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AutoCanada Inc.

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FY2011 Annual Report · AutoCanada Inc.
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AutoCanada Inc.

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

Consolidated Finacial Statements

Corporate Information

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80

 
 
AutoCanada Inc.
Management’s Discussion & Analysis of 
Financial Conditions and Results of  
Operations 

For the year ended December 31, 2011

As of March 22, 2012

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6 » AutoCanada 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
READER ADVISORIES 

The  Management’s  Discussion  &  Analysis  (“MD&A”)  was  prepared  as  of  March  22,  2012  to  assist  readers  in  understanding 
AutoCanada Inc.’s (the “Company” or “AutoCanada”) consolidated financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2011 
and significant trends that may affect AutoCanada’s future performance.  The following discussion and analysis should be read in 
conjunction  with  the  audited  annual  consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes  (the  “Consolidated  Financial 
Statements”)  of  AutoCanada  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011.    Results  are  reported  in  Canadian  dollars.    Certain  dollar 
amounts have  been  rounded  to  the  nearest  thousand  dollars.  References  to  notes  are  to  the  Notes  of  the  Consolidated Financial 
Statements of the Company unless otherwise stated.  

To provide more meaningful information, this MD&A typically refers to the operating results for the three-month period and year 
ended December 31, 2011 of the Company, and compares these to the operating results of the Company for the three-month period 
and year ended December 31, 2010.   

This  MD&A  contains  forward-looking  statements.    Please  see  the  section  “FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS”  for  a 
discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions used to develop our forward-looking information.  This MD&A also makes 
reference  to  certain non-GAAP  measures  to  assist  users  in  assessing  AutoCanada’s  performance.    Non-GAAP  measures  do  not 
have  any  standard  meaning  prescribed  by  GAAP  and  are  therefore  unlikely  to  be  comparable  to  similar  measures  presented  by 
other issuers.  These measures are identified and described under the section “NON-GAAP MEASURES”. 

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY 

Corporate Structure 

AutoCanada  Inc.  (“ACI”,  “AutoCanada”,  or  the  “Company”)  was  incorporated  under  the  CBCA  on  October  29,  2009  in 
connection  with  participating  in  an  arrangement  with  AutoCanada  Income  Fund  and  the  conversion  to  a  corporate  structure  on 
December 31, 2009.  The principal and head office of ACI is located at 200 - 15505 Yellowhead Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, T5V 
1E5.    AutoCanada  Inc.  holds  interests  in  a  number  of  limited  partnerships  that  each  carry  on  the  business  of  a  franchised 
automobile dealership.  AutoCanada is a reporting issuer in each of the provinces of Canada.  AutoCanada’s shares trade on the 
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “ACQ”. 

Additional information relating to AutoCanada, including our 2011 Annual Information Form dated March 22, 2012, is available 
on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) website at www.sedar.com. 

The Business of the Company 

AutoCanada is one of Canada’s largest multi-location automobile dealership groups, currently operating 24 franchised dealerships 
in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New  Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In 2011, our dealerships sold approximately 
28,000 vehicles and processed approximately 300,000 service and collision repair orders in our 333 service bays during that time.  

Our  dealerships  derive  their  revenue  from  the  following  four  inter-related  business  operations:  new  vehicle  sales;  used  vehicle 
sales;  parts,  service  and  collision  repair;  and  finance  and  insurance.  While  new  vehicle  sales  are  the  most  important  source  of 
revenue,  they  generally  result  in  lower  gross  profits  than  used  vehicle  sales,  parts,  service  and  collision  repair  operations  and 
finance and insurance sales. Overall gross profit margins increase as revenues from higher margin operations increase relative to 
revenues from lower margin operations.  

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s geographical profile is illustrated below  by number of dealerships and revenues  by province  for the  year ended 
December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.    

December 31, 2011 

December 31, 2010 

(In thousands of dollars except 
% of total and number of 
dealerships) 

Number 
of 
Dealerships 

British Columbia 

Alberta 

Ontario 

All other 

Total 

9  

9 

3 

3  

Revenue 

% of Total 

359,725 

     35% 

411,024 

    41% 

107,704 

130,405 

  11% 

   13% 

100% 

24  

1,008,858 

Number 
of 
Dealerships 

Revenue 

% of Total 

7  

9 

4 

3  

23  

310,314 

345,877 

111,367 

101,949 

869,507 

    35% 

    40% 

  13% 

   12% 

100% 

The following table sets forth the dealerships that we currently own and operate and the date opened or acquired by the Company 
or its predecessors, organized by location.   

Location of Dealerships 

Operating Name 

Franchise 

Dealerships as of December 31, 2011: 

Year 
Opened or 
Acquired 

Edmonton, Alberta 
Edmonton, Alberta 
Grande Prairie, Alberta 
Grande Prairie, Alberta 
Grande Prairie, Alberta 
Grande Prairie, Alberta 
Grande Prairie, Alberta  
Ponoka, Alberta 
Sherwood Park, Alberta  
Abbotsford, British Columbia 
Chilliwack, British Columbia 
Kelowna, British Columbia 
Maple Ridge, British Columbia 
Maple Ridge, British Columbia 
Prince George, British Columbia 
Prince George, British Columbia 
Prince George, British Columbia  
Victoria, British Columbia 
Thompson, Manitoba 
Moncton, New Brunswick 
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia 
Cambridge, Ontario 
Mississauga, Ontario 
Newmarket, Ontario 

Dealerships sold during 2011: 

  Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge FIAT 
  Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge FIAT 
  Grande Prairie Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Grande Prairie Hyundai 
  Grande Prairie Subaru 
  Grande Prairie Mitsubishi 
  Grande Prairie Nissan 
  Ponoka Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Sherwood Park Hyundai 
  Abbotsford Volkswagen(2) 
  Chilliwack Volkswagen(2) 
  Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge FIAT 

Maple Ridge Volkswagen 

  Northland Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Northland Hyundai 
  Northland Nissan 
  Victoria Hyundai 
  Thompson Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Moncton Chrysler Jeep Dodge 
  Dartmouth Chrysler Jeep Dodge  
  Cambridge Hyundai 
  401/Dixie Hyundai  

Newmarket Infiniti Nissan 

Chrysler 
Chrysler 
Chrysler 
Hyundai 
Subaru 
Mitsubishi 
Nissan 
Chrysler 
Hyundai 
Volkswagen 
Volkswagen 
Chrysler 
Chrysler 
Volkswagen 
Chrysler 
Hyundai 
Nissan 
Hyundai 
Chrysler 
Chrysler 
Chrysler 
Hyundai 
Hyundai 
Nissan / Infiniti 

1994 
2003 
1998 
2005 
1998 
2007 
2007 
1998 
2006 
2011 
2011 
2003 
2005 
2008 
2002 
2005 
2007 
2006 
2003 
2001 
2006 
2008 
2010 
2008 

Woodbridge, Ontario 

Colombo Chrysler Jeep Dodge (1) 

Chrysler 

2005 

1 On June 21, 2011 the Company sold its Colombo Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership, located in Woodbridge, Ontario.  
2 On November 4, 2011 the Company acquired Abbotsford Volkswagen and Chilliwack Volkswagen.  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OUR PERFORMANCE 

New light vehicle sales in Canada in 2011 were up 1.8% when compared to 2010.  Annual sales of new light vehicles in Alberta 
and  British  Columbia,  our primary  markets,  were  up  by  8.7%  and 1.4% respectively.    The  Company’s  same  store  sales  of  new 
vehicles have increased by 26.6% during this period.  The Company’s manufacturer partners all outperformed the market this year 
and our dealerships performed particularly well, picking up market share in most sales regions.  Management is pleased with the 
Company’s ability to outperform the market in new vehicle sales during the period. 

The following table summarizes Canadian new light vehicle sales for 2011 by Province:  

December Year to Date Canadian New Vehicle Sales by Province1  

December Year to Date 

2011 

2010 

Percentage Change 

Units Change 

Province  
British Columbia  
Alberta  
Saskatchewan  
Manitoba  
Ontario 
Quebec 
New Brunswick 
PEI 
Nova Scotia  
Newfoundland 
Total  

156,515 
217,425 
49,607 
46,681 
588,402 
406,996 
38,309 
5,970 
45,015 
30,599 
1,585,519 

154,373 
200,088 
46,517 
44,025 
576,629 
413,635 
37,740 
6,112 
46,422 
    31,580 
1,557,121 

1.4% 
8.7% 
6.6% 
6.0% 
2.0% 
-1.6% 
1.5% 
-2.3% 
-3.0% 
-3.1% 
1.8% 

2,142 
17,337 
3,090 
2,656 
11,773 
-6,639 
569 
-142 
-1,407 
-981 
28,398 

1 DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. 

AutoCanada’s success in 2011 is largely driven by the increase in new vehicle sales.  The Company’s manufacturer partners have 
performed  well  in  Canada  in  2011;  led  by  Volkswagen  (sales  up  15.9%  in  2011),  Chrysler  (sales  up  12.5%  in  2011),  Hyundai 
(sales  up  9.1%  in  2011),  Nissan  (sales  up  3.9%  in  2011)  and  an  increase  from  Mitsubishi  (sales  up  5.2%  in  2011).    Various 
manufacturers  also  provide  our  dealerships  with  performance  based  incentives  for  meeting  and  exceeding  monthly  new  vehicle 
sales targets.  These performance based incentives have increased significantly in 2011 as compared to the prior year.  As a result, 
we have seen a shift in focus at our dealerships to selling higher volumes of new vehicles as opposed to used vehicles.  We cannot 
project the duration of these performance based incentives; the decrease or loss of such incentives would make it difficult for the 
Company  to  maintain  its  current  level  of  profitability  in  its  new  vehicle  department.    In  addition,  the  Company  experienced 
inventory shortages in 2011 with respect to some of its brands and we expect these shortages to continue into the 2012 fiscal year. 

The  improvement  in  the  new  vehicle  market  during  2011  has  also  positively  impacted  the  Company’s  finance  and  insurance 
business.  The Company realized an increase in finance and insurance revenue of 18.6% during 2011.  The sales increase translated 
into a $7.5 million or 19.1% increase in finance and insurance gross profit over the prior year.  Consumer credit also continued to 
improve as more of our customers were able to finance the purchase of their vehicle, accessories and other products. 

Due to a very aggressive used vehicle market in Canada in 2011, our used vehicle sales volumes decreased by 1% in 2011.  In spite 
of  this  reduction  in  unit  sales,  used  vehicle  gross  profits  increased  by  $0.5  million  or  2.9%  over  2010.    We  continue  to  see  a 
decrease in supply of quality one to five year old used vehicles as vehicle leasing essentially ended in 2009.  AutoCanada continues 
to focus on sourcing quality one to five year old vehicles through customer trade-ins and vehicle auctions.   

Our  parts  and  service  departments  posted  modest  gains  in revenue  and  gross  margins  mainly  due  to  an  increase  in  the  average 
revenue  per  repair  order  completed  over  the  prior  year.    The  Company  continues  to  invest  in  new  technology  to  improve  the 
customer experience in our service departments.  We expect that the impact the technology will have on customer satisfaction and 
improvement  in  customer  awareness  of  maintenance  requirements  will  lead  to  increased  sales  and  higher  margins  in  our  parts, 
service and collision repair departments. 

Operating expenses decreased to 80.9% of gross margin in 2011 compared to 86.8% in 2010 as a result of a number of initiatives 
undertaken by Management to decrease overhead and semi-variable costs. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SELECTED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

The following table shows the audited results of the Company  for the  years ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and 
December  31,  2011.   The results  of  operations  for  these  periods  are not necessarily  indicative  of  the results  of  operations  to  be 
expected in any given comparable period.  The column below marked “CGAAP” represents financial information which has not 
been  restated  for  the  Company’s  adoption  of  IFRS  and  readers  are  cautioned  that  this  column  may  not  provide  appropriate 
comparative information. 

(In thousands of dollars except Operating 
Data and gross profit %) 

The Company 
CGAAP 

The Company 
IFRS 

The Company 
IFRS 

(Audited) 

(Audited) 

(Audited) 

2009 

2010 

2011 

Income Statement Data 
Revenue 
  New vehicles 
  Used vehicles 
   Parts, service &  collision repair 
  Finance, insurance & other 
Gross profit 
  New vehicles 
  Used vehicles 
  Parts, service & collision repair 
   Finance, insurance & other 
Gross profit % 
Operating expenses 
Operating expenses as % of gross profit 
Finance costs - floorplan 
Finance costs – long term debt 
(Reversal of) Impairment of intangible assets 
Income taxes 
Net earnings   
EBITDA 1  
Cash dividends per share 
Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Operating Data 
Vehicles (new and used) sold 
New retail vehicles sold 
New fleet vehicles sold 
Used retail vehicles sold 
Number of service & collision repair orders 
completed 
Absorption rate 2 
# of dealerships 
# of same store dealerships 3 
# of service bays at period end 
Same store revenue growth 3 
Same store gross profit growth 3 

775,836 
412,203 
212,234 
108,164 
43,235 
141,976 
29,308 
19,913 
53,338 
39,417 
18.3% 
121,813 
85.8% 
4,855 
1.647 
- 
449 
12,578 
18,352 
0.062 
0.633 
0.633 

23,083 
11,117 
2,233 
9,733 
301,282 

89% 
22 
19 
331 
(10.5)% 
(7.8)% 

869,507 
514,676 
202,552 
108,558 
43,721 
150,020 
38,164 
16,885 
55,888 
39,083 
17.3% 
130,237 
86.8% 
7,536 
1,076 
(8,059) 
4,956 
14,596 
16,740 
0.120 
0.734 
0.734 

24,239 
12,767 
2,717 
8,755 
309,705 

86% 
23 
21 
339 
10.5% 
4.1% 

1,008,858 
640,721 
206,030 
110,262 
51,845 
169,124 
47,705 
17,381 
57,480 
46,558 
16.8% 
136,846 
80.9% 
8,057 
1,136 
(25,543) 
12,509 
36,784 
29,131 
0.310 
1.850 
1.850 

27,998 
14,499 
4,832 
8,667 
305,298 

88% 
24 
21 
333 
17.3% 
13.9% 

1 
2 
3 

EBITDA has been calculated as described under “NON-GAAP MEASURES”.   
Absorption has been calculated as described under “NON-GAAP MEASURES”. 
Same store revenue growth & same store gross profit growth is calculated using franchised automobile dealerships that we have owned for at least 2 full years.  

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

The  following  table  shows  the  unaudited  results  of  the  Company  for  each  of  the  eight  most  recently  completed  quarters.    The 
results  of  operations  for  these  periods  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  the  results  of  operations  to  be  expected  in  any  given 
comparable period.   

