purchased. In the event of a default by any underwriter, each underwriting agreement will provide that, in certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. Each prospectus supplement will either (1) set forth the price at which the Class A Certificates being offered thereby will be offered to the public and any concessions that may 37 104 be offered to certain dealers participating in the offering of such certificates or (2) specify that the Class A Certificates are to be resold by such underwriter in negotiated transactions at varying prices to be determined at the time of such sale. After the initial public offering of any certificates, the public offering price and such concessions may be changed. Each underwriting agreement will provide that the seller will indemnify the related underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The place and time of delivery for the certificates in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The trustee may, from time to time, invest the funds in the Designated Accounts in eligible investments acquired from the underwriters. LEGAL OPINIONS Certain legal matters relating to the certificates will be passed upon for the seller and the servicer by Robert L. Schwartz, Esq., General Counsel of the seller and Assistant General Counsel of GMAC, and by Kirkland & Ellis, special counsel to the seller and the servicer. Mr. Schwartz owns shares of each of the classes of General Motors common stocks and has options to purchase shares of General Motors common stock, $1 2/3 par value. Certain federal income tax matters will be passed upon for the seller by Kirkland & Ellis. REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS The servicer will prepare monthly reports that will contain information about the trust. The financial information contained in the reports will not be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Unless and until definitive certificates are issued, the reports will be sent to Cede & Co. which is the nominee of The Depository trust Company and the registered holder of the certificates. No financial reports will be sent to you. See "Description of the Certificates--Book Entry Registration" "--Reports to Class A Certificateholders" and "--Evidence as to Compliance" in this prospectus. WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We filed a registration statement relating to the certificates with the SEC. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement includes additional information. The servicer will file with the SEC all required annual, monthly and special SEC reports and other information about the trust. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update the information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. We incorporate by 38 105 reference any future SEC reports and materials filed by or on behalf of the trust until we terminate our offering of the certificates. As a recipient of this prospectus, you may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing us at: General Motors Acceptance Corporation, 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202. ------------------------ 39 106 GLOSSARY OF TERMS This Glossary of Terms does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the related Agreements, forms of which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Some of the capitalized terms used but not defined in the prospectus or in this Glossary of Terms are defined in the related prospectus supplement. Reference to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. "Additional Servicing" means, with respect to each series of certificates and any Monthly Period, an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which: (A) the aggregate amount of the Basic Servicing Fee for such Distribution Date and all prior Distribution Dates exceeds (B) the aggregate amount of Additional Servicing paid to the servicer on all prior Distribution Dates, and (2) the amount, if any, by which: (A) the sum of Available Interest and Available Principal for the related Distribution Date exceeds (B) the sum, without duplication, of (x) all amounts required to be distributed with respect to the Class A Certificates and the Class B Certificates on such Distribution Date, (y) the Basic Servicing Fee paid on such Distribution Date and any unpaid Basic Servicing Fees from all prior Distribution Dates and (z) the amount, if any, deposited into the Subordination Spread Account on such Distribution Date. "Administrative Purchase Payment" means, with respect to any Administrative Receivable: (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, a release of all claims for reimbursement of Scheduled Interest Advances made on such receivable plus a payment equal to the sum of (A) the Scheduled Payments on such receivable; (B) an amount equal to any reimbursement of outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made to the servicer with respect to such receivable from the proceeds of other receivables; and (C) all past due Scheduled Payments with respect to which a Scheduled Interest Advance has not been made less the rebate that would be payable to the obligor on such receivable were the obligor to prepay such receivable in full on such day; or (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, a payment equal to the Amount Financed minus that portion of all payments made on or prior to the last day of the related Monthly Period allocable to principal. "Administrative Receivable" means a receivable which the servicer is required to purchase as a result of a breach of a covenant which materially and adversely affects any receivable held by the related trust. "Agreement" means, for each series of certificates, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement which incorporates the GMAC Grantor Trust Standard Terms and Conditions. "Aggregate Amount Financed" means the aggregate Amount Financed under the receivables held by a trust as specified in the related prospectus supplement. 40 107 "Aggregate Net Losses" means, with respect to a series of certificates and any Monthly Period, an amount equal to the aggregate Principal Balance of all receivables newly designated during such Monthly Period as Liquidating Receivables minus Liquidation Proceeds collected during such Monthly Period with respect to all Liquidating Receivables. "Amount Financed" means, with respect to a receivable, the aggregate amount advanced under such receivable toward the purchase price of the financed vehicle, including accessories, insurance premiums, service and warranty contracts and other items customarily financed as part of retail automobile instalment sale contracts and related costs less: (1) (A) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, payments due from the related obligor prior to the Cutoff Date allocable to principal; and (B) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, payments received from the related obligor prior to the Cutoff Date allocable to principal; and (2) any amount allocable to the premium for physical damage insurance covering the financed vehicle force-placed by the servicer. "APR" means, with respect to a receive, the annual percentage rate. "Available Interest" means, with respect to each series of certificates, on a Distribution Date, an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts with respect to the related Monthly Period: (1) that portion of all collections on the receivables held by the related trust (other than Liquidating Receivables) allocable to interest or Prepayment Surplus (including, in the case of Scheduled Interest Receivables, the interest portion of existing Payments Ahead being applied in such Monthly Period but excluding Excess Payments made during such Monthly Period that are treated as Payments Ahead); (2) Liquidation Proceeds, to the extent allocable to interest in accordance with the servicer's customary servicing procedures; (3) all Simple Interest Advances; (4) all Scheduled Interest Advances to the extent allocable to interest; and (5) the Warranty Payment or the Administrative Purchase Payment of each receivable that the seller repurchased or the servicer purchased during such related Monthly Period, to the extent allocable to accrued interest or Prepayment Surplus thereon less an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts with respect to the related Monthly Period: (1) all amounts received on any Scheduled Interest Receivable (other than a Liquidating Receivable) to the extent that the servicer has previously made an unreimbursed Scheduled Interest Advance; (2) Liquidation Proceeds with respect to Scheduled Interest Receivables to the extent of any unreimbursed Scheduled Interest Advances; (3) any Excess Simple Interest Collections; (4) Liquidation Proceeds with respect to Simple Interest Receivables paid to the Servicer; and (5) amounts representing reimbursement for certain Liquidation Expenses. 41 108 "Available Principal" means, with respect to each series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts with respect to the related Monthly Period: (1) that portion of all collections on the receivables held by the related trust (other than Liquidating Receivables) allocable to principal (including, in the case of Scheduled Interest Receivables, the principal portion of Prepayments and existing Payments Ahead being applied in such Monthly Period but excluding Excess Payments made during such Monthly Period that are treated as Payments Ahead); (2) Liquidation Proceeds to the extent allocable to principal in accordance with the Servicer's customary servicing procedures; (3) all Scheduled Interest Advances to the extent allocable to principal; and (4) to the extent allocable to principal, the Warranty Payment or the Administrative Purchase Payment received with respect to each receivable that the seller repurchased or the servicer purchased during the related Monthly Period less an amount equal to the sum, with respect to the related Monthly Period: (1) all amounts received on any Scheduled Interest Receivable (other than a Liquidating Receivable) to the extent that the servicer has previously made an unreimbursed Scheduled Interest Advance; (2) Liquidation Proceeds with respect to Scheduled Interest Receivables to the extent of any unreimbursed Scheduled Interest Advances; (3) any Excess Simple Interest Collections; (4) Liquidation Proceeds with respect to Simple Interest Receivables paid to the servicer; and (5) amounts representing reimbursement for certain Liquidation Expenses. "Basic Servicing Fee" means, with respect to each trust and any Monthly Period, the product of (1) one-twelfth of the Basic Servicing Fee Rate and (2) the aggregate Principal Balance of receivables held by such trust as of the last day of the preceding Monthly Period. "Benefit Plan" means a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan and individual retirement accounts and certain types of Keogh Plans and certain collective investment funds or insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans and accounts are invested. "Certificate Account" means, with respect to each series of certificates, the account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the Agreement. "Certificate Owner" means, with respect to a book-entry certificate, the person who is the beneficial owner of such book-entry certificate, as reflected on the books of the clearing agency or on the books of a person maintaining an account with such clearing agency. "Charge-off Rate" means, with respect to a series of certificates and any Monthly Period, an amount equal to the Aggregate Net Losses with respect to the receivables held by the trust expressed, on an annualized basis, as a percentage of the average of (1) the aggregate Principal Balance on the last day of the Monthly Period preceding such Monthly Period and (2) the aggregate Principal Balance on the last day of such Monthly Period. "Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall" means, with respect to a series of certificates, as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (1) the Class A Interest Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date plus any outstanding Class A Interest Carryover Shortfall from the preceding Distribution Date, to the extent permitted by law, at the applicable Pass 42 109 Through Rate from such preceding Distribution Date through the current Distribution Date minus (2) the amount of interest that the holders of the Class A Certificates actually received on such current Distribution Date. "Class A Certificate Balance" means, with respect to any series of certificates, initially, the Class A Percentage of the Aggregate Amount Financed and, thereafter, will equal such initial Class A Certificate Balance, reduced by all distributions of Class A Principal Distributable Amounts actually made to Class A Certificateholders. "Class A Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, the sum of (1) the Class A Principal Distributable Amount and (2) the Class A Interest Distributable Amount. "Class A Interest Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, one month's interest at the Pass Through Rate on the Class A Certificate Balance as of the last day of the related Monthly Period. "Class A Pool Factor" means, for any series of certificates, a seven-digit decimal figure computed by the servicer prior to each distribution equal to the remaining Class A Certificate Balance as of the close of such date divided by the initial Class A Certificate Balance of such series. "Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall" means, with respect to a series of certificates, as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (1) the Class A Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date plus any outstanding Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall from the preceding Distribution Date minus (2) the amount of principal that the holders of the Class A Certificates actually received on such current Distribution Date. "Class A Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, the Class A Percentage of (1) the principal portion of all Scheduled Payments with respect to the related Monthly Period on Scheduled Interest Receivables held by the related trust (other than Liquidating Receivables) and the principal portion of all payments received by the trustee during the related Monthly Period on Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust (other than Liquidating Receivables), (2) the principal portion of all Prepayments received during the related Monthly Period (except to the extent included in (1) above) and (3) the Principal Balance of each receivable that the servicer became obligated to purchase, the seller became obligated to repurchase or that became a Liquidating Receivable during the related Monthly Period (except to the extent included in (1) or (2) above). "Class B Certificate Balance" means, with respect to any series of certificates, initially, the Class B Percentage of the Aggregate Amount Financed and, thereafter, will equal such initial Class B Certificate Balance, reduced by (1) all distributions of Class B Principal Distributable Amounts actually made to Class B Certificateholders (or deposited on or prior to such date in the Subordination Spread Account, not including the initial deposit therein), (2) the Class A Principal Carryover Shortfall as of the preceding Distribution Date and (3) any shortfalls from prior Distribution Dates in principal distributions to the Class B Certificateholders. "Class B Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, the sum of (1) the Class B Principal Distributable Amount and (2) the Class B Interest Distributable Amount. "Class B Interest Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the sum of (1) one month's interest at the Pass 43 110 Through Rate on the Class B Certificate Balance as of the last day of the related Monthly Period, (2) all Surplus Interest with respect to receivables held by the related trust (less Additional Servicing payable on such Distribution Date), and (3) all Prepayment Surplus with respect to Scheduled Interest Receivables held by the related trust to which a Prepayment is to be applied, net of one month's interest at the applicable Pass Through Rate on the aggregate Principal Balance of such Scheduled Interest Receivables as of the first day of the related Monthly Period. "Class B Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, the Class B Percentage of (1) the principal portion of all Scheduled Payments with respect to the related Monthly Period on Scheduled Interest Receivables held by the related Trust (other than Liquidating Receivables) and the principal portion of all payments received by the trustee during the related Monthly Period on Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust (other than Liquidating Receivables), (2) the principal portion of all Prepayments received during the related Monthly Period (except to the extent included in (1) above) and (3) the Principal Balance of each receivable that the servicer became obligated to purchase, the seller became obligated to repurchase or that became a Liquidating Receivable during the related Monthly Period (except to the extent included in (1) or (2) above). "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "Collection Account" means, with respect to each series of certificates, the account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the applicable Agreement. "Cutoff Date" means, for each series, a date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. "Delinquency Percentage" means, with respect to a series of certificates and any Monthly Period, the ratio of all outstanding receivables which are 61 days or more delinquent as of the last day of such Monthly Period, determined in accordance with the servicer's normal practices, divided by the number of outstanding receivables on the last day of such Monthly Period. "Distribution Date" means, with respect to a Monthly Period, the 15th day of the next succeeding calendar month, or if such 15th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day. "Events of Default" has the meaning set forth in "The Certificates-Events of Default." "Excess Payment" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the portion of a payment on such receivable in excess of the Scheduled Payment thereon which are not late fees, prepayment charges or other fees or charges. "Excess Simple Interest Collections" means, with respect to a Monthly Period, the excess, if any, of (1) all payments received during the related Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables to the extent allocable to interest minus (2) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by such trust, assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date. "FTC Repossession Consent Order" means a consent order between the servicer and the Federal Trade Commission. "General Motors" means General Motors Corporation, a Delaware corporation. "GMAC" means General Motors Acceptance Corporation, a Delaware corporation. 44 111 "Liquidation Expenses" means an amount specified in the related agreement as an allowance for amounts charged to the account of the obligor, in keeping with the servicer's customary procedures, for refurbishing and disposition of a financed vehicle and other out-of-pocket costs related to liquidation. "Liquidating Receivable" means a receivable as to which the servicer (1) has reasonably determined, in accordance with its customary servicing procedures, that eventual payment of amounts owing on such receivable is unlikely, or (2) has repossessed and disposed of the financed vehicle. "Liquidation Proceeds" means, with respect to a Liquidating Receivable, all amounts realized with respect to such receivable, net of amounts that are required to be refunded to the obligor on such receivable. "Monthly Advance" means, with respect to any trust, as of the last day of each Monthly Period, either a Scheduled Interest Advance or a Simple Interest Advance, or both, as applicable, in respect of the related Monthly Period. "Monthly Period" means, with respect to a Distribution Date, the calendar month preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. "OID" means original issue discount. "Payment Ahead" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, any Excess Payment (not representing prepayment in full of such receivable) that is of an amount such that the sum of such Excess Payment (together with any unapplied Payments Ahead) is equal to or less than three times the Scheduled Payment. "Payment Ahead Servicing Account" means, with respect to each series of certificates, the account designated as such, established and maintained pursuant to the Agreement. "Prepayment" means any Excess Payment other than a Payment Ahead. "Prepayment Surplus" means, with respect to a series of certificates, on any Distribution Date on which a Prepayment is to be applied with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, that portion of such Prepayment, net of any rebate to the obligor of the portion of the Scheduled Payments attributable to unearned finance charges, which is not allocable to principal. "Principal Balance" means, as of any day, with respect to any receivable, an amount equal to the Amount Financed minus the sum of either: (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable: (A) that portion of all Scheduled Payments due on or prior to such date allocable to principal; (B) that portion of any Warranty Payment or Administrative Purchase Payment with respect to such receivable allocable to principal; and (C) any Prepayment applied by the servicer to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable; or (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable: (A) that portion of all payments received on or prior to such date allocable to principal; and (B) that portion of any Warranty Payment or Administrative Purchase Payment with respect to such receivable allocable to principal. 45 112 "Record Date" means, with respect to any Distribution Date, the close of business on the date immediately preceding such Distribution Date, or if definitive certificates are issued, the last day of the preceding Monthly Period. "Restricted Group" means the seller, the underwriters, the trustee, the servicer or any obligor with respect to the receivables included in the related trust constituting more than 5% of the aggregate unamortized principal balance of the assets in such trust or any affiliate of such parties. "Scheduled Interest Advance" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the amount, as of the last day of the related Monthly Period, by which the amount the Scheduled Payment exceeds the amount of Payments Ahead not previously applied to such receivable and any amounts received by an obligor in respect of such Scheduled Payment. "Scheduled Interest Receivable": means any receivable pursuant to which the Scheduled Payments are allocated between finance charges and principal on a scheduled basis, without regard to the period of time which has elapsed since the preceding payment was made, using the actuarial method or the method known as the Rule of 78s or sum-of-the-digits method. "Scheduled Payment" means, with respect to a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the payment set forth in such receivable due from the obligor during any month. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Simple Interest Advance" means, with respect to all Simple Interest Receivables held by a trust, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, as of the last day of each Monthly Period, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the related Trust assuming that the payment on each such receivable was received on its respective due date over (ii) all payments received during such Monthly Period on all Simple Interest Receivables held by the related trust to the extent allocable to interest. "Simple Interest Receivable" means any receivable under which the portion of each monthly payment allocated between finance charges and principal is based on the actual date on which a payment is received. "Specified Subordination Spread Account Balance" means, with respect to a series of certificates, the meaning set forth in "The Certificates-Subordination of the Class B Certificates; Subordination Spread Account." "Supplemental Servicing Fee" means, with respect to a series of certificates and any Distribution Date, all late fees, prepayment charges and certain similar fees and charges collected during the Monthly Period plus any interest earned during the Monthly Period on deposits in the related Collection Account and Payment Ahead Servicing Account. "Surplus Interest" means, with respect to a series of certificates, on any Distribution Date, the product of (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the interest portion of the Scheduled Payment on such receivable or, in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, the amount of interest that would be due during such Monthly Period on such receivable assuming that such payment was received on its due date multiplied by (2) the remainder of (A) one minus (B) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the sum of the applicable Pass Through Rate and the Basic Servicing Fee Rate and the denominator of which equals the APR on such receivable. "Tax Counsel" means Kirkland & Ellis, as special counsel to the Seller. 46 113 "Total Available Amount" means, with respect to each series of certificates, on each Distribution Date, the sum of the Available Interest and the Available Principal. "Total Servicing Fee" means, with respect to a series of certificates and any Distribution Date, the sum of the Basic Servicing Fee for such Distribution Date, any unpaid Basic Servicing Fee for all prior Distribution Dates and Additional Servicing for such Distribution Date. "Warranty Payment" means, with respect to a Warranty Receivable: (1) in the case of a Scheduled Interest Receivable, the sum of: (A) all remaining Scheduled Payments on such receivable, plus all past due Scheduled Payments with respect to which a Scheduled Interest Advance has not been made; (B) plus all outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances on such receivable; and (C) an amount equal to any reimbursements of outstanding Scheduled Interest Advances made to the servicer with respect to such receivable from the proceeds of other receivables, minus the sum of: (A) the rebate that would be payable to the obligor on such receivable were the obligor to prepay such receivable in full on such day; and (B) any Liquidation Proceeds with respect to such receivable previously received (to the extent applied to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable; or (2) in the case of a Simple Interest Receivable, the Amount Financed minus the sum of: (A) that portion of all payments received on or prior to the last day of the related Monthly Period allocable to principal; and (B) any Liquidation Proceeds with respect to such receivable previously received (to the extent applied to reduce the Principal Balance of such receivable. "Warranty Receivable" means a receivable which must be repurchased by either the seller or GMAC as a result of a breach of any representation or warranty with respect to such receivable which materially and adversely affects the interests of the certificateholders of any series in such receivable. 47 114 THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. VERSION 3 PROSPECTUS CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES ASSET TRUSTS Asset Backed Notes Asset Backed Certificates CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. Seller GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION Servicer THE TRUSTS-- The notes of any series represent obligations of the - A new trust will be formed to issue each series of related trust only. The securities. certificates of any series represent the beneficial - The assets of each trust will be: interest in the related trust only. The notes and - a pool of non-recourse secured notes secured by new certificates issued by any and used automobile and light duty truck leases and trust do not represent the related leased vehicles and all moneys received obligations of or interests in, with respect to the secured notes on and after the and are not guaranteed by, cutoff date, including: Capital Auto Receivables, Inc., GMAC or any of their - proceeds from a termination value insurance policy affiliates. Neither the notes for the leases and the leased vehicles securing the nor certificates owned by the secured notes; trust are insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency. - proceeds from any other insurance policies, guarantees and similar obligations relating to the This prospectus may be used to leases and leased vehicles securing the secured offer and sell any securities notes; and only if accompanied by the related prospectus supplement. - security interests in payments under the leases and amounts received upon the sale or transfer of the related leased vehicles; and - assets related to the secured notes, including security interests in the related leases and leased vehicles. THE SECURITIES-- - will represent indebtedness of the related trust, in the case of notes, or beneficial interests in the related trust, in the case of certificates; - will be paid only from the assets of the related trust and amounts on deposit in any related reserve account; - will represent the right to payments in the amounts and at the times described in the related prospectus supplement; - may benefit from one or more forms of credit enhancement; and - will be issued as part of a designated series, which will include one or more classes of notes and may include one or more classes of certificates. NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 115 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT We provide information to you about the securities in two separate documents: (a) this prospectus, which provides general information and terms of the securities, some of which may not apply to a particular series of securities, including your series. (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement, which will provide information regarding the pool of secured notes, including the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes, held by the trust and which will specify the terms of your series of securities. IF THE TERMS OF YOUR SERIES OF SECURITIES VARY BETWEEN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with other or different information. We are not offering the securities in any state where their offer or sale is not permitted. We do not claim that the information in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date other than the dates stated on their respective covers. We include cross references in this prospectus to captions under which you can find additional, related discussions. In this prospectus, "we," "us" and "our" refer to the seller, Capital Auto Receivables, Inc. 2 116 THE TRUSTS FORMATION OF TRUSTS For each series of securities, we will establish a separate trust under a trust agreement by selling and assigning the trust property to the trust in exchange for these securities. Each series of securities will include one or more classes of asset backed notes and one or more classes of asset backed certificates. The related prospectus supplement will specify which classes of notes and certificates included in each series will be offered to investors. TRUST PROPERTY The property of each trust will include: - the secured notes and all moneys received with respect to the secured notes on or after the cutoff date, including: - proceeds from a termination value insurance policy for the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes; - proceeds from other insurance policies, guarantees and similar obligations relating to the leases and the leased vehicles securing the secured notes; and - security interests in payments under the leases and amounts received upon the sale or transfer of the related leased vehicles; - assets related to the secured notes, including liens upon, and security interests in, the related leases and leased vehicles; - any instrument or document relating to the secured notes; and - any proceeds of the foregoing property. The indenture trustee may hold for the benefit of the securityholders a reserve account or other form of credit enhancement as specified in the prospectus supplement. The reserve account, if any, for a series of securities may not be included in the property of the related trust but will be a segregated trust account held by the indenture trustee for the benefit of the holders of the related securities. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Credit Enhancement" in this prospectus. The activities of each trust will be limited to: - acquiring, managing and holding the related secured notes and the other assets of the trust and the related proceeds; - issuing the related securities and making payments and distributions on them; and - engaging in other activities that are necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish any of the foregoing or are incidental or connected with these activities. The secured note servicer will continue to service the secured notes held by each trust and will receive fees for its services. