Draft--3/7/98
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.
and
The First National Bank of Chicago
Relating to the Preferred Securities of
Dura Automotive Systems Capital Trust
Dated as of March __, 1998
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CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*
SECTION OF TRUST SECTION OF
INDENTURE ACT OF GUARANTEE
1939, AS AMENDED AGREEMENT
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310(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1(a)
310(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.1(c), 2.8
310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b)
311(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b)
311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(a)
312(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b)
313. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3
314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.4
314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
314(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.5
314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
314(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.2
315(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(d)
315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.7
315(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.1
315(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(d)
316(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.3
317(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
317(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable
318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1(b)
318(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1
318(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1(a)
- --------------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
ARTICLE 2
TRUST INDENTURE ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
SECTION 2.2 LIST OF HOLDERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT . . . . . . . . .5
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SECTION 2.7 EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SECTION 2.8 CONFLICTING INTERESTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ARTICLE 3
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
SECTION 3.1 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . .6
SECTION 3.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
SECTION 3.3 INDEMNITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
ARTICLE 4
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
SECTION 4.1 GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
SECTION 4.2 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. . 10
ARTICLE 5
GUARANTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 5.1 GUARANTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 5.2 WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 5.3 OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 5.4 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 5.5 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 5.6 SUBROGATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 5.7 INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 6.1 SUBORDINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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SECTION 6.2 CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE GUARANTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 8.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 8.2 AMENDMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 8.3 NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 8.4 BENEFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 8.5 INTERPRETATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 8.6 GOVERNING LAW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ii
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of March __, 1998, is executed and
delivered by Dura Automotive Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Guarantor"), and The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking
association, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as
defined herein) of Dura Automotive Systems Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory
business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the "Trust
Agreement"), dated as of March __, 1998, among the Trustees named therein, the
Guarantor, as Depositor, and the Holders from time to time of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing
2,000,000 (2,300,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) of its
__% Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (liquidation preference $25 per
preferred security) (the "Preferred Securities") representing preferred
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and having the terms
set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's
Common Securities (as defined herein), will be used to purchase the Debentures
(as defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Guarantor which will be deposited
with The First National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee under the Trust
Agreement, as trust assets;
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred Securities, the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee
Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and
conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee
agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms
to this Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as
defined herein), except that if an event of default (as defined in the Indenture
(as defined herein)), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of
the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments (as defined in the Common
Securities Guarantee) under the Common Securities Guarantee shall be
subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive
Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) under this Guarantee.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for
the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Preferred Securities.
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms
set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following
meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as
in effect on the date hereof.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct common control with such
specified Person, provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Guarantor shall
not be deemed to include the Issuer. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Class A Common Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Guarantor.
"Class B Common Stock" shall mean the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Guarantor.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common beneficial
interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"Common Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that
except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received written notice of default and shall not have cured
such default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or
made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the
Preferred Securities, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand
available therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all
accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption
Price"), with respect to the Preferred Securities called for redemption by the
Issuer to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor, and
(iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Issuer, unless
Debentures are distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of
the liquidation preference of $25 per Preferred Security plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment to the extent
the Issuer shall have funds on hand available to make such payment and (b) the
amount of assets of the
2
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in dissolution of the
Issuer (in either case, the "Stockholder Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The First National Bank of Chicago, until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the
Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not
include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee or any Affiliate of the Guarantor
or the Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Junior Convertible Subordinated Indenture, dated as
of March __, 1998, as supplemented and amended between the Guarantor and The
First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2 (a).
"Majority in Liquidation Preference of the Securities" means, except as
provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting separately
as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation preference of all the
outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the Issuer.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by (i) the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice
President, and by (ii) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller,
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, and delivered to the
Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee Agreement
shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated
3
association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or
any other entity of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any
officer assigned to the Trustee's Corporate Trust Office, including any managing
director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer,
assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and
having direct responsibility for the administration of this Guarantee Agreement,
and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer, to whom such
matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
ARTICLE 2
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and
shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed
duties shall control.
SECTION 2.2 LIST OF HOLDERS.
(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee (unless the Guarantee Trustee is acting as Securities
Registrar with respect to the Debentures under the Indenture) (i)
semi-annually, on or before January 15 and July 15 of each year, a list, in
such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the delivery thereof, and (ii) at such other times as the
Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt
by the Guarantor of any such written request, a List of Holders as of a
date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, in
each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of
the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders
or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guarantor shall not be obligated to
provide such List of Holders at any time the Preferred Securities are
represented by one or
4
more Global Certificates (as defined in the Indenture). The Guarantee
Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt
of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. Within 60 days after May
15, 1999 in each calendar year, commencing with May 15, 1999, the Guarantee
Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by Section 313
of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by
Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply
with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. The Guarantor shall
provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by Section
314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act; and such compliance
certificate of the Guarantor shall be delivered on or before 120 days after the
end of each calendar year.
SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The
Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance
with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement
that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust
Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer
pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers'
Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER. The Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Preference of the Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders,
waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any
such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.
SECTION 2.7 EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to
the Holders, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a
Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have
been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, except in the
case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee
Trustee shall be fully protected in withholding such notice if and so long
as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good
faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Holders.
5
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have actual knowledge
of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received
written notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of
the Trust Agreement shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of
Default.
SECTION 2.8 CONFLICTING INTERESTS. The Trust Agreement and the Indenture
shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the
purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE 3
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee
for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not
transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising
his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee
Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and
interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor
Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of
its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be
effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee
shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be
read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case
an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived
pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to the Responsible Officer
of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person
would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her
own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action,
its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except
that:
6
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
occurred;
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the
truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to
the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or
opinions that by any provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture
Act are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee
Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine
the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment
was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Liquidation Preference of the Securities relating to the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement;
and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee
Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement or indemnity satisfactory to it
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
7
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any
resolution, certificate, statement, proxy, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
presented by the proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take
any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate
which, upon receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall
be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and
the written advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to
legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it
hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of its
Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee
shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent
jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee
Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such
Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee and its officers,
directors and agents such adequate security and indemnity as would
satisfy a reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such
request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be
requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained
in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee
Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation
to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee
Agreement and use the same degree of care and skill in the exercise
thereof as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument,
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opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through its agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys or any
Affiliate, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement
the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions
with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other
action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request written
instructions from the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Preference
of the Securities, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right
or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and
(c) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such
instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose
any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts
or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it
in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee
Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable
law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power,
duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the
Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with
such power and authority.
SECTION 3.3 INDEMNITY. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee
Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this
Guarantee Agreement, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Guarantee Trustee
will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payment as a result
of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement. Guarantor's
indemnification obligations set forth in this Section 3.3 shall survive
termination of this Guarantee Agreement or resignation or removal of the
Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE 4
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
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(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000, and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of
Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or
to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then,
for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the
Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such
corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to
so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign
in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,
the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the
provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 4.2 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed
or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until
a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its
removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office
(without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in
writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor,
which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee
has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by an instrument in
writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may
deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
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(e) No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions of
any successor Guarantor Trustee.
(f) Upon the removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee, the
Guarantor shall pay all amounts due and owing to such Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE 5
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 GUARANTEE. The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication
of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may
have or assert other than the defense of payment. The Guarantor's obligation to
make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such
amounts to the Holders.
SECTION 5.2 WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND. The Guarantor hereby waives
notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it
applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a
proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, Issuer or any other Person
before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice
of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3 OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED. The obligations, covenants,
agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall in
no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of
any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities
to be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment
of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment
period on the Debentures as so provided in the Indenture), Redemption
Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms
of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of
any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the
Preferred Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;
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(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or
readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer
or any of the assets of the Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the
intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders or the Guarantee Trustee to
give notice to, or obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the
happening of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 5.4 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that:
(i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be
held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to
enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of
a Majority in Liquidation Preference of the Securities have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) if the Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce the
Guarantee, any Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any
other Person.
SECTION 5.5 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT. This Guarantee Agreement creates a
guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not
be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without
duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of
Debentures to Holders as provided in the Trust Agreement.
SECTION 5.6 SUBROGATION. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if
any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the
right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.1; provided, however,
that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory
provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may
acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement,
if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this
Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation
of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for
the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
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SECTION 5.7 INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS. The Guarantor acknowledges that its
obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with
respect to the Preferred Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as
principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 SUBORDINATION. The Guarantee Agreement will constitute an
unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all liabilities of the Guarantor and PARI PASSU with the
most senior preferred stock of the Guarantor, if any, now or hereafter issued by
the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company
in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the
Guarantor.
SECTION 6.2 CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE GUARANTOR.
(a) Guarantor covenants and agrees that if and so long as (i) the
Issuer is the holder of all the Debentures, (ii) a Tax Event (as defined in
the Trust Agreement) in respect of the Issuer has occurred and is
continuing and (iii) the Guarantor has elected, and has not revoked such
election, to pay Additional Sums (as defined in the Trust Agreement) in
respect of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities, the Guarantor
will pay to the Issuer such Additional Sums.