(In thousands of dollars except Operating 
Data and gross profit %) 

Income Statement Data 
  New vehicles 
  Used vehicles 
  Parts, service & collision repair 
  Finance, insurance & other 
Revenue 

  New vehicles 
  Used vehicles 
  Parts, service & collision repair 
  Finance, insurance & other 
Gross profit 

Gross profit % 
Operating expenses 
Operating exp. as % of gross profit 
Finance costs – floorplan 
Finance costs – long-term debt 
Reversal of impairment of intangibles 
Income taxes 
Net earnings 4 
EBITDA 1, 4 
Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Operating Data 
Vehicles (new and used) sold 
New retail vehicles sold 
New fleet vehicles sold 
Used retail vehicles sold 
Number of service & collision repair 
orders completed 
Absorption rate 2 
# of dealerships at period end 
# of same store dealerships 3 
# of service bays at period end 
Same store revenue growth 3 
Same store gross profit growth 3 

Balance Sheet Data 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Revolving floorplan facilities  

Q1 
2010 

Q2 
2010 

Q3 
2010 

Q4 
2010 

Q1 
2011 

Q2 
2011 

Q3 
2011 

Q4 
2011 

114,520 
49,034 
26,168 
10,067 
199,789 

144,655 
57,181 
27,501 
12,442 
241,779 

141,533 
50,922 
26,540 
11,060 
230,055 

113,967 
45,414 
28,351 
10,151 
197,883 

128,303 
44,906 
26,462 
11,113 
210,784 

196,850 
52,054 
28,256 
13,577 
290,737 

172,688 
55,351 
26,871  
14,109 
269,019 

8,128 
4,099 
13,252 
9,082 
34,561 

17.3% 
30,740 
88.9% 
1,670 
236 
- 
516 
1,414 
3,096 
0.071 
0.071 

5,676 
2,787 
661 
2,228 

75,311 
85% 
22 
19 
331 
16.9% 
11.1% 

11,030 
4,906 
14,612 
11,107 
41,655 

17.2% 
34,280 
82.3% 
2,230 
230 
- 
1,330 
3,624 
6,164 
0.182 
0.182 

6,994 
3,614 
919 
2,461 

80,072 
87% 
23 
19 
339 
19.4% 
7.5% 

9,983 
4,221 
14,031 
9,843 
38,078 

16.6% 
33,207 
87.2% 
2,042 
278 
- 
692 
1,983 
4,011 
0.100 
0.100 

6,350 
3,358 
831 
2,161 

77,285 
85% 
23 
19 
339 
6.7% 
(4.0)% 

9,023 
3,659 
13,994 
9,050 
35,725 

18.1% 
32,010 
89.6% 
1,594 
332 
(8,059) 
2,418 
7,575 
3,469 
0.381 
0.381 

5,219 
3,008 
306 
1,905 

77,037 
86% 
23 
21 
339 
2.4% 
2.9% 

9,724 
3,486 
13,277 
9,947 
36,434 

17.3% 
31,891 
87.5% 
1,685 
283 
- 
690 
1,995 
4,047 
0.100 
0.100 

5,826 
3,050 
796 
1,980 

72,360 
80% 
23 
22 
339 
2.7% 
2.9% 

13,974 
4,302 
15,159 
12,117 
45,552 

15.7% 
35,127 
77.1% 
2,311 
323 
- 
2,029 
5,951 
9,321 
0.299 
0.299 

8,210 
4,158 
1,900 
2,152 

80,851 
91% 
22 
21 
322 
19.3% 
8.2% 

12,740 
5,020 
14,493 
12,641 
44,894 

16.7% 
35,742 
79.6% 
2,190 
296 
- 
1,646 
5,230 
8,216 
0.263 
0.263 

7,649 
3,907 
1,340 
2,402 

76,176 
90% 
22 
21 
322 
21.6% 
22.9% 

142,880 
53,719 
28,673 
13,046 
238,318 

11,267 
4,573 
14,551 
11,853 
42,244 

17.7% 
34,086 
80.7% 
1,871 
234 
(25,543) 
8,144 
23,608 
7,547 
1.187 
1.187 

6,313 
3,405 
775 
2,133 

75,911 
91% 
24 
21 
333 
24.8% 
20.6% 

23,615 
40,701 
153,847 
160,590 

31,880 
46,787 
177,294 
194,388 

34,329 
37,149 
137,507 
145,652 

37,541 
32,832 
118,088 
124,609 

39,337 
42,260 
134,865 
152,075 

43,837 
51,539 
149,481 
172,600 

49,366 
44,172 
159,732 
175,291 

53,641 
42,448 
136,869 
150,816 

1 
2 
3 
4 

EBITDA has been calculated as described under “NON-GAAP MEASURES”.  
Absorption has been calculated as described under “NON-GAAP MEASURES”. 
Same store revenue growth & same store gross profit growth is calculated using franchised automobile dealerships that we have owned for at least 2 full years.  
The  results  from  operations  have  been  lower  in  the  first  and  fourth  quarters  of  each  year,  largely  due  to  consumer  purchasing  patterns  during  the  holiday 
season,  inclement  weather  and  the  reduced  number  of  business  days  during  the  holiday  season.  As  a  result,  our  financial  performance  is  generally  not  as 
strong  during  the  first  and  fourth  quarters  than  during  the  other  quarters  of  each  fiscal  year.  The  timing  of  acquisitions  may  have  also  caused  substantial 
fluctuations in operating results from quarter to quarter. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS 

Annual Operating Results 

EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by 74.0% to $29.1 million, from $16.7 million when compared to the 
results of the Company for the prior year. The increase in EBITDA for the year can be mainly attributed to the improvement in 
new  vehicle  sales  which is  a  main  driver  of  our  business  and tends  to  provide  additional  sales  opportunities  in  our  finance  and 
insurance and parts, service and collision repair departments.       

The following table illustrates EBITDA for the year ended December 31, for the last three years of operations.   

Period from January 1 
 to December 31th  
2009 
2010 
2011 

EBITDA 
(In thousands of dollars) 
18,352 
16,740 
29,131 

Pre-tax  earnings  before  other  items  (reversal  of  impairment  of  intangible  assets)  increased  by  $12.3  million  to  $23.8 million  in 
2011  from  $11.5  million in  the  prior  year.    Net  earnings  before  other  items  (reversal  of  impairment  of  intangible  assets  and  its 
related tax effect) increased by $9.0 million to $17.6 million in 2011 from $8.6 million in the prior year.  The percentage increase 
in results not including other items represents a 107% increase in pre-tax earnings and a 105% increase in net earnings over 2010 
annual results.  

Not including other items, pre-tax earnings increased by $29.7 million to $49.3 million in 2011 from $19.6 million in 2010. Net 
earnings increased by $22.2 million to $36.8 million in 2011 from a $14.6 million when compared to the prior year.  Income tax 
expense increased to $12.5 million in 2011 from $5.0 million in 2010 due to higher pre-tax earnings and future income tax expense 
related to the reversal of impairment of intangible assets.     

Revenues 

Revenues  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  increased  by  $139.4  million  or  16.0%  as  compared  to  the  prior  year.    This 
increase was mainly driven by increases in new vehicle sales with modest increases in the finance and insurance and parts, service 
and  collision repair  business.    In  2011, new  vehicle  sales  increased  by  $126.0  million  or  24.5%  to  $640.7  million  from  $514.7 
million in the prior year.  The increase in new vehicle sales was a key driver of the increase in finance and insurance revenue of 
$8.1 million or 18.6% for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Used vehicle sales also increased by $3.5 million or 1.7% during 
2011. Parts, service and collision repair revenue posted a modest increase of $1.7 million or 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 
2011. 

The tables in the “Same-Store Analysis” sections below summarize the results for the year ended December 31, 2011 on a same 
store basis by revenue source and compare these results to the same period in 2010.  An acquired or open point dealership may take 
as long as two years in order to reach normalized operating results.  As a result, in order for an acquired or open point dealership to 
be included in our same store analysis, the dealership must be owned and operated by us for eight complete quarters.  For example, 
if  a  dealership  was  acquired  on  December  1,  2008, the results  of  the  acquired  entity  would  be  included  in  quarterly  same  store 
comparisons  beginning  with  the  quarter  ended  March  31,  2011  and  in  annual  same  store  comparisons  beginning  with  the  year 
ended December 31, 2011.  As a result, only dealerships opened or acquired prior to January 1, 2010 are included in this same store 
analysis.    In  addition,  dealership  divestitures  are  also  not  included  in  same  store  operating results.    As  a  result, the  current  and 
historical  operating results  of  Colombo  Chrysler  Jeep  Dodge  (divested  in  the  second  quarter  of  2011)  are not  included  in  same 
store analysis. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues - Same Store Analysis 

Company  management  considers  same  store  gross  profit  and  sales  information  to  be  an  important  operating  metric  when 
comparing the results of the Company to other industry participants.   

Same Store Revenue and Vehicles Sold 

For the Year Ended 

(In thousands of dollars except % change 
and vehicle data) 

December 
31, 2011 

December 
31, 2010 

% 
Change 

Revenue Source 

New vehicles 

Used vehicles 

605,547

479,978 

26.2% 

199,254

194,973 

2.2% 

Finance, insurance and other 

49,627

41,605 

19.3% 

Subtotal  

854,428

716,556 

19.3% 

Parts, service and collision repair 

104,630

100,858 

3.7% 

Total 

959,058

817,413 

17.3% 

New vehicles  - retail sold 

New vehicles – fleet sold  

Used vehicles sold 

Total 

13,415 

11,737 

14.3% 

4,706 

2,572 

83.0% 

8,284 

8,405 

(1.4)% 

26,405 

22,714 

16.2% 

Total vehicles retailed  

21,699 

20,142 

7.7% 

Same store revenue increased by $141.6 million or 17.3% in the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to 2010.  New 
vehicle revenues increased by $125.6 million or 26.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 over the prior year due in part to a 
net increase in new vehicle sales of 3,809 units consisting of an increase of 1,678 retail units and 2,134 low margin fleet unit sales.  
This increase was partially offset  by a decrease in the average selling price per new vehicle retailed (“PNVR”) of $120 over the 
prior year largely as a result of the higher volume of fleet units which typically sell for less than retail vehicles.   

Same store used vehicle revenues increased by $4.3 million or 2.2% for the  year ended December 31, 2011 over the prior year.  
This increase was due to an increase in the average selling price per used vehicle retailed of $856, partially offset by a decrease in 
the number of used vehicles retailed of 121 units. 

Same  store  parts,  service  and  collision  repair  revenue  experienced  a  modest  gain  of  $3.8  million  or  3.7%  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year and was primarily a result of an increase in the average selling price per repair order 
of $9 and an increase in the number of repair orders performed of 2,866 or 1.0%.  

Same store finance, insurance and other revenue increased by $8.0 million or 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2011 over 
the prior year.  This was due to an increase in the average revenue per unit retailed of 10.7% along with a modest increase in the 
number of new and used vehicles retailed of 1,557 units.  Credit conditions have continued to improve in 2011 which has allowed 
our finance and insurance departments to earn higher commissions on the increased ability  of our customers to finance vehicles, 
parts, accessories and other insurance products. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit 

Gross profit increased by $19.1 million or 12.7% for the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the prior year.  Similar 
to  revenues,  gross  profit  increased  due  to  increases  in  new  vehicle  sales,  finance  and  insurance  and  parts,  service  and  collision 
repair revenue.  Gross profit on the sale of new vehicles increased by $9.5 million or 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2011.  
The increase in new vehicle gross can be mainly attributed to an increase in new vehicle unit sales of 3,847 units or 24.8%.  The 
Company’s  finance  and  insurance  gross  profit  increased  by  $7.5  million  or  19.1%  during  2011.    This  increase  can  be  mainly 
attributed to an increase in the average gross profit per unit retailed of $194. The increase in overall gross profit of the Company 
for  the  year  was  supplemented  by  an increase  in  used  vehicle  gross  profit  of  $0.5  million  or  2.9%.    Parts,  service  and  collision 
repair gross profit increased by $1.6 million or 2.9% in 2011. 

Gross Profit - Same Store Analysis 

The following table summarizes the results for the year ended December 31, 2011, on a same store basis by revenue source, and 
compares these results to the same periods in 2010.  

Same Store Gross Profit and Gross Profit Percentage 

For the Year Ended 

Gross Profit 

Gross Profit % 

(In thousands of dollars except % 
change and gross profit %) 

Dec. 31, 
2011 

Dec. 31, 
2010 

% 
Change 

Dec. 31, 
2011 

Dec. 31, 
2010 

Change 

Revenue Source 

New vehicles 

Used vehicles 

45,772 

36,389 

25.8% 

16,897 

16,772 

0.7% 

7.6% 

8.5% 

7.6% 

0.0% 

8.6% 

      (0.1)% 

Finance, insurance and other 

44,941 

37,407 

20.1% 

90.6% 

89.9% 

0.6% 

Subtotal  

107,610 

90,568 

19.4% 

Parts, service and collision repair 

54,609 

51,886 

5.2% 

52.2% 

51.4% 

      0.7% 

Total 

162,219 

142,454 

13.9% 

16.9% 

17.4% 

(0.5)% 

Same store gross profit increased by $19.8 million or 13.9% for the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the prior 
year.  New vehicle gross profit increased by $9.4 million or 25.8% in the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to 2010 
as a result of the previously discussed increase in new vehicle sales of 3,809 units. 

Used vehicle gross profit increased by $0.1 million or 0.7% in the year ended December 31, 2011 over the prior year.  This was 
primarily due to a decrease in the number of used vehicles sold of 121 units or 1.4%, more than offset by an increase in the average 
gross profit per vehicle retailed of $44 or 2.2%.  

Parts,  service  and  collision  repair  gross  profit  increased  by  $2.7  million  or  5.2%  in  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  when 
compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of an increase of $8 in the average gross profit earned per repair order and 
an increase of 2,866 in the number of repair orders completed during the year. 

Finance and insurance gross profit increased by 20.1% or $7.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the 
prior year as a result of an increase in the average gross profit per unit sold of $214 and an increase in units retailed of 1,557.   

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses 

Operating expenses increased by 5.1% or $6.6 million during the  year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year.  
Since many operating expenses are variable in nature, management considers operating expenses as a percentage of gross profit to 
be a good indicator of expense control.  Operating expenses as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 80.9% in 2011 from 86.8% 
in  the  prior  year.  Operating  expenses  consist  of  four  major  categories;  employee  costs,  selling and  administrative  costs,  facility 
lease costs, and amortization.    

Employee costs 
During the year ended December 31, 2011, employee  costs increased by $6.4 million to $82.3 million from $75.9 million in the 
prior year.  Employee costs as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 48.7% in 2011from 50.6% in 2010. Management attributes 
the decrease to lower termination and employee benefit costs realized in the year ended December 31, 2011. 

Selling and administrative costs 
During the year ended December 31, 2011, selling and administrative costs increased by $1.0 million or 2.6% due to an increase in 
advertising and  other  administrative  expenses.    Selling  and  administrative  expenses  as  a  percentage  of  gross  profit  decreased  to 
22.9% in 2011 from 25.1% in 2010.  This decrease is due to less advertising and fixed costs as a percentage of gross profit. The 
Company has focused over the past year on decreasing its advertising expense through more effective use of the internet.  These 
efforts have resulted in a decrease in advertising expense per vehicle retailed. 

Facility lease costs 
During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  facility  lease  costs  decreased  by  7.0%  to  $11.6  million  from  $12.5  million.    The 
Company sold its Colombo Chrysler Jeep Dodge location in June of 2011 and purchased one of its previously leased facilities in 
late 2010 which has attributed to this decrease. 

Amortization 
During the year ended December 31, 2011, amortization remained relatively flat at $4.2 million. The 1.8% increase in amortization 
over the prior year is mainly due to the purchase of the Newmarket Infiniti Nissan facility in late 2010.   

Reversal of impairment of intangible assets 

The Company has a number of  franchise agreements for its individual dealerships which it classifies as intangible assets.  These 
intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually as they are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets. Under 
IFRS, previously recognized impairment charges, with the exception of impairment charges related to goodwill, may potentially be 
reversed if the circumstances causing the impairment have improved or are no longer present.  If such circumstances change, a new 
recoverable amount should be calculated and all or part of the impairment charge should be reversed to the extent the recoverable 
amount exceeds carrying value. The financial results of many of the Company’s cash generating units (“CGUs”) have significantly 
improved  in  2011,  which  led  to  a  reversal  of  previously  recorded  impairments  to  intangible  assets.    During  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a reversal of impairment of $25,543 (2010 - $8,059).  

Finance costs 

The Company incurs finance costs on its revolving floorplan facilities, long term indebtedness and banking arrangements. During 
the year ended December 31, 2011, finance costs on our revolving floorplan facilities increased to $8.1 million from $7.5 million 
in 2010.  Finance costs on long term indebtedness remained steady at $1.1 million in 2011.  Finance costs, net of finance income 
has remained relatively flat year over year due to the Company holding cash in its Ally account which is used to offset floorplan 
costs at the current rate of 4.20%. 

The following table summarizes the interest rates at the end of the last eight quarters on our revolving floorplan facilities.   

Q1 2010  Q2 2010  Q3 2010  Q4 2010  Q1 2011  Q2 2011  Q3 2011  Q4 2011 

Interest Rate 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

4.20% 

As of the date of this MD&A our floorplan interest rate is 4.20%. 

Some of our manufacturers provide non-refundable credits on the finance costs for our revolving floorplan facilities to offset the 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
dealership’s cost of inventory that, on average, effectively provide the dealerships with interest-free floorplan financing for the first 
45  to  60  days  of  ownership  of  each  financed  vehicle.  During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011, the net  floorplan  credits  were 
$5,501  (2010  -  $4,223).  The  increase  in  floorplan  credits  is  a  result  of  higher  turnover  in  new  vehicle  inventory.    Accounting 
standards require the floorplan credits to be accounted for as a reduction in the cost of new vehicle inventory and subsequently a 
reduction in the cost of sales as vehicles are sold.  