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses" in this prospectus. CAPITALIZATION OF EACH TRUST Prior to the initial issuance of any series of securities, the related trust will not have any assets or liabilities. No trust is expected to have any source of capital other than its assets and any related credit, liquidity or other enhancement arrangement. It is expected that each trust will issue one or more series of notes, and one or more classes of certificates on the initial closing date for that trust, all as further described in this prospectus and in the related prospectus supplement. From time to time after a trust's initial 3 117 closing date, that trust may issue additional series of notes and additional classes of certificates as further described in this prospectus. The pro forma capitalization of a trust at the time of the issuance of any securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. The certificates issued by a trust will represent the equity in that trust. The related prospectus supplement will set forth the portion of the certificates issued on, and, if applicable, since, the related initial closing date. All or a portion of the certificates may be retained by us or our affiliates or may be sold to third party investors that are not affiliated with us, GMAC or any of the trusts. The principal office of each trust will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. THE OWNER TRUSTEE The owner trustee for each trust will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. The owner trustee's liability in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities is limited solely to the express obligations of that owner trustee set forth in the related trust agreement. An owner trustee may resign at any time, in which event the servicer, or its successor, will be obligated to appoint a successor owner trustee. The administrator of a trust may also remove the owner trustee if the owner trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as owner trustee under the related trust agreement or if the owner trustee becomes insolvent. In these circumstances, the administrator will be obligated to appoint a successor owner trustee. Any resignation or removal of an owner trustee and appointment of a successor owner trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor owner trustee. THE SELLER Capital Auto Receivables, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC, was incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 6, 1992 and will be the seller to each trust under this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement. We are organized for the limited purposes of purchasing receivables, such as the secured notes, from GMAC, transferring these receivables to third parties, forming trusts and engaging in related activities. Our principal executive offices are located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. We have taken steps in structuring the transactions contemplated in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement that are intended to make it unlikely that the voluntary or involuntary application for relief by GMAC under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state insolvency laws, will result in consolidation of our assets and liabilities with those of GMAC. These steps include our creation as a separate, limited-purpose subsidiary under a certificate of incorporation containing certain limitations, including restrictions on the nature of our business and a restriction on our ability to commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any insolvency law without the unanimous affirmative vote of all of our directors. Under circumstances described in our by-laws, we are required to have at least one director who qualifies under our by-laws as an "Independent Director." If, despite the foregoing measures, a court concluded that our assets and liabilities should be consolidated with the assets and liabilities of GMAC in the event of the application of the federal bankruptcy laws to GMAC, a filing were made under any insolvency law by or against us, or an attempt were made to litigate the consolidation issue, then delays in distributions on the notes and the certificates, and possible reductions in the amount of the distributions, could occur. We may sell in private placements or other transactions certain securities issued by a trust that will not be offered by this prospectus or the related prospectus supplement. We may 4 118 also retain all or a portion of any class of certificates or one or more series of notes issued by each trust as described in the related prospectus supplement. THE SERVICER General Motors Acceptance Corporation acts as both the lease servicer and the secured note servicer. GMAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors, was incorporated in 1919 under the New York Banking Law relating to investment companies. GMAC relinquished this status and became a Delaware corporation on January 1, 1998. GMAC, operating directly and through subsidiaries and associated companies in which it has equity investments, provides a wide variety of automotive financial services to and through franchised General Motors dealers in many countries throughout the world. GMAC also offers financial services to other dealerships in which General Motors dealers have an interest and to the customers of those dealerships. Other financial services offered by GMAC or its subsidiaries include insurance, mortgage banking, commercial finance and investment services. The principal business of GMAC is to finance the acquisition and resale by franchised General Motors dealers of various new automotive and nonautomotive products manufactured by General Motors or certain of its subsidiaries and associates, and to acquire from those dealers, either directly or indirectly, installment obligations covering retail sales and leases of new General Motors products as well as used units of any make. In addition, GMAC finances new products of other manufacturers and leases motor vehicles and certain types of capital equipment. GMAC has its principal office at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 and its telephone number is (212) 418-6120. GMAC has administrative offices at 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202 and its telephone number is (313) 556-5000. VEHICLE ASSET UNIVERSAL LEASING TRUST In 1996, GMAC created Vehicle Asset Universal Leasing Trust, known as VAULT, a Delaware business trust, to act as a nominee on the certificates of title to vehicles titled in various states. VAULT has no operations, and its sole purpose is to act as a repository of titles to vehicles purchased by its trust beneficiaries. VAULT is named as the nominee for the beneficial owner of the leased vehicle on the certificate of title for each leased vehicle that secures a secured note. GMAC and Central Originating Lease Trust, known as COLT, are the current beneficiaries of VAULT and the beneficial owners of the leased vehicles owned by VAULT. As nominee, VAULT holds only legal title to the leased vehicles. The beneficial owner retains all rights and obligations related to the leased vehicles. CENTRAL ORIGINATING LEASE TRUST COLT is a Delaware business trust formed on March 15, 1996, which acquires vehicles and related consumer leases from General Motors Corporation franchised dealers. COLT finances these acquisitions through the issuance of secured notes and equity certificates. Each secured note was or will be issued to GMAC by COLT. Each secured note represents 96.90% of the purchase price of a lease and leased vehicle, and COLT's equity certificates represent the remaining 3.1%. Other entities, which will be described in a prospectus supplement, may be formed to issue secured notes in the future. Each secured note is non-recourse to COLT and is secured by, among other things, a security interest in the related lease and leased vehicle and the termination value insurance described in "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Credit Enhancement--Termination Value Insurance" in this prospectus. 5 119 THE POOLS OF SECURED NOTES GMAC has or will acquire the secured notes in each pool from COLT or another special purpose Delaware business trust to be identified in a prospectus supplement. Each secured note is non-recourse and is secured by a first priority perfected lien on a lease and leased vehicle, and related assets. The lease assets securing the secured notes have been or will be originated by participating dealers in accordance with GMAC's underwriting requirements established for itself and COLT. The lease assets have been or will be acquired in accordance with GMAC's underwriting standards in the ordinary course of business, which evaluate the prospective lessee's ability to pay and creditworthiness, as well as the value of the vehicle to be financed. GMAC's underwriting standards also generally require physical damage insurance to be maintained on each leased vehicle. The lease assets to be included in the pool securing a pool of secured notes will be selected using several criteria, which consist of those criteria described in "Description of Auto Lease Business--Auto Lease Criteria" in this prospectus and any other criteria set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Upon direction of the origination agent, GMAC will fund approximately 96.90% of the acquisition price of the related lease asset by acquiring a secured note of COLT, which bears interest at a fixed rate. TERMS OF THE SECURED NOTES Each secured note is secured by a first priority lien upon and security interest in the related lease and leased vehicle, all proceeds generated from that lease and leased vehicle, including insurance proceeds and other rights with respect to that lease and leased vehicle under the termination value insurance policy, and rights under any other insurance policies, any guarantees or similar obligations relating to that lease and leased vehicle or its proceeds. The termination value insurance policy provides for specified payments on the lease after sale or transfer of the related leased vehicle. The sole source for payment of each secured note is the related lease collateral described above and any other funds that may from time to time be pledged to secure the payment of the secured note. Interest on the secured note accrues from and including the issue date of the secured note, to but not including each installment date on the secured note, in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual rate specified in the secured note, multiplied by the unpaid principal balance of the secured note on the preceding installment date or, in the case of the first installment date, on the issue date of the secured note. If the amount due on an installment date is less than the amount of interest accrued and unpaid as of the installment date, the difference will be added to principal on that installment date. Any installment that is unpaid on the installment date will likewise be added to principal and will thereafter bear interest at the interest rate of the secured note as of the installment date on which it is due, but only if that installment remains unpaid after the 15th day of the calendar month following the month in which the installment date occurs. Any installment due on a secured note on any installment date will be applied as though received on that installment date to the extent that the amount has been paid on or before the 15th day of the calendar month following the month in which the installment date occurs. Each secured note will be non-recourse to COLT and any other assets of COLT or its equity holders. No holder of a secured note will have any claim, remedy or right to proceed against COLT, the owner trustee of COLT or any equity holder for the payment of any deficiency or any other amount owing on account of the indebtedness evidenced by the 6 120 secured note. The holder also agrees to look solely to the collateral for that secured note, including its rights under the termination value insurance and available amounts on deposit in the termination reserve account, and any other property mortgaged, pledged, assigned or otherwise given or provided as security for the secured note in payment of the indebtedness thereunder. However, nothing limits, restricts or impairs any right of the holder of a secured note to accelerate the maturity of the secured note upon default, subject to any grace periods, to bring suit and obtain a judgment against COLT on the secured note, except that the sole recourse for any such judgment is limited to the lease collateral and any other security for the secured note, to enforce the security interest of the holder or otherwise realize upon the collateral securing the secured note, including its rights under the termination value insurance and available amounts on deposit in the termination reserve account, or any other property mortgaged, pledged, assigned or otherwise granted as security to secure the obligations represented by the secured note. No secured note will be issued (1) in a principal amount that exceeds 96.90% of the initial discounted balance of the lease described below that the secured note is financing or (2) with an interest rate greater than an annual rate, expressed as a percentage, equal to the market lease purchase rate described below, minus the fees for the servicer, the origination agent and a provider of termination value insurance to be described in the prospectus supplement. The terms of each secured note will provide for a payment schedule such that the outstanding principal balance of the secured note will, in no event, on any date after the lease purchase date, exceed the difference between (1) the stipulated market value described below of the related lease as of the date of calculation, and (2) 3.1% of the initial discounted balance of the related lease. GMAC, as lease servicer, calculates the initial discounted balance of each lease as described below under "GMAC's Responsibilities as Origination Agent and Lease Servicer." Each holder of a secured note, by its acceptance of the secured note, agrees that it will not, prior to the date which is one year and one day after the payment in full of the secured note and any other obligations of or interest in COLT, petition or otherwise cause COLT to invoke the process of any court or governmental authority for the purpose of commencing or sustaining a case against COLT under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of COLT or any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of COLT. DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES The primary sources of payment on each secured note are: - payments due on the underlying lease and the proceeds of sale of the leased vehicle at lease termination; and - termination value insurance and a termination reserve account, which provide coverage of losses in the event of any deficiency in the amount of proceeds of sale of the leased vehicle at lease termination. As a result, we will provide in each prospectus supplement information concerning the composition of the pool of secured notes being sold to us, information concerning the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes and information concerning GMAC's experience in the United States pertaining to delinquencies on leases of automobiles and light trucks and repossessions and net loss information relating to its entire leased vehicle portfolio, including leases that GMAC services but does not own. We cannot assure you that the performance of any pool of secured notes or the delinquency, repossession and net loss 7 121 experience on any portfolio of leases and leased vehicles will be comparable to prior experience. GMAC'S RESPONSIBILITIES AS ORIGINATION AGENT AND LEASE SERVICER GMAC is both the origination agent and the lease servicer for COLT and receives fees for these services. GMAC, as origination agent under the lease origination agreement, performs the following services for COLT: - identifying automobile and light truck leases originated by General Motors dealers and dealerships affiliated with General Motors and the related leased vehicles that satisfy the criteria contained in the COLT Origination Agreement and advising COLT of the leases and leased vehicles available for purchase; - negotiating purchases of leases and leased vehicles by COLT from the dealers; and - instructing the dealers to cause a certificate of title with respect to each leased vehicle to be issued to COLT in the name of VAULT or its designee as nominee for COLT. GMAC also acts as the servicer for the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes. GMAC, as lease servicer, is responsible for: - ensuring COLT's compliance with all state and federal laws, tax and otherwise, as beneficial owner and lessor of motor vehicles; - maintaining records of the investments in leased vehicles; and - reporting tax and other matters for the leased vehicles. GMAC, as lease servicer, calculates the initial discounted balance of a lease as of the date a lease is purchased. It equals the present value of all scheduled cash flows for the lease asset, assuming that the lease residual is paid one month after the scheduled lease end date, discounted at an interest rate equal to the market lease purchase rate that is in effect on the lease purchase date. As lease servicer, GMAC calculates the stipulated market value of each lease asset. The stipulated market value of each lease asset as of any date of calculation is the aggregate present value of: - each monthly payment due after the date of calculation discounted from the payment date in the month in which the scheduled date of payment is due back to the date of calculation; and - residual value of the related vehicle discounted from the payment date in the month following the month in which the scheduled lease end date occurs back to the date of calculation; in each case at a discount rate equal to the market lease purchase rate for that lease. The market lease purchase rate for any lease securing a secured note is the discount rate used by GMAC, as origination agent, to calculate the initial discounted balance and the stipulated market value for that lease. The market lease purchase rate is: - a rate of discount not lower than the lowest rate at which the lease servicer holds itself out to dealers located in the competitive market area as being willing to purchase leases for the lease servicer's own account of the same vehicle make, model and lease term, without premium or discount; and - equal to the sum of (1) the product of the interest rate on the secured note and 96.90%, (2) the product of the fixed rate of interest each year used for each lease and related leased vehicle to calculate the payments made by COLT to the swap provider 8 122 relating to the COLT certificates and 3.10%, and (3) the basic fees for the lease servicer, the origination agent and the termination value insurance provider. DESCRIPTION OF AUTO LEASE BUSINESS UNDERWRITING OF MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES GMAC leases automobiles and light trucks under its SmartLease plan to retail customers through General Motors dealerships, non-General Motors dealerships owned or financially controlled by General Motors dealerships and affiliated leasing companies. Under the SmartLease plan, GMAC, either for itself or as origination agent for COLT or others, purchases leases originated by its nationwide branch system from automobile and light truck dealers under agreements with General Motors dealers. Dealers are not responsible for the customer's performance during the lease period nor for the value of the vehicle at the scheduled lease end date. General Motors may elect to sponsor retail leasing programs by supporting special lease rates and/or guaranteeing residual values in excess of published residual guide books used by GMAC. The leased vehicles are new and used automobiles and light trucks. The lessees are either businesses or individuals who met GMAC's underwriting standards at the time of the origination of the lease. Because GMAC's underwriting standards may change over time, the leases from time to time may have differing credit quality and the credit quality of the leases in a later year may not be the same as the credit quality of the leases in a prior year. The leases have been originated by participating dealers in accordance with GMAC's requirements under dealer agreements, and have been acquired in accordance with GMAC's underwriting standards. Dealers forward completed credit applications, which include the terms of the lease and essential information on the applicant, to one of GMAC's branches. Applications are then processed through GMAC's internal credit evaluation process, which includes obtaining credit bureau reports, checking the applicant against GMAC files on both open and closed accounts and checking for recent denials of credit. An applicant's credit is also analyzed through the use of GMAC's proprietary credit- scoring model, which assists GMAC's credit analysts with making credit-granting decisions. The credit-scoring model is periodically reviewed and updated based on historical information and current trends. Once the lease agreement, title application, insurance form, odometer statement and various other forms have been completed by the General Motors dealer, GMAC or COLT directs the dealer to title the vehicle in the name of VAULT, as its nominee, and to record a lien in favor of GMAC as holder of the related secured note on the vehicle's certificate of title. The dealer sends the appropriate paperwork to the GMAC branch. The branch then enters essential information into the centralized database after which billing statements are automatically generated and mailed monthly to the lessee. Four processing centers, located in Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles and Dallas, are responsible for the processing of monthly payments, while the GMAC branches take charge of all collection efforts. Prior to transferring possession of a vehicle to a lessee, the dealer must: - collect the first monthly payment, including a refundable security deposit unless the lessee qualifies for SmartLease Lease Loyalty Program, in which case both may be waived; - verify that the lessee has purchased at least the minimum physical damage and public liability insurance coverage; and - ensure that all required license fees, registration fees and up-front taxes are paid. 9 123 Some fees and taxes may be included in the lessee's monthly payment, including acquisition fees and documentation expenses. The dealer is responsible for titling and registering the vehicle, unless the applicable state's motor vehicle department permits or requires the lessee to submit the title and registration documentation. Each lease and related leased vehicle is purchased by GMAC, COLT or another purchaser from the dealer for its "capitalized cost," which may exceed the manufacturer's suggested retail price. The capitalized cost represents the present value of the monthly payments due on a lease and the residual value discounted at an implied lease rate. The leases provide for equal monthly payments, and the monthly payments on leases are generally due on the same date of each month. Each lease agreement provides that the lessor may terminate the lease and retake the vehicle if the lessee defaults. Events of default under the lease agreement include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of the following: - the lessee fails to make a payment when due; - the lessee fails to maintain required insurance coverages; - the lessee allows a person who is an excluded or restricted driver under the insurance coverage to operate the vehicle; - the lessee fails to maintain or repair the vehicle as required by the lease agreement; - the lessee violates the transfer of interest provisions of the lease agreement; - the lessee breaks any agreements in the lease and that breach significantly impairs the prospect of payment, performance or realization of the lessor's interest in the vehicle; - the lessee made a material misrepresentation on his or her lease agreement; or - the lessee does any other act that is a default under a lease contract under applicable law. Upon default, the lessor may terminate the lease agreement and the lessee is responsible for any payments otherwise required upon early termination of the lease. Each lease agreement may be terminated by the lessee at any time before its scheduled lease end date. If a lease agreement is terminated early, the lessee must return the vehicle to GMAC or to any reasonable address GMAC designates and complete an odometer disclosure statement. The lessee will owe an amount equal to the total unpaid monthly payments, less unearned lease charges, plus any unpaid fees and taxes and charges for excess mileage and excess wear and use, to the extent not offset by the excess of the vehicle's sales price over the residual value of the vehicle, all as stated in the lease agreement. Each lease agreement provides that the lessee may obtain from an independent third party a professional appraisal of the vehicle's wholesale value that could be realized at sale. The appraised value will be binding and used as the sales price when determining whether or not there is any surplus. All of the leases are closed-end leases. Under a closed-end lease, at the end of its term, if the lessee does not elect to purchase the vehicle by exercise of the purchase option contained in the lease agreement, the lessee is required to return the vehicle to GMAC or any reasonable address GMAC designates. Upon receipt of a returned vehicle, the dealer will complete an inspection of the vehicle. As with an early termination by the lessee, the lessee must complete an odometer disclosure statement and pay for excess mileage, excessive wear and use and other items that may be due under the lease. The lessee may exercise the purchase option under the lease agreement at the scheduled termination of the lease by paying the purchase price stated in the lease agreement. The purchase price in the lease agreement is equal to or greater than an estimate of the fair market 10 124 wholesale value of the vehicle at the scheduled end of the lease made when the lease was executed. RESIDUAL VALUES GMAC conducts a broad market analysis of different factors that may affect the residual values of the General Motors vehicles that it leases for itself or for COLT, including: - historical lease portfolio performance, including the wholesale value performance of terminating leases, vehicle return rates and gain/loss performance; - current used vehicle market conditions and transaction prices; - future product and price information from General Motors and other manufacturers when available; and - published residual value percentages from the Automotive Lease Guide and from other lessors. The Automotive Lease Guide is an independent publisher of vehicle residual value percentages and is frequently used for comparison purposes by the vehicle leasing industry. GMAC prepares residual value tables based in part on the results of the market analysis described above and distributes them to its branches and franchised dealers quarterly. The table provides residual value percentages for each new vehicle available from General Motors for lease terms of 12 through 60 months in three month increments. If a term and corresponding residual value percentage are not published, the dealer will interpolate the number by averaging the nearest published data above and below the desired term. These residual value tables may also set residuals that are higher than the residual value suggested by the market analysis described above if GMAC or the applicable General Motors manufacturing division considers a higher than market residual appropriate to encourage consumers to lease vehicles. If the General Motors division sets a higher than market residual, it will typically reimburse GMAC for [the difference between the higher residual and a market residual]. If GMAC, as origination agent for COLT, originates a lease that has a residual value that is greater than the residual value for the make and model published by the Automotive Lease Guide at the scheduled lease end date for the lease, then GMAC, as origination agent, will reimburse the termination value insurer for its coverage of any deficiency in proceeds of sale of the leased vehicle. The maximum allowable residual value with respect to a new leased vehicle is calculated by adding the sum of: (1) the product of the appropriate residual value percentage from the most recent quarterly table prepared by GMAC, multiplied by the total of: (a) the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the base vehicle; plus (b) the manufacturer's suggested retail price for manufacturer installed optional equipment; plus (c) the difference between the total manufacturer's suggested retail price of each individual option contained in a value package and the discounted price of the value package; plus (2) an amount equal to the residual value of specified GMAC-approved dealer installed optional equipment based on the Automotive Lease Guide. The sum of (1) and (2) is called the manufacturer's suggested retail price. 11 125 INSURANCE REQUIRED TO BE MAINTAINED BY LESSEES Each lease requires the lessee to maintain automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance that must name VAULT as an additional insured. Each lease further requires the lessee to maintain (all risks) comprehensive and collision insurance covering damage to the leased vehicle and naming VAULT as loss payee. AUTO LEASE CRITERIA GMAC, COLT or other purchasers purchase new and used leases and related vehicles from General Motors dealers under a supplemental dealer agreement. Each lease and related leased vehicle included as collateral for the secured notes must meet the following eligibility criteria: - the leased vehicle is a General Motors automobile or light truck; - the lease has an original scheduled term of 12 to 48 months; - the capitalized cost of the lease ranges from $0 to $200,000; - the lease is not a single payment lease; - the related dealer originated the lease in its ordinary course of business; - the lease provides for level monthly payments; - the lease complies with applicable federal, state and local laws; - the lease represents a binding obligation of the lessee; - the related dealer has good title in and to the lease and the amounts due under it; - the related dealer has good title to the leased vehicle; - the lease is in force and not terminated; - the lessee is not in default under the lease; - the lessee maintains physical damage and liability insurance policies; - the lease and leased vehicle are legally assigned to the purchaser; - the related dealer is located in the United States; - the lease is originated within 30 days of the lease purchase date; and - the related lessee pays all costs relating to taxes, insurance and maintenance for the leased vehicle. An origination agreement with GMAC establishes the criteria that GMAC, as origination agent, uses in identifying lease assets included in the collateral for the secured notes. SERVICING OF MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES GMAC has established operational procedures, which are modified from time to time, for handling lease accounts that become delinquent. As servicer, GMAC handles lease accounts included in the collateral for the secured notes that become delinquent in the same manner as it handles its own lease accounts. GMAC considers a lease to be past due when a lessee fails to pay at least $25 of a scheduled monthly payment within 30 days after the due date. GMAC employs a behavioral scoring method of collection, which statistically analyzes past performance data to predict future payment behavior, which is used as the basis for determining when to begin collection efforts with respect to past due accounts. 