EXHIBIT 4.18
FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION COMMITMENT AGREEMENT
USA TRUCK, INC.
November 2, 2001
Mr. Jerry D. Orler
Vice President Finance
USA Truck, Inc.
3200 Industrial Park Rd.
Van Buren, AR 72956
Dear Jerry:
Fleet Capital Corporation (FCC) is pleased to present the following proposed
TRAC lease line of credit structure:
LESSEE: USA Truck, Inc.
LESSOR: FCC or its assigns
EQUIPMENT: Approximately 100 Freightliner tractors,
acceptable to Lessor.
ASSUMED DEPRECIATION: 3 Year Modified ACRS
EQUIPMENT COST: Approximately $7,000,000
EQUIPMENT LOCATION: Lessee address
DELIVERY
AND ACCEPTANCE: The Equipment will be delivered and
accepted for lease no earlier than
finalization of lease documentation and no
later than the date(s) specified under
Lease Payments.
LEASE TERM: Forty-two (42) months
LEASE PAYMENTS: For equipment placed on lease between
January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002:
Forty-two (42) consecutive monthly
payments, each equal to the Rate Factor
per $1,000 of equipment cost, payable
monthly in arrears as follows:
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<Table>
<Caption>
DELIVERY RATE TRAC IMPLICIT RATE
MONTH FACTOR PERCENTAGE (INCLUDING TRAC)
- ------------ -------- ----------- ----------------
JAN $ 16.79 40% 4.21%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
FEB $ 16.77 40% 4.17%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
MAR $ 16.74 40% 4.13%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
APR $ 16.71 40% 4.08%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
MAY $ 16.70 40% 4.06%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
JUNE $ 16.67 40% 4.02%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
JULY $ 16.59 40% 3.88%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
AUG $ 16.56 40% 3.82%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
SEPT $ 16.52 40% 3.76%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
OCT $ 16.49 40% 3.72%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
NOV $ 16.46 40% 3.65%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
DEC $ 16.42 40% 3.59%
- ------------ -------- -------- --------
</Table>
The lease rate(s) will be subject to
change depending upon the Lessor's cost of
funds at the time to transaction is
funded. As an example, the factors quoted
herein of $16.79 per $1,000 of Equipment
Cost has a lease rate of 4.21% and is
based upon Lessor's three year cost of
funds of 3.02%. For every change in our
cost of funds (increase or decrease), an
equivalent corresponding adjustment will
be made to the lease rate factors.
LEASE TERMINATION: Lessee shall have the option to terminate
the lease after the Lease Term, upon
notice to the Lessor, by either selling
the Equipment to an unrelated third party
or returning the Equipment to the Lessor,
at such site mutually acceptable to Lessor
and Lessee. Lessor shall sell the
Equipment within a reasonable time after
such Equipment has been returned to
Lessor. If the net proceeds of the sale of
the Equipment initiated by the Lessee or
the Lessor exceed the termination value,
such excess shall be for the account of
the Lessee. If the net proceeds of the
sale are less than the termination value,
the Lessee shall be responsible for such
deficiency. Lessee shall also have the
right to purchase the Equipment under the
same terms and conditions as an unrelated
third party. The Termination Value amount
equals the TRAC stated above as a percent
of the Equipment Cost.
TYPE OF LEASE: Lessee will pay all taxes when due and
give notice to Lessor. Net lease
transaction whereby Lessee shall be
responsible for the payment of all taxes
(other than Lessor's income taxes), fees
to secure Lessor's Equipment security
position, insurance and maintenance and
all other costs in connection with the
Equipment, and its operation. Lessee shall
provide evidence of physical damage and
liability insurance with endorsements in
amounts acceptable to the Lessor prior to
the delivery of the Equipment.
CREDIT EXPIRATION: Credit approval, if granted, and
acceptance of the terms outlined in this
proposal shall remain in effect for the
period specified under Lease Payments, but
in no event, longer than one (1) year from
the date of this proposal and subject to
no material adverse change in the
financial condition of the Lessee.
PROPOSAL
EXPIRATION DATE: This proposal shall remain in effect for
fifteen (15) days from the date of this
letter.
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This proposal is not an agreement or commitment to lease. The Lessor's
obligation to provide the proposed structure is subject to an agreement between
Lessor and Lessee and other material terms of the proposed structure, the
obtaining of all prior approvals by Lessor, including credit committee approval,
and the review and execution of documentation mutually acceptable to Lessor and
Lessee. Our proposal is based upon current tax laws and any change in tax laws
prior to funding the Equipment which adversely affects the tax benefits
available to Lessor may require certain terms and conditions of this proposal to
be adjusted. The proposed financing is subject to the conditions that a clear
market exists for the syndication of the proposed financing and that no material
changes in governmental regulations or policies affecting the Lessee, Lessor, or
Assignee involved in this transaction occur prior to the Closing Date. FCC shall
be entitled, with the consultation of the Lessee, to readdress the pricing,
structure, or any other terms of this financing if FCC determines that such
changes are required in order to ensure a successful syndication.
If the above terms and conditions are acceptable, please acknowledge your
acceptance below and return this letter.
Thank you for the opportunity to present our proposal and we look forward to a
long and mutually beneficial relationship.
Sincerely,
FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION
/s/ Greg Larrick
Gregory E. Larrick
Vice President
AWARD ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This proposal is acceptable to us,
And this financing is awarded to
Fleet Capital Corporation.
By: /s/ Jerry D. Orler
-------------------------------
Title: C F O
----------------------------
Date: November 8, 2001
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