The following table summarizes the net floorplan credits that were received in 2011.   

(In thousands of dollars) 

Q1 2011 

Q2 2011 

Q3 2011 

Q4 2011 

For the year ended 
December 31, 2011 

Net floorplan credits 

1,185 

1,593 

1,423 

1,300 

5,501 

Management believes that a comparison of floorplan financing costs to floorplan credits can be used to evaluate the efficiency of 
our  new  vehicle  sales  relative  to  stocking  levels.    The  following  table  details  the  carrying  cost  of  vehicles  based  on  floorplan 
interest net of floorplan assistance earned: 

Floorplan financing costs 
Floorplan credits earned 

Net carrying cost of vehicle inventory 

Income taxes 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2011 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2010 

8,057 
            (5,501) 

7,536 
             (4,223) 

2,556 

3,313 

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $7.5 million to $12.5 million from $5.0 million in 2010.  
As a result of the reversal of impairments of intangible assets, the Company recorded deferred tax expense in the amount of $6.4 
million  (2010 -  $2.1  million) as  a result  of  the  revised  temporary  differences  between  the  tax  basis  and  carrying  value  of  these 
assets.  

Until December 31, 2009, our previous trust structure was such that current income taxes were passed on to our unitholders.  In 
conjunction with our conversion from a trust to a corporation, we became subject to normal corporate tax rates starting in 2010.  
The corporate income tax rate applicable to 2010 was approximately 29.0%; however, we did not pay any corporate income tax in 
2010 due to the tax deductions available to us and the effect of the deferral of our partnership income. 

In December 2011, legislation was passed implementing tax measures outlined in the 2011 budget (Bill C-13), which included the 
elimination of the ability of a corporation to defer income as a result of timing differences in the year-end of the corporation and of 
any partnership of which it is a member, subject to transitional relief over five years.  AutoCanada’s deferred tax liability includes 
deferred  partnership  income  of  $6.7  million  that  will  be  reduced  over  the  transition  relief  period  of  five  years.    Although  the 
amounts below can change based on our future taxable income, the Company estimates the following amounts to be recorded as 
current income tax payable over the next five years in conjunction with the payment of the deferral.  The Company notes that these 
amounts paid will be in addition to the normal current income tax payable of future years: 

(In thousands of dollars) 

Increase to current tax payable 

2012 

3,555 

2013 

557 

2014 

794 

2015 

784 

2016 

980 

The  Company  expects  income  tax  to  have  a  more  significant  effect  on  our  free  cash  flow  and  adjusted  free  cash  flow  as  the 
Company  will  now  be  required  to  pay  current  income  taxes,  as  well  as,  income  tax  instalments  for  the  anticipated  current  tax 
expense for the fiscal year.   

Until 2012, the Company has yet to pay any corporate tax or installments for corporate tax.  In 2012, the Company expects to pay 
approximately $4.2 million of cash taxes which relates to the fiscal 2011 taxation year and installments toward the 2012 taxation 
year.  The payment of cash taxes will have an impact on adjusted free cash flow.  As seen in the chart located in “Adjusted Free 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash  Flow”,  adjusted  free  cash  flow  for  the  2011  fiscal  year  was  $27.7 million,  which  was not  impacted  by  cash  taxes.    If  the 
Company maintained the same results in the 2012 fiscal year, adjusted free cash flow would be $23.5 million due to the payment of 
$4.2 million of cash taxes in 2012.  Investors are cautioned that income taxes will have a more significant effect on the Company’s 
cash flow in the future, and as a result, the current level of adjusted free cash flow will inherently be lowered by cash taxes in the 
future.   

Fourth Quarter Operating Results 

EBITDA  for  the  three  month  period  ended  December  31,  2011  increased  by  117.6%  to  $7.5  million,  from  $3.5  million  when 
compared to the results of the Company for the same period in the prior year. The increase in EBITDA for the fourth quarter can be 
attributed to the improvement in new vehicle sales and the resulting finance and insurance product sales.  As explained below, the 
Company’s  parts,  service  and  collision repair  department  and  its  used  vehicle  department  also  had  strong  gains  in revenue  and 
gross profit which contributed to strong EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2011.        

The following table illustrates EBITDA for the three month period ended December 31, for the last 3 years of operations:   

Period from October 1st 
 to December 31th  
2009 
2010 
2011 

EBITDA 
(In thousands of dollars) 
3,271 
3,469 
7,547 

Pre-tax earnings before  other items (reversal of impairment of intangible assets) increased by $4.3 million to $6.2 million in the 
fourth  quarter  of  2011  from  $1.9  million  in  the  same  period  of  the  prior  year.    Net  earnings  before  other  items  (reversal  of 
impairment of intangible assets and its related tax effect) increased by $3.0 million to $4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 
from $1.5 million in the prior year.   

Not including other items, pre-tax earnings increased by $21.8 million to $31.8 million for the three month period ended December 
31,  2011  from  $10.0  million  in  the  same  period  of  2010.  Net  earnings  increased  by  $16.0  million  to  $23.6  million  from  $7.6 
million when compared to the same period of the prior year.  Income tax expense increased to $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 
2011  from $2.4  million  in  the  same  period  of  2010  due  to higher  pre-tax  earnings  and  future  income  tax  expense related  to  the 
reversal of impairment of intangible assets.     

Revenues 

Revenues  for  the  three  month  period  ended  December  31,  2011  increased  by  $40.4  million  or  20.4%  as  compared  to  the  same 
period of the prior year.  This increase was mainly driven by increases in new and used vehicle sales with modest increases in the 
finance and insurance and parts, service and collision repair business.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, new vehicle sales increased by 
$28.9  million  or  25.4%  to  $142.9  million  from  $114.0  million  in  the  prior  period.    Used  vehicle  sales  also  increased  by  $8.3 
million or 18.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to 2010.  The increase in new and used vehicle sales contributed to the 
increase in finance and insurance revenue of $2.9 million or 28.5% for the three month period ended December 31, 2011.  Parts, 
service and collision repair revenue remained relatively flat quarter over quarter. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue - Same Store Analysis  

The following table summarizes the results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 on a same store basis by revenue 
source and compares these results to the same period in 2010.   

Same Store Revenue and Vehicles Sold 

For the Three-Month Period Ended 

(In thousands of dollars except % 
change and vehicle data) 

December 31, 
 2011 

December 31, 
       2010 

% Change 

Revenue Source 

New vehicles 

Used vehicles 

Finance, insurance and other 

Subtotal  

Parts, service and collision repair 

Total 

New vehicles - retail sold 

New vehicles – fleet sold 

Used vehicles sold 

Total 

Total vehicles retailed  

136,761 

103,981 

52,121 

12,575 

201,457 

27,452 

228,909 

3,226 

775 

2,056 

6,057 

5,282 

     43,499 

9,518 

156,998 

26,368 

183,366 

      2,687 

279 

1,798 

4,764 

4,485 

31.5% 

19.8% 

32.1% 

28.3% 

4.1% 

25.0% 

20.1% 

177.8% 

14.3% 

27.1% 

17.8% 

Same store revenue increased by $45.5 million or 24.8% in the three month period ended December 31, 2011 when compared to 
the same period in 2010.  New vehicle revenues increased by $32.8 million or 31.5% for the fourth quarter of 2011 over the prior 
period due in part to a net increase in new  vehicle sales of  1,005 units consisting of an increase of 539 retail units and 496 low 
margin  fleet  unit  sales.    This  increase  was  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  the  average  selling  price  per  new  vehicle  retailed 
(“PNVR”) of $524 over the prior year largely as a result of the higher volume of fleet units which typically sell for less than retail 
vehicles.   

Same store used vehicle revenues increased by $8.6 million or 19.8% for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 over 
the same period in the prior year.  This increase was due to an additional 258 units sold in the quarter over 2010 and an increase in 
the average selling price per used vehicle retailed of $1,158. 

Same store parts, service and collision repair revenue experienced a modest gain of $1.1 million or 4.2% for the fourth quarter of 
2011 compared to the prior period and was primarily a result of an increase in the number of repair orders performed of 2,932 or 
4.2%.  

Same store finance, insurance and other revenue increased by $3.1 million or 32.1% for the three month period ended December 
31,  2011  over  the  prior  period.    This  was  due  to  an  increase  in  the  average  revenue  per  unit  retailed  of  12.2%  along  with  an 
increase in the number of new and used vehicles retailed of 797 units.  The increases we experienced in both new and used retail 
sales reflected positively in our finance and insurance revenue for the quarter. 

13 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit 

Gross profit increased by $6.5 million or 18.2% for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the same 
period  in  the  prior  year.    Similar  to  revenues,  gross  profit  increased  due  to  increases  in  all  four  of  our  major  revenue  streams.  
Gross profit earned on the sale of new vehicles increased by $2.2 million or 24.9% for the fourth quarter of 2011.  The increase in 
new vehicle gross can be mainly attributed to an increase in new vehicle unit sales of 866 units or 26.1%.  The Company’s finance 
and  insurance  gross  profit  increased  by  $2.8  million  or  31.0%  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2011.    This  increase  can  be  mainly 
attributed  to  an  increase  in  the  average  gross  profit  per  unit retailed  of  $298  and increases  in new  and  used  vehicle  sales.    The 
increase in overall gross profit of the Company for the quarter was supplemented by an increase in used vehicle gross profit of $0.9 
million or 25.0%.  Parts, service and collision repair gross profit increased by $0.6 million or 4.0% in the fourth quarter of 2011. 

Gross Profit - Same Store Analysis 

The following table summarizes the results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 on a same store basis by revenue 
source and compares these results to the same period in 2010.   

Same Store Gross Profit and Gross Profit Percentage 

For the Three-Month Period Ended 

Gross Profit 

Gross Profit % 

(In thousands of dollars except % 
change and gross profit %) 

Revenue Source 

New vehicles 

Used vehicles 

Dec. 31, 
2011 

Dec. 31, 
2010 

% 
Change 

Dec. 31, 
2011 

Dec. 31, 
2010 

Change 

10,835 

8,554 

26.7% 

4,398 

3,620 

21.5% 

7.9% 

8.4% 

8.2% 

(0.3)% 

8.3% 

        0.1% 

Finance, insurance and other 

11,507 

8,558 

34.5% 

91.5% 

89.9% 

        1.6% 

Subtotal 

26,740 

20,732 

29.0% 

Parts, service and collision repair 

13,923 

  12,981 

7.3% 

50.7% 

49.2% 

        1.5% 

Total 

40,663 

33,713 

20.6% 

 17.8% 

 18.4% 

(0.6)% 

Same store gross profit increased by $7.0 million or 20.6% for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 when compared 
to the same period in the prior year.  The Company’s gross profit on new vehicles increased by $2.3 million or 26.7% in the fourth 
quarter of 2011, when compared to 2010, as a result of an increase in new vehicle sales of 1,005 units. 

Used  vehicle  gross  profit  increased  by  $0.8  million  or  21.5%  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2011  over  the  prior  period.    This  was 
primarily due to an increase in the number of used vehicles sold of 258 units or 14.3% and an increase in the average gross profit 
per vehicle retailed of $126 or 6.3%.  

Parts,  service  and  collision repair  gross  profit  increased  by  $0.9  million  or 7.3%  in  the three  months  ended  December  31,  2011 
when compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of an increase of $6 in the average gross profit earned per repair 
order and an increase of 2,932 in repair orders completed during the quarter. 

Finance and insurance gross profit increased by 34.5% or $2.9 million in the three month period ended December 31, 2011 when 
compared to the prior period as a result of an increase in the average gross profit per unit sold of $271 and an increase in new and 
used vehicle units retailed of 797.   

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses 

Operating expenses increased by 6.5% or $2.1 million during the three month period ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the 
prior period.  Since many operating expenses are variable in nature, management considers operating expenses as a percentage of 
gross profit to be a good indicator of expense control.  Operating expenses as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 80.7% in the 
fourth quarter of 2011 from 89.6% in the prior year. Operating expenses consist of four major categories; employee costs, selling 
and administrative costs, facility lease costs, and amortization.    

Employee costs 
During the three month period ended December 31, 2011, employee costs increased by $2.0 million to $20.3 million from $18.3 
million in the prior year.  Employee costs as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 48.1% from 51.3% in the fourth quarter of 
2010.  Although commissioned wages generally increase as a percentage of gross profit, salaried wages do not increase with sales 
which will generally decrease employee costs as a percentage of gross profit during times of increased sales, as was the case in the 
fourth quarter of 2011. 

Selling and administrative costs 
During the three month period ended December 31, 2011, selling and administrative costs increased by $0.3 million or 3.0% due to 
an increase in advertising and other administrative expenses.  Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit 
decreased to 23.1% in the fourth quarter of 2011 from 26.5% in 2010.  This decrease is due to less advertising and fixed costs as a 
percentage of gross profit.  

Facility lease costs 
During the three month period ended December 31, 2011, facility lease costs decreased by 3.2% to $3.0 million from $3.1 million 
in the fourth quarter of 2010.   

Amortization 
During the three month period ended December 31, 2011, amortization decreased slightly by $0.1 million.   

Finance costs 

The Company incurs finance costs on its revolving floorplan facilities, long term indebtedness and banking arrangements. During 
the three month period ended December 31, 2011, finance costs on our revolving floorplan facilities increased to $1.9 million from 
$1.6 million in 2010.  Finance costs on long term indebtedness decreased by $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Finance 
costs, net of finance income has remained relatively flat quarter over quarter due to the Company holding cash in its Ally account 
which is used to offset floorplan costs at the current rate of 4.20%. 

Sensitivity 

Based on our historical financial data, management estimates that an increase or decrease of one new retail vehicle sold (and the 
associated finance and insurance income on the sale) would have resulted in a corresponding increase or decrease in our estimated 
free  cash  flow  of  approximately  $1,500  -  $2,000  per  vehicle.    The net  earnings  achieved  per  new  vehicle  retailed  can  fluctuate 
between  individual  dealerships  due  to  differences  between  the  manufacturers,  geographical  locations  of  our  dealerships  and  the 
demographic of which our various dealerships’ marketing efforts are directed.  The above sensitivity analysis represents an average 
of our dealerships as a group and may vary depending on increases or decreases in new vehicles retailed at our various locations.  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROWTH, ACQUISITIONS, AND RELOCATIONS 

The Company currently owns 24 franchised automotive dealerships.  At the time of AutoCanada’s initial public offering (“IPO”) in 
May  of  2006,  AutoCanada  owned  14  franchised  automotive  dealerships.    Since  this  time  the  Company  has  acquired  or  opened 
eleven additional dealerships and has sold one of its dealerships.   

On June 20, 2011, the Company sold its Colombo Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership.  Although the Company is pleased with the 
performance  of  its  Chrysler  Jeep  Dodge  Ram  dealerships  generally,  profitability  at  Colombo  had  been  a  challenge  for  the 
Company.  As the current facility lease was due to expire within 12 months, a relocation with its attendant costs was likely, and as 
it  was  expected  that  the  incremental  impact  of  this  sale  on  the  Company’s  net  income  would  be  positive  for  2011,  it  was 
determined  that  shareholder  value  would  be  best  served  by  the  sale  of  the  dealership,  allowing  Management  to  better  focus  its 
efforts and resources on its other dealerships.   

On November 4, 2011, the Company purchased substantially all of the net operating and fixed assets of Valley Autohouse (1984) 
Ltd.  operating  two  dealerships  as  Valley  Autohouse  (“Abbotsford  and  Chilliwack  Volkswagen”)  for  total  cash  consideration  of 
$1,753.  The acquisition was financed with cash from operations.  The Abbotsford facility is an approximately 9,300 sq. ft. leased 
facility  which includes eight service bays and a six car showroom. The dealership has been in operation since 1986 and in 2010 
retailed approximately  210  new  and  190  used  vehicles.   The  Chilliwack  facility  is  an approximately  4,500  sq.  ft.  leased  facility 
which includes 3 service bays and a single car showroom.  The dealership has been in operation since 2002 and in 2010 retailed 
approximately 30 new and 40 used vehicles. 