12 126 Generally, GMAC makes every commercially reasonable effort to preserve a lease as a performing lease. GMAC has implemented behavioral scoring for the purposes of improving its servicing efforts, including management of individual lease performance and collection results. However, if a delinquency cannot be satisfactorily resolved, the decision to repossess a leased vehicle generally will be made before a payment is more than 40 days past due. Lessees are typically notified of repossession on the day it is repossessed or within two days after repossession, and are informed of any right they may have under applicable state law to redeem their vehicles. In some situations a lessee may become delinquent and is willing but unable to bring the related account current. In this situation, at the discretion of the lease servicer, but subject to specific guidelines, one or more payments under the relevant lease may be deferred, provided that the lessee pays a deferral fee. The deferral fees relating to the leases will be treated as additional servicing compensation. If the lease servicer agrees to defer lease payments, it must make advances on the deferred lease as though the lease payments had not been deferred. Occasionally, a lessee requests an extension of a lease contract for one or more months during the period of time between the original specified maturity of the lease and the time at which the lessee negotiates a new lease with respect to a different vehicle. The lease servicer may extend the performance of the lessee's obligations in accordance with the lease servicer's own procedures on comparable automobile leases that it services for itself or others. If the lease servicer extends performance on the lease, it will be obligated to make advances on the extended lease and leased vehicle as though the lease servicer had not extended the lease. VEHICLE DISPOSITION PROCESS Leased vehicles may be returned to GMAC rather than being purchased by the lessee or a dealer at maturity or upon early termination, or may be repossessed upon default. Concurrently, GMAC disposes of off-lease vehicles primarily through regional automobile auctions. However, GMAC has recently instituted a program in which selected off-lease vehicles are offered at set prices to General Motors dealers, as applicable, through an Internet site. The prices for vehicles offered through the Internet program are set by GMAC to approximate the prices GMAC would expect to receive at auction and may be higher or lower than the residual value of the leased vehicle. The primary objectives of the Internet sales program are to reduce the time between vehicle return and ultimate disposition and to broaden the number of prospective buyers. Off-lease vehicles are returned to a General Motors dealer who is responsible for reporting the return to the relevant GMAC branch and to provide a completed GMAC approved vehicle condition checklist. The GMAC branch arranges for transportation of the vehicle to an auction site. Based upon the vehicle condition checklist prepared by the dealer, the GMAC branch will determine whether to arrange for a third-party inspection of the leased vehicle at the auction site. In addition, GMAC maintains a representative at each auction site who also may order an inspection, if necessary. If an inspection is necessary and the inspection determines that there is excess wear and tear, the lessee is responsible for payment of these charges. GMAC will make repairs and refurbishments to a vehicle only if the refurbishment or repairs are reasonably expected to increase the net proceeds received on disposition. Generally, this practice results in only a limited amount of basic repairs, for example, the replacement of a battery, and refurbishment, typically not more than an ordinary "detailing," being performed. The return of any security deposit to a lessee will be net of any appropriate charges for these costs and for excess mileage charges. However, GMAC does not always require a security deposit under its leases. 13 127 In most cases, vehicles are transported to the auction site within approximately 10 days of GMAC receiving notice that the vehicle has been returned to a dealer, and the disposition of the vehicle at auction typically occurs within approximately four weeks thereafter. However, various circumstances can cause these periods to be longer than the norm. For example, the failure of a dealer to report in a timely manner the return of a vehicle, the bankruptcy of a lessee, a delay in obtaining title documentation or the decision to send a vehicle to a more distant auction site may delay sale of the vehicle beyond the typical time frame. In addition, the GMAC sales representative may decide to delay the sale of a vehicle if the bids received at auction are not sufficient. GMAC disposes of the majority of its off-lease vehicles, not purchased at termination, through official General Motors auctions which are open to General Motors dealers only. Although a GMAC branch will typically send vehicles to the same regional auction site(s), occasionally vehicles are sent to a more distant location if a higher auction price is reasonably expected to be obtained after taking into account any increased transportation costs. Currently, the auctions typically receive a fixed fee per vehicle for their services in addition to the costs of any transportation, repairs and refurbishment performed by them. GMAC estimates that the average expenses associated with auction sales range from $150 to $300 per vehicle. The GMAC sales representative at the auction site, in coordination with GMAC headquarters staff, is responsible for handling GMAC's decisions with respect to the vehicles sold at the auction, including arranging for inspections, authorizing the approved repairs and refurbishment and determining whether bids received at auction should be accepted. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE; EXCESS WEAR AND TEAR AND EXCESS MILEAGE Each lease provides that the lessee is responsible for all maintenance, repair, service and operating expenses of the leased vehicle. In addition, the lessee is responsible under the related lease for all damage to the leased vehicle and for its loss, seizure or theft. At the scheduled maturity date of the lease, if the lessee does not purchase the leased vehicle, the lease requires the lessee to pay GMAC the estimated cost to repair any damage to the vehicle that is deemed to be "excessive wear and use." Excessive wear and use generally includes items such as inoperative mechanical and electrical parts, damage to the body, lights, trim or paint, and missing equipment, parts and accessories, and similar items. Each lease also specifies a selected mileage level per year, which is one of the factors taken into account by GMAC in establishing the residual value for a leased vehicle. If the lessee does not purchase the leased vehicle at the end of the lease term, the lease requires the lessee to pay GMAC an excess mileage charge, ranging from $0.15-$0.20 for each mile the vehicle has been driven in excess of the selected mileage level. WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE SECURITIES The primary source of payment on a pool of secured notes will be the leases and leased vehicles securing that pool. As a result, the weighted average life of the securities issued by any trust will generally be influenced by the rate at which the leases securing that pool terminate, causing a prepayment on the related secured notes. All of the leases are terminable at any time without penalty to the lessee. The rate of early termination of automotive leases is influenced by a variety of economic, social and other factors, including the fact that a lessee generally may not sell or transfer the leased vehicle without the consent of the lease servicer. Early payment in full of a lease will occur upon an early termination of that lease. Although early terminations are primarily caused by the early return or purchase of leased 14 128 vehicles by lessees, early termination may also include liquidation due to a default under the lease. In addition, payments made by the lease servicer as a result of a purchase by the lease servicer of the lease from COLT due to a breach of a representation or warranty of the lease servicer under the lease origination agreement will be treated by the lease servicer as an early termination of the lease. Upon early termination of the underlying lease, the related secured note will be prepaid in full on the next distribution date, regardless of the stated maturity of the secured note. A secured note may also be paid in full prior to maturity as a result of a repurchase by the secured note servicer due to a breach of a representation or warranty under the secured note pooling and servicing agreement or by us due to a breach of a representation or warranty under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. Any reinvestment risk resulting from prepayment of secured notes will be borne entirely by the holders of securities. If there is a partial prepayment on a lease, these amounts will not be applied to prepay the related secured note. Instead, the lease servicer will retain these amounts and apply them to pay principal and interest on the related secured note as these amounts become due and payable until that lease is terminated and the secured note is due and payable in full. All of the leases securing the secured notes have been or will be acquired from dealers using GMAC's underwriting standards. We can make no assurance that the leases securing the secured notes will experience the same rate of early termination or default as GMAC's historical early termination or loss experience with respect to leases in its serviced portfolio. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the lease servicer will make an advance or, if made, that the advance will be sufficient to pay in full any series of notes or class of certificates on the final scheduled distribution date for that series or class. If the lease servicer does not make an advance, the secured note servicer is required to make an advance. The termination value insurer may also be required to make advances if not made by the lease servicer, to the extent described in the prospectus supplement. However, there can be no assurance that either of these advances will be made or, if made, will be sufficient to pay in full any series of notes or class of certificates on the targeted maturity date for that series or class. Therefore, any series or class of securities issued by a trust may mature significantly later than its targeted maturity date. USE OF PROCEEDS We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to purchase secured notes from GMAC unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement. THE NOTES GENERAL With respect to each trust, one or more classes of notes will be issued under the terms of an indenture, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the notes and the related indenture. Where particular provisions or terms used in the indenture are referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. 15 129 Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each class of notes issued by a trust will initially be represented by one or more notes, in each case registered in the name of the nominee of DTC, in the United States, or Cedelbank or Euroclear, in Europe, except as set forth below. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, notes will be available for purchase in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples in book-entry form only. We have been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede. Accordingly, Cede is expected to be the holder of record of the notes. Unless and until definitive notes are issued under the limited circumstances described in this prospectus or in the related prospectus supplement, no noteholder will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing a note. All references in this prospectus to actions by noteholders refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participating organizations. All references in this prospectus to distributions, notices, reports and statements to noteholders refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede, as the registered holder of the notes, as the case may be, for distribution to noteholders in accordance with DTC's procedures with respect thereto. See "Information Regarding the Securities--Book-Entry Registration" and "--Definitive Securities" in this prospectus. PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE NOTES The timing and priority of payment, seniority, allocations of loss, interest rate and amount of or method of determining payments of principal and interest on the notes will be described in the related prospectus supplement. The right of holders of any class of notes to receive payments of principal and interest may be senior or subordinate to the rights of holders of any other class or classes of notes in the series, as described in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, payments of interest on the notes will be made prior to payments of principal on them. A series may include one or more classes of notes called strip notes, entitled to (1) principal payments with disproportionate, nominal or no interest payments or (2) interest payments with disproportionate, nominal or no principal payments. Each class of notes may have a different interest rate, which may be a fixed, variable or adjustable interest rate (and which may be zero for certain classes of strip notes), or any combination of the foregoing. The related prospectus supplement will specify the interest rate for each class of notes, or the initial interest rate and the method for determining the subsequent interest rate. One or more classes of notes of a series may be redeemable under the circumstances specified in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, payments on notes of all classes within a series of notes in respect of interest will have the same priority. Under certain circumstances, the amount available for those payments could be less than the amount of interest payable on the notes on any of the dates specified for payments on any class of notes in the related prospectus supplement. In that case, each affected class of noteholders will receive their ratable share, based upon the aggregate amount of interest due to that class of noteholders, of the aggregate amount available to be distributed in respect of interest on the notes. See "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" and "--Credit Enhancement" in this prospectus. In the case of a series of notes which includes two or more classes of notes, the sequential order and priority of payment in respect of principal and interest, and any schedule or formula or other provisions applicable to the determination of principal and interest, of each class will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, payments in respect of principal and interest of any class of notes will be made on a pro rata basis among all of the notes of that class. Notes legally and/or beneficially owned by us or our affiliates will be entitled to equal and proportionate benefits 16 130 under the related indenture, except that those notes that are both legally and beneficially owned by us or our affiliates will be deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of determining whether the requisite percentage of noteholders have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the related documents. If more than one class of notes in a series is issued and the rights of the classes are different with respect to voting on any matters, including giving any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the related documents, those rights will be described in the related prospectus supplement. THE INDENTURE A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will provide a copy of the applicable indenture (without exhibits) upon request to a holder of notes issued under that indenture. Modification of Indenture Without Noteholder Consent. Each trust and related indenture trustee (on behalf of that trust) may, without consent of the related noteholders, enter into one or more supplemental indentures for any of the following purposes: - to correct or amplify the description of the collateral or add additional collateral; - to provide for the assumption of the notes and the indenture obligations by a permitted successor to the trust; - to add additional covenants for the benefit of the related noteholders; - to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the indenture trustee; - to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture that may be inconsistent with any other provision of the indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any other related document; - to provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor indenture trustee or to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as will be necessary and permitted to facilitate the administration by more than one indenture trustee; - to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture in order to comply with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and - to add any provisions to, change in any manner, or eliminate any of the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of noteholders under that indenture; provided that any action specified in this clause will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any related noteholder unless noteholder consent is otherwise obtained as described below. Modification of Indenture With Noteholder Consent. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes affected, the trust and the indenture trustee may execute a supplemental indenture to add provisions to, change in any manner or eliminate any provisions of, the related indenture, or modify in any manner the rights of the related noteholders. The supplemental indenture may not be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding related note affected to: - change the due date of any installment of principal of or interest on any note or reduce the principal amount, the interest rate specified or the redemption price with respect to any note or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any note or any interest is payable or modify any of the provisions of the indenture in a 17 131 manner as to affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal due on any note on any payment date; - impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of certain provisions of the indenture regarding payment; - reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes the consent of the holders of which is required for any supplemental indenture to become effective or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or of certain defaults under it and their consequences as provided for in the indenture; - modify any of the provisions of the indenture regarding the voting of notes held by us, the related trust, any other obligor on the notes, or any affiliate of any of them; - reduce the percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the notes the consent of the holders of which is required to direct the indenture trustee to sell or liquidate the assets of the related trust if the proceeds of the sale would be insufficient to pay the principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest on the outstanding notes; - decrease the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the notes required to amend the sections of the indenture which specify the applicable percentage of aggregate principal amount of the notes necessary to amend the indenture; or - permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of the indenture with respect to any part of the assets of the trust or, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated in the indenture, terminate the lien of the indenture on any such collateral or deprive the holder of any note of the security afforded by the lien of the indenture. Events of Default; Rights Upon Event of Default. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each of the following will be an event of default under the indenture: - except as provided in the next item below, any failure to pay interest on the related notes as and when the same becomes due and payable, which failure continues unremedied for five days; - any failure (1) to make any required payment of principal on the related notes or (2) to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenants or agreements in the indenture, which failure in the case of a default under the immediately preceding clause materially and adversely affects the rights of related noteholders, and which failure in either case continues for 30 days after the giving of written notice of that failure (x) to the trust, to us or the servicer, as applicable, by the indenture trustee or (y) to us or the servicer, as applicable, and the indenture trustee by the holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the related notes; - failure to pay the unpaid principal balance of any related class of notes on or prior to the final scheduled payment date for that class; and - certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership with respect to the trust indicating its insolvency, reorganization under bankruptcy proceedings or inability to pay its obligations. However, the amount of principal required to be paid to noteholders under the related indenture will generally be limited to amounts available to be deposited therefor in the note distribution account. Therefore, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the failure to pay principal on a class of notes generally will not result in the 18 132 occurrence of an event of default unless that class of notes has a final scheduled payment date, and then not until the final scheduled payment date for that class of notes. If an event of default should occur and be continuing with respect to the notes of any series, the related indenture trustee or holders of a majority in principal amount of those notes then outstanding may declare the principal of those notes to be immediately due and payable. That declaration may, under certain circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of a majority in principal amount of those notes then outstanding. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, if the notes of any series are declared due and payable on account of an event of default, the related indenture trustee may institute proceedings to: - collect amounts due or foreclose on trust property; - exercise remedies as a secured party; - sell the assets of the related trust; or - select to have the trust maintain possession of the assets of the trust and continue to apply collections on the related secured notes as if there had been no declaration of acceleration. The indenture trustee, however, is prohibited from selling the related secured notes following an event of default, unless: - the holders of all the outstanding related notes consent to the sale; - the proceeds of the sale are sufficient to pay in full the principal of and the accrued interest on the outstanding related securities at the date of the sale; or - there has been a default in the payment of interest or principal on the related notes, the indenture trustee determines that the secured notes will not continue to provide sufficient funds on an ongoing basis to make all payments on the related notes as these payments would have become due if these obligations had not been declared due and payable, and the indenture trustee obtains the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding amount of the related notes. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, following a declaration upon an event of default that the notes are immediately due and payable, (1) noteholders will be entitled to ratable repayment of principal on the basis of their respective unpaid principal balances and (2) if that event of default resulted from a payment default, repayment in full of the accrued interest on and unpaid principal balances of the notes will be made prior to any further distribution of interest on the related certificates or in respect of the certificate balance. Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the indenture trustee, if an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to a related series of notes, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of those notes, if the indenture trustee reasonably believes it will not be adequately indemnified against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with that request. Subject to the provisions for indemnification and certain limitations contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of a trust, voting together as a single class, will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee, and the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of those notes then outstanding, voting together as a single class, may, in certain cases, waive any default with respect thereto, except a default in the payment 19 133 of principal or interest or a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent of all of the holders of those outstanding notes. No holder of a note of any series will have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the related indenture, unless: - that holder previously has given to the indenture trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; - the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of the series, voting together as a single class, have made written request of the indenture trustee to institute a proceeding in its own name as indenture trustee; - those holder or holders have offered the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity; - the indenture trustee has for 60 days failed to institute a proceeding; and - no direction inconsistent with that written request has been given to the indenture trustee during the 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of those outstanding notes. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any trust and if it is known to the indenture trustee, the indenture trustee will mail to each noteholder of that trust notice of the event of default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a failure to make any required payment of principal of or interest on any note, the indenture trustee may withhold the notice beyond that 90-day period if and so long as it determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the interests of noteholders. In addition, each indenture trustee and the related noteholders, by accepting the related notes, will covenant that they will not, for a period of one year and one day after the termination of the related trust agreement, institute against the related trust or us, any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. Neither the indenture trustee nor the owner trustee in their individual capacities, nor any holder of a certificate including, without limitation, us, nor any of their or our respective owners, beneficiaries, agents, officers, directors, employees, affiliates, or any successors or assigns of the indenture trustee or the owner trustee will, in the absence of an express agreement to the contrary, be personally liable for the payment of the principal of or interest on the related notes or for the agreements of the related trust contained in the indenture. Certain Covenants. Each indenture provides that the related trust may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity, unless: - the entity formed by or surviving the consolidation or merger is organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; - the entity expressly assumes the trust's obligation to make due and punctual payments on the notes and the performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of the trust under the indenture; - no event of default has occurred and is continuing immediately after the merger or consolidation; - the trust has been advised that the rating of the related notes or certificates then in effect would not be reduced or withdrawn by the rating agencies rating the notes or certificates as a result of the merger or consolidation; - any action necessary to maintain the lien and security interest created by the related indenture has been taken; and 20 134 - the trust has received an opinion of counsel to the effect that the consolidation or merger would have no material adverse tax consequence to the trust or to any related noteholder or certificateholder. No trust will, except as expressly permitted by the related indenture, the transfer and servicing agreements or related documents for that trust: - sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the trust; - claim any credit on or make any deduction from the principal and interest payable in respect of the related notes (other than amounts withheld under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state law) or assert any claim against any present or former holder of the notes because of the payment of taxes levied or assessed upon the trust; - dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part; - permit the validity or effectiveness of the related indenture to be impaired or permit any person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to the related notes under the indenture except as may be expressly permitted by the indenture; or - permit any lien, charge, excise, claim, security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden the assets of the trust or any part of it, or any interest or proceeds of it. Except as specified in the related prospectus supplement, a trust may not engage in any activity other than as specified under "The Trusts" above. No trust will incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness other than indebtedness incurred under the related notes and indenture or otherwise in accordance with the related documents for that trust. Annual Compliance Statement. Each trust will be required to file annually with the related indenture trustee a written statement as to the fulfillment of its obligations under the indenture. Indenture Trustee's Annual Report. The indenture trustee will be required to mail each year to all related noteholders, to the extent required under the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report relating to its eligibility and qualification to continue as indenture trustee under the related indenture, any amounts advanced by it under the indenture, the amount, interest rate and maturity date of certain indebtedness owing by the trust to the indenture trustee in its individual capacity, the property and funds physically held by the indenture trustee as such and any action taken by it that materially affects the notes and that has not been previously reported. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The indenture will be discharged with respect to the related notes upon the delivery to the related indenture trustee for cancellation of all those notes or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with the indenture trustee of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of those notes. The indenture trustee will continue to act as indenture trustee under the indenture and the related trust sale and servicing agreement for the benefit of the related certificateholders until that time as all payments in respect of certificate balance and interest due to the certificateholders have been paid in full. THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE The indenture trustee for a series of notes will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. The indenture trustee may give notice of its intent to resign at any time, in which event the trust will be obligated to appoint a successor indenture trustee. The trust may also remove the indenture trustee if the indenture trustee ceases to be eligible to continue under the indenture or if the indenture trustee becomes insolvent or otherwise becomes incapable of acting. In those circumstances, the trust will be obligated to appoint a successor indenture 21 135 trustee. The holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes also have the right to remove the indenture trustee and appoint a successor. Any resignation or removal of the indenture trustee and appointment of a successor indenture trustee does not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor indenture trustee. THE CERTIFICATES GENERAL With respect to each trust, one or more classes of certificates may be issued under the terms of a trust agreement, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The certificates issued by each trust may be offered by this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement or may be sold in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or retained by us or our affiliates. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the certificates and the related trust agreement. Where particular provisions or terms used in the trust agreement are referred to, the actual provisions, including definitions of terms, are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. Each class of certificates to be sold by the certificate underwriters will initially be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of DTC, except as set forth below. We have been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede. Accordingly, Cede is expected to be the holder of record of any offered certificates that are not retained by us. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, any certificates offered under any prospectus supplement will be available for purchase in minimum denominations of $25,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of that amount in book-entry form only and resales or other transfers of the certificates will not be permitted in amounts of less than $25,000. Unless and until definitive certificates are issued under the limited circumstances described in this prospectus or in the related prospectus supplement, no certificateholder, other than us, will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing a certificate. In that case, all references in this prospectus to actions by certificateholders refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from the participants and all references in this prospectus to distributions, notices, reports and statements to certificateholders refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede, as the registered holder of the certificates, as the case may be, for distribution to certificateholders in accordance with DTC's procedures. Certificates owned by us or our affiliates will be entitled to equal and proportionate benefits under the trust agreement, except that, unless all those certificates are owned by us and our affiliates, those certificates will be deemed not to be outstanding for purposes of determining whether the requisite percentage of certificateholders have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other action under the related agreements, other than commencement by the trust of a voluntary proceeding in bankruptcy as described in "The Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Insolvency Events." Under the trust agreement, the trust (and the owner trustee on its behalf) and the related certificateholders, by accepting the related certificates, will covenant that they will not, for a period of one year and one day after the termination of the trust agreement, institute against us any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST AND CERTIFICATE BALANCE The timing and priority of distributions, seniority, allocations of loss, pass-through rate and amount or method of determining distributions with respect to certificate balance and 22 136 interest (or, where applicable, with respect to certificate balance only or interest only) on the certificates of any series will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions of interest on the certificates will be made on the dates specified in the related prospectus supplement, each called a distribution date, and will be made prior to distributions with respect to certificate balance. A series may include one or more classes of certificates called strip certificates entitled to (1) distributions in respect of certificate balance with disproportionate, nominal or no interest distributions, or (2) interest distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no distributions in respect of certificate balance. Each class of certificates may have a different pass through rate, which may be a fixed, variable or adjustable pass-through rate (and which may be zero for certain classes of strip certificates), or any combination of the foregoing. The related prospectus supplement will specify the pass through rate for each class of certificates, or the initial pass through rate and the method for determining the pass through rate. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, interest on the certificates will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Distributions in respect of the certificates will be subordinate to payments in respect of the notes as more fully described in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions in respect of certificate balance of any class of certificates will be made on a pro rata basis among all of the certificateholders of that class. In the case of a series of certificates which includes two or more classes of certificates, the timing, sequential order, priority of payment or amount of distributions in respect of principal, and any schedule or formula or other provisions applicable to the determination of that principal, of each class will be as set forth in the related prospectus supplement. INFORMATION REGARDING THE SECURITIES BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each class of securities offered by this prospectus will be represented by one or more certificates registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of the Depository Trust Company. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, securityholders may hold beneficial interests in securities through the DTC, in the United States, or Cedelbank or the Euroclear System, in Europe or Asia, directly if they are participants of those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. No securityholder will be entitled to receive a certificate representing that person's interest in the securities, except as set forth below. Unless and until securities of a class are issued in fully registered certificated form, known as definitive securities, under the limited circumstances described below, all references in this prospectus to actions by noteholders, certificateholders or securityholders will refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from DTC participants, and all references in this prospectus to distributions, notices, reports and statements to noteholders, certificateholders or securityholders will refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements to Cede, as the registered holder of the securities, for distribution to securityholders in accordance with DTC procedures. As such, it is anticipated that the only noteholder, certificateholder or securityholder will be Cede, as nominee of DTC. Securityholders will not be recognized by the related trustee as noteholders, certificateholders or securityholders as those terms will be used in the relevant agreements, and securityholders will only be permitted to exercise the rights of holders of securities of the related class indirectly through DTC and DTC participants, as further described below. The Depository Trust Company is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a "banking organization" within the meanings of New York 23 137 Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating members and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between DTC participants through electronic book-entries, eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations which may include underwriters, agents or dealers with respect to securities of any class or series. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly known as indirect participants. A securityholder, as used in this prospectus, will mean a holder of a beneficial interest in a book-entry security. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, securityholders that are not DTC participants or indirect participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other interests in, securities may do so only through DTC participants and indirect participants. Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect participants and certain banks, the ability of securityholders to pledge securities to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or to otherwise act with respect to those securityholders may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate for the securities. The information in the section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but for which we assume no responsibility for the accuracy. DTC participants will receive a credit for the securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each securityholder will in turn be recorded on respective records of the DTC participants and indirect participants. Securityholders will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but securityholders are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the DTC participant or indirect participant through which the securityholder entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities of any class will be accomplished by entries made on the books of DTC participants acting on behalf of securityholders. To facilitate subsequent transfers, all securities deposited by DTC participants with DTC will be registered in the name of Cede, a nominee of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC will have no knowledge of the actual securityholders and its records will reflect only the identity of the DTC participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the securityholders. DTC participants and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers. While the securities of a series are held in book-entry form, securityholders will not have access to the list of securityholders of that series, which may impede the ability of securityholders to communicate with each other. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to DTC participants, by DTC participants to indirect participants and by DTC participants and indirect participants to securityholders will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and its operations, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers among DTC participants on whose 24 138 behalf it acts with respect to the securities and is required to receive and transmit payments of principal of and interest on the securities. DTC participants and indirect participants with which securityholders have accounts with respect to the securities similarly are required to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit the payments on behalf of their respective securityholders. DTC's practice is to credit DTC participants' accounts on each distribution date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on its records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that distribution date. Payments by DTC participants and indirect participants to securityholders will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of that DTC participant and not of DTC, the related indenture trustee or owner trustee, or any paying agent appointed by them, and our responsibility or that of the servicer, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal of and interest on each class of securities to DTC will be the responsibility of the related indenture trustee or trustee, or any paying agent, disbursement of those payments to DTC participants will be the responsibility of DTC and disbursement of payments to the related securityholders will be the responsibility of DTC participants and indirect participants of DTC. As a result, under the book-entry format, securityholders may experience some delay in their receipt of payments. DTC will forward those payments to its DTC participants which thereafter will forward them to indirect participants or securityholders. DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a securityholder only at the direction of one or more DTC participants to whose account with DTC the securities are credited. Additionally, DTC has advised us that it will take such actions with respect to specified percentages of the securityholders' interest only at the direction of and on behalf of DTC participants whose holdings include undivided interests that satisfy such specified percentages. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that actions are taken on behalf of DTC participants whose holdings include those undivided interests. Neither DTC nor Cede will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an "Omnibus Proxy" to the related indenture trustee or trustee as soon as possible after any applicable record date for the consent or vote. The Omnibus Proxy will assign Cede's consenting or voting rights to those DTC participants to whose accounts the related securities are credited on that record date. The record date will be identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy. In addition to holding notes through DTC participants or indirect participants of DTC in the United States as described above, holders of book-entry notes may hold their notes through Cedelbank or Euroclear in Europe if they are participants of those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in them. Cedelbank and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Cedelbank's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositaries which in turn will hold those positions in customers' securities accounts in the depositaries' names on the books of DTC. Transfers between Cedelbank participants and Euroclear participants will occur in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Cedelbank participants or Euroclear participants, on the other hand, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European 25 139 international clearing systems by its depositary. Cross- market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in that system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Cedelbank participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries. Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Those credits or any transactions in those securities settled during processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Cedelbank participants on that business day. Cash received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a result of sales of securities by or through a Cedelbank participant or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Cedelbank or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC. For information with respect to tax documentation procedures, see "Federal Income Tax Considerations--The Notes--Tax Consequences to Foreign Noteholders" in this prospectus. Cedelbank is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depository. Cedelbank holds securities for its participating organizations known as Cedelbank participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Cedelbank participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Cedelbank participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Transactions may be settled in Cedelbank in any of 28 currencies, including United States dollars. Cedelbank provides to Cedelbank participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Cedelbank interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depository, Cedelbank is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Cedelbank participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Cedelbank is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Cedelbank participant, either directly or indirectly. Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between those Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 29 currencies, including United States dollars. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC described above. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation, the Cooperative. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), 26 140 securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly. The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission. Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and the applicable Belgian law, referred to collectively as the "Terms and Conditions." The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash with Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants. Distributions with respect to notes held through Cedelbank or Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Cedelbank participants or Euroclear participants in accordance with the relevant system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositary. These distributions will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant United States tax laws and regulations. Cedelbank or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to be taken by a noteholder under the indenture or other related document on behalf of a Cedelbank participant or Euroclear participant only in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures and subject to its depositary's ability to effect such actions on its behalf through DTC. Although DTC, Cedelbank and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of DTC, Cedelbank and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures and they may be discontinued at any time. Except as required by law, neither the trust, us, the servicer, the administrator, the owner trustee nor the indenture trustee will have any liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the notes or the certificates of any series held by Cede, as nominee for DTC, by Cedelbank or by Euroclear in Europe, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests. DEFINITIVE SECURITIES Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, any notes and certificates originally issued in book-entry form will be issued in fully registered, certificated form definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be, and, collectively, the definitive securities, to noteholders, certificateholders or their respective nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if: - the related administrator advises the appropriate trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as depository with respect to those securities and the trust is unable to locate a qualified successor; 27 141 - the administrator or trustee or us, at its or our option, elects to terminate the book-entry system through DTC; or - after the occurrence of an event of default or a servicer default, holders representing at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of those securities advise the appropriate trustee through DTC in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the best interest of the holders of those securities. Upon the occurrence of any event described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the appropriate trustee will be required to notify DTC of the availability of definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be. DTC will notify all the note owners or certificate owners, as applicable, of the availability of definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be. Upon surrender by DTC of the definitive securities representing the securities and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the appropriate trustee will reissue these securities as definitive notes or definitive certificates, as the case may be, to the holders. Distributions of principal of, and interest on, the definitive securities will be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the related indenture or related trust agreement, as applicable, directly to holders of definitive securities in whose names the definitive securities were registered at the close of business on the last day of the preceding monthly period. Those distributions will be made by check mailed to the address of the holder as it appears on the register maintained by the indenture trustee or owner trustee, as applicable. The final payment on any definitive security, however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the definitive security at the office or agency specified in the notice of final distribution to the holders of that class. Definitive securities will be transferable and exchangeable at the offices of the appropriate trustee or of a registrar named in a notice delivered to holders of definitive securities. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the appropriate trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith. REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS With respect to each trust, on or prior to each payment date, the servicer will prepare and provide to the indenture trustee a statement to be delivered to the related noteholders on that payment date and on or prior to each distribution date, the servicer will prepare and provide to the owner trustee a statement to be delivered to the related certificateholders. Each statement to be delivered to noteholders will include the information set forth below as to the notes with respect to the payment date or the period since the previous payment date on those notes, as applicable. Each statement to be delivered to certificateholders will include the information set forth below as to the certificates with respect to that distribution date or the period since the previous distribution date, as applicable: - the amount of the distribution allocable to principal of each class of the notes and to the certificate balance of each class of certificates; - the amount of the distribution allocable to interest on or with respect to each class of securities; - the aggregate secured note value as of the close of business on the preceding distribution date and as of the current distribution date, and the principal distributable amount for that distribution date; 28 142 - the aggregate outstanding principal balance and the note pool factor for each class of notes, and the certificate balance and the certificate pool factor for each class of certificates, each after giving effect to all principal payments on that date; - the amount of outstanding secured note servicer advances on that date; - the amount of the total servicing fee paid to the secured note servicer for the prior month or months, as the case may be; - the interest rate or pass-through rate for the next period for any class of notes or certificates with variable or adjustable rates; - the amount, if any, distributed to noteholders and certificateholders from amounts on deposit in the reserve account or from other forms of credit enhancement; - the balance of the reserve account, if any, on that date, after giving effect to changes to it on that date; - the aggregate stipulated market value of the lease assets securing the secured notes; the auction turn-in rate and the residual realization ratio for the leases held by [COLT]; and - the percentage coverage then being applied to each lease asset to determine the amount of available termination value insurance, the base amount of termination value insurance and the maximum amount of termination value insurance then available for all the lease assets held by COLT and the percentage of all the lease assets represented by the lease assets securing the secured notes. Each amount under the first, second, seventh, ninth and tenth item listed above with respect to notes or certificates will be expressed as a dollar amount per $1,000 of the initial principal balance of the notes or the initial certificate balance, as applicable. Within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the end of each calendar year during the term of the trust, the related trustees will mail to each holder of a class of securities who at any time during that calendar year has been a securityholder, and received any payment on the securities, a statement containing certain information for the purposes of that securityholder's preparation of federal income tax returns. As long as the holder of record of the securities is Cede, as nominee of DTC, beneficial owners of the securities will receive tax and other information from participants and indirect DTC participants rather than from the trustees. THE TRANSFER AND SERVICING AGREEMENTS Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the following summary describes certain terms of: (1) the secured note pooling and servicing agreement under which we will purchase secured notes from GMAC and the servicer for the secured notes will agree to service the secured notes; (2) the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement under which a trust will acquire the secured notes from us and agree to the servicing of those secured notes by the secured note servicer; (3) the trust agreement under which the trust will be created and certificates of the trust will be issued; and (4) the administration agreement under which GMAC will undertake administrative duties with respect to the trust. 29 143 These agreements are referred to as the transfer and servicing agreements. Forms of the transfer and servicing agreements have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will provide a copy of the transfer and servicing agreements, without exhibits, to holders of securities upon written request to: General Motors Acceptance Corporation, 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the transfer and servicing agreements. Where particular provisions or terms used in the transfer and servicing agreements are referred to, the actual provisions, including definitions of terms, are incorporated by reference as part of this summary. SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURED NOTES On the closing date specified in the related prospectus supplement, GMAC will sell and assign to us, without recourse, its entire interest in a pool of secured notes, including its security interests in the related leases and leased vehicles, under a secured note pooling and servicing agreement. On the closing date, we will transfer and assign to the applicable trust, without recourse, our entire interest in the related secured notes, including our security interests in the related leases and leased vehicles, under a secured note trust sale and servicing agreement between us, the secured note servicer and the trust. Each secured note in a trust will be identified in a schedule that will be on file at the locations set forth in an exhibit to the related secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. The trust will, concurrently with the transfer and assignment, execute and deliver the related notes and certificates to us in exchange for the secured notes. Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement, we will sell the related securities offered by this prospectus which may or may not include all securities of a series, to the underwriters named in the related prospectus supplement. In each secured note pooling and servicing agreement, GMAC will represent and warrant to us, among other things, that: - each secured note was originated to fund a portion of the purchase price of the related lease; has or will create a valid, binding and enforceable first priority security interest in favor of GMAC in the related lease which is assignable by GMAC to us; contains customary and enforceable provisions so as to render the rights and remedies of the holder of the secured note adequate for realization against the collateral of the benefits of the security; and will yield interest at the rate established in the secured note; - each related lease represents the genuine, legal, valid and binding payment obligation in writing of the related lessee, enforceable by the holder in accordance with terms of the lease, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general and by equity, regardless of whether the enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; - no related lease has been satisfied, subordinated, canceled, terminated or rescinded; - there has been no default, breach, violation or event permitting a lessor to terminate under the terms of any related lease, and no event has occurred and is continuing that with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a default, breach, violation or event permitting the lessor to terminate under the terms of any lease, and none of the dealer, the origination agent or GMAC, as servicer, has waived any of these rights; - each related lessee is required to maintain physical damage and liability insurance policies of the type that the origination agent requires in accordance with its customary underwriting standards for the purchase of automotive leases; 30 144 - no related lease was originated in, or is subject to the laws of, any jurisdiction the laws of which would make the sale, transfer and assignment of that lease unlawful; - each related lease is underwritten in substantial conformance with underwriting guidelines applied to similar leases originated by the origination agent for its own account and on behalf of the issuer of the secured notes; - the dealer selling each related lease is located in the United States and each related lessee has a billing address located in the United States; - each related lease is a triple net lease that requires the related lessee, or another person other than the owner of the related leased vehicle to pay all costs relating to taxes, insurance and maintenance with respect to the related leased vehicle; - each leased vehicle which secures a secured note is a new automobile or light truck manufactured by or for General Motors, or is a used automobile or light truck manufactured by or for General Motors, provided that the number of used vehicles as of any date of determination is no greater than 10% of the number of all vehicles securing secured notes; - no right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or defense has been asserted or threatened with respect to any related lease; - there are, to the best of GMAC's knowledge, no liens or claims which have been filed for work, labor or materials affecting any related leased vehicle; - all UCC and other filings and/or actions necessary in any jurisdiction to give us and GMAC a first priority perfected ownership or security interest, as the case may be, in the secured notes and in the leases and leased vehicles have been made; - there is only one original executed copy of each related lease; - the lowest lease rate of any related lease is 0%; and - each related lease has a monthly payment that is due in the calendar month following the calendar month in which it was purchased from the dealer. In the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, we will assign these representations and warranties to the trust. We will also represent and warrant to the trust that we have taken no action that would cause GMAC's representations and warranties to be false in any material respect. If any of the above representations and warranties with respect to any secured note or related lease or leased vehicle that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related securityholders are breached, we will repurchase, or will enforce the obligation of GMAC under the secured note pooling and servicing agreement to repurchase, the secured note from the noteholder as of the last day of the second collection period following the discovery of the breach unless we or GMAC cure the breach in all material respects. The repurchase will be the sole remedy for any breach. If this occurs, we will pay an amount equal to the remaining unpaid principal balance of the secured note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on the secured note to the date of payment. In each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, the secured note servicer will covenant that: - it will not impair the rights of the noteholders; and - it will not create or permit to exist any lien on any secured note that arises from any act of the secured note servicer or with respect to which the servicer has any payment liability. 31 145 As of the last day of the second, or, if the secured note servicer so elects, the first, month after discovery by the secured note servicer, the owner trustee or the indenture trustee of a breach of any of the covenants set forth above that materially and adversely affects any secured note, unless the breach is cured in all material respects, the secured note servicer will, for each affected secured note, pay an amount equal to the remaining unpaid principal balance of the secured note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on the secured note to the date of payment, plus, as of the payment date, all unpaid out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the collection of amounts due under the secured note. This repurchase obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to the trust, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders for any uncured breach. In the lease origination agreement, GMAC, as origination agent for COLT, makes representations and warranties as to the leases and leased vehicles acquired by COLT. As of the second payment date following the discovery of any breach of these representations and warranties that materially and adversely affects the interests of the COLT certificateholders or noteholders, GMAC as origination agent will purchase the lease and leased vehicle from COLT unless GMAC cures the breach. This purchase will be the sole remedy available against the origination agent for any breach. GMAC will pay an amount to purchase the lease and leased vehicle equal to the total claim for that lease asset net of any outstanding amounts advanced by the lease servicer. The total claim on a lease asset equals the sum of: - the stipulated market value of the lease asset; - the unpaid amount of any monthly payment that is due and payable; - all outstanding advances by the lease servicer on the lease asset; - to the extent not included above, any accrued and unpaid (1) interest on the related secured note, (2) lease servicing fees, (3) termination value fees, (4) the fixed rate swap payment to the swap provider for COLT and (5) basic origination fees; and - all unpaid out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred to collect amounts due under the lease or to sell the related leased vehicle. The total claim on a lease asset advanced by GMAC as origination agent must defray all the costs and expenses related to the lease asset, including fees of the lease servicer, the termination value insurer and the origination agent as well as principal and interest on the COLT certificates and the related secured note. In the lease servicing agreement, the lease servicer has made the following covenants, among others: - it will not release the interest of VAULT in any leased vehicle; - it will not impair the rights of the COLT certificateholders or noteholders; and - it may, in accordance with its normal procedures with respect to comparable automotive leases that it services for itself or others, accept amended performance of the lessee's obligations under the lease, provided that the lease servicer makes advances on that lease and leased vehicle as though it had not been modified. As of the second payment date following discovery of a breach of any of these covenants, the lease servicer will purchase from COLT any lease and leased vehicle materially and adversely affected by a breach, unless the lease servicer cures the breach in all material respects. The lease servicer's repurchase will be the sole remedy for any breach. The lease servicer will pay an amount for the repurchase of the lease and leased vehicle equal to the total claim for that lease asset as described above. Under the lease trust sale and servicing 32 146 agreement, these payments of the total claim on lease assets will, in part, provide collections on the secured notes. Under each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, GMAC will act as custodian to maintain custody and control, as the trust's agent, of the related secured notes while in electronic form, and any other documents relating to the secured notes. The secured notes are intended to be issued in electronic form. However, if the secured notes are issued in definitive form, COLT will agree that COLT will follow the instructions of the indenture trustee as to the secured notes and will deliver possession of any and all secured notes in definitive form to the indenture trustee (or to a custodian as the indenture trustee directs). Uniform Commercial Code financing statements reflecting the sale and assignment of the secured notes to the trust and the pledge of the secured notes by the trust to the indenture trustee will be filed, and the servicer's accounting records and computer files will reflect that sale and assignment. ADDITIONAL SALES OF SECURED NOTES In addition to secured notes that we buy from GMAC on a closing date as described above, we may also buy secured notes from GMAC to transfer to a trust on one or more later dates for that trust under a separate purchase agreement. We would buy those receivables on substantially the same terms as under the pooling and servicing agreement for the initial closing. We would then sell secured notes that we have bought from GMAC to a trustee, for the benefit of one of the trusts, pursuant to a sale and servicing agreement. On the initial closing date, the trust will apply the net proceeds received from the sale of its notes and certificates to pay us for the related secured notes being sold, and, to the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement, to make a deposit in a pre-funding account and initial deposits in other trust accounts. If there is a pre-funding account, then we will buy additional secured notes from GMAC, and sell them to the trust from time to time during a pre-funding period, as described further in the related prospectus supplement. If we receive a tax opinion confirming the tax status of the trust, we may also sell additional secured notes to a trust at a later closing date and, concurrently, with this sale, execute and deliver additional notes and certificates of the trust to fund the purchase of the additional secured notes. ACCOUNTS With respect to each trust, the secured note servicer will establish and maintain the following accounts: - a collection account or accounts, in the name of the indenture trustee on behalf of the related noteholders and the certificateholders, into which all payments made on or with respect to the related secured notes will be deposited; - a note distribution account, in the name of the indenture trustee on behalf of the related noteholders, in which amounts released from the collection account and any reserve account or other credit enhancement for payment to the noteholders will be deposited and from which all distributions to the noteholders will be made; and - a certificate distribution account, in the name of the owner trustee on behalf of the related certificateholders, in which amounts released from the collection account and any reserve account or other credit enhancement for distribution to the certificateholders will be deposited and from which all distributions to those certificateholders will be made. For any series of securities, funds in the collection account, the note distribution account and any reserve account and other accounts designated as such in the related prospectus supplement will be invested as provided in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement 33 147 in eligible investments. Eligible investments are generally limited to investments acceptable to the rating agencies then rating the related notes and certificates. Except as described below or in the related prospectus supplement, eligible investments are limited to obligations or securities that mature no later than the business day preceding the next distribution date or, in the case of the note distribution account, the next payment date for the notes. To the extent permitted by the rating agencies then rating the notes and certificates, funds in any reserve account may be invested in related notes that will not mature prior to the next payment date with respect to the notes. Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, these notes will not be sold to meet any shortfalls unless they are sold at a price equal to or greater than their unpaid principal balance if, following the sale, the amount on deposit in the reserve account would be less than the required reserve account balance. Thus, the amount of cash in any reserve account at any time may be less than the required balance of the reserve account. If the amount required to be withdrawn from any reserve account to cover shortfalls in collections on the secured notes (as provided in the related prospectus supplement) exceeds the amount of cash in the reserve account, a temporary shortfall in the amounts distributed to the noteholders or certificateholders could result, which could, in turn, increase the average life of the notes or the certificates. Except as otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, investment earnings on funds deposited in the trust accounts, net of losses and investment expenses, will be payable to the secured note servicer. Each of the trust accounts must be either: - a segregated account with an eligible institution; or - a segregated trust account with the corporate trust department of a depository institution organized under the laws of the United States of America or any one of the states or the District of Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank), having corporate trust powers and acting as trustee for funds deposited in that account, so long as any of the securities of the depository institution have a credit rating from each rating agency then rating that institution in one of its generic rating categories which signifies investment grade. Eligible institution means, with respect to a trust: - the corporate trust department of the related indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable, or - a depository institution organized under the laws of the United States of America or any one of the states or the District of Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank), (1) which has either a long-term unsecured debt rating acceptable to the rating agencies then rating the notes and certificates or a short-term unsecured debt rating or certificate of deposit rating acceptable to those rating agencies and (2) whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor. Any other accounts to be established with respect to a trust will be described in the related prospectus supplement. SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES Servicing of Secured Notes. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, on each distribution date in a calendar month, the servicer of the secured notes will receive a basic servicing fee for the preceding month equal to one-twelfth of the basic servicing fee rate specified in the related prospectus supplement multiplied by the aggregate principal balance of all secured notes held by that trust as of the first day of that month. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, on each distribution date, the secured note servicer will also receive with respect to each trust an 34 148 additional servicing amount equal to the lesser of (1) the amount by which (A) the sum of the basic servicing fee for that distribution date and all prior distribution dates exceeds (B) additional servicing amounts paid to the secured note servicer on all prior distribution dates and (2) the amount by which the amount on deposit in the reserve account on that distribution date (after giving effect to all deposits, withdrawals and payments affecting that reserve account other than the additional servicing amounts and payments to us) exceeds the required reserve account balance. On each distribution date, the secured note servicer will be paid the basic servicing fee, any unpaid basic servicing fees from all prior distribution dates and the additional servicing amount to the extent funds are available. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, all servicing fees for each month, together with any portion of servicing fees that remains unpaid from prior distribution dates, may be paid at the beginning of that month out of collections for that month. In addition, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, with respect to each trust the servicer will be entitled to retain any late fees, prepayment charges or certain similar fees and charges collected during a month and any investment earnings on funds deposited in the trust accounts during a month. The foregoing amounts with respect to each trust are intended to compensate the secured note servicer for performing the functions of a third party servicer of secured notes as an agent for their beneficial owner, including: - collecting and posting all payments; - investigating delinquencies; - accounting for collections and furnishing monthly and annual statements to us and any other person designated in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement with respect to distributions; - generating federal income tax information; - giving, on a timely basis, any required notices or instructions to us or the custodian; and - performing the other duties specified in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement or in any other transaction document. These amounts also will reimburse the secured note servicer for taxes, the fees of the owner trustee and the indenture trustee, accounting fees, outside auditor fees, data processing costs and other costs incurred in connection with administering the pool of secured notes. Servicing of Underlying Leases and Leased Vehicles. In addition to the servicing of the pool of secured notes, GMAC also acts as servicer for the related leases and leased vehicles under a lease asset servicing agreement with COLT. GMAC will agree under each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement that we and the trust are third-party beneficiaries of the lease asset servicing agreement and may enforce GMAC's obligations under the lease asset servicing agreement as if we and the trust had been signatories to it. Under the lease asset servicing agreement, GMAC will receive a monthly basic servicing fee equal to one-twelfth of 1.75% of the then stipulated market value of each lease asset. GMAC will also receive a supplemental servicing fee in the form of all investment earnings and any late fees, prepayment charges and other administrative fees and expenses or similar charges, and other proceeds from terminated lease assets. On each distribution date, GMAC will receive the basic servicing fee and the supplemental servicing fee out of collections from the leases and related leased vehicles. 35 149 GMAC will be entitled to receive all supplemental servicing fees when and as paid without any obligation to COLT, the owner trustee or the owner of any program account, and it will not have any obligation to deposit that amount in any program account. The lease servicing fees described above are intended to compensate GMAC for performing the function of a third-party servicer of leases and leased vehicles, including: - collection and posting of all payments; - responding to inquiries of lessees; - investigating delinquencies; - sending payment coupons to lessees; - reporting tax information to lessees; - policing the vehicles; - monitoring the status of insurance policies with respect to the lessees and the vehicles; - accounting for collections and furnishing monthly and annual statements with respect to distributions; and - performing the other duties specified in the lease asset servicing agreement or in any other related document. These amounts will also reimburse GMAC for its expenses incurred in connection with it responsibilities under the lease servicing agreement and other lease documents for taxes, the fees of various transaction parties relating to the creation of the secured notes, accounting fees, outside auditor fees, data processing costs and other costs incurred in connection with administering the leases and the leased vehicles. COLLECTIONS With respect to each trust, the secured note servicer will deposit all payments received on the related secured notes and all proceeds of these secured notes collected during each calendar month into the related collection account not later than two business days after receipt. However, at any time that (1) GMAC is the secured note servicer, (2) there exists no servicer default and (3) either (A) the short-term unsecured debt of the secured note servicer is rated at least "A-1" by Standard & Poor's and "P-1" by Moody's, or (B) certain arrangements are made which are acceptable to the rating agencies, the secured note servicer may retain those amounts until the related distribution date. Pending deposit into the collection account, collections may be employed by the secured note servicer at its own risk and for its own benefit and will not be segregated from its own funds. The lease servicer will retain any partial prepayment on a lease that it receives prior to its scheduled payment date other than a prepayment in full received in connection with early termination of a lease. The lease servicer will include the partial prepayment in distributions to the related secured note on the distribution date after the scheduled payment date for the lease with respect to which the partial payment was made. To the extent the lease servicer retains partial prepayments as described above and advances payments as described below, on each distribution date each secured note will receive a distribution that reflects either (a) the payment that was due on the related lease in the previous month or (b) payment in full of the remaining lease obligation, which will result in the full prepayment of the related secured note. 36 150 SERVICER ADVANCES Secured Note Servicer Advances. The secured note servicer for each trust will make an advance in the amount equal to any shortfalls of collections on the secured notes as of the last day of each month, for each secured note other than those which have been repurchased due to a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant. The secured note servicer will deposit any advances on each distribution date. The secured note servicer will be obligated to make an advance on a secured note only to the extent that (1) the secured note servicer, in its sole discretion, has reasonably determined that that advance will be recoverable from later collections or recoveries on that secured note, and (2) the lease servicer has failed to make the advances required under the lease asset servicing agreement as described below. Subject to the release of its claim for reimbursement, the secured note servicer will be reimbursed for outstanding servicer advances with respect to a secured note from later payments received on that secured note. On any distribution date when the secured note servicer determines that it will not recover any outstanding servicer advances on any secured note from collections and recoveries on that secured note, the trust will reimburse the secured note servicer from any collections and recoveries from other secured notes held by the trust at the time outstanding servicer advances were made. Lease Servicer Advances. The lease servicer will make an advance under the lease asset servicing agreement to cover shortfalls of collections on the leases and leased vehicles. As of the last day of each month, for each lease asset other than a lease asset that has been repurchased due to a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant, if there is a shortfall in the monthly payment on that lease asset, after - application of payments ahead on the lease assets applied in the current month; - allocation of amounts paid when the lessee pays less than the full amount required or pays an amount to reimburse an outstanding advance; or - if the lease terminated or expired during the prior month and, as of the end of that month, there is a shortfall in disposition proceeds received that are needed to reduce the total claim on that lease asset to zero, then the lease servicer will advance an amount equal to that shortfall or remaining balance, as the case may be, plus, in the case of a remaining balance, any unpaid interest. The lease servicer will deposit any advances on each distribution date. The lease servicer will be obligated to make an advance on a lease asset only: - to the extent that the lease servicer, in its sole discretion, has reasonably determined that that advance will be recoverable from later collections or recoveries on that lease asset or from the termination value insurance or available amounts on deposit in the termination reserve account; or - the lease servicer has agreed to accept extended or modified performance from the lessee. Subject to the release of its claim for reimbursement, the trust will reimburse the lease servicer for outstanding advances on a lease asset from the following sources: - later payments by or on behalf of the lessee on that lease asset; - collections of disposition proceeds with respect to that lease asset; and 37 151 - any other collections and recoveries, including any amounts that may be collected from the dealer on that lease asset if that lease asset terminates prior to its scheduled lease end date and the lease rate exceeds the market lease purchase rate. At such time as the lease servicer determines that it will not recover any outstanding advances on any lease asset from collections and recoveries on that lease asset, the trust will reimburse the lease servicer from any collections and recoveries from other lease assets securing the secured notes held by the same holder at the time outstanding advances were made. DISTRIBUTIONS With respect to each trust, beginning on the payment date or distribution date, as applicable, specified in the related prospectus supplement, distributions of principal and interest (or, where applicable, of principal or interest only) on the notes and distributions in respect of certificate balance and interest (or, where applicable, of certificate balance or interest only) on the certificates will be made by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable, to the noteholders and the certificateholders. The timing, calculation, allocation, order, source, priorities of and requirements for all payments to each class of noteholders and all distributions to each class of certificateholders will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. The secured note value and the principal distributable amount will be defined in the related prospectus supplement. With respect to each trust, on each payment date and distribution date, collections on the secured notes will be transferred from the collection account to the note distribution account and the certificate distribution account for distribution to noteholders and certificateholders as and to the extent described in the related prospectus supplement. Credit enhancement, such as a reserve account, will be available to cover any shortfalls in the amount available for distribution on that date to the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement. Distributions in respect of principal and certificate balance will be subordinate to distributions in respect of interest, and distributions in respect of the certificates will be subordinate to payments in respect of the notes, as more fully described in the related prospectus supplement. CREDIT ENHANCEMENT The amounts and types of credit enhancement arrangements and the provider of those arrangements, if applicable, with respect to each class of securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. If and to the extent provided in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement may be in the form of: - subordination of one or more classes of securities; - reserve accounts; - overcollateralization; - letters of credit; - credit or liquidity facilities; - repurchase obligations; or - third party insurance payments or other support, cash advances or deposits or other arrangements, including interest rate or other swaps, as may be described in the related prospectus supplement or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, credit enhancement for a series of securities may cover one or more other series of securities. 38 152 The presence of any reserve account and other forms of credit enhancement is intended to enhance the likelihood of receipt by the noteholders and the certificateholders of the full amount of principal or certificate balance, as the case may be, and interest due and to decrease the likelihood that the noteholders and the certificateholders will experience losses. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the credit enhancement for a class of securities will not provide protection against all risks of loss and will not guarantee repayment of the entire principal balance or certificate balance, as the case may be, and interest. If losses occur that exceed the amount covered by any credit enhancement or that are not covered by any credit enhancement, securityholders will bear their allocable share of deficiencies. In addition, if a form of credit enhancement covers more than one series of securities, securityholders of any such series will be subject to the risk that credit enhancement will be exhausted by the claims of securityholders of other series. Reserve Account. If provided in the related prospectus supplement, under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, we will establish for a series a reserve account, as specified in the related prospectus supplement, which will be maintained with the indenture trustee for a specific trust. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the reserve account will not be included in the property of the related trust but will be a segregated trust account held by the indenture trustee for the benefit of noteholders and certificateholders. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, we will fund the reserve account with an initial deposit on the closing date in the amount set forth in the related prospectus supplement. To the extent, if any, described in the related prospectus supplement, the amount on deposit in the reserve account will be increased on each distribution date after the closing date up to the required reserve account balance described in the related prospectus supplement by depositing the amount of collections on the related secured notes remaining on each such distribution date after the payment of the total servicing fee payable to the secured note servicer and the distributions and allocations to the noteholders and the certificateholders required on that date. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement or agreed by us, amounts on deposit in the reserve account after payments to noteholders, certificateholders and the secured note servicer may be paid to us to the extent that those amounts exceed the required reserve account balance. Upon any distribution to us of amounts from the reserve account, neither the noteholders nor the certificateholders will have any rights in, or claims to, those amounts. Termination Reserve Account. COLT has established a termination reserve account, which has been established for the benefit of all secured note holders and which provides credit enhancement for all the pools of secured notes financing the lease assets. The termination reserve account provides protection to the holders of the secured notes if the total proceeds received after termination of a lease are insufficient to pay in full the principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the related secured note. Termination occurs on any lease asset when the lease servicer reasonably determines that it has received all amounts that it will be able to collect on that lease asset, other than from the termination reserve account and the termination value insurer. In order to determine the amounts to be deposited in or withdrawn from the termination reserve account, the lease servicer determines on a monthly basis the total proceeds received on each lease and leased vehicle that is a terminating lease asset, which consist of: - for each lease for which termination occurred in a prior month, all amounts received with respect to that lease and leased vehicle prior to or during the month in which lease termination occurred to the extent not applied in a previous month, including all 39 153 insurance proceeds, all monthly payments and all disposition proceeds for that lease and leased vehicle; and - for each lease for which termination occurred in any of the three months prior to the prior month, all amounts received with respect to that lease and leased vehicle during the prior month. Total proceeds do not include any excess proceeds when a lease is prepaid early and any amounts payable to the lessee and/or any other person as required by law. The lease servicer then determines on a lease-by-lease basis the amount by which the total amounts outstanding with respect to a lease and leased vehicle, which includes the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on the related secured note, either exceeds the total proceeds for that lease and leased vehicle or is less than the total proceeds for that lease and leased vehicle. The lease servicer then calculates for all the leases in each pool of secured notes the total amount of this excess or deficiency for that pool of leases. Any excess from a pool of leases securing a pool of secured notes is either transferred by the lease servicer to the termination reserve account or used by the lease servicer to pay unpaid fees owing to the insurer under the termination value insurance as described in a prospectus supplement. If there is a deficiency in any pool of leases securing a pool of secured notes, the lease servicer applies funds in the termination reserve account proportionately to all the pools with deficiencies. In this way, any excesses in any pool of leases securing a pool of secured notes are available to cover any deficiencies in any other pool of leases securing a pool of secured notes. If there are insufficient funds in the termination reserve account to pay all deficiencies in each pool of leases securing a pool of secured notes, the lease servicer calculates the amount of this deficiency on a lease-by-lease basis after the allocations described above. Subject to the limitations of the termination value insurance described in the prospectus supplement, the lease servicer will then turn to the termination value insurer to obtain payment of the remaining deficiency. Termination Value Insurance. A termination value insurer or insurers will provide termination value insurance for all secured notes and certificates issued by COLT. The identity of the termination value insurer and the terms of, and risks associated with, the termination value insurance for a pool of secured notes will be described in the prospectus supplement. NET DEPOSITS As an administrative convenience during months when the secured note servicer is permitted to hold payments on secured notes until the related distribution date, the secured note servicer may also deposit collections, and any payments received upon the repurchase of any secured note, for any trust for or with respect to that month net of distributions to be made to the secured note servicer for that trust for that month. The secured note servicer, however, will account to the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders with respect to each trust as if all deposits, distributions and transfers were made individually. In addition, in connection with any trust at any time that the secured note servicer is not required to remit collections on a daily basis, the secured note servicer may retain collections allocable to the notes or the note distribution account until the related payment date, and pending deposit into the collection account or the note distribution account, these collections may be employed by the secured note servicer at its own risk and for its own benefit and will not be segregated from its own funds. On each payment date, we, the secured note servicer, the indenture trustee and the owner trustee will make all distributions, deposits and other remittances with respect to the notes or the note distribution 40 154 account of a trust for the periods since the previous distribution was to have been made. If payment dates do not coincide with distribution dates, all distributions, deposits or other remittances made on a payment date will be treated as having been distributed, deposited or remitted on the distribution date for the applicable month for purposes of determining other amounts required to be distributed, deposited or otherwise remitted on that distribution date. STATEMENTS TO TRUSTEES AND TRUST Prior to each payment date and distribution date, with respect to each trust the secured note servicer will provide to the indenture trustee and the owner trustee as of the close of business on the last day of the preceding month a statement setting forth substantially the same information as is required to be provided in the periodic reports provided to securityholders on the date described under "Information Regarding the Securities--Reports to Securityholders" in this prospectus. EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will provide that a firm of independent public accountants will furnish to the owner trustee and the indenture trustee on or before August 15 of each year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related closing date, a statement as to compliance by the secured note servicer during the preceding twelve months ended June 30 (or in the case of the first such certificate, the period from the closing date to the June 30 of that year) with certain standards relating to the servicing of the secured notes, the secured note servicer's accounting records and computer files with respect to the secured notes and certain other matters. Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will also provide for delivery to the owner trustee and the indenture trustee, on or before August 15 of each year, beginning the first August 15 which is at least twelve months after the related closing date, of a certificate signed by an officer of the secured note servicer stating that the secured note servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the secured note pooling and servicing agreement throughout the preceding twelve months ended June 30, or in the case of the first such certificate, the period from the closing date to June 30 of that year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, describing each default. The certificate may be provided as a single certificate making the required statements as to more than one secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. Copies of these statements and certificates may be obtained by securityholders by a request in writing addressed to the applicable indenture trustee or owner trustee. In each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, we will agree to give the indenture trustee and the owner trustee notice of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become a default by the secured note servicer. In addition, we will agree to give the indenture trustee, the owner trustee and the trust notice of certain covenant breaches which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the secured note servicer. MATTERS REGARDING THE SECURED NOTE SERVICER Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will provide that GMAC may not resign from its obligations and duties as secured note servicer thereunder and under the secured note pooling and servicing agreement, except upon determination that GMAC's performance of those duties is no longer permissible under applicable law. That resignation will not become effective until the related indenture trustee or a successor secured note 41 155 servicer has assumed GMAC's servicing obligations and duties under the related transfer and servicing agreements. Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will further provide that, except as specifically provided otherwise, neither the secured note servicer nor any of its directors, officers, employees and agents will be under any liability to the related trust or the related noteholders or certificateholders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action under the related transfer and servicing agreements or the related indenture or for errors in judgment. Neither the secured note servicer nor any such person will be protected against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, except errors in judgment, in the performance of the secured note servicer's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder. Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will further provide that the secured note servicer and its directors, officers, employees and agents will be reimbursed by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee for any contractual damages, liability or expense incurred by reason of that trustee's wilful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, except errors in judgment, in the performance of that trustee's duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder or under the related trust agreement or the related indenture. In addition, each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will provide that the secured note servicer is under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to the secured note servicer's servicing responsibilities under the related transfer and servicing agreements and that, in its opinion, may cause it to incur any expense or liability. The secured note servicer may, however, undertake any reasonable action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of the related transfer and servicing agreements and the rights and duties of the parties and the interests of the noteholders and the certificateholders under the agreements. In that event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom will be expenses, costs and liabilities of the related trust, and the secured note servicer will be entitled to be reimbursed out of the related collection account. Any indemnification or reimbursement will reduce the amount otherwise available for distribution to the noteholders and the certificateholders. Under the circumstances specified in each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, any entity into which the secured note servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the secured note servicer is a party, or any entity succeeding to the business of the secured note servicer or, with respect to its obligations as secured note servicer, any entity 50% or more of the voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors, which entity in each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the secured note servicer under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the secured note pooling and servicing agreement, will be the successor of the secured note servicer under that secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the secured note pooling and servicing agreement. So long as GMAC acts as secured note servicer, the servicer may at any time subcontract any duties as secured note servicer under any secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the secured note pooling and servicing agreement to any entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by General Motors or to any entity that agrees to conduct those duties in accordance with the secured note servicer's servicing guidelines and the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. The secured note servicer may at any time perform specific duties as secured note servicer through subcontractors who are in the business of servicing secured notes similar to the secured notes, provided that delegation will not relieve the secured note servicer of its responsibility with respect to those duties. 42 156 SECURED NOTE SERVICER DEFAULT Except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, a default by the secured note servicer under each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will consist of: - any failure by the secured note servicer to make any required distribution, payment, transfer or deposit or to direct the related indenture trustee to make any required distribution, which failure continues unremedied for five business days after written notice from the indenture trustee or the owner trustee is received by the servicer or after discovery of that failure by an officer of the secured note servicer; - any failure by the secured note servicer to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant or agreement in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, the related secured note pooling and servicing agreement, the related trust agreement or the related indenture, which failure materially and adversely affects the rights of the noteholders or the certificateholders and which continues unremedied for 90 days after the giving of written notice of that failure to the secured note servicer by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee or to the secured note servicer, the indenture trustee and the owner trustee by holders of notes or certificates, as applicable, evidencing not less than 25% in principal amount of such outstanding notes or of the certificate balance or after discovery of that failure by an officer of the secured note servicer; - any representation, warranty or certification made by the secured note servicer in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto proves to have been incorrect when made and which has a material adverse effect on the rights of the related securityholders and which effect continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the giving of written notice of it to the secured note servicer by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee; or - certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership with respect to the secured note servicer by the secured note servicer indicating its insolvency, reorganization under bankruptcy proceedings, or inability to pay its obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there will be no default by the secured note servicer where the default would otherwise exist under the first item above for a period of ten business days or under the second or third items for a period of 60 days if the delay or failure giving rise to the default was caused by an act of God or other similar occurrence. Upon the occurrence of any of those events, the secured note servicer will not be relieved from using its best efforts to perform its obligations in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of the secured note pooling and servicing agreement and the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the secured note servicer will provide us, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, and the securityholders prompt notice of that failure or delay by it, together with a description of its efforts to so perform its obligations. RIGHTS UPON SECURED NOTE SERVICER DEFAULT As long as a default by the secured note servicer under a secured note trust sale and servicing agreement remains unremedied, the related indenture trustee or holders of related notes evidencing not less than a majority in principal amount of such then outstanding notes or, if the notes have been paid in full and the indenture has been discharged with respect thereto, the related owner trustee or the holders of related certificates evidencing not less than a majority of the aggregate outstanding certificate balance of all certificates other than 43 157 certificates owned by us, the trust, GMAC or any of our or their affiliates, may terminate all the rights and obligations of the secured note servicer under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and the related secured note pooling and servicing agreement, at which time the indenture trustee will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the secured note servicer under those agreements and will be entitled to similar compensation arrangements. If, however, a bankruptcy trustee or similar official has been appointed for the secured note servicer, and no default by the secured note servicer other than that appointment has occurred, the bankruptcy trustee or official may have the power to prevent the indenture trustee or the noteholders from effecting a transfer of servicing. If the indenture trustee is unwilling to so act, it may, and if it is unable to so act, it will appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of, a successor with a net worth of at least $100,000,000 and whose regular business includes the servicing of automotive loans or leases and which satisfies the other criteria set forth in the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. The indenture trustee may make those arrangements for compensation to be paid, which in no event may be greater than the servicing compensation to the secured note servicer under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS With respect to each trust, the holders of notes evidencing at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding related notes or, if all of the notes have been paid in full, holders of the related certificates whose certificates evidence not less than a majority of the outstanding certificate balance may, on behalf of all those noteholders and certificateholders, waive any default by the secured note servicer in the performance of its obligations under the secured note pooling and servicing agreement and the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement and its consequences, except a default by the secured note servicer in making any required deposits to or payments from any of the trust accounts or the certificate distribution account in accordance with the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. That waiver will not impair those noteholders' or certificateholders' rights with respect to subsequent defaults. AMENDMENT Each secured note pooling and servicing agreement, secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, and trust agreement may be amended by the parties to the agreements without the consent of the related noteholders or certificateholders: - to cure any ambiguity; - to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the agreement or in any other related agreement; - to add or supplement any credit, liquidity or other enhancement arrangement for the benefit of noteholders or certificateholders, provided that if any such addition affects any class of noteholders or certificateholders differently than any other class of noteholders or certificateholders, then that addition will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any class of noteholders or certificateholders; - to add to our covenants, restrictions or obligations or those of the secured note servicer, the owner trustee or the indenture trustee; or - to add, change or eliminate any other provisions of any of these agreements in any manner that will not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the noteholders or the certificateholders. 44 158 Each of these agreements may also be amended by the parties with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes and the holders of the certificates evidencing at least a majority of the certificate balance for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of the noteholders or certificateholders. No amendment may: - increase or reduce in any manner the amount of, or accelerate or delay the timing of, distributions of payments that are required to be made on, or change any interest rate, any pass through rate or the required reserve account balance of, to any note or certificate without the consent of the holder; - adversely affect the rating of any series by any rating agency then rating the notes or certificates without the consent of two-thirds of the principal amount of the outstanding notes or the voting interests of the outstanding certificates, as appropriate, of that series; or - reduce the stated percentage required of noteholders or certificateholders to consent to any of the amendments set forth above without the consent of all of the noteholders or certificateholders, as the case may be. INSOLVENCY EVENTS Each trust agreement will provide that the owner trustee does not have the power to commence a voluntary proceeding in bankruptcy relating to the related trust without the unanimous prior approval of all certificateholders, including us. Under no circumstance will the owner trustee commence any such proceeding prior to the date that is one year and one day after the termination of the trust. In the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, we and the secured note servicer will agree that we will not, for a period of one year and one day after the final distribution on the related notes and certificates, institute against the related trust any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law. CERTIFICATEHOLDER LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION Under each trust agreement, certificateholders will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of for profit corporations under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement will provide that the secured note servicer will indemnify the indenture trustee and the owner trustee from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or cost arising out of or incurred in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under the transaction documents, including any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim. Neither the indenture trustee nor owner trustee will be so indemnified if those acts or omissions or alleged acts or omissions constitute willful misfeasance bad faith or negligence by the indenture trustee or the owner trustee, as applicable. In addition, the secured note servicer will indemnify the trust, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the noteholders and the certificateholders against losses arising out of the negligence, willful misfeasance or bad faith of the servicer in the performance of its duties under the transaction documents or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties set forth in the agreements. The secured note servicer will also indemnify those parties against any taxes that may be asserted against them with respect to the transactions contemplated in the secured note trust sale and servicing 45 159 agreement, other than taxes with respect to the sale of secured notes or securities, the ownership of secured notes or the receipt of payments on securities or other compensation. TERMINATION Each trust will terminate upon the final distribution by the indenture trustee and the owner trustee of all monies and other property of the trust in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement, the indenture and the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement, including in the case of the exercise by the secured note servicer of its repurchase option described below. Upon termination of the trust and payment or deposit of all amounts to be paid to the related securityholders, any remaining assets of the trust and any amounts remaining on deposit in the related reserve account will be paid to us. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, in order to avoid excessive administrative expense, the secured note servicer, or its successor, will be permitted at its option to purchase from each trust, as of the last day of any month, if the then outstanding aggregate principal balance of the secured notes held by the trust is 10% or less of the initial aggregate principal balance of secured notes, all remaining secured notes and other trust assets at a price equal to the aggregate principal amount outstanding on those secured notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the secured notes to the date of that payment, plus the appraised value of any other property held as part of the trust. This amount will in no event be less than the sum of the outstanding notes and certificates plus accrued and unpaid interest on them. As further described in the related prospectus supplement, any related outstanding notes will be redeemed at the same time. Then, the distribution to the certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them under the trust agreement will effect early retirement of the certificates. The indenture trustee will give written notice of redemption to each related noteholder of record and the owner trustee will give written notice of termination to each related certificateholder of record. The final distribution to any noteholder or certificateholder will be made only upon surrender and cancellation of the noteholder's note at an office or agency of the indenture trustee specified in the notice of redemption or the certificateholder's certificate at an office or agency of the owner trustee specified in the notice of termination. ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT GMAC, in its capacity as administrator, will enter into an administration agreement with each trust and the related indenture trustee under which the administrator will agree, to the extent provided in the administration agreement, to provide the notices and to perform other administrative obligations required by the related indenture. With respect to each trust, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, as compensation for the performance of the administrator's obligations under the administration agreement and as reimbursement for its related expenses, the administrator will be entitled to an administration fee in an amount equal to $1,500 per month. The servicer will pay the administration fee. LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE SECURED NOTES AND THE LEASES SECURING THE SECURED NOTES LIMITED SCOPE OF DISCUSSION Although GMAC originates all leases in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, in some instances the lessees may live in other states at the time of origination or may move to another state after the time of origination. Consequently, the leased vehicles securing the secured notes may be operated and registered in states other than California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania and the related certificates of title may be 46 160 recorded in those other states. The following is a discussion of certain legal aspects of the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes and does not purport to address the laws of every state in which a leased vehicle may be operated or registered or in which title may be recorded. INSOLVENCY RELATED MATTERS Although no assurance can be given, we believe that in the unlikely event of a bankruptcy of GMAC, the secured notes would not be treated as part of GMAC's bankruptcy estate. In addition, we have taken steps in structuring the transactions contemplated in this prospectus that are intended to make it unlikely that the voluntary or involuntary application for relief by GMAC under any insolvency laws will result in consolidation of our assets and liabilities, those of VAULT, the owner of the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes or the trust with those of GMAC. Delays and possible reductions in payments on the notes and certificates could occur if: - a court concluded that our assets and liabilities, or those of COLT, the beneficial owner of the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes, or the trust should be consolidated with those of GMAC in the event of the application of applicable insolvency laws to GMAC; - a filing were made under any insolvency law by or against us, VAULT, the owner of the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes, or the trust; or - an attempt were made to litigate any of the foregoing issues. Any perfected security interest of the indenture trustee in all or part of the property of the trust could be subordinate to claims of any trustee in bankruptcy or debtor-in-possession in the event of our bankruptcy prior to any perfection of the transfer of the assets transferred by us to the trust under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. SECURITY INTEREST IN SECURED NOTES AND LEASES AND LEASED VEHICLES THAT SECURE THE SECURED NOTES With respect to each trust, the indenture trustee will be the holder of a first priority security interest in the secured notes for the benefit of the holders of the notes and, to the extent provided in the indenture, the certificates. Each secured note is secured by a first priority security interest in the underlying lease and leased vehicle, running to the benefit of the holder of the secured note. The parties to the transaction will take the following steps to effect the perfection of these security interests. Security Interests in the Secured Notes. The secured notes are issued by COLT to GMAC in electronic form only, as an administrative convenience, and, unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, will not exist in definitive form. Although it is not anticipated that the secured notes will ever be in definitive form, COLT is obligated to deliver secured notes in definitive form upon the request of the holder of the secured notes, including the indenture trustee. Until secured notes are released from the lien of the indenture, COLT will agree to deliver secured notes in definitive form only upon the direction of the indenture trustee. The indenture trustee will perfect its security interest in the secured notes assuming that they may be either in electronic or definitive form and, under the UCC, considered to be "chattel paper," "uncertificated or certificated securities," "instruments," "accounts" or "general intangibles." We will perfect our ownership interest in the secured notes by GMAC's sale of the secured notes to us and by COLT's consent and acknowledgment to us that it recognizes us as the purchaser of the secured notes. We will also perfect our interest by filing a UCC-1 47 161 financing statement with the appropriate state authorities in the jurisdictions in which the principal places of business of GMAC are located, Michigan and New York. The trust will perfect its ownership/security interest in the secured notes by our transfer of the secured notes to the trust and by COLT's consent and acknowledgment to the trust that it recognizes the trust as the transferee of the secured notes. The trust will also perfect its interest by filing a UCC-1 financing statement with the appropriate state authorities in the jurisdictions in which our principal places of business are located, Delaware, Michigan and New York. The indenture trustee will perfect its security interest in the secured notes both by filing a UCC-1 financing statement with the appropriate state authorities in the jurisdiction in which the principal place of business of the trust is located, in this case Delaware, and by having control of the secured notes through an agreement with COLT under which COLT will consent to and acknowledge the granting of the first priority security interest in the secured notes to the indenture trustee and will agree that, if definitive secured notes are issued, COLT will follow the instructions of the indenture trustee as to the secured notes and will deliver possession of the secured notes to the indenture trustee (or to a custodian as the indenture trustee directs). In addition, this grant will be reflected on COLT's books and records. By taking these steps, the secured notes will have been effectively transferred to the indenture trustee and the indenture trustee will have perfected its security interest in the secured notes if the transfer of the secured notes is considered the transfer or sale of an interest in chattel paper, uncertificated or certificated securities or instruments, or the transfer of an interest in general intangibles, under the UCC. If the transfer of the secured notes from GMAC to us is considered the sale of a general intangible, UCC perfection requirements would not govern that transfer. However, the sale of an interest in general intangibles under New York [, Michigan and Delaware] common law will not require that any other action be taken to transfer a perfected ownership interest in the secured notes. Under the UCC, a successor holder of secured debt will maintain the original holder's valid lien on the collateral securing that debt. Therefore, to the extent that GMAC has a valid lien on the underlying leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes, the indenture trustee, as pledgee and successor holder of the debt evidenced by the secured notes, will maintain GMAC's lien on this collateral. GMAC's security interest in the leases and leased vehicles securing the secured notes will, moreover, be assigned and transferred by GMAC to us, by us to the trust, and by the trust to the indenture trustee at the same time as the interests in the related secured notes are transferred. As a precautionary step, the UCC-1 financing statements referred to in the second through fourth paragraphs of this section will include GMAC's lien as additional collateral covered by these financing statements. Security Interest in the Leases Securing the Secured Notes. Under the UCC, the leases securing the secured notes are chattel paper. GMAC as lienholder perfects its security interest in the leases both by filing a UCC-1 financing statement against COLT in Delaware, the jurisdiction in which COLT's principal place of business is located, as well as in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, the states where COLT leases vehicles, and by taking possession of the leases. Security Interest in the Leased Vehicles Securing the Secured Notes. Legal title to the leased vehicles securing the secured notes is held by VAULT, as nominee for COLT. As COLT's nominee, VAULT consents to COLT's grant of a security interest in the leased vehicles. Under the UCC, the filing of a financial statement is not required to perfect a security interest in property subject to certificate of title statutes covering automobiles, unless 48 162 the automobiles are considered to be inventory held for sale by a debtor who is in the business of selling goods of that kind. Since it is unclear whether or not COLT is in the business of selling automobiles, GMAC as lienholder perfects its security interest in the leased vehicles, both by being designated as the first lienholder on each vehicle certificate of title and by filing against VAULT in the jurisdictions in which the principal places of business of VAULT are located, Delaware, New York and Michigan, and against COLT in Delaware, the jurisdiction in which COLT's principal place of business is located, as well as in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, the states where COLT leases vehicles. Limitations on Indenture Trustee's Lien. Various liens could be imposed upon the leased vehicles, that, by operation of law, would take priority over GMAC's and therefore, the indenture trustee's interest in these assets. These liens could include mechanics', repairmen's and garagemen's liens and certain liens for personal property taxes, in each case arising with respect to a particular leased vehicle. In addition, the laws of certain states and federal law permit governmental authorities to confiscate vehicles under certain circumstances if they are used in unlawful activities, which may result in the loss of a secured party's perfected security interest in the confiscated vehicle. These liens, or the confiscation of a leased vehicle, could arise at any time during the term of the lease, and without notice being given to the owner trustee, the indenture trustee, the noteholders or certificateholders. In addition, any perfected security interest of the indenture trustee in all or part of the property of the trust could be subordinate to claims of any trustee in bankruptcy or debtor in possession in the event of a bankruptcy of GMAC or us prior to any perfection of the transfer of the assets transferred by us to the trust under the secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. REPOSSESSION OF LEASED VEHICLES SECURING THE SECURED NOTES In the event that a default by a lessee of a leased vehicle securing a secured note has not been cured within a certain period of time after notice, the lease servicer will ordinarily retake possession of that leased vehicle. Some jurisdictions require that the lessee be notified of the default and be given a time period within which to cure the default prior to repossession. Generally, this right to cure may be exercised on a limited number of occasions in any one-year period. In these jurisdictions, if the lessee objects or raises a defense to repossession, an order must be obtained from the appropriate state court, and the vehicle must then be repossessed in accordance with that order. Other jurisdictions, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, permit repossession without notice to the lessee, but only if the repossession can be accomplished peacefully. If a breach of the peace cannot be avoided, judicial action is required, and the lessor typically must seek a writ of possession or replevin in a state court action or pursue other judicial action to repossess that leased vehicle. After the lease servicer has repossessed a leased vehicle, it may provide the lessee with a period of time within which to cure the default under the lease. If by the end of that period the default has not been cured, the lease servicer will attempt to sell the leased vehicle. As a result of those delays, the net charged-off vehicle proceeds may be less than the remaining amounts due under the lease at the time of default by the lessee. DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS AND EXCESS PROCEEDS The proceeds of sale of the leased vehicles generally will be applied first to the expenses of the sale and repossession and then to the satisfaction of amounts due under the related lease. While some states impose prohibitions or limitations on deficiency judgments, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania if the net proceeds from sale do not cover the full amount of amounts due under the related lease, a deficiency judgment can 49 163 be sought in those states, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania that do not prohibit directly or limit those judgments. In some states, however, including California, a lessee may be allowed an offsetting recovery for any amount not recovered at sale because the terms of the sale were not commercially reasonable. In any event, the deficiency judgment would be a personal judgment against the lessee for the shortfall, and a defaulting lessee might have little capital or sources of income available following repossession. Therefore, in many cases, it may not be useful to seek a deficiency judgment. Because it is a personal judgment against a lessee who may have few if any assets remaining after the repossession, even if one is obtained, it may be settled at a significant discount or it may be impossible to collect all or any portion of it. CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws and related regulations impose substantial requirements upon lessors and servicers involved in consumer leasing. The federal Consumer Leasing Act of 1976 and Regulation M, issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, for example, require that a number of disclosures be made at the time a vehicle is leased, including, among other things, all amounts due at the time of origination of the lease, a description of the lessee's liability at the end of the lease term, the amount of any periodic payments, the circumstances under which the lessee may terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term and the capitalized cost of the vehicle and a warning regarding possible charges for early termination. California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania have adopted Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code, which provides protection to lessees through certain implied warranties and the right to cancel a lease contract relating to defective goods. In addition, California enacted a comprehensive vehicle leasing statute that, among other things, regulates the disclosures to be made at the time a vehicle is leased. Courts have applied general equitable principles in litigation relating to repossession and deficiency balances. These equitable principles may have the effect of relieving a lessee from some or all of the legal consequences of a default. In several cases, consumers have asserted that the self-help remedies of lessors violate the due process protection provided under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Courts have generally found that repossession and resale by the creditor do not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional protection to consumers. California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania have adopted so-called "Lemon Laws" providing redress to consumers who purchase or lease a vehicle which remains out of conformance with its manufacturer's warranty after a specified number of attempts to correct a problem or after a specific time period. A successful claim under a Lemon Law with respect to a leased vehicle could result in, among other things, the termination of the related lease and/or the refunding to the related lessee of some portion of the payments paid by them. Under each secured note pooling and servicing agreement, GMAC will represent to us that each lease complies with all requirements of law in all material respects. We will assign that representation, among others, to the related trust under each secured note trust sale and servicing agreement. Accordingly, if a lessee has a claim against the trust for violation of any law and that claim materially and adversely affects the related trust's interest in a secured note, this violation may create an obligation to repurchase the secured note unless the breach is cured in all material respects. OTHER LIMITATIONS In addition to the laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments, numerous other statutory provisions, including federal bankruptcy laws and related state laws, may interfere 50 164 with or affect the ability of a secured party to enforce its rights under an automobile or light truck lease. For example, if a lessee commences a bankruptcy proceedings, the lessor's receipt of related payments due under the lease is likely to be delayed. In addition, a lessee who commences bankruptcy proceedings might be able to assign the lease to another party even though the lease prohibits assignment. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS GENERAL The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and certificates. This summary is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations under the Code and published rulings and court decisions. There are no cases or Internal Revenue Service rulings on similar transactions involving both debt and equity interests issued by a trust with terms similar to those of the notes and certificates. As a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions reached in this summary, and no ruling from the IRS has been or will be sought on any of the issues discussed below. Furthermore, the current tax laws and the current regulations, rulings and court decisions may be changed, possibly retroactively. If changes occur, the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this summary, as well as the tax consequences to noteholders and certificateholders could be affected. Mayer, Brown & Platt has prepared or reviewed the statements under the heading "Federal Income Tax Considerations" and is of the opinion that these statements discuss all material federal income tax consequences to investors generally of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and certificates. However, the following discussion does not discuss the unique tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and certificates by investors that are given special treatment under the federal income tax laws, including: - banks and thrifts; - insurance companies; - regulated investment companies; - dealers in securities; - holders that will hold the offered certificates as a position in a "straddle" for tax purposes or as a part of a "synthetic security," "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment comprised of the offered certificates and one or more other investments; - foreign investors; - trusts and estates; and - pass-through entities, the equityholders of which are any of the above. Additionally, the discussion regarding the notes and certificates is limited to the federal income tax consequences to the initial investors and not to a purchaser in the secondary market, to investors who are citizens or residents of the United States, and to investors who hold the notes or certificates as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. We recommend that prospective investors consult with their own tax advisors about the federal, state, local, foreign and any other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and certificates. 51 165 The following discussion addresses notes and certificates falling into four general categories: - notes, other than strip notes or any other series of notes specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the related prospectus supplement which the seller, the servicer and the noteholders will agree to treat as indebtedness secured by the related secured notes; - certificates representing interests in a trust that the seller, the servicer and the applicable certificateholders will agree to treat as equity interests in a grantor trust; - certificates including strip certificates and strip notes, representing interests in a trust which the seller, the servicer and the applicable holders will agree to treat as equity interests in a tax partnership; and - certificates, all of which are owned by the seller, representing interests in a trust which the seller and the servicer will agree to treat as a division of the seller and hence disregarded as a tax non-entity, in each case for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. Certificates issued by a tax trust are referred to as trust certificates, certificates (including strip certificates) and strip notes issued by a tax partnership are referred to as partnership certificates, and certificates issued by a tax non-entity are referred to as tax non-entity certificates. The prospectus supplement for each series of certificates will indicate whether the related trust fund is a tax trust, tax partnership or tax non-entity. Because the seller will treat each tax trust as a grantor trust, each tax partnership as a partnership, and each tax non-entity as a division of seller, for federal income tax purposes, the seller will not comply with the tax reporting requirements that would apply under any alternative characterizations of a tax trust, tax partnership or tax non-entity. For purposes of this discussion, references to a noteholder are to the beneficial owner of a note, and references to a certificateholder or a holder are to the beneficial owner of a trust certificate, partnership certificate or tax non-entity certificate, as the context may require. THE NOTES Characterization as Debt. For each series of notes, except for strip notes and any series which is specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the applicable prospectus supplement, regardless of whether the notes are issued by a tax trust or a tax partnership or a tax nonentity, Mayer, Brown & Platt, special tax counsel to the seller, will deliver its opinion to the effect that the notes will be treated as debt for federal income tax purposes. The seller, the servicer and each noteholder, by acquiring an interest in a note, will agree to treat the notes as indebtedness for federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes. See "Trust Certificates--Classification of Trusts and Trust Certificates," "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates" or "Tax Non-Entity Certificates--Classification of Tax Non-Entity and Tax Non-Entity Certificates"for a discussion of the potential federal income tax consequences to you if the IRS were successful in challenging the characterization of a tax trust, a tax partnership or a tax non-entity, as applicable, for federal income tax purposes. Treatment of Stated Interest. Based on the opinion that the notes will be treated as debt, and assuming the notes are not issued with original issue discount, the stated interest on a note will be taxable to a you as ordinary income when received or accrued in accordance with your method of tax accounting. Interest received on a note may constitute "investment income" subject to certain limitations of the Internal Revenue Code on the deductibility of investment interest expense. 52 166 Original Issue Discount. Unless indicated in the related prospectus supplement, no series of notes will be issued with original issue discount. In general, original issue discount is the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a debt instrument over its issue price, unless that excess falls within a statutorily defined de minimis exception. A note's stated redemption price at maturity is the aggregate of all payments required to be made under the note through maturity except qualified stated interest. Qualified stated interest is generally interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or property other than debt instruments of the issuer, at fixed intervals of one year or less during the entire term of the instrument at certain specified rates. The issue price will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes are sold, excluding sales to bond holders, brokers or similar persons acting as underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. If a note were treated as being issued with original issue discount, a you would be required to include original issue discount in income as interest over the term of the note under a constant yield method. In general, original issue discount must be included in income in advance of the receipt of cash representing that income. Thus, each cash distribution would be treated as an amount already included in income, to the extent original issue discount has accrued as of the date of the interest distribution and is not allocated to prior distributions, or as a repayment of principal. This treatment would have no significant effect on you if you use the accrual method of accounting. However, if you use the cash method, you may be required to report income on the notes in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income. Even if a note has original issue discount falling within the de minimis exception you must include original issue discount in income proportionately as principal payments are made on the note. If you hold a note with a fixed maturity date not more than one year from the issue date of that note, you will generally not be required to include original issue discount on the note in income as it accrues, provided that you are not an accrual method taxpayer, a bank, a broker or dealer that holds the note as inventory, a regulated investment company or common trust fund, or the beneficial owner of certain pass-through entities specified in the Internal Revenue Code, or provided that you do not hold the instrument as part of a hedging transaction, or as a stripped bond or stripped coupon. Instead, if you hold a short-term note, you would include the original issue discount accrued on the note in gross income upon a sale or exchange of the note or at maturity, or if the note is payable in installments, as principal is paid on the note. You would be required to defer deductions for any interest expense on an obligation incurred to purchase or carry the short-term note to the extent the expense exceeds the sum of the interest income, if any, and original issue discount accrued on the note. However, you may elect to include original issue discount in income as it accrues on all obligations having a maturity of one year or less that you hold in that taxable year or thereafter, in which case the deferral rule of the preceding sentence will not apply. For purposes of this paragraph, original issue discount accrues on a short-term note on a ratable, straight-line basis, unless you irrevocably elect, under regulations to be issued by the Treasury Department to apply a constant interest method to the note, using the your yield to maturity and daily compounding. If you purchase a note after its initial distribution at a discount that exceeds a statutorily defined de minimis amount, you will be subject to the market discount rules of the Internal Revenue Code, and if you purchase a note at a premium, you will be subject to the bond premium amortization rules of the Internal Revenue Code. Disposition of Notes. If you sell a note, you will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in the note will equal your cost for the note, increased by any original issue discount and market discount previously included in your income with respect to 53 167 the note and decreased by any bond premium previously amortized and any principal payments previously received by you on the note. Your gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if you held the note as a capital asset, except for gain representing accrued interest or accrued market discount not previously included in income. Capital gain or loss will be long-term if you held the note for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term. Any capital losses realized generally may be used by a corporate taxpayer only to offset capital gains, and by an individual taxpayer only to the extent of capital gains plus $3,000 of other income. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Each tax trust, tax partnership and tax nonentity will be required to report annually to the IRS, and to each related noteholder of record, the amount of interest paid on the notes, and the amount of interest withheld for federal income taxes, if any, for each calendar year, except as to exempt holders, generally: - corporations; - tax-exempt organizations; - qualified pension and profit-sharing trusts; - individual retirement accounts; or - nonresident aliens who provide certification as to their status. You will be required to provide to the related tax trust, tax partnership or tax non-entity, under penalties of perjury, a certificate containing your name, address, correct federal taxpayer identification number and a statement that you are not subject to backup withholding. If you are a nonexempt noteholder and you fail to provide the required certification, the tax trust, tax partnership or tax nonentity will be required to withhold, from interest otherwise payable to you, 31% of that interest and remit the withheld amount to the IRS as a credit against your federal income tax liability. The IRS has issued new regulations governing the backup withholding and information reporting requirements. The new regulations are generally effective for payments made after December 31, 2000. You should consult your tax advisors about the impact, if any, of the new regulations. Because the seller will treat each tax trust as a grantor trust, each tax partnership as a partnership, each tax non-entity as a division of the seller and all notes, except strip notes and any other series of notes specifically identified as receiving different tax treatment in the related prospectus supplement, as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes, the seller will not comply with the tax reporting requirements that would apply under any alternative characterizations of a tax trust, tax partnership or tax non-entity. Tax Consequence to Foreign Noteholders. If interest paid, or accrued, to a noteholder who is a nonresident alien, foreign corporation or other non-United States person, a foreign person, is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the foreign person, the interest generally will be considered portfolio interest, and generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax and withholding tax, as long as the foreign person: - is not actually or constructively a 10% percent shareholder of a related tax trust, tax partnership or the seller, including a holder of 10% of the applicable outstanding certificates, or a controlled foreign corporation with which the related tax trust, tax partnership or the seller is a related person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, and 54 168 - provides an appropriate statement, signed under penalties of perjury, certifying that the beneficial owner of the note is a foreign person and providing that foreign person's name and address. If the information provided in this statement changes, the foreign person must inform the related tax trust or tax partnership within 30 days of the change. If the interest were not portfolio interest or if applicable certification requirements were not satisfied, then it would be subject to United States federal income and withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless reduced or eliminated under an applicable tax treaty. The IRS has amended the transition period relating to new regulations governing backup withholding and information reporting requirements. All existing withholding certificates or statements will cease to be effective after December 31, 2000. Any capital gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note by a foreign person will be exempt from United States federal income and withholding tax, provided that: - the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the foreign person; and - in the case of a foreign individual, the foreign person is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year. If the interest, gain or income on a note held by a foreign person is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the foreign person, the holder, although exempt from the withholding tax previously discussed if an appropriate statement is furnished, generally will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the interest, gain or income at regular federal income tax rates. In addition, if the foreign person is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty. TRUST CERTIFICATES Classification of Trusts and Trust Certificates. With respect to each series of certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as trust certificates, tax counsel will deliver its opinion to the effect that the related tax trust will not be taxable as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, but should be classified as a grantor trust under Sections 671 through 679 of the Internal Revenue Code. For each series, the seller will express in the trust agreement and on the trust certificates and you will agree by your purchase of trust certificates the intent that, for federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, the trust certificates will represent an equity interest in the tax trust. Although tax counsel will opine that each tax trust should properly be characterized as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes, this opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts and no assurance can be given that this characterization would prevail. If the IRS were to contend successfully that any tax trust is not a grantor trust, the tax trust should be classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership which is not taxable as a corporation. The income reportable by the holders of that trust certificates as partners could differ from the income reportable by the holders of trust certificates as grantors of a grantor trust. However, it is not expected that these differences would be material. If a tax trust were classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership, the IRS might contend that it is a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. If the IRS were to contend successfully that a tax trust is an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the tax trust would be subject to federal and state income tax at corporate rates on the income 55 169 from the secured notes, reduced by deductions, including interest on any notes unless the notes were treated as an equity interest. See "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates" below. Despite tax counsel's opinion that a tax trust should be classified as a grantor trust, the lack of cases or rulings on similar transactions, as discussed above, permits a variety of alternative characterizations in addition to the position to be taken that the trust certificates represent equity interests in a grantor trust. For example, because trust certificates will have certain features characteristic of debt, the trust certificates might be considered indebtedness of a tax trust, the seller or the issuer. Except as described above, this characterization would not result in materially adverse tax consequences to certificateholders as compared to the consequences from treatment of trust certificates as equity in a trust, described below. The following discussion assumes that trust certificates represent equity interests in a grantor trust. Grantor Trust Treatment. As a grantor trust, a tax trust will not be subject to federal income tax. Subject to the discussion below under "Treatment of Fees or Payment," in tax counsel's opinion that, as a certificateholder, you will be required to report on your federal income tax return your pro rata share of the entire income from the secured notes and any other property in the related tax trust for the period during which you own a trust certificate, including interest or finance charges earned on the secured notes and any gain or loss upon collection or disposition of the secured notes, in accordance with your method of accounting. If you use the cash method of accounting, you should take into account your pro rata share of income as and when received by the owner trustee. If you use an accrual method of accounting, you should take into account your pro rata share of income as it accrues or is received by the owner trustee, whichever is earlier. Assuming that the market discount rules do not apply, the portion of each payment to you that is allocable to principal on the secured notes will represent a recovery of capital, which will reduce the tax basis of your undivided interest in the secured notes. In computing your federal income tax liability, you will be entitled to deduct, consistent with your method of accounting, your pro rata share of interest paid on any related notes, reasonable servicing fees, and other fees paid or incurred by the related tax trust. If you are an individual, estate or trust, the deduction for your pro rata share of fees will be allowed only to the extent that all of your miscellaneous itemized deductions, including the fees, exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. Because the servicer will not report to certificateholders the amount of income or deductions attributable to miscellaneous charges, you may effectively underreport your net taxable income. See "Treatment of Fees or Payments" below for a discussion of other possible consequences if amounts paid to the servicer exceed reasonable compensation for services rendered. Treatment of Fees or Payments. It is expected that income will be reported to you on the assumption that the certificateholders collectively own a 100% interest in all of the principal and interest derived from the related secured notes. However, a portion of the amounts paid to the servicer or the seller may exceed reasonable fees for services. There are no authoritative guidelines, for federal income tax purposes, as to the maximum amount of compensation that may be considered reasonable for servicing the secured notes or performing other services, in the context of this or similar transactions; accordingly, tax counsel is unable to give an opinion on this issue. If amounts paid to the servicer or the seller exceed reasonable compensation for services provided, the servicer or the seller or both may be viewed as having retained, for federal income tax purposes, an ownership interest in a portion of each interest payment on certain secured notes. As a result, those secured notes may be treated as stripped bonds within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. 56 170 If the secured notes are characterized as stripped bonds, the income of the related tax trust allocable to you would not include the portion of the interest on the secured notes treated as having been retained by the servicer or the seller, as the case may be, and the tax trust's deductions would be limited to reasonable servicing fees, interest paid on any related notes and other fees. In addition, you would not be subject to the market discount and premium rules discussed below with respect to the stripped secured notes, but instead would be subject to the original issue discount rules of the Internal Revenue Code. However, if the price at which you were deemed to have acquired a stripped secured note is less than the remaining principal balance of the secured note by an amount which is less than a statutorily defined de minimis amount, the secured note would not be treated as having original issue discount. In general, it appears that the amount of original issue discount on a secured note treated as a stripped bond will be de minimis if it is less than 1/4 of 1% for each full year remaining after the purchase date until the final maturity of the secured note, although the IRS could take the position that the weighted average maturity date, rather than the final maturity date, should be used in performing this calculation. If the amount of original issue discount was de minimis under this rule, the actual amount of discount on a secured note would be includible in income as principal payments are received on the secured note. If the original issue discount on a secured note were not treated as de minimis, you would be required to include any original issue discount in income as it accrues, regardless of when cash payments are received, using a method reflecting a constant yield on the secured notes. It is possible that the IRS could assert that a prepayment assumption should be used in computing the yield of a stripped secured note. If a stripped secured note is deemed to be acquired by you at a significant discount, a prepayment assumption could accelerate your accrual of income. It is also possible that any fees deemed to be excessive could be recharacterized as deferred purchase price payable to the seller by certificateholders in exchange for the related secured notes. The likely effect of this recharacterization would be to increase your current taxable income. Discount And Premium. The following discussion generally assumes that the fees and other amounts payable to the servicer and the seller will not be recharacterized as being retained ownership interests in the secured notes (as discussed above). You should be treated as purchasing an interest in each secured note and any other property in the related tax trust at a price determined by allocating the purchase price paid for the trust certificate among the secured notes and other property in proportion to their fair market values at the time of your purchase of the trust certificate. It is believed that the secured notes were not and will not be issued with original issue discount; therefore, a tax trust should not have original issue discount income. However, the purchase price paid by the tax trust for the secured notes may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of the secured notes at the time of purchase. If so, the secured notes will have been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. The market discount on a secured note will be considered to be zero if it is less than the statutorily defined de minimis amount. Any gain on the sale of a trust certificate attributable to your share of unrecognized accrued market discount on the related secured notes would generally be treated as ordinary income to you. Moreover, if you acquire a trust certificate representing an interest in secured notes acquired at a market discount, you may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense otherwise deductible with respect to indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the trust certificate until you dispose of the trust certificate in a taxable transaction. Instead of recognizing market discount, if any, upon a disposition of trust certificates and 57 171 deferring any applicable interest expense, you may elect to include market discount in income currently as the discount accrues. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. In the event that a secured note is treated as purchased at a premium, for instance, the allocable portion of your purchase price for the related trust certificate exceeds the remaining principal balance of the secured note, the premium will be amortizable by you as an offset to interest income, with a corresponding reduction in basis, under a constant yield method over the term of the secured note if you make an election. This election would apply to all debt instruments you hold during the year in which the election is made and to all debt instruments acquired thereafter. Disposition of Trust Certificates. You will generally be required to recognize a capital gain or loss on a sale of trust certificates in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the trust certificates sold. Your tax basis in a trust certificate will generally equal your cost increased by any original issue discount and market discount previously included in income, and decreased by any bond premium previously amortized and by the amount of principal payments previously received on the secured notes held by the related tax trust. Any gain on the sale of a trust certificate attributable to your share of unrecognized accrued market discount on the related secured notes would generally be treated as ordinary income to you, unless make the special election described under discount and premium above. If you are required to recognize an aggregate amount of income, not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions described above, over the life of the trust certificates that exceeds the aggregate cash distributions, that excess will generally give rise to a capital loss upon the retirement of the trust certificates. Backup Withholding. Distributions made on trust certificates and proceeds from the sale of the certificates will be subject to a backup withholding tax of 31% if, as discussed above with respect to the notes, you fail to comply with certain identification procedures, unless you are an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax Consequences to Foreign Trust Certificateholders. Interest attributable to secured notes which is received by a Certificateholder which is a foreign person will generally not be subject to the normal 30% withholding tax imposed on these payments, provided that the certificateholder is not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that the certificateholder fulfills certain certification requirements discussed above under "The Notes--Tax Consequences to Foreign Noteholders" above. PARTNERSHIP CERTIFICATES Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates. For each series of certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as partnership certificates, the seller and the servicer will agree, and you will agree by your purchase of partnership certificates, to treat the tax partnership as a partnership for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, with the partners of the partnership being the certificateholders and the seller, in its capacity as recipient of distributions from the reserve account, and any related Notes being debt of the tax partnership. However, the proper characterization of the arrangement involving the tax partnership, the partnership certificates, the seller and the servicer is not clear because there is no authority on transactions closely comparable to that contemplated in this prospectus. 58 172 If the tax partnership were classified as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, that tax partnership would be subject to corporate income tax. Any corporate income tax could materially reduce or eliminate cash that would otherwise be distributable on the partnership certificates, and you could be liable for any tax that is unpaid by the tax partnership. However, upon the issuance of each series of partnership certificates, tax counsel will deliver its opinion generally to the effect that the tax partnership will not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation. Even if a tax partnership were not classified as an association taxable as a corporation, it would be subject to corporate income tax if it were a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. However, in the opinion of tax counsel, even if the tax partnership were treated as a publicly traded partnership, it would not be taxable as a corporation because it would meet certain qualifying income tests. Nonetheless, if a tax partnership were treated as a publicly traded partnership and the partnership certificates were treated as equity interests in that partnership, certain holders could suffer adverse consequences. For example, certain holders might be subject to certain limitations on their ability to deduct their share of the tax partnership's expenses. Despite tax counsel's opinion that a tax partnership will be classified as a partnership and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, the lack of cases or rulings on similar transactions, as discussed above, permits a variety of alternative characterizations in addition to the position to be taken that the partnership certificates represent equity interests in a partnership. For example, because the partnership certificates will have certain features characteristic of debt, the partnership certificates might be considered indebtedness of the tax partnership, the seller or the issuer. Except as described above, any characterization would not result in materially adverse tax consequences to you as compared to the consequences from treatment of the partnership certificates as equity in a partnership, described below. The following discussion assumes that the partnership certificates represent equity interests in a partnership. Partnership Taxation. A tax partnership will not be subject to federal income tax, but you will be required to separately take into account your allocated share of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the tax partnership. The tax partnership's income will consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the related secured notes, including appropriate adjustments for market discount, original issue discount, and bond premium, and any gain upon collection or disposition of the secured notes. The tax partnership's deductions will consist primarily of interest paid or accrued on any related notes, servicing and other fees, and losses or deductions upon collection or disposition of the related secured notes. The tax items of a partnership are allocable to the partners in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations and the partnership agreement for any series of partnership certificates, the trust agreement and related documents. Each trust agreement for a tax partnership will provide that the certificateholders will be allocated taxable income of the related tax partnership for each month equal to their allocable share of the sum of: - the pass through rate on the related partnership certificates for the month; - an amount equivalent to interest that accrues during such month on amounts previously due on the partnership certificates but not yet distributed; - any tax partnership income attributable to discount on the related secured notes that corresponds to any excess of the principal amount of the partnership certificates over their initial issue price; and - any prepayment surplus as defined in the related prospectus supplement, payable to the partnership certificates for that month. 