(b) The Guarantor covenants and agrees that it will not, and will not
cause any subsidiary of the Guarantor to, (i) declare or pay any dividends
or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's capital stock or (ii) make
any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or
repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees of
indebtedness for money borrowed) of the Guarantor that rank PARI PASSU with
or junior to the Debentures (other than (a) any dividend, redemption,
liquidation, interest, principal or guarantee payment by the Guarantor
where the payment is made by way of securities (including capital stock)
that rank PARI PASSU with or junior to the securities on which such
dividend, redemption, interest, principal or guarantee payment is being
made, (b) redemptions or purchases of any rights pursuant to a stockholder
rights agreement, and the declaration of a dividend of such rights or the
issuance of preferred stock under such a plan in the future, (c) payments
under this Agreement, (d) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance
of Common Stock under any of the Guarantor's benefit plans for its
directors, officers or employees, (e) as a result of a reclassification of
the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one series
or class of the Guarantor's capital stock for another series or class of
the Guarantor's capital stock and (f) the purchase of fractional interests
in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted
or exchanged) if at such time (i) there shall
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have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that
(a) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
constitute an "Event of Default" under the Indenture with respect to the
Debentures and (b) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken
reasonable steps to cure, (ii) the Guarantor shall be in default with
respect to its payment of any obligations under the Guarantee or (iii) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its selection of an Extension Period
(as defined in the Indenture) with respect to the Debentures and shall not
have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension
thereof, shall be continuing.
(c) The Guarantor covenants and agrees (i) to maintain directly or
indirectly 100% ownership of the Common Securities, provided that certain
successors which are permitted by the Indenture may succeed to the
Guarantor's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to voluntarily
dissolve the Issuer, except (a) in connection with a distribution of the
Debentures to the holders of the Preferred Securities in dissolution of the
Issuer or (b) in connection with certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations permitted by the Trust Agreement, (iii) to use its reasonable
efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement,
to cause the Issuer to remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax
purposes, (iv) for so long as Preferred Securities are outstanding, not to
convert Debentures except pursuant to a notice of conversion delivered to
the Conversion Agent (as defined in the Trust Agreement) by a Holder, (v)
to maintain the reservation for issuance of the number of shares of Class A
Common Stock that would be required from time to time upon the conversion
of all the Debentures then outstanding, (vi) to deliver shares of Class A
Common Stock upon an election by the Holders to convert such Preferred
Securities into Class A Common Stock and (vii) to honor all obligations
described herein relating to the conversion or exchange of the Preferred
Securities into or for Class A Common Stock or Debentures.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION. This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be
of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of
all Preferred Securities, (ii) the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in
exchange for all of the Preferred Securities, (iii) full payment of the amounts
payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon dissolution of the Issuer or
(iv) upon the distribution, if any, of Class A Common Stock to the holders of
the Preferred Securities in respect of the conversion of all such holders'
Preferred Securities into Class A Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as
the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid
with respect to Preferred Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
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ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All guarantees and agreements
contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the
benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. Except in
connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that is
permitted under Article 8 of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee
agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the
Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 8.2 AMENDMENTS. Except with respect to any changes which do not
adversely affect the rights of the Holders in any material respect (in which
case no consent of the Holders will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may
only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Liquidation Preference of the Securities. The provisions of Article
6 of the Trust Agreement concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the
giving of such approval. The Guarantor shall furnish the Guarantee Trustee with
an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any
amendment of this Agreement is authorized and permitted.
SECTION 8.3 NOTICES. Any notice, request or other communication required
or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party
giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail as
follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such
other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders:
Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.
2791 Research Drive
Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309-3575
Phone No.: (248) 299-7500
Facsimile No.: (248) 299-7501
Attention: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the
Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such
other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give
notice of to the Holders:
Dura Automotive Systems Capital Trust
4508 IDS Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Phone No.: (612) 342-2311
Facsimile No.: (612) 332-2012
Attention: Vice President and Controller
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with a copy to:
The First National Bank of Chicago
One First National Plaza, Suite 0126
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126
Phone No.: (312) 407-1819
Facsimile No.: (312) 407-4656
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division
(c) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Issuer.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.4 BENEFIT. This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit
of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 8.5 INTERPRETATION. In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the
context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not
defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to
them in Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or
amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
and
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(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION 8.6 GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
* * * * * *
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.
DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
as Guarantee Trustee
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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