With respect  to  FIAT  franchises, the  Company  has  substantially  completed  the  facility  improvements  at the  three  locations that 
were awarded FIAT franchises.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company incurred $0.6 million in renovations to its 
showrooms  to  accommodate  FIAT  franchises.    Management  does  not  expect  a  significant incremental increase  in  earnings  as a 
result of the three new franchises (Crosstown FIAT, Capital FIAT and Maple Ridge FIAT) during the first two years due to limited 
product availability and costs associated with operating the additional franchises. 

Management is currently developing a capital plan which includes the possible  relocation of four of its dealerships.  Management 
estimates the potential capital requirement of the relocations to be in the range of $20 – 25 million over a two to three year period.  
Management  expects  to  finance  the  relocations  with  a  combination  of  mortgage  debt,  revolver  debt  and  cash  from  operations.  
Management expects the non-mortgage debt financing requirement related to these relocations to be in the range of $6 – 8 million 
over the same period.  Management will provide further guidance as to the timing and costs associated with relocations as the plans 
develop.    Relocation  of  dealerships  provides  long-term  earnings  sustainability  and  is  necessary  to  meet  Manufacturer  facility 
requirements. 

On June  22,  2011,  the  Company  had  announced  that  in  view  of  the  continued  resistance  of  some  manufacturers  to  the  public 
ownership  model,  shareholder  value  could  be  best  achieved  by  aligning  its  business  model  with  a  strategy  that  contemplated 
modest  growth,  with  an  emphasis  on  returning  to  shareholders  a  fair  share  of  earnings  by  way  of  dividends.   Since  that  time, 
Management has  continued  to  seek opportunities  to  work with  both new  and  current  Manufacturers,  and is  currently pursuing a 
number  of  growth  opportunities,  some  of  which  are  open  points.    Management  will  consider  only  those  open  points  which  it 
determines provide long term shareholder value.  If Management is successful in respect to one or more of these opportunities, the 
likelihood of  which cannot at this juncture be determined, the growth opportunities of the Company  will have improved beyond 
what the Company had previously determined. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  

Our  principal  uses  of  funds  are  for  capital  expenditures,  repayment  of  debt,  funding  the  future  growth  of  the  Company  and 
dividends  to  Shareholders.    We  have  historically  met  these  requirements  by  using  cash  generated  from  operating  activities  and 
through short term and long term indebtedness.  A significant decline in sales as a result of the inability to procure adequate supply 
of  vehicles  and/or  lower  consumer  demand  may  reduce  our  cash  flows  from  operations  and  limit  our  ability  to  fund  capital 
expenditures, repay our debt obligations, fund future growth internally and/or fund future dividends. 

On  June  22,  2011  the  Company  announced  that  following  an  independent  Board  review  of  its  business  plan,  it  has  revised  its 
dividend  policy  such  that  it  shall  target  quarterly  dividends  between  70%  and  80%  of  fully  diluted  earnings  per  share.    This 
dividend policy shall be reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjusted, as required, to meet market conditions.  As such, the Company 
expects the new dividend policy to place some constraints on its ability to fund future growth through cash from operations.  If the 
acquisition  landscape  changes  in  the  future  whereby  significant  growth  opportunities  are  available,  the  Company  may  fund 
acquisitions  through  the  issuance  of  debt  or  equity,  or  revise  the  dividend  policy  to  fund  future  acquisitions  through  cash  from 
operations. 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities 

Cash flow from operating activities (including changes in non-cash working capital) of the Company for the year ended December 
31, 2011 was $30.0 million (cash provided by operating activities of $28.8 million plus net change in non-cash working capital of 
$1.2  million)  compared  to  $34.3  million  (cash  provided  by  operating  activities  of  $16.2  million  plus  net  change  in  non-cash 
working capital of $18.2 million) in the prior year.   

Cash flow from operating activities of the Company for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 was $9.7 million (cash 
provided  by  operating  activities  of  $7.8  million  plus net  change  in non-cash  working  capital  of  $1.9  million)  compared  to  $7.8 
million (cash provided by operating activities of $3.3 million plus net change in non-cash working capital of $4.5 million) in the 
fourth quarter of 2010. 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities 

Cash  flow  from  investing  activities  of  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  was  a  net  outflow  of  $5.3  million 
compared  to  $18.1  million  in  the  prior  year.  In  2010,  the  Company  purchased  the  land  and  building  at  its  Newmarket  Nissan 
Infiniti  location  for  $6.0 million and  purchased the  assets  of  401  Dixie  Hyundai in the  second  quarter  of  2010  for  $3.6  million.  
These two factors were main contributors to the decrease in cash flow from investing activities in 2011. 

For the three month period ended December 31, 2011, cash flow  from investing activities of the Company  was a net outflow  of 
$2.9 million as compared to a net outflow of $4.7 million in the same period of the prior year.  In the fourth quarter of 2010 the 
Company prepaid an additional $2.0 million in rent which is the main contributor to the decrease in 2011. 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities 

Cash  flow  from  financing  activities  of  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  was  a  net  outflow  of  $8.6  million 
compared to $0.2 million in the prior year.  In third quarter of 2010, the Company financed the purchase of the land and building at 
its Newmarket Nissan Infiniti location and made a draw on its revolving term facility for the purchase of 401 Dixie Hyundai for 
total proceeds  of $5.5 million.  In 2011, the Company repaid $2.4 million of its long term debt and increased its dividends paid 
during the year by $3.8 million when compared to the same period in the prior year. 

For  the  three month  period  ended  December  31,  2011,  cash  flow  from  financing  activities  was  a net  outflow  of  $2.5  million  as 
compared to a net inflow of $0.1 million in the same period of 2010.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company paid $2.4 million 
in dividends which is the main contributor to this decrease in cash flow. 

Economic Dependence 

As stated in Note 7 of the annual audited consolidated financial statements, the Company has significant commercial and economic 
dependence  on  Chrysler  Canada  and  Ally  Credit  Canada  Limited  (“Ally  Credit”).    As  a  result,  the  Company  is  subject  to 
significant  risk  in  the  event  of  the  financial  distress  of  Chrysler  Canada,  one  of  our  major  vehicle  manufacturers  and  parts 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
suppliers, and Ally Credit, which provides the Company with revolving floorplan facilities for 22 of its 24 dealerships.  Details of 
these relationships and balances of assets with Chrysler Canada and Ally Credit are described in Note 7 of the annual consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.   

Credit Facilities 

HSBC Bank Canada (“HSBC”) provides AutoCanada with a $30 million revolving term loan (the “HSBC Revolver”).  The HSBC 
Revolver  is  a 365  day  fully  committed,  extendible revolving  term  loan.   The  HSBC  Revolver’s  maturity  date  is  June 30,  2012, 
however the facility may be extended for an additional 365 days prior to the maturity of the facility at the request of AutoCanada 
and upon approval by HSBC.  The HSBC Revolver contains an annual renewal fee of $15.  If the HSBC Revolver is not extended 
by  HSBC,  repayment  of  the  outstanding amount  is not due  until  June  30,  2013.   The  HSBC  Revolver  bears  interest at  HSBC’s 
Prime Rate plus 0.75% (currently 3.75% at the date of this MD&A). 

The HSBC  Revolver is secured by all of the present and future assets of the Company, the various Limited Partnerships and the 
General Partners of each dealership within AutoCanada.  As part of priority agreements signed by HSBC, Ally Credit, VW Credit 
Canada Inc. and the Company, the collateral for the HSBC Revolver excludes all new, used, and demonstrator inventory financed 
with the Revolving Floorplan Facilities (discussed further below in Floor Plan Financing section). 

The HSBC Revolver requires maintenance of certain financial covenants as indicated below: 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 
(iv) 

The  Debt  to  Tangible  Net  Worth  ratio,  including  floorplan,  must  not  exceed  7.50:1.    Intangible  assets  to  be 
deducted from Tangible Net Worth, and shareholder loans to be added to tangible net worth and deducted from 
debt, if postponed to HSBC; tested quarterly 
The  Debt  to  Tangible  Net  Worth  ratio,  excluding  floorplan,  must  not  exceed  2.50:1.    Intangible  assets  to  be 
deducted from Tangible Net Worth, and shareholder loans to be added to tangible net worth and deducted from 
debt, if postponed to HSBC; tested quarterly 
The Current Ratio, net of flooring, shall not be less than 1.20:1 at any time; tested quarterly 
The Company must maintain a minimum cash deposit balance with HSBC Bank Canada of $10,000,000. 

Additional  information  relating  to  the  HSBC  Revolver  including  a  copy  of  the  agreement  can  be  found  on  SEDAR 
(www.sedar.com). 

HSBC provided AutoCanada with a $3.5 million non-revolving term loan (the “HSBC Term Loan”) which was used to purchase 
the Newmarket Infiniti Nissan facility located in Newmarket, Ontario in 2010.  The facility was purchased in the third quarter of 
2010.  The HSBC Term Loan is a committed, extendible non-revolving term loan.  The HSBC Term Loan’s maturity date is June 
30, 2012, however the facility may be extended at the request of the Company and upon approval by HSBC.  If the HSBC Term 
Loan is not extended by HSBC, repayment of the outstanding amount is not due until June 30, 2013.  The HSBC Term Loan bears 
interest at HSBC’s Prime Rate plus 1.75% (4.75% at December 31, 2011).   

The  HSBC  Term  Loan  is  secured  by  a  first  fixed  charge  in  the  amount  of  $3.5  million  registered  over  the  Newmarket  Infiniti 
Nissan  property  and  is  guaranteed  by  AutoCanada  Holdings  Inc.  (“ACHI”),  a  subsidiary  of  AutoCanada  Inc.   The  HSBC  Term 
Loan requires maintenance of certain financial covenants as indicated below: 

(i) 

AutoCanada Inc. must not permit its debt service coverage ratio at any time to be below 1.25.  The debt service 
coverage ratio shall utilize a payment based on a 3 year cost of funds rate. 

The Bank of Montreal (“BMO”) provided the Company with a $3.5 million fixed rate term loan (the “BMO Term Loan”) which 
was used to purchase the Cambridge Hyundai facility located in Cambridge, Ontario in 2008.  The BMO Term Loan matures on 
September 30, 2012 and bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.11%.  The BMO Term Loan requires maintenance of  certain financial 
covenants  and  is  collateralized  by  a  general  security  agreement  consisting  of  a  first  fixed  charge  in  the  amount  of  $3.5  million 
registered over the Cambridge Hyundai property.   

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor Plan Financing 

Franchised  automobile  dealerships  finance  their  new  vehicle  inventory  (and  in  some  instances  a  portion  of  their  used  vehicle 
inventory)  by  way  of  floor plan financing, which is offered by the automobile manufacturers’ captive  finance companies, banks 
and specialty lenders.  Although the structures used in floor plan financing vary, a floor plan lender typically finances 100% of the 
purchase price of a new vehicle from the time of purchase by the dealership (which occurs when production of the new vehicle is 
completed).   

Ally Credit provides AutoCanada with revolving floorplan facilities (“Ally Facilities”) for twenty-two of its dealerships.  The Ally 
Facilities provide each of our dealerships with financing for new, used and demonstrator inventory, subject to a maximum of new, 
used and demonstrator units to be financed based on the financing needs of each of our individual dealerships.  The Ally Facilities 
are due on demand and bear interest at the Prime Rate plus 0.2% (4.20% at December 31, 2011) and is payable monthly in arrears.  
Prime rate is defined as the greater of the Royal Bank of Canada Prime Rate (3.00% at December 31, 2011) or 4.00%.    

The  Ally  Facilities  are  collateralized  by  the  respective  dealerships’ new,  used  and  demonstrator  inventory  financed  by  the  Ally 
Facilities and a general security agreement and cross guarantee from each of the Company’s twenty-two dealerships provided with 
the Ally Facilities.  The individual notes payable of the Ally Facilities are due when the related vehicle is sold or according to an 
aging based repayment policy as mandated by Ally Credit. 

In conjunction with the purchase of Abbotsford and Chilliwack Volkswagen in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company arranged 
revolving  floorplan  facilities  with  VW  Credit  Canada  Inc.  (“VCCI  Facilities”)  for  these  two  dealerships.    The  VCCI  Facilities 
consist of a $5.25 million revolving floorplan facility to finance new and demonstrator vehicles from Volkswagen Canada (“VW 
Canada”).  The new and demonstrator vehicle facilities are due on demand and bear interest at Royal Bank of Canada prime rate 
plus 0.75% per annum (3.75% at December 31, 2011) and is payable monthly in arrears.  The VCCI Facilities also provide the two 
dealerships  with used  vehicle  floorplan  financing to  a maximum  of  $2.05 million  during  peak  selling  season.   The  used  vehicle 
facilities are due on demand and bear interest between Royal Bank of Canada prime plus 1.00% - 1.25% depending on the type of 
used vehicles financed (4.00% - 4.25% at December 31, 2011). 

The VCCI Facilities are collateralized by the all new, used and demonstrator inventory financed by VCCI and a general security 
agreement with each of the two dealerships.  The individual notes payable of the VCCI Facilities are due when the related vehicle 
is sold or according to an aging based repayment policy as mandated by VCCI. 

The  VCCI  Facilities  require  maintenance  of  financial  covenants  which require  both  dealerships  to  maintain  minimum  cash  and 
equity balances.  At December 31, 2011 the financial covenants had been met. 

Our ability to  finance our new, used and demonstrator inventory is a significant factor in the Company’s liquidity management. 
The Company is generally able to increase or decrease the number of vehicles it finances, subject to limits imposed by floorplan 
lenders, as part of its treasury management function.  If floorplan limits are reduced, the Company may not be able to maintain its 
current level of inventories which may impact our results.   

Financial Instruments 

Details  of  the  Company’s  financial  instruments,  including  risks  and  uncertainties  are  included  in  Note  21  of  the  annual 
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.   

Growth vs. Non-growth Capital Expenditures 

Non-growth capital expenditures are capital expenditures incurred during the period to maintain existing levels of service.  These 
include capital expenditures to replace property and equipment and any costs incurred to enhance the operational life of existing 
property and equipment.  Non-growth capital expenditures can fluctuate from period to period depending on our needs to upgrade 
or replace existing property and equipment.  Over time, we expect to incur annual non-growth capital expenditures in an amount 
approximating our amortization of property and equipment reported in each period. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional details on the components of non-growth property and equipment purchases are as follows: 

(In thousands of dollars) 

Leasehold improvements 
Machinery and equipment 
Furniture and fixtures 
Computer equipment 
Company & lease vehicles 

October 1, 2011 to   
December 31, 2011   

January 1, 2011 to  
December 31, 2011 

$ 

32 
116 
67  
193 
- 

408 

143 
265 
198  
413 
52 

1,071 

Amounts  relating  to  the  expansion  of  sales  and  service  capacity  are  considered  growth  expenditures.  Growth  expenditures  are 
discretionary, represent cash outlays intended to provide additional future cash flows and are expected to provide benefit in future 
periods.  During the year ended December 31, 2011 growth capital expenditures of $1.9 million were incurred.  These expenditures 
related  primarily  to  leasehold  improvements  and  purchases  of  equipment  for  our  Crosstown  body  shop  relocation  and  the 
renovation of three dealerships to accommodate newly appointed FIAT franchises. Dealership relocations are included as growth 
expenditures if they contribute to the expansion of sales and service capacity of the dealership. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the purchase of property and equipment as reported on the Statement of Cash 
Flows to the purchase of non-growth property and equipment as calculated in the free cash flow section below.  

(In thousands of dollars) 

Purchase of property and equipment from the Statement of Cash Flows  

Less: Amounts related to the expansion of sales and service capacity 

Purchase of non-growth property and equipment 

October 1, 2011 to   
December 31, 2011   

January 1, 2011 to  
December 31, 2011 

$ 

718 

(310) 

408 

$ 

2,954 

(1,883) 

1,071 

Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred and have been deducted from earnings for the period.   Repairs and 
maintenance  expense  incurred  during  the  three-month  period  and  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  were  $0.5  million  and  $2.1 
million, respectively (2010 - $0.5 million and $2.0 million).  

Planned Capital Expenditures 

Our  capital  expenditures  consist  primarily  of  leasehold  improvements,  the  purchase  of  furniture  and  fixtures,  machinery  and 
equipment, service vehicles, computer hardware and computer software.  Management expects that our annual capital expenditures 
will increase in the future, as a function of increases in the number of locations requiring maintenance capital expenditures, the cost 
of opening new locations and increased spending on information systems.   