59 173 If the tax partnership issues any strip notes or strip certificates, it will also provide that the related certificateholders will be allocated taxable income of the tax partnership for each month in the amounts described in the related prospectus supplement. All taxable income of the tax partnership remaining after the allocations to you will be allocated to the seller. It is believed that the allocations to you will be valid under applicable Treasury Regulations, although no assurance can be given that the IRS would not require a greater amount of income to be allocated to you. Moreover, even under the method of allocation provided above, you may be allocated income equal to the entire pass through rate plus the other items described above, and holders of strip notes or strip certificates may be allocated income equal to the amount described in the related prospectus supplement, even though the related tax partnership might not have sufficient cash to make current cash distributions of that amount. Thus, cash basis holders will in effect be required to report income from the partnership certificates on the accrual method. In addition, because tax allocations and tax reporting will be done on a uniform basis for all certificateholders but certificateholders may be purchasing partnership certificates at different times and at different prices, you may be required to report on your tax returns taxable income that is greater or less than the amount reported to you by the related tax partnership. Additionally, all of the taxable income allocated to a certificateholder that is a pension, profit sharing or employee benefit plan or other tax-exempt entity, including an individual retirement account, will constitute unrelated business taxable income generally taxable to that holder under the Internal Revenue Code. An individual taxpayer may generally deduct miscellaneous itemized deductions, which do not include interest expense, only to the extent they exceed two percent of adjusted gross income, and, certain additional limitations may apply. Those limitations would apply to an individual certificateholder's share of expenses of a tax partnership, including fees to the servicer, and might result in the holder being taxed on an amount of income that exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to the holder over the life of the tax partnership. Each tax partnership intends to make all tax calculations relating to income and allocations to you on an aggregate basis. If the IRS were to require that the calculations be made separately for each secured note, a tax partnership might be required to incur additional expense but it is believed that there would not be a material adverse effect on you. Discount and Premium. It is believed that the secured notes were not and will not be issued with original issue discount and, therefore, that a tax partnership should not have original issue discount income. However, the purchase price paid by the tax partnership for the related secured notes may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of the secured notes at the time of purchase. If so, the secured notes will have been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. As indicated above, each tax partnership will make this calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be required to recompute it on a secured note by secured note basis. Each tax partnership will make an election that will result in any market discount on the related secured notes being included in income currently as the discount accrues over the life of the secured notes. As indicated above, a portion of the market discount income will be allocated to you. Section 708 Termination. Under Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code, a tax partnership will be deemed to terminate for federal income tax purposes if 50% or more of the capital and profits interests in the tax partnership are sold or exchanged within a 12-month period. If a termination occurs, a tax partnership will be considered to contribute all of its assets to a new partnership followed by a liquidation of the original tax partnership. A tax 60 174 partnership will not comply with certain technical requirements that might apply when a constructive termination occurs. As a result, the tax partnership may be subject to certain tax penalties and may incur additional expenses if it is required to comply with those requirements. Furthermore, a tax partnership might not be able to comply due to lack of data. Disposition of Certificates. You will generally be required to recognize a capital gain or loss on a sale of partnership certificates in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the partnership certificates sold. Your tax basis in a partnership certificate will generally equal your cost increased by your share of the related tax partnership's income, includible in on the income, for the current and prior taxable years and decreased by any distributions received on the partnership certificate. In addition, both tax basis in the partnership certificates and the amount realized on a sale of a partnership certificate would include on the share of any related notes and other liabilities of the tax partnership. If you acquire partnership certificates of the same series at different prices, you may be required to maintain a single aggregate adjusted tax basis in the partnership certificates, and, upon a sale or other disposition of some of the partnership certificates, allocate a pro rata portion of the aggregate tax basis to the partnership certificates sold, rather than maintaining a separate tax basis in each partnership certificate for purposes of computing gain or loss on a sale of that partnership certificate. If you are required to recognize an aggregate amount of income, not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions described above, over the life of the partnership certificates that exceeds the aggregate cash distributions on the partnership certificates that excess will generally give rise to a capital loss upon the retirement of the partnership certificates. Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, each tax partnership's taxable income and losses will be determined monthly and the tax items for a particular calendar month will be apportioned among the certificateholders in proportion to the principal amount of the partnership certificates or a fractional share of the strip notes or strip certificates owned by them as of the first record date following the end of that month. As a result, when you purchase a partnership certificate you may be allocated tax items which will affect your tax liability and tax basis for periods before your actual purchase of partnership certificates. The use of a monthly convention may not be permitted by existing regulations. If a monthly convention is not allowed, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the partner's interest, taxable income or losses of a tax partnership might be reallocated among the certificateholders. The owner trustee is authorized to revise a tax partnership's method of allocation between transferors and transferees to conform to a method permitted by future regulations. Section 754 Election. In the event that a certificateholder sells its partnership certificate for greater (less) than its adjusted basis, the purchasing certificateholder will have a higher (lower) basis in the partnership certificates than the selling certificateholder had. The tax basis of the related tax partnership's assets will not be adjusted to reflect that higher (or lower) basis unless the tax partnership were to file an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to avoid the administrative complexities that would be involved in keeping accurate accounting records, as well as potentially onerous information reporting requirements, a tax partnership will not make this election. As a result, you might be allocated a greater or lesser amount of tax partnership income than would be based on your own purchase price for partnership certificates. 61 175 Administrative Matters. For each tax partnership, the related owner trustee is required to keep or have kept complete and accurate books of that tax partnership. Those books will be maintained for financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of each tax partnership will be the calendar year. The owner trustee will file a partnership information return, on IRS Form 1065 with the IRS for each taxable year of the tax partnership and will report your allocable share of items of tax partnership income and expense to you and to the IRS on Schedule K-1. Any person that holds partnership certificates as a nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the related tax partnership with a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial owners and the partnership certificates so held. Each tax partnership will provide the Schedule K-1 information to nominees that fail to provide the tax partnership with the information referenced in the preceding sentence and those nominees will be required to forward that information to the beneficial owners of the related partnership certificates. Generally, you must file tax returns that are consistent with the information return filed by the related tax partnership or be subject to penalties unless you notify the IRS of all inconsistencies. The seller, as the tax matters partner for each tax partnership, will be responsible for representing you in any dispute with the IRS. The Internal Revenue Code provides for administrative examination of a partnership as if the partnership were a separate taxpayer. Generally, the statute of limitations for partnership items does not expire until three years after the date on which the partnership information return is filed or deemed filed. Any adverse determination following an audit of the return of a tax partnership by the appropriate taxing authorities could result in an adjustment of your return and, under certain circumstances, you may be precluded from separately litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the related tax partnership. An adjustment could result in an audit of your returns and adjustments of items not related to the income and losses of the related tax partnership. Tax Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders. It is not clear whether any tax partnership would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for purposes of federal withholding taxes with respect to non-United States persons because there is no clear authority regarding that issue under facts substantially similar to those described in this prospectus. Although it is not expected that any tax partnership would be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for these purposes, the tax partnership will withhold as if it were so engaged in order to protect the tax partnership from possible adverse consequences of a failure to withhold. It is expected that each tax partnership will withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is allocable to foreign certificateholders as if the income were effectively connected to a United States trade or business, at a rate of 35% for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations and 39.6% for all other foreign holders. In determining a holder's nonforeign status, a tax partnership may generally rely on the holder's certification of nonforeign status signed under penalties of perjury. Each foreign holder might be required to file a United States individual or corporate income tax return and pay tax, including, in the case of a corporation, the branch profits tax, on its share of the related tax partnership's income. Each foreign holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to the related tax partnership on Form W-8 or on new Form W-8 BEN in order to assure appropriate crediting of the taxes withheld. A foreign holder generally would be entitled to file with the IRS a claim for refund for taxes withheld by the related tax partnership, taking the position that no taxes were due because the tax partnership was not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, the IRS may assert that the tax liability should be based on gross income, and no assurance can be given as to the appropriate amount of tax liability. 62 176 Backup Withholding. Distributions made on any partnership certificates and proceeds from the sale of those partnership certificates will be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% if, as discussed above with respect to the notes, you fail to comply with certain identification procedures, unless you are an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. TAX NON-ENTITY CERTIFICATES Classification of Tax Non-Entity and Tax Non-Entity Certificates. For certificates identified in the related prospectus supplement as tax non-entity certificates and which are entirely owned by the seller, the seller and the servicer will agree, under the check-the-box Treasury Regulations, to treat the tax non-entity as a division of the seller, and hence a disregarded entity, for federal income tax purposes. In other words, for federal income tax purposes, the seller will be treated as the owner of all the assets of the tax non-entity and the obligor of all the liabilities of the tax non-entity. Under the check-the-box Treasury Regulations, unless it is treated as a tax trust for federal income tax purposes, an unincorporated domestic entity with more than one equity owner is automatically classified as a tax partnership for federal income tax purposes. If the trust is classified as a tax nonentity when all its equity interests are wholly-owned by the seller and if certificates are then sold or issued in any manner which results in there being more than one certificateholder, the trust will be treated as a tax partnership. If certificates are issued to more than one person, the seller and the servicer will agree, and the applicable certificateholders will agree by their purchase, to treat the trust as a tax partnership for purposes of federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes, with the partners of that partnership being the certificateholders, including the seller, and the notes being debt of that partnership. Risks of Alternative Characterization. If a tax non-entity were an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to corporate income tax as discussed above under "Partnership Certificates--Classification of Partnerships and Partnership Certificates." STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES The above discussion does not address the tax treatment of any tax trust, tax partnership, tax non-entity, notes, certificates, noteholders or certificateholders under any state or local tax laws. The activities to be undertaken by the servicer in servicing and collecting the secured notes will take place throughout the United States and, therefore, many different tax regimes potentially apply to different portions of these transactions. We recommend that prospective investors consult their tax advisors regarding the state and local tax treatment of any tax trust, tax partnership or tax non-entity as well as any state and local tax consequences to them of purchasing, holding and disposing of notes or certificates. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan, as well as individual retirement accounts and certain types of Keogh Plans and certain collective investment funds or insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans and accounts are invested, from engaging in certain transactions with persons that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the benefit plan. A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax or other penalties and liabilities under ERISA 63 177 and the Internal Revenue Code for such persons. The acquisition or holding of securities by a benefit plan could be considered to give rise to a prohibited transaction if we, the servicer, the related trust or any respective affiliates is or becomes a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to such benefit plan. In addition, certain transactions involving the trust might be deemed to constitute prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a benefit plan that purchased notes or certificates if assets of the trust were deemed to be assets of the benefit plan. Under the plan assets regulation issued by the United States Department of Labor, the assets of the trust would be treated as plan assets of a benefit plan for the purposes of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code only if the benefit plan acquired an "equity interest" in the trust and none of the exceptions contained in the plan assets regulation was applicable. An equity interest is defined under the plan assets regulation as an interest other than an instrument which is treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features. The likely treatment of notes and certificates is discussed in the related prospectus supplement. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to ERISA requirements. A plan fiduciary considering the purchase of notes should consult its tax and/or legal advisors and refer to the applicable prospectus supplement regarding whether the assets of the trust would be considered plan assets, the possibility of exemptive relief from the prohibited transaction rules and other issues and their potential consequences. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION On the terms and conditions set forth in one or more underwriting agreements with respect to each trust, we will agree to sell to each of the underwriters named in each underwriting agreement and in the related prospectus supplement, and each of those underwriters will severally agree to purchase from us, the principal amount of each class of securities of the related series set forth in the underwriting agreement and in the related prospectus supplement. In each underwriting agreement, the several underwriters will agree, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement, to purchase all the securities described in it which are offered by the prospectus and by the related prospectus supplement if any of such securities are purchased. In the event of a default by any such underwriter, each underwriting agreement will provide that, in certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. Each prospectus supplement will either: - set forth the price at which each class of securities being offered by the prospectus supplement will be offered to the public and any concessions that may be offered to certain dealers participating in the offering of such securities; or - specify that the related securities are to be resold by the underwriters in negotiated transactions at varying prices to be determined at the time of such sale. After the initial public offering of any securities, the public offering price and such concessions may be changed. Each underwriting agreement will provide that we will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. 64 178 The indenture trustee may, from time to time, invest the funds in the designated accounts in eligible investments acquired from the underwriters or from us. Under each underwriting agreement, except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the closing of the sale of any class of securities subject to the underwriting agreement will be conditioned on the closing of the sale of all other such classes of securities of that series. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. LEGAL OPINIONS Certain legal matters relating to the notes and the certificates will be passed upon by Robert L. Schwartz, Esq., our General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel of GMAC, and by Mayer, Brown & Platt, our special counsel and special counsel to each trust and GMAC. Mr. Schwartz owns shares of each of the classes of General Motors common stock and has options to purchase shares of General Motors common stock. Mayer, Brown & Platt will pass upon certain federal income tax matters for us, GMAC and each trust. WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We filed a registration statement relating to the securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement includes additional information. The servicer will file with the SEC all required annual, monthly and special SEC reports and other information about the trust. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update the information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference any future SEC reports and materials filed by or on behalf of the trust until we terminate our offering. As a recipient of this prospectus, you may request a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference, at no cost, by writing us at: General Motors Acceptance Corporation 3044 West Grand Boulevard Detroit, Michigan 48202 65 179 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering of the securities, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, described in this Registration Statement: Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......... $ Printing and engraving costs................................ Legal fees.................................................. Trustee fees and expenses................................... Accountant's fees........................................... Rating Agencies' fees....................................... Miscellaneous expenses...................................... ------ Total............................................. $ ====== ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Capital Auto Receivables, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of Delaware. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons, including officers and directors, who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise). The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred. Capital Auto Receivables Inc.'s By-laws provide, in effect, that, subject to certain limited exceptions, such corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers in the manner and to the full extent permitted by applicable law against any and all amounts reasonably incurred by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of such corporation. General Motors Acceptance Corporation has agreed to satisfy such indemnification obligations of Capital Auto Receivables Inc. if and to the extent that Capital Auto Receivables Inc. fails to do so. Certain controlling persons of the Registrant may also be entitled to indemnification from General Motors Acceptance Corporation, the direct parent of the Registrant. Under Section 145, General Motors Acceptance Corporation may or shall, II-1 180 subject to various exceptions and limitations, indemnify its directors or officers and may purchase and maintain insurance as follows: (a) The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of General Motors Acceptance Corporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to General Motors Acceptance Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to General Motors Acceptance Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174, or any successor provision thereto, of the Delaware Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. (b) Under Article VI of its By-Laws, General Motors Acceptance Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to every director and officer (and to such person's heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives) in the manner and to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended, against any and all amounts (including judgments, fines, payments in settlement, attorneys' fees and other expenses) reasonably incurred by or on behalf of such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal administrative or investigative (a "proceeding"), in which such director or officer was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of General Motors Acceptance Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of General Motors Acceptance Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or member of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise. General Motors Acceptance Corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person if the proceeding was not authorized by the Board of Directors of General Motors Acceptance Corporation. General Motors Acceptance Corporation shall pay the expenses of directors and officers incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition ("advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay full amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under Article VI of the By-Laws or otherwise. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses by an officer or director under Article VI of the By-Laws is not paid in full within ninety days after a written claim therefor has been received by General Motors Acceptance Corporation, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim, and if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law. The rights conferred on any person by Article VI of the By-Laws shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of General Motors Acceptance Corporation or otherwise. The obligation, if any, of General Motors Acceptance Corporation to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise. II-2 181 As a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation, General Motors Acceptance Corporation is insured against liabilities which it may incur by reason of the foregoing provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and directors and officers of General Motors Acceptance Corporation are insured against some liabilities which might arise out of their employment and not be subject to indemnification under said General Corporation Law. Pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of General Motors Corporation, General Motors Corporation, to the fullest extent permissible under law, will indemnify, and has purchased insurance on behalf of, directors or officers of the Company, or any of them, who incur or are threatened with personal liability, including expenses, under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any amendatory or comparable legislation or regulation thereunder. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained in the Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if total dollar volume of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-3 182 (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1993, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Indenture Trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act ("Act") in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act. II-4 183 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, on the 22nd day of December, 1999. CAPITAL AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC. /s/ WILLIAM F. MUIR ------------------------------------ William F. Muir Chairman of the Board Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on December 22, 1999 by the following persons in the capacities indicated. /s/ WILLIAM F. MUIR ------------------------------------ William F. Muir Chairman of the Board SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ WILLIAM F. MUIR Chairman of the Board and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- William F. Muir /s/ JOHN D. FINNEGAN President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- John D. Finnegan /s/ PAUL D. BULL Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Paul D. Bull /s/ JOHN E. GIBSON Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- John E. Gibson /s/ JEROME B. VAN ORMAN, JR. Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Jerome B. Van Orman, Jr. /s/ DAVID C. WALKER Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- David C. Walker /s/ JOHN RAKOLTA, JR. Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- John Rakolta, Jr. /s/ RICHARD E. DAMMAN Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Richard E. Damman /s/ GERALD E. GROSS Comptroller - - ----------------------------------------------------- Gerald E. Gross By: /s/ GERALD E. GROSS - - ----------------------------------------------------- Gerald E. Gross Attorney-in-Fact II-5 184 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing Form S-1 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, on the 22nd day of December, 1999. LEASE AUTO RECEIVABLES, INC., AS GENERAL PARTNER OF CORRAL, L.P., A CERTIFICATEHOLDER OF CENTRAL ORIGINATING LEASE TRUST /s/ WILLIAM F. MUIR ------------------------------------ William F. Muir Chairman of the Board Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on December 22, 1999 by the following persons in the capacities indicated. SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ WILLIAM F. MUIR Chairman of the Board and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- William F. Muir /s/ JOHN D. FINNEGAN President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- John D. Finnegan /s/ PAUL D. BULL Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Paul D. Bull /s/ JOHN E. GIBSON Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- John E. Gibson /s/ JEROME B. VAN ORMAN, JR. Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Jerome B. Van Orman, Jr. /s/ DAVID C. WALKER Vice President and Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- David C. Walker /s/ GUNTHER DUFEY Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Gunther Dufey /s/ RICHARD E. DAMMAN Director - - ----------------------------------------------------- Richard E. Damman /s/ GERALD E. GROSS Comptroller - - ----------------------------------------------------- Gerald E. Gross By: /s/ GERALD E. GROSS - - ----------------------------------------------------- Gerald E. Gross Attorney-in-Fact II-6 185 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT INDEX DESCRIPTION - - ------- ----------- 1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Grantor Trust Certificates (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Owner Trust Notes and Certificates (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 1.3 Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Secured Notes.* 3.1 Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 33-49169, dated November 15, 1993) and Amended and Restated By-laws of Capital Auto Receivables, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 3.2 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of March 15, 1996 by Bankers Trust (Delaware) and acknowledged, accepted and agreed to by Corral, L.P.* 4.1 Form of Indenture between the Trust and the Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 4.2 Form of Owner Trust Pooling and Servicing Agreement between GMAC and the Seller (Version 1) (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 4.3 GMAC Grantor Trusts Standard Terms and Conditions of Agreement Effective June 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 4.4 Form of Grantor Trust Pooling and Servicing Agreement between GMAC and the Seller (Version 2) (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 4.5 Form of Trust Agreement between the Seller and the Owner Trustee (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 4.6 Form of Secured Note Indenture between the Trust and the Indenture Trustee.* 5.1 Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis with respect to legality of Grantor Trust Certificates and Owner Trust Notes and Certificates (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 5.2 Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt with respect to legality of Secured Notes.* 8.1 Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis with respect to tax matters of Grantor Trust Certificates and Owner Trust Notes and Certificates (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 8.2 Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt with respect to tax matters of Secured Notes.* 10.1 Form of Purchase Agreement between GMAC and the Seller (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 23.1 Consent of Kirkland & Ellis (included as part of Exhibit 5.1). 23.2 Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (included as part of Exhibit 5.2).* 24.1 Power of Attorney. 186 EXHIBIT INDEX DESCRIPTION - - ------- ----------- 25.1 Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee for the Owner Trustee Notes and Certificates (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Form 8-K, File No. 33-49307, dated November 12, 1993). 25.2 Statement of Eligibility of the Secured Note Trustee.* 99.1 Form of Owner Trust Prospectus Supplement (Version 1). 99.2 Form of Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement among the Trust, the Seller and the Servicer (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 333-06039, dated June 14, 1996). 99.3 Form of Custodian Agreement (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 33-49307, dated January 23, 1993). 99.4 Form of Administration Agreement among the Servicer, the Owner Trustee and the Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Registrant from Registration Statement File No. 33-49307, dated January 23, 1993). 99.5 Form of Grantor Trust Prospectus Supplement (Version 2). 99.6 Form of Secured Note Pooling and Servicing Agreement between GMAC and the Seller.* 99.7 Form of Secured Note Trust Sale and Servicing Agreement between the Trust, the Seller and GMAC.* 99.8 Form of Secured Note Trust Agreement between the Seller and the Owner Trustee.* 99.9 Form of Secured Note Administration Agreement between GMAC, the Owner Trustee and the Indenture Trustee.* 99.10 Form of Secured Note Custodian Agreement between the Seller and the Custodian.* 99.11 Form of Secured Note Prospectus Supplement (Version 3). - - ------------------------- * To be filed by amendment.