Management is also considering the purchase of real estate for some of the properties in which it currently leases.  Based on current 
lease rates, our estimates of appraisal values and current market financing rates, Management believes that the purchase of certain 
properties  may  provide  value  and  will  continue  to  evaluate  this  option  if  opportunities  arise  in  which  a  property  is  available  to 
purchase.  If a significant real estate purchase is undertaken, the Company may seek additional debt and/or equity financing to fund 
the purchase. 

For further information regarding planned capital expenditures, see “GROWTH, ACQUISITIONS, AND RELOCATIONS” above. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations 

The  Company  has  operating  lease  commitments,  with  varying  terms  through  2029,  to  lease  premises  and  equipment  used  for 
business  purposes.    The  Company  leases  the  majority  of  the  lands  and  buildings  used  in  its  franchised  automobile  dealership 
operations from related parties and other third parties.   

The minimum lease payments over the upcoming fiscal years will be as follows: 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016  
Thereafter 

Total 

$ 
10,109 
8,611  
8,307 
7,984 
6,881  
56,481  

98,373 

Information  regarding  our  contractual  obligations  with  respect  to  long-term  debt,  capital  lease  obligations  and  other  long-term 
obligations  is  included  in  the  Liquidity  Risk  section  of  Note  21  –  Financial  Instruments  of  the  Company’s  annual  consolidated 
financial statements. 

Financial Position 

The  following  table  shows  selected  audited  balances  of  the  Company  (in  thousands)  for  December  31, 2011 and  December  31, 
2010 as well as unaudited balances of the Company at September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011, March 31, 2011, September 30, 2010, 
June 30, 2010 and March 31, 2010.   

Balance Sheet 
Data 

Cash and cash 
equivalents 

Accounts 
receivable 

Inventories 

Total assets 

Revolving 
floorplan 
facilities 

December 
31, 2011 

September 
30, 2011 

June 
30, 2011 

March 
31, 2011 

December 
31, 2010 

September 
30, 2010 

June 
30, 2010 

March 
31, 2010 

53,641 

49,366 

43,837 

39,337 

37,541 

34,329 

31,880 

23,615 

42,448 

44,172 

51,539 

42,260 

32,832 

37,149 

46,787 

40,701 

136,869 

159,732 

149,481 

134,865 

118,088 

137,326 

177,294 

153,847 

334,223 

327,568 

318,956 

291,291 

261,435 

271,635 

314,662 

274,657 

150,816 

175,291 

172,600 

152,075 

124,609 

145,652 

194,388 

160,590 

Non-current debt 
and lease 
obligations 

Net Working Capital 

20,115 

20,210 

24,895 

24,989 

25,094 

24,200 

18,942 

19,010 

The  automobile  manufacturers  represented  by  the  Company  require  the  Company  to  maintain  net  working  capital  for  each 
individual dealership. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate of net working capital requirements was approximately $31.4 million.  
At  December  31,  2011,  all  working  capital  requirements  had  been  met  by  each  dealership.    The  working  capital  requirements 
imposed  by  the  automobile  manufacturers’  may  limit  our  ability  to  fund  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions,  dividends,  or  other 
commitments in the future if sufficient funds are not generated by the Company.  Net working capital, as defined by automobile 
manufacturers,  may  not  reflect  net  working  capital  as  determined  using  GAAP  measures.    As  a  result,  it  is  possible  that  the 
Company  may  meet  automobile  manufacturers’  net  working  capital  requirements  without  having  sufficient  aggregate  working 
capital  using  GAAP  measures.    The  Company  defines  net  working  capital  amounts  as  current  assets  less  current  liabilities  as 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
presented in the annual consolidated financial statements.  At December 31, 2011, the Company had aggregate working capital of 
approximately $45.0 million. 

The  net  working  capital  requirements  above  restrict  the  Company’s  ability  to  transfer  funds  up  from  its  subsidiary’s  as  each 
subsidiary dealership is required to be appropriately capitalized as explained above.  In addition, our VCCI Facilities required the 
two VW dealerships to maintain minimum cash and equity, which also restricts our ability to transfer up funds.  

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements 

The Company has not entered into any material off balance sheet arrangements.  

Related Party Transactions 

Note 30 of the annual consolidated financial statements of the Company summarize the transactions between the Company and its 
related parties. These transactions are prepayments of rent and rents paid to companies with common ownership, management and 
directors.  

These  transactions  are  in  the  normal  course  of  operations  and  are  measured  at  the  exchange  amount,  which  is  the  amount  of 
consideration established and agreed to by the related parties and have been reviewed and approved by the independent members 
of our Board of Directors and where considered necessary are supported by independent appraisals. 

DIVIDENDS 

Dividends to Shareholders 

Management reviews the Company’s financial results on a monthly basis.  The Board of Directors review the financial results on a 
quarterly basis, or as requested by Management, and determine whether a dividend shall be paid based on a number of factors.  

The following table summarizes the dividends declared by the Company in 2011: 

(In thousands of dollars) 

    Record date 

Payment date 

February 28, 2011 
May 31, 2011 
August 31, 2011 
November 30, 2011 

March 15, 2011 
June 15, 2011 
September 15, 2011 
December 15, 2011 

Total 

Declared 
$ 
795 
995 
1,988 
 2,385 

Paid 
$ 
795 
995 
1,988 
2,385 

On February 15, 2012, the Board declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.14 per common share on AutoCanada’s outstanding 
Class A common shares, payable on March 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 29, 2012.  The 
quarterly eligible dividend of $0.14 represents an annual dividend rate of $0.56 per share or a 17% increase in the dividend from 
the prior quarter.  The next scheduled dividend review will be in May of 2012.   

AutoCanada’s  dividend  policy  is  to  target  quarterly  dividends  between  70%  and  80%  of  fully  diluted  earnings  per  share.    This 
dividend  policy  shall  be  reviewed  on  a  quarterly  basis  and  adjusted,  as  required,  to  address  changing  market  conditions.    Our 
ability  to  pay  dividends  and  the  actual  amount  of  such  dividends  will  be  dependent  upon,  among  other  things,  our  financial 
performance,  our  debt  covenants  and  obligations,  our  ability  to  refinance  our  debt  obligations  on  similar  terms  and  at  similar 
interest  rates,  our  working  capital  requirements,  our  future  tax  obligations,  our  future  capital  requirements,  and  the  Company’s 
growth prospects.  The impact of items such as asset impairments, the future income tax effect of impairments and other unusual 
items are typically removed from the calculation of diluted earnings per share used in calculating the target dividend level of 70% - 
80% of fully diluted earnings per share.  The current dividend level set by Management and the Board of Directors is 63% of fully 
diluted earnings per share, normalized for factors noted above.  

As per the terms of the HSBC facility, we are restricted from declaring dividends and distributing cash if we are in breach of our 
financial covenants or our available margin and facility limits or if such dividend would result in a breach of our covenants or our 
available margin and facility limits.  At this time, the Company is well within its covenants, as such, Management does not believe 
that a restriction from declaring dividends is likely in the foreseeable future. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 Free Cash Flow 

The  Company  has  defined  free  cash  flow  to  be  cash  flows  provided  by  operating  activities  (including  changes  in  non-cash 
operating working capital) less capital expenditures (excluding capital assets acquired by acquisitions or purchases of real estate).  

(In thousands of  $ except unit 
and per unit amounts) 
Cash provided by operating 
activities 
Deduct: 
Purchase of property and equipment 
Free Cash Flow 1 

Weighted average shares 
outstanding at end of period 

Q1 2010 

Q2 2010 

Q3 2010 

Q4 2010 

Q1 2011 

Q2 2011 

Q3 2011 

Q4 2011 

7,169 

14,382 

4,983 

7,810 

4,166 

5,292 

10,851 

9,718 

(541) 

6,628 

(1,156) 

13,226 

(572) 

4,411 

(2,130) 

5,680 

(930) 

3,236 

(612) 

4,680 

(694) 

10,157 

(718) 

9,000 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

Free cash flow per share 

0.333 

0.665 

0.222 

0.286 

0.163 

0.235 

0.511 

0.453 

Free cash flow – 12 month trailing 

17,968 

30,758 

25,970 

29,945 

26,553 

18,007 

23,753 

27,073 

1 These financial measures are identified and defined under the section “NON-GAAP MEASURES”. 

Management believes that the free cash flow (see “NON-GAAP MEASURES”) can fluctuate significantly as a result of historical 
fluctuations in our business operations that occur on a quarterly basis as well as the resulting fluctuations in our trade receivables 
and inventory levels and the timing of the payments of trade payables and revolving floorplan facilities.  

Changes  in  non-cash  working  capital  consist  of  fluctuations  in  the  balances  of  trade  and  other  receivables,  inventories,  other 
current assets, trade and other payables and revolving floorplan facilities.  Factors that can affect these items include seasonal sales 
trends, strategic decisions regarding inventory levels, the addition of new dealerships, and the day of the week on which period end 
cutoffs occur.   

The following table summarizes the net increase in cash due to changes in non-cash working capital for the years ended December 
31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. 

(In thousands of dollars) 

Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Leased vehicle repurchase obligations 
Revolving floorplan facility 

January 1, 2011 to   
December 31, 2011   
$ 

January 1, 2010 to 
December 31, 2010 
$ 

(9,808) 
(25,933) 
33 
5,165 
340 
31,441 
1,238 

2,510 
(9,499) 
529 
1,656 
742 
22,239 
18,177  

23 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Free Cash Flow 

The Company has defined adjusted free cash flow to  be  cash flows provided  by  operating activities (before changes in non-cash 
operating working capital) less non-growth capital expenditures.  Columns marked “IFRS” represent financial information which 
has been restated for the Company’s adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) on January 1, 2010.   

(In thousands of  $ except unit and 
per unit amounts) 
Cash provided by operating 
activities before changes in non-
cash working capital 
Deduct: 
Purchase of non-growth property and 
equipment 
Adjusted Free Cash Flow1 

Weighted average shares outstanding 
at end of period 

Q1 2010 

     IFRS  

2,971 

Q2 2010 
      IFRS 
6,047 

Q3 2010 

     IFRS 

Q4 2010 
   IFRS 

Q1 2011 
   IFRS 

Q2 2011 
   IFRS 

Q3 2011 
   IFRS 

Q4 2011 
   IFRS 

3,836 

3,313 

3,882 

9,076 

8,032 

7,799 

(409) 

(819) 

(365) 

(565) 

(232) 

(188) 

(244) 

(407) 

2,562 

5,228 

3,471 

2,748 

3,650 

8,888 

7,788 

7,392 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

19,880,930 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow / Share 

0.129 

0.263 

0.175 

0.138 

0.184 

0.447 

0.392 

0.372 

Adjusted Free Cash flow – 12 
Month Trailing 

17,073 

16,710 

14,267 

14,009 

15,097 

18,757 

23,074 

27,718 

1 These financial measures are identified and defined under the section “NON-GAAP MEASURES”. 

Management believes that non-growth property and equipment is necessary to maintain and sustain the current productive capacity 
of the Company’s operations and cash available for growth.  Management believes that maintenance capital expenditures should be 
funded by cash flow provided by operating activities.  Capital spending for the expansion of sales and service capacity is expected 
to improve future free cash and as such is not deducted from cash flow provided by operating activities before changes in non-cash 
working capital in arriving at adjusted free cash flow.  Adjusted free cash flow is a measure used by management in forecasting 
and determining the Company’s available resources for future capital expenditure, repayment of debt, funding the future growth of 
the Company and dividends to Shareholders. 

The  Company  expects  the  payment  of  corporate  income  taxes  to  have  a  more  significant negative  affect  on  free  cash  flow  and 
adjusted free cash flow.  See  “RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS – Annual Operating Results – Income Taxes” for further detail 
regarding the impact of corporate income taxes on cash flow. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Return on Capital Employed 

The  Company  has  defined  Adjusted  Return  on  Capital  Employed  to  be  EBIT  (EBITDA,  as  defined  in  “NON-GAAP 
MEASURES”,  less  depreciation  and  amortization)  divided  by  Average  Capital  Employed  in  the  Company  (average  of 
shareholders’  equity  and  interest  bearing  debt,  excluding  floorplan  financing,  for  the  period,  less  the  comparative  adjustment 
defined below).  Calculations below represent the results on a quarterly basis, except for the adjusted return on capital employed – 
12 month trailing which incorporates the results based on the trailing 12 months for the periods presented. 

(In thousands of  $ except share and 
per share amounts) 
EBITDA1 
Add (deduct): 
Amortization 
EBIT1 

Average long-term debt 
Average shareholders’ equity 

Average capital employed1 

Return on capital employed1 

Comparative adjustment2 

Q1 2010 

Q2 2010 

Q3 2010 

Q4 2010 

Q1 2011 

Q2 2011 

Q3 2011 

Q4 2011 

3,096 

6,164 

4,011 

3,469 

4,047 

9,321 

8,216 

7,547 

(931) 
2,165 

21,314 
70,872 

(961) 
5,203 

19,244 
72,991 

(1,058) 
2,953 

21,924 
75,000 

(1,207) 
2,262 

25,461 
78,985 

(1,079) 
2,967 

26,201 
82,973 

(1,018) 
8,303 

26,071 
86,056 

(1,044) 
7,172 

(1,104) 
6,443 

25,201 
89,156 

24,282 
102,383 

92,185 

92,235 

96,924 

104,445 

109,174 

111,127 

114,357 

126,665 

2.3% 

5.6% 

3.0% 

2.2% 

2.7% 

7.5% 

6.3% 

5.1% 

9,301 

9,301 

9,301 

3,579 

3,579 

3,579 

3,579 

(15,376) 

Adjusted average capital employed2 

101,486 

101,536 

106,225 

110,885 

112,753 

114,706 

117,936 

120,766 

Adjusted return on capital employed2 

2.1% 

5.1% 

2.8% 

2.0% 

2.6% 

7.2% 

6.1% 

5.3% 

Adjusted return on capital employed - 
12 month trailing 

11.7% 

21.3% 

1These financial measures are identified and defined under the section “NON-GAAP MEASURES 
2A comparative adjustment has been made in order to adjust for impairments and reversals of impairments of intangible assets.  Due to the increased frequency of 
impairments and reversals of impairments, management has provided an adjustment in order to freeze intangible assets at the pre-IFRS amount of $43,700.  As a 
result, all differences from January 1, 2010 forward under IFRS  have been adjusted at the  post-tax rate at the time the adjustment to the intangible asset carrying 
amount was made.  Management believes that the adjusted return on capital employed provides more useful information about the return on capital employed. 

Management believes that Adjusted Return on Capital Employed (see “NON-GAAP MEASURES”) is a good measure to evaluate 
the profitability of our invested capital.  As a corporation, management of AutoCanada may use this measure to compare potential 
acquisitions and other capital investments against our internally computed cost of capital to determine whether the investment shall 
create value for our shareholders.  Management may also use this measure to look at past acquisitions, capital investments and the 
Company as a whole in order to ensure shareholder value is being achieved by these capital investments.   

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ACCOUNTING POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 

A complete listing of critical accounting policies, estimates, judgments and measurement uncertainty can be found in Note 3 of the 
annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.  

Certain  new  standards,  interpretations,  amendments  and  improvements  to  existing  standards  were  issued  by  the  IASB  or 
International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations  Committee  (“IFRIC”)  that  are  not  yet  effective  for  the  financial  year  ended 
December 31, 2011. The standards impacted that are applicable to the Company are as follows: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

IFRS  9,  Financial  Instruments  -  The  new  standard  will  ultimately  replace  IAS  39,  Financial  Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement. The replacement of IAS 39 is a multi-phase project with the objective of improving 
and  simplifying  the  reporting  for  financial  instruments  and  the  issuance  of  IFRS  9  is  part  of  the  first  phase.    This 
standard becomes effective on January 1, 2013. 
IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, requires an entity to consolidate an investee when it has power over the 
investee, is exposed,  or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to 
affect  those  returns  through  its  power  over  the  investee.  Under  existing  IFRS,  consolidation  is  required  when  an 
entity  has  the  power  to  govern  the  financial  and  operating  policies  of  an  entity  so  as  to  obtain  benefits  from  its 
activities. IFRS 10 replaces SIC-12, Consolidation—Special Purpose Entities and parts of IAS 27, Consolidated and 
Separate Financial Statements. 
IFRS 13, Fair  Value Measurement, is a comprehensive standard for fair value measurement and disclosure for use 
across  all  IFRS  standards.  The  new  standard  clarifies  that  fair  value  is  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an 
asset,  or  paid to  transfer  a  liability  in an  orderly  transaction  between  market  participants,  at  the  measurement  date. 
Under  existing  IFRS,  guidance  on  measuring  and  disclosing  fair  value  is  dispersed  among  the  specific  standards 
requiring fair value measurements and does not always reflect a clear measurement basis or consistent disclosures. 
IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, has been amended to require entities to separate items presented in OCI 
into  two  groups,  based  on  whether  or not items may  be  recycled  in the  future. Entities  that  choose  to  present  OCI 
items before tax will be required to show the amount of tax related to the two groups separately. The amendment is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012 with earlier application permitted. 
IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, has been amended to include additional disclosure requirements in the 
reporting  of  transfer  transactions  and  risk  exposures  relating  to  transfers  of  financial assets  and the  effect  of  those 
risks on an entity’s financial position, particularly those involving securitization of financial assets. The amendment 
is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, with earlier application permitted. 
IAS  12,  Income  Taxes,  was  amended  to  introduce  an  exception  to  the  existing  principle  for  the  measurement  of 
deferred tax assets or liabilities arising on investment property measured at fair value. As a result of the amendment, 
there is a rebuttable presumption that the carrying amount of the investment property will be recovered through sale 
when considering the expected manner or recovery or settlement. SIC 21, Income Taxes - Recovery of Revalued Non-
Depreciable  Assets,  will  no  longer  apply  to  investment  properties  carried  at  fair  value.  The  amendment  also 
incorporates  into  IAS  12  the  remaining  guidance  previously  contained  in  SIC  21,  which  is  withdrawn.  The 
amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012 with earlier application permitted. 

The Company is currently assessing the impact of new standards affecting its 2012 fiscal year. The Company has yet to assess the 
impact of the new standards on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures for the 2013 fiscal year. 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Disclosure Controls & Procedures 

Disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are  designed  to  ensure that  information required  to  be  disclosed  by  the  Company  in reports 
filed with securities regulatory authorities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis, and is accumulated 
and  communicated  to  the  Company’s  management,  including  the  CEO  and  CFO,  as  appropriate,  to  allow  timely  decisions 
regarding required disclosure. 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of 
the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109 of the  Canadian 
Securities Administrators, and have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting 

Management of the Company is responsible  for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. 
These controls include policies and procedures that (l) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately 
and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions 
are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  and  that  receipts  and 
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide 
reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use  or  disposition  of  the  Company's 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  

All  control  systems  contain  inherent  limitations,  no  matter  how  well  designed.  As  a  result,  the  Company's  management 
acknowledges that its internal controls over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all misstatements due to error or fraud. In 
addition, management's evaluation of controls can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that all control issues that may 
result in material misstatements, if any, have been detected.  

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based 
on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee Of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Based on this assessment, management concluded that the company maintained effective 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.  

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

There  have  been  no  changes  in  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are 
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 
2011.  

OUTLOOK 

The  outlook  regarding  vehicle  sales  in  Canada  is  difficult  to  predict.    New  light  vehicle  unit  sales  in  Canada  are  expected  to 
increase by 1.1 percent in 2012 as compared to the prior year.   

New Vehicle Sales Outlook by Province* 

(thousands of units, annual rates) 

Canada 

  Atlantic 

  Central 
    Quebec 
    Ontario 

  West 
    Manitoba 
    Saskatchewan 
    Alberta 
    British Columbia 

1994-2005 
Average 
1,446 

2006-08 
Average 
1,637 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012f 

1,461 

1,557 

1,589 

1,605 

102 

936 
366 
570 

408 
42 
36 
166 
164 

119 

1,002 
411 
591 

516 
45 
43 
239 
189 

115 

927 
392 
535 

419 
43 
44 
182 
150 

122 

990 
414 
576 

445 
44 
46 
200 
155 

119 

997 
408 
589 

473 
47 
50 
218 
158 

120 

1,002 
409 
593 

483 
48 
51 
224 
160 

* Includes cars and light trucks 

Source:  Scotia Economics - Global Auto Report, February 27, 2012 

AutoCanada  continued  to  benefit  from  the  general  improvement  in  the  economy  in  Canada  in  2011.    This  improvement  was 
evident  by  the  increase  in new  vehicle  sales  and  the  improvement  in  finance  and  insurance  revenues  (an  indicator  of  improved 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
credit conditions).  Canadian new vehicle sales over the first two months of 2012 continue to be strong and sales in January and 
February  are  estimated  to  be  running  at  an  annualized  rate  of  1.70  million.    Management  believes  that  as  a  result  of  both  the 
number of variables and the volatility of these variables that it is difficult to predict the direction of new and used vehicle sales with 
any  certainty.    With respect  to  macroeconomic  factors,  Management  does  not  expect  inflationary  or  vehicle  pricing  concerns  to 
have a significant impact on our business.  We do believe that higher gasoline prices may impact our sales of light trucks which 
may have a significant impact on our operations if sales volumes of light trucks decrease.  Both unemployment rates and consumer 
confidence indexes are macroeconomic factors that we believe are good indicators of the health of the retail automotive industry in 
Canada and we have seen improvement in these two factors over the past two years.  Due to the unpredictability of the economy, 
Management believes that the best approach is to continue its emphasis on existing operations for continued earnings and cash flow 
growth and, in particular, those aspects of its operations which are most impacted by same.  In view of the number of brands which 
to date have accepted public  ownership in Canada, and the need to ensure that acquisitions are priced to be accretive, profitable 
acquisitions remain challenging and their timing is uncertain. 

RISK FACTORS 

We face a number of business risks that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those disclosed in this MD&A (See 
“FORWARD  LOOKING  STATEMENTS”)    Investors  and  the  public  should  carefully  consider  our  business  risks,  other 
uncertainties  and  potential  events  as  well  as  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  forward  looking  statements  when  making  investment 
decisions with respect to AutoCanada.  If any of the business risks identified by AutoCanada were to occur, our business, financial 
condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects could be materially adversely affected.  In such case, the trading price of 
our shares could decline.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may 
also  adversely  affect  our  business  and  operations.    A  comprehensive  discussion  of  the  known  risk  factors  of  AutoCanada  and 
additional business risks is available in our 2011 Annual Information Form dated March 22, 2012 available on the SEDAR website 
at www.sedar.com. 

Additional information 

Additional  information  relating  to  the  Company,  including  all  public  filings,  is  available  on  SEDAR  (www.sedar.com).    The 
Company’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ACQ. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Certain  statements  contained  in  management’s  discussion  and  analysis  are  forward-looking  statements  and  information 
(collectively  “forward-looking  statements”),  within  the  meaning  of  the  applicable  Canadian  securities  legislation.    We  hereby 
provide  cautionary  statements  identifying  important  factors  that  could  cause  our  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those 
projected  in  these  forward-looking  statements.    Any  statements  that  express,  or  involve  discussions  as  to,  expectations,  beliefs, 
plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as 
“will  likely  result”,  “are  expected  to”,  “will  continue”,  “is  anticipated”,  “projection”,  “vision”,  “goals”,  “objective”,  “target”, 
“schedules”, “outlook”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “seek”, “may”, “intend”, “likely”, 
“will”,  “believe”  and  similar  expressions  are  not  historical  facts  and  are  forward-looking  and  may  involve  estimates  and 
assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict.  
Accordingly, these factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking 
statements.    Therefore,  any  such  forward-looking  statements  are  qualified  in  their  entirety  by  reference  to  the  factors  discussed 
throughout this document. 

In particular, material forward-looking statements in management’s discussion and analysis include:  
the future level of performance based incentives and its effect on our profitability; 
the impact of investments in technology on customer satisfaction, sales and profitability; 

• 
• 
•  whether  permitting  senior  management  to  privately  purchase  dealerships  will  better  ensure  the  retention  of  such 

• 

• 
• 
• 

employees and allow for cost savings synergies; 
our expectation that if the business landscape changes and new brands consider the acceptance of the public ownership 
model, that Management and the Board may revise the dividend policy to better align the Company’s capital structure to 
fund future growth expectations; 
guidance with respect to future acquisition and open point opportunities; 
our assessment of the addition of FIAT franchises and its effect on earnings; 
our belief that relocation of certain dealerships may provide incremental long-term earnings growth and better align some 
of our dealerships with the growth expectations of our manufacturer partners; 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  management’s assessment of our dividend policy and its effect on liquidity; 
• 
• 

our expectation to incur annual non-growth capital expenditures; 
the impact of dealership real estate relocations and purchases and its impact on liquidity, financial performance and the 
Company’s capital requirements; 
the impact of working capital requirements and its impact on future liquidity; 

• 
•  Our assumptions regarding financial covenants and our ability to meet covenants in the future; 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  management’s assumptions and expectations over the future economic and general outlook. 

our assumption on the amount of time it may take for an acquisition or open point to achieve normal operating results; 
expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s ability to pay future dividends and growth; 
expectations and estimates regarding income taxes and their effect on cash flow and dividends; 
assumptions over non-GAAP measures and their impact on the Company; 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected by the forward-looking statements presented in this release are reasonable, our 
forward-looking statements have been based on assumptions and factors concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate.  
Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to us about ourselves and the businesses in which we 
operate.  Information used in developing forward-looking statements has been acquired from various sources including third-party 
consultants,  suppliers,  regulators,  and  other  sources.    In  some  instances,  material  assumptions  are  disclosed  elsewhere  in  this 
release  in respect  of  forward-looking  statements.  We  caution  the reader that the  following list  of  assumptions  is not  exhaustive.  
The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: 

no significant adverse changes to the automotive market, competitive conditions, the supply and demand of vehicles, parts 
and service, and finance and insurance products or the political, economic and social stability of the jurisdictions in which 
we operate; 
no significant construction delays that may adversely affect the timing of dealership relocations and open points; 
no significant disruption of our operations such as may result from harsh weather, natural disaster, accident, civil unrest, 
or other calamitous event; 
no significant unexpected technological event or commercial difficulties that adversely affect our operations; 
continuing availability of economical capital resources; demand for our products and our cost of operations; 
no significant adverse legislative and regulatory changes; and 
stability of general domestic economic, market, and business conditions 

Because  actual  results  or  outcomes  could  differ  materially  from  those  expressed  in  any  forward-looking  statements,  investors 
should  not  place  undue  reliance  on  any  such  forward-looking  statements.    By  their  nature,  forward-looking  statements  involve 
numerous  assumptions,  inherent  risks  and  uncertainties,  both  general  and  specific,  which  contribute  to  the  possibility  that  the 
predicted outcomes  will not occur.  The risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of  which are beyond our control, that could 
influence actual results include, but are not limited to: 

rapid appreciation or depreciation of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar; 
a sustained downturn in consumer demand and economic conditions in key geographic markets; 
adverse conditions affecting one or more of our automobile manufacturers; 
the ability of consumers to access automotive loans and leases; 
competitive actions of other companies and generally within the automotive industry; 
our dependence on sales of new vehicles to achieve sustained profitability; 
our suppliers ability to provide a desirable mix of popular new vehicles; 
the ability to continue financing inventory under similar interest rates; 
our suppliers ability to continue to provide manufacturer incentive programs; 
the loss of key personnel and limited management and personnel resources; 
the ability to refinance credit agreements in the future; 
changes in applicable environmental, taxation and other laws and regulations as well as how such laws and regulations are 
interpreted and enforced 
risks inherent in the ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet current and future obligations 
the ability to obtain automotive manufacturers’ approval for acquisitions; 

• 

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

The Company’s Annual Information Form and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the 
SEDAR website www.sedar.com describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and 
which are incorporated herein by reference. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
Further, any  forward-looking  statement  speaks  only  as  of  the  date  on  which  such  statement is  made,  and,  except as required  by 
applicable  law,  we  undertake no  obligation to  update  any  forward-looking  statement  to reflect  events  or  circumstances  after the 
date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  New factors emerge from time to time, 
and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on our 
business  or  the  extent  to  which  any  factor,  or  combination  of  factors,  may  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those 
contained in any forward-looking statement. 

NON-GAAP MEASURES 

Our  MD&A  contains  certain  financial  measures  that  do  not  have  any  standardized  meaning  prescribed  by  Canadian  GAAP.  
Therefore, these financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.  Investors are cautioned 
these measures should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings (loss) or to cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, 
and  financing  activities  determined  in  accordance  with  Canadian  GAAP,  as  indicators  of  our  performance.    We  provide  these 
measures to assist investors in determining our ability to generate earnings and cash provided by (used in) operating activities and 
to  provide  additional  information  on how  these  cash resources  are  used.    We  list  and  define  these  “NON-GAAP  MEASURES” 
below: 

EBITDA 

EBITDA is a measure commonly reported and widely used by investors as an indicator of a company’s operating performance and 
ability  to  incur  and  service  debt,  and  as  a  valuation  metric.    The  Company  believes  EBITDA  assists  investors  in  comparing  a 
company’s performance on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation and amortization and asset impairment charges which 
are non-cash in nature and can vary significantly depending upon accounting methods or non-operating factors such as historical 
cost.    References  to  “EBITDA”  are  to  earnings  before  interest  expense  (other  than  interest  expense  on  floorplan  financing  and 
other interest), income taxes, depreciation, amortization and asset impairment charges.   

EBIT 

EBIT  is  a  measure  used  by  management  in  the  calculation  of  Return  on  capital  employed  (defined  below).    Management’s 
calculation of EBIT is EBITDA (calculated above) less depreciation and amortization. 

Free Cash Flow 

Free cash flow is a measure used by management to evaluate its performance.  While the closest Canadian GAAP measure is cash 
provided  by  operating  activities,  free  cash  flow  is  considered  relevant  because  it  provides  an  indication  of  how  much  cash 
generated by operations is available after capital expenditures.  It shall be noted that although we consider this measure to be free 
cash  flow,  financial  and  non-financial  covenants  in  our  credit  facilities  and  dealer  agreements  may  restrict  cash  from  being 
available for distributions, re-investment in the Company, potential acquisitions, or other purposes.  Investors should be cautioned 
that free cash flow may not actually be available for growth or distribution of the Company.  References to “Free cash flow” are to 
cash  provided  by  (used  in)  operating  activities  (including  the  net  change  in  non-cash  working  capital  balances)  less  capital 
expenditure (not including acquisitions of dealerships and dealership facilities). 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow 

Adjusted  free  cash  flow  is  a  measure  used  by  management  to  evaluate  its  performance.    Free  cash  flow  is  considered  relevant 
because  it  provides  an  indication  of  how  much  cash  generated  by  operations  before  changes  in  non-cash  working  capital  is 
available after deducting expenditures for non-growth capital assets.  It shall be noted that although we consider this measure to be 
adjusted free cash flow, financial and non-financial covenants in our credit facilities and dealer agreements may restrict cash from 
being  available  for  distributions,  re-investment  in  the  Company,  potential  acquisitions,  or  other  purposes.    Investors  should  be 
cautioned  that  adjusted  free  cash  flow  may  not  actually  be  available  for  growth  or  distribution  of  the  Company.    References  to 
“Adjusted  free  cash  flow”  are  to  cash  provided  by  (used  in)  operating  activities  (before  changes  in  non-cash  working  capital 
balances) less non-growth capital expenditures.  

Absorption Rate 

Absorption rate is an operating measure commonly used in the retail automotive industry as an indicator of the performance of the 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
parts, service and collision repair operations of a franchised automobile dealership. Absorption rate is not a measure recognized by 
GAAP  and  does  not  have  a  standardized  meaning  prescribed  by  GAAP.  Therefore,  absorption  rate  may  not  be  comparable  to 
similar measures presented by other issuers that operate in the retail automotive industry.  References to ‘‘absorption rate’’ are to 
the extent to which the gross profits of a franchised automobile dealership from parts, service and collision repair cover the costs of 
these departments plus the fixed costs of operating the dealership, but does not include expenses pertaining to our head office. For 
this  purpose,  fixed  operating  costs  include  fixed  salaries  and  benefits,  administration  costs,  occupancy  costs,  insurance  expense, 
utilities expense and interest expense (other than interest expense relating to floor plan financing) of the dealerships only.   

Average Capital Employed 

Average capital employed is a measure used  by management to determine the amount of capital invested in AutoCanada and is 
used  in  the measure  of  Return  on  Capital  Employed  (described  below).    Average  capital  employed  is  calculated  as  the  average 
balance of interest bearing debt for the period (including current portion of long term debt, excluding revolving floorplan facilities) 
and  the  average  balance  of  shareholders  equity  for  the  period.    Management  does  not  include  future  income  tax,  non-interest 
bearing debt, or revolving floorplan facilities in the calculation of average capital employed as it does not consider these items to 
be capital, but rather debt incurred to finance the operating activities of the Company. 

Adjusted Average Capital Employed 

Adjusted average capital employed is a measure used by management to determine the amount of capital invested in AutoCanada 
and  is  used  in  the  measure  of  Adjusted  Return  on  Capital Employed  (described  below).    Adjusted  average  capital  employed  is 
calculated as  the  average  balance  of  interest  bearing debt  for  the  period  (including  current  portion  of  long  term  debt, excluding 
revolving floorplan facilities) and the average balance of shareholders equity for the period, adjusted for impairments of intangible 
assets,  net  of  deferred  tax.    Management  does  not  include  future  income  tax,  non-interest  bearing  debt,  or  revolving  floorplan 
facilities in the calculation of adjusted average capital employed as it does not consider these items to be capital, but rather debt 
incurred to finance the operating activities of the Company. 

Return on Capital Employed 

Return  on  capital  employed  is  a  measure  used  by  management  to  evaluate  the  profitability  of  our  invested  capital.    As  a 
corporation,  management  of  AutoCanada  may  use  this  measure  to  compare  potential  acquisitions  and  other  capital  investments 
against  our  internally  computed  cost  of  capital  to  determine  whether  the  investment  shall  create  value  for  our  shareholders.  
Management may also use this measure to look at past acquisitions, capital investments and the Company as a whole in order to 
ensure  shareholder  value  is  being  achieved  by  these  capital  investments.    Return  on  capital  employed  is  calculated  as  EBIT 
(defined above) divided by Average Capital Employed (defined above). 

Adjusted Return on Capital Employed 

Adjusted return on capital employed is a measure used by management to evaluate the profitability of our invested capital.  As a 
corporation,  management  of  AutoCanada  may  use  this  measure  to  compare  potential  acquisitions  and  other  capital  investments 
against  our  internally  computed  cost  of  capital  to  determine  whether  the  investment  shall  create  value  for  our  shareholders.  
Management may also use this measure to look at past acquisitions, capital investments and the Company as a whole in order to 
ensure  shareholder  value  is  being  achieved  by  these  capital  investments.    Adjusted  return  on  capital  employed  is  calculated  as 
EBIT (defined above) divided by Adjusted Average Capital Employed (defined above). 

Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures 

EBITDA, EBIT, Free Cash Flow, Absorption Rate, Average Capital Employed, Return on Capital Employed, Adjusted Average 
Capital  Employed  and  Adjusted  Return  on  Capital  Employed  are  not  earnings  measures  recognized  by  GAAP  and  do  not  have 
standardized  meanings  prescribed  by  GAAP.    Investors  are  cautioned  that  these  non-GAAP  measures  should  not  replace  net 
earnings or loss (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of the Company's performance, of its cash flows from 
operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of its liquidity and cash flows. The Company's methods of calculating 
EBITDA, EBIT, Free Cash Flow, Absorption Rate, Average Capital Employed, Return on Capital Employed. Adjusted Average 
Capital Employed and Adjusted Return on Capital Employed may differ from the methods used by  other issuers. Therefore, the 
Company's EBITDA, EBIT, Free Cash Flow, Absorption Rate, Average Capital Employed, Return on Capital Employed, Adjusted 
Average Capital Employed and Adjusted Return on Capital Employed may not be comparable to similar measures presented by 
other issuers.   

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AutoCanada Inc.
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2011

S
T
N
E
M
E
T
A
T
S

I

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N
A
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I
F

D
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T
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March 22, 2012

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Shareholders of
AutoCanada Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of AutoCanada Inc. and its
subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2011,
December 31, 2010, and January 1, 2010, and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income,
statement of changes in equity, and statements of cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2011 and
December 31, 2010, and the related notes, which comprise a summary of significant accounting policies
and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control
as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those
standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material
misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in
the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment,
including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control
relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order
to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a
basis for our audit opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
TD Tower, 10088 102 Avenue NW, Suite 1501, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 3N5
T: +1 780 441 6700, F: +1 780 441 6776

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.

33 

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of AutoCanada Inc. and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January
1, 2010 and their financial performance and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and
December 31, 2010 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Chartered Accountants

34 

AutoCanada Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Years Ended 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

Revenue (Note 8)

Cost of sales (Note 9)

Gross profit

Operating expenses (Note 10)

Operating profit before other income

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
Reversal of impairment of assets (Note 20)

Operating profit

Finance costs (Note 12)
Finance income (Note 12)

Net comprehensive income for the year before taxation

Income tax (Note 13)

Net comprehensive income for the year

Earnings per share
Basic

Diluted

Weighted average shares
Basic

Diluted

December 31,
2011
$

December 31,
2010
$

1,008,858

(839,734)

169,124

(136,846)

869,507

(719,487)

150,020

(130,237)

32,278

19,783

(41)
25,543

57,780

(9,848)
1,361

49,293

12,509

36,784

6
8,059

27,848

(9,217)
921

19,552

4,956

14,596

1.850

1.850

0.734

0.734

19,880,930

19,880,930

19,880,930

19,880,930

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Approved on behalf of the Company:

(Signed) "Gordon R. Barefoot", Director

(Signed) "Robin Salmon", Director

35 

AutoCanada Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 16)

Trade and other receivables (Note 17)

Inventories (Note 18)

Other current assets

Property and equipment (Note 19)
Intangible assets (Note 20)
Goodwill
Other long-term assets (Note 22)
Deferred tax

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (Note 23)
Revolving floorplan facilities (Note 24)
Current tax payable (Note 13)
Current lease obligations (Note 25)
Current indebtedness (Note 24)

Long-term lease obligations (Note 25)
Long-term indebtedness (Note 24)
Deferred tax (Note 13)

EQUITY
Share capital (Note 28)
Contributed surplus
Accumulated deficit

December 31,
2011
$

December 31, 
2010
$

January 1,
2010
$

53,641

42,448

136,869

1,120

234,078
25,975
66,181
380
7,609
-

334,223

32,132
150,816
2,046
1,204
2,859

189,057
-
20,115
12,056

221,228

190,435
3,918
(81,358)

112,995

334,223

37,541

32,832

118,088

1,148

189,609
25,590
40,018
309
5,909
-

261,435

26,622
124,609
-
907
277

152,415
120
24,974
1,552

179,061

21,528

35,323

108,324

1,646

166,821
17,600
30,600
-
2,198
3,492

220,711

24,831
102,370
-
175
96

127,472
289
22,785
-

150,546

190,435
3,918
(111,979)

82,374

261,435

190,435
3,918
(124,188)

70,165

220,711

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

36 

AutoCanada Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Years Ended 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Balance,  January 1, 2011  

Net comprehensive income
Dividends declared on common shares
Balance, December 31, 2011

Share
capital
$

190,435

-

-

Contributed
surplus
$

3,918

-

-

Total
capital
$

194,353

-

-

Accumulated
deficit
$

(111,979)

36,784

(6,163)

Equity
$

82,374

36,784

(6,163)

190,435

3,918

194,353

(81,358)

112,995

Balance, January 1, 2010  

Net comprehensive income
Dividends declared on common shares
Balance, December 31, 2010

Share
capital
$

190,435

-

-

Contributed
surplus
$

3,918

-

-

Total
capital
$

194,353

-

-

Accumulated
deficit
$

(124,188)

14,596

(2,387)

190,435

3,918

194,353

(111,979)

Equity
$

70,165

14,596

(2,387)

82,374

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

37 

AutoCanada Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities
Net comprehensive income

Income taxes (Note 13)

Shared-based payments

Amortization of property and equipment (Note 10)

Amortization of prepaid rent

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

Reversal of impairment of assets

Net change in non-cash working capital

Investing activities
Business acquisitions (Note 14)

Purchases of property and equipment (Note 19)

Proceeds on sale of property and equipment

Prepayments of rent

Proceeds on divestiture of dealership (Note 15)

Financing activities
Repayment of long term indebtedness

Proceeds from long term indebtedness

Dividends paid

Increase in cash

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

38 

December 31,
2011
$

December 31,
2010
$

36,784

12,509

302

4,245

452

40

(25,543)

1,238

30,027

(1,753)

(2,954)

79

(2,160)

1,464

(5,324)

(2,440)

-

(6,163)

(8,603)

14,596

4,956

57

4,171

452

(6)

(8,059)

18,177

34,344

(3,550)

(10,487)

64

(4,163)

-

(18,136)

(4,318)

6,510

(2,387)

(195)

16,100

16,013

37,541

53,641

21,528

37,541

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

1 General Information

AutoCanada  Inc.  (“AutoCanada”  or  “The  Company”)  is  a  corporation  from  Alberta,  Canada  with  common
shares  listed  on  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  ("TSX")  under  the  symbol  of  "ACQ".    The  business  of
AutoCanada,  held  in  its  subsidiaries,  is  the  operation  of  franchised  automobile  dealerships  in  British
Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  The Company offers a diversified
range  of  automotive  products  and  services,  including  new  vehicles,  used  vehicles,  vehicle  parts,  vehicle
maintenance  and  collision  repair  services,  extended  service  contracts,  vehicle  protection  products  and  other
after-market  products.    The  Company  also  arranges  financing  and  insurance  for  vehicle  purchases  by  its
customers through third-party finance and insurance sources. The address of its registered office is 200, 15505
Yellowhead Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5V 1E5.

2 Basis of presentation and adoption of IFRS

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting  principles  ("GAAP")  as  issued  by  the  Canadian  Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants.  In  2010,
Canadian GAAP was revised to incorporate International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by
the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board  ("IASB").  The  Company  adopted  IFRS  in  accordance  with
IFRS  1,  First-time  Adoption  of  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards.    The  first  date  at  which  IFRS
was applied was January 1, 2010.  In accordance with IFRS, the Company has:

!
!
!
!

provided comparative financial information;
applied the same accounting policies throughout all periods presented;
retrospectively applied all effective IFRS standards as of December 31, 2011, as required; and 
applied  certain  optional  exemptions  and  certain  mandatory  exceptions  as  applicable  for  first
time IFRS adopters. 

The  Company's  consolidated  financial  statements  were  previously  prepared  in  accordance  with  accounting
principles generally accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP").  Canadian GAAP differs in certain areas from
IFRS.  In preparing these financial statements, management has amended certain accounting and measurement
methods  previously  applied  in  the  Canadian  GAAP  financial  statements  to  comply  with  IFRS.    Note  32
contains  reconciliations  and  descriptions  of  the  effect  of  the  transition  from  Canadian  GAAP  to  IFRS  on
equity,  earnings  and  comprehensive  income  along  with  line-by-line  reconciliations  of  the  statement  of
financial position as at December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010, and the statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting
estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies.
The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are
significant to the financial statements are described in Note 5.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors for issue on March 22, 2012.

39 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies

The  significant  accounting  policies  used  in  the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are as
follows:

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the
revaluation of certain financial assets and financial liabilities to fair value, including liabilities for cash-settled
share-based payment arrangements.

Principles of consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  comprise  the  financial  statements  of  AutoCanada  and  all  of  its
subsidiaries.  Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Company has control, where control is defined as the
power  to  govern  financial  and  operating  policies.  The  Company  has  a  shareholding  of  100%  of  the  voting
rights  in  its  subsidiaries.  Subsidiaries  are  fully  consolidated  from  the  date  control  is  transferred  to  the
Company, and are no longer consolidated on the date control ceases.

Intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses, and gains or losses on transactions are eliminated.
Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency  with  the
accounting policies adopted by the Company.

Business combinations 

Business  combinations  are  accounted  for  using  the  acquisition  method  of  accounting.    This  involves
recognizing  identifiable  assets  (including  intangible  assets  not  previously  recognised  by  the  acquiree)  and
liabilities  (including  contingent  liabilities)  of  acquired  businesses  at  fair  value  at  the  acquisition  date.    The
excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.  If
the acquisition cost is less than the fair value of the net assets acquired, the fair value of the net assets is re-
assessed and any remaining difference is recognized directly in the statement of operations.  Transaction costs
are expensed as incurred.  

Revenue recognition

(a) Vehicles, parts, service and collision repair

Revenue  from  the  sale  of  goods  and  services  is  measured  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration
receivable,  net  of  rebates  and  any  discounts  and  includes  finance  and  insurance  commissions.    It
excludes sales related taxes and intercompany transactions.

Revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer
and the revenue and costs can be reliably measured and it is probable that economic benefits will flow
to  the  Company.  In  practice,  this  means  that  revenue  is  recognized  when  vehicles  are  invoiced  and
physically  delivered  to  the  customer  and  payment  has  been  received  or  credit  approval  has  been
obtained by the customer.  Revenue for parts, service and collision repair is recognized when the service
has been performed.

40 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies continued

Revenue recognition continued

(b)

Finance and insurance

The  Company  arranges  financing  for  customers  through  various  financial  institutions  and  receives  a
commission from the lender based on the difference between the interest rate charged to the customer
and  the  interest  rate  set  by  the  financing  institution,  or  a  flat  fee.  This  revenue  is  included  in  vehicle
revenue on the statement of operations.

The  Company  also  receives  commissions  for  facilitating  the  sale  of  third-party  insurance  products  to
customers,  including  credit  and  life  insurance  policies  and  extended  service  contracts.  These
commissions are recorded as revenue at the time the customer enters into the contract and the Company
is entitled to the commission. The Company is not the obligor under any of these contracts. In the case
of  finance  contracts,  a  customer  may  prepay  or  fail  to  pay  their  contract,  thereby  terminating  the
contract.  Customers  may  also  terminate  extended  service  contracts,  which  are  fully  paid  at  purchase,
and  become  eligible  for  refunds  of  unused  premiums.  In  these  circumstances,  a  portion  of  the
commissions  the  Company  receives  may  be  charged  back  to  the  Company  based  on  the  terms  of  the
contracts. The revenue the Company records relating to commissions is net of an estimate of the amount
of chargebacks the Company will be required to pay. This estimate is based upon historical chargeback
experience arising from similar contracts, including the impact of refinance and default rates on retail
finance contracts and cancellation rates on extended service contracts and other insurance products. 

Taxation

(a) Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognized, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax
bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the statement of financial position. Deferred
tax is calculated using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the end of
the  reporting  period,  and  which  are  expected  to  apply  when  the  related  deferred  income  tax  asset  is
realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax liabilities:

!
!

are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences; and
are not recognized on temporary differences that arise from goodwill which is not deductible for
tax purposes.

Deferred tax assets:

!

!

are recognized to the extent it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the
deductible temporary differences can be utilized; and
are  reviewed  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period  and  reduced  to  the  extent  that  it  is  no  longer
probable  that  sufficient  taxable  profits  will  be  available  to  allow  all  or  part  of  the  asset  to  be
recovered.

Deferred  tax  assets  and liabilities are not recognized in respect of temporary differences that arise on
initial recognition of assets and liabilities acquired other than in a business combination.

41 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies continued

Taxation continued

(b)

Current tax

Current tax expense is based on the results for the period as adjusted for items that are not taxable or not
deductible.  Current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws that were enacted or substantively enacted
at the end of the reporting period. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with
respect  to  situations  in  which  applicable  tax  regulation  is  subject  to  interpretation.  Provisions  are
established where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Financial instruments

Financial assets are recognized on the settlement date, which is the date on which the asset is delivered to or
by the Company. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments
have  expired  or  were  transferred  and  the  Company  has  transferred  substantially  all  risks  and  rewards  of
ownership.  The  Company's  financial  assets,  including  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  trade  and  other
receivables, are classified as loans and receivables at the time of initial recognition.  Loans and receivables are
non-derivative financial assets with fixed or  determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.
Loans and receivables are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs and subsequently carried at
amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include amounts on deposit with financial institutions and amounts with Ally Credit
Canada  ("Ally  Credit")  that  are  readily  available  to  the  Company  (See  Note  21  -  Financial  instruments  -
Credit risk for explanation of credit risk associated with amounts held with Ally Credit).

Trade and other receivables

Trade  and  other  receivables  are  amounts  due  from  customers,  financial  institutions  and  suppliers  from
providing  services  or  sale  of  goods  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business.    Trade  and  other  receivables  are
recognized  initially  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective  interest
method,  less  provision  for  impairment.  A  provision  for  impairment  of  trade  and  other  receivables  is
established  when  there  is  objective  evidence  that  the  Company  will  not  be  able  to  collect  all  amounts  due
according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability
that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments (more
than  30  days  overdue)  are  considered  indicators  that  the  trade  receivable  is  impaired.  The  amount  of  the
provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash
flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the
use  of  an  allowance  account,  and  the  amount  of  the  loss  is  recognized  in  the  income  statement  within
operating expenses.

When a trade and other receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade and
other  receivables.  Subsequent  recoveries  of  amounts  previously  written  off  are  credited  against  operating
expenses in the income statement.

42 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies continued

Inventories

New, used and demonstrator vehicle inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value with
cost determined on a specific item basis.  Parts and accessories inventories are valued at the lower of cost and
net realizable value.  Inventories of parts and accessories are accounted for using the “weighted-average cost”
method.  

In determining net realizable value for new vehicles, the Company primarily considers the age of the vehicles
along  with  the  timing  of  annual  and  model  changeovers.    For  used  vehicles,  the  Company  considers  recent
market data and trends such as loss histories along with the current age of the inventory.  Parts inventories are
primarily assessed considering excess quantity and continued usefulness of the part. The risk of loss in value
related  to  parts  inventories  is  minimized  since  excess  or  obsolete  parts  can  generally  be  returned  to  the
manufacturer.

Property and equipment

Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  amortization  and  any  accumulated  impairment
losses.  Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.  Residual values,
useful lives and methods of amortization are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each financial year end.
Land  is  not  amortized.    Other  than  as  noted  below,  amortization  of  property  and  equipment  is  provided  for
over the estimated useful life of the assets on the declining balance basis at the following annual rates :

Buildings
Machinery and equipment
Furniture, fixtures and other
Company vehicles
Computer equipment

4%
20%
20%
30%
30%

The  useful  life  of  leasehold  improvements  is  determined  to  be  the  lesser  of  the  lease  term  or  the  estimated
useful  life  of  the  improvement.    Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized  using  the  straight-line  method  if
useful life is determined to be the lease term and declining balance method if other than the lease term is used.

Amortization of leased vehicles is based on a straight line amortization of the difference between the cost and
the estimated residual value at the end of the lease over the term of the lease.  Leased vehicle residual values
are regularly reviewed to determined whether amortization rates are reasonable.

Goodwill and intangible assets

(a) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Company's share
of  the  identifiable  net  assets  of  the  acquired  subsidiary  at  the  date  of  acquisition.    Goodwill  is  tested
annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.  Gains and losses on
the disposal of a cash-generating unit ("CGU") include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the
CGU sold.

43 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies continued

Goodwill and intangible assets continued

(b)

Intangible assets

Intangible  assets  consist  of  rights under franchise agreements with automobile manufacturers (“dealer
agreements”).  The Company has determined that dealer agreements will continue to contribute to cash
flows indefinitely and, therefore, have indefinite lives due to the following reasons:

!
!

Certain of our dealer agreements continue indefinitely by their terms; and
Certain  of  our  dealer  agreements  have  limited  terms,  but  are  routinely  renewed  without
substantial cost to the Company.

Intangible assets are carried at cost less impairment losses.  When acquired in a business combination,
the  cost  is  determined  in  connection  with  the  purchase  price  allocation  based  on  their  respective  fair
values at the acquisition date.  When market value is not readily determinable, cost is determined using
generally accepted valuation methods based on revenues, costs or other appropriate criteria.

Impairment

Impairments  are  recorded  when  the  recoverable  amount  of assets are less than their carrying amounts.  The
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less cost to sell or its value in use.  Impairment losses,
other  than  those  relating  to  goodwill,  are  evaluated  for  potential  reversals  of  impairment  when  events  or
changes in circumstances warrant such consideration.

(a) Non-financial assets

The  carrying  values  of  non-financial  assets  with  finite  lives,  such  as  property  and  equipment  are
assessed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  their  carrying
amounts may not be recoverable.  For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the
lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows.

(b)

Intangible assets and goodwill

The carrying values of all intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  Additionally, the carrying
values  of  identifiable  intangible  assets  with  indefinite  lives  and  goodwill  are  tested  annually  for
impairment.  Specifically:

!

!

Our  dealership  franchise  agreements  with  indefinite  lives  are  subject  to an annual impairment
assessment.    For  purposes  of  impairment testing, the fair value of our franchise agreements is
determined  using  a  combination  of  a  discounted  cash  flow  approach  and  earnings  multiple
approach.
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units (“CGU”)
based  on  the  level  at  which  management  monitors  it,  which  is  not  higher  than  an  operating
segment.  Goodwill is allocated to those CGU's that are expected to benefit from the business
combination in which the goodwill arose.

44 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

3

Significant Accounting Policies continued

Trade Payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
business.  Trade payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost,
and are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less.

Provisions

Provisions represent liabilities to the Company for which the amount or timing is uncertain.  Provisions are
recognized  when  the  Company  has  a  present  legal  or  constructive  obligation  as  a result of past events, it is
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably
estimated.  Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.  Provisions are measured at the present
value  of  the  expected  expenditures  to  settle  the  obligation  using  a  discount  rate  that  reflects  current  market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation.  The increase in provision due
to passage of time is recognized as interest expense.

Leases

Leases are classified as either operating or finance, based on the substance of the transaction at inception of
the lease.  Classification is re-assessed if the terms of the lease are changed.

(a)

Finance lease

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the Company are
classified  as  finance  leases.  Assets  meeting  finance  lease  criteria  are  capitalized  at  the  lower  of  the
present value of the related lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the
lease.  Minimum  lease  payments  are  apportioned  between  the  finance  charge  and  the  liability.  The
finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate
of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

(b) Operating lease

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are
classified as operating leases. Payments under an operating lease (net of any incentives received from
the lessor) are recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

45 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

4 Accounting standards and amendments issued but not yet adopted

Certain  new  standards,  interpretations,  amendments  and  improvements  to  existing  standards  were  issued  by
the IASB or International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) that are not yet effective
for the financial year ended December 31, 2011. The standards impacted that are applicable to the Company
are as follows:

•

•

•

•

•

•

IFRS  9,  Financial  Instruments  -  The  new  standard  will  ultimately  replace  IAS  39,  Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.  The replacement of IAS 39 is a multi-phase project
with  the  objective  of  improving  and  simplifying  the  reporting  for  financial  instruments  and  the
issuance of IFRS 9 is part of the first phase.  This standard becomes effective on January 1, 2013.
IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, requires an entity to consolidate an investee when it
has power over the investee, is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with
the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Under
existing IFRS, consolidation is required when an entity has the power to govern the financial and
operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. IFRS 10 replaces SIC-12,
Consolidation—Special  Purpose  Entities  and  parts  of  IAS  27,  Consolidated  and  Separate
Financial Statements.
IFRS  13,  Fair  Value Measurement, is a comprehensive standard for fair value measurement and
disclosure for use across all IFRS standards. The new standard clarifies that fair value is the price
that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset,  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an  orderly  transaction
between  market  participants,  at  the  measurement  date.  Under  existing  IFRS,  guidance  on
measuring and disclosing fair value is dispersed among the specific standards requiring fair value
measurements and does not always reflect a clear measurement basis or consistent disclosures.
IAS  1,  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements,  has  been  amended  to  require  entities  to  separate
items  presented  in  OCI  into  two  groups,  based  on  whether  or  not  items  may  be  recycled  in  the
future. Entities that choose to present OCI items before tax will be required to show the amount of
tax related to the two groups separately. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning
on or after July 1, 2012 with earlier application permitted.
IFRS  7,  Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures,  has  been  amended  to  include  additional  disclosure
requirements  in  the  reporting  of  transfer  transactions  and  risk  exposures  relating  to  transfers  of
financial  assets  and  the  effect  of  those  risks  on  an  entity’s  financial  position,  particularly  those
involving  securitization  of  financial  assets.  The  amendment  is  applicable  for  annual  periods
beginning on or after July 1, 2011, with earlier application permitted.
IAS  12,  Income  Taxes,  was  amended  to  introduce  an  exception  to  the  existing  principle  for  the
measurement  of  deferred  tax  assets  or  liabilities  arising  on  investment  property  measured  at fair
value. As a result of the amendment, there is a rebuttable presumption that the carrying amount of
the investment property will be recovered through sale when considering the expected manner or
recovery  or  settlement.  SIC  21,  Income  Taxes  -  Recovery  of  Revalued  Non-Depreciable  Assets,
will  no  longer  apply  to  investment  properties  carried  at  fair  value.  The  amendment  also
incorporates  into  IAS  12  the  remaining  guidance  previously  contained  in  SIC  21,  which  is
withdrawn. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012 with
earlier application permitted.

The Company is currently assessing the impact of new standards affecting its 2012 fiscal year. The Company
has yet to assess the impact of the new standards on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures
for the 2013 fiscal year.

46 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

5 Critical accounting estimates, judgments & measurement uncertainty 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  judgments  about  the
future.  Estimates and judgments are continuously evaluated and are based on historical experience and other
factors,  including  expectations  of  future  events  that  are  believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances.
Actual results may differ from these estimates.  The following discussion sets forth management’s:

!
!

most critical estimates and assumptions in determining the value of assets and liabilities; and
most critical judgments in applying accounting policies.

Intangible assets and goodwill

Intangible  assets  and  goodwill  arise  out  of  business  combinations.    The  Company  applies  the  acquisition
method of accounting to these transactions, which involves the allocation of the cost of an acquisition to the
underlying  net  assets  acquired  based  on  their  respective  estimated  fair  values.    As  part  of  this  allocation
process,  the  Company  must  identify  and  attribute  values  to  the  intangible  assets  acquired.    These
determinations involve significant estimates and assumptions regarding cash flow projections, economic risk
and weighted average cost of capital.

These estimates and assumptions determine the amount allocated to intangible assets and goodwill.  If future
events  or  results  differ  significantly  from  these  estimates  and  assumptions,  the  Company  could  record
impairment charges in the future.

The  Company  tests  at  least  annually  whether  intangible  assets  and  goodwill  has  suffered  impairment,  in
accordance with its accounting policies.  The recoverable amounts of CGU's have been estimated based on the
greater of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use calculations.

Inventories

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value with cost determined on a specific item
basis for new and used vehicles.  In determining net realizable value for new vehicles, the Company primarily
considers the age of the vehicles along with the timing of annual and model changeovers.  For used vehicles,
the Company considers recent market data and trends such as loss histories along with the current age of the
inventory.  The determination of net realizable value for inventories involves the use of estimates.

Income taxes

The  Company  computes  an  income  tax  provision  in  each  of  the  jurisdictions  in  which  it  operates  using  an
annualized  effective  tax  rate  for  the  interim  period.  However,  actual  amounts  of  income  tax  expense  only
become final upon filing and acceptance of the tax return by the relevant authorities, which occurs subsequent
to  the  issuance  of  the  financial  statements. Additionally, estimation of income taxes includes evaluating the
recoverability  of  deferred  tax  assets  based  on  an  assessment  of  the  ability  to  use  the  underlying  future  tax
deductions before they expire against future taxable income. The assessment is based upon existing tax laws
and estimates of future taxable income. To the extent estimates differ from the final tax return, earnings would
be affected in a subsequent period.

In interim periods, the income tax provision is based on an estimate of how much earnings will be in a full
year by jurisdiction. The estimated average annual effective income tax rates are re-estimated at each interim
reporting  date,  based  on  full  year  projections  of  earnings  by  jurisdiction.  To  the  extent  that  forecasts  differ
from actual results, true-ups are recorded in subsequent periods.

47 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

5 Critical accounting estimates, judgments & measurement uncertainty  continued

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The  Company  must  make  an  assessment  of  whether  accounts  receivable  are  collectible  from  customers.
Accordingly, management establishes an allowance for estimated losses arising from non-payment and other
sales  adjustments,  taking  into  consideration  customer  creditworthiness,  current  economic  trends  and  past
experience. If future collections differ from estimates, future earnings would be affected. 

Estimated useful life of property and equipment

The  Company  estimates  the  useful  life  and  residual  values  of  property  and  equipment  and  reviews  these
estimates at each financial year end.  The Company also tests for impairment when a trigger event occurs.

6

Segment information

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  reporting  provided  to  the  Chief
Operating  Decision  Maker  (“CODM”),  the  Company's  Chief  Executive  Officer,  who  is  responsible  for
allocating  resources  and  assessing  performance  of  the  operating  segment.    The  Company  has  identified  one
reportable business segment since the Company is operated and managed on a dealership basis.  Dealerships
operate a number of business streams such as new and used vehicle sales, parts, service and collision repair
and finance and insurance products.  Management is organized based on the dealership operations as a whole
rather than the specific business streams.

These  dealerships  are  considered  to  have  similar  economic  characteristics  and  offer  similar  products  and
services  which  appeal  to  a  similar  customer  base.    As  such,  the  results  of  each  dealership  have  been
aggregated to form one reportable business segment.  The CODM assesses the performance of the operating
segment based on a measure of both revenue and gross profit.

48 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

7 Economic dependence

The  Company  has  significant  commercial  and  economic  dependence  on  Chrysler  Canada  and  Ally  Credit,
formerly known as GMAC Canada. As a result, the Company is subject to significant risk in the event of the
financial distress of Chrysler Canada, one of the Company's major vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers,
and Ally Credit, which provides the Company with revolving floorplan facilities for 22 of its 24 dealerships.

The  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  operations  of    franchised  automobile
dealerships,  representing  the  product  lines  of  eight  global  automobile  manufacturers.  The  Company’s
Chrysler,  Jeep,  Dodge,  Ram  (“CJDR”)  dealerships,  which  generated  74%  of  the  Company’s  revenue  in  the
period-ended December 31, 2011 (2010 – 73%), purchase all new vehicles, a significant portion of parts and
accessories  and  certain  used  vehicles  from  Chrysler  Canada.  In  addition  to  these  inventory  purchases,  the
Company is eligible to receive monetary incentives from Chrysler Canada if certain sales volume targets are
met and is also eligible to receive payment for warranty service work that is performed for eligible vehicles.

At    December 31,  2011,  December 31,  2010  and  January 1,  2010  the  Company had recorded the following
assets that relate to transactions it has entered into with Chrysler Canada:

Accounts receivable
New vehicle inventory
Demonstrator vehicle inventory
Parts and accessories inventory

December 31, 
2011
$
5,032
72,749
4,338
6,081

December 31, 
2010
$
4,040
61,790
4,847
4,929

January 1,
2010
$
3,196
51,743
3,574
4,484

The  Company  maintains  revolving  floorplan  facilities  for  22  of  its  24  dealerships  with  Ally  Credit.  The
Company also maintains cash balances with Ally Credit which it uses to offset interest charges on its various
revolving floorplan facilities.

At  December 31,  2011,  December 31,  2010  and  January 1,  2010,  the  Company  had  recorded  the  following
assets and liabilities that relate to transactions it has entered into with Ally Credit:

Cash and cash equivalents
Revolving floorplan facility - Ally Credit

December 31, 
2011
$
38,730
148,587

December 31, 
2010
$
24,575
124,609

January 1,
2010
$
9,580
102,370

Chrysler Canada is a subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC (“Chrysler Group”) in the United States. Ally Credit
is  a  subsidiary  of  Ally  Financial  Inc.  (formerly  GMAC  Financial  Services  Inc.)  in  the  United  States.  The
viability of Chrysler Canada is directly dependent on the viability of Chrysler Group.

49 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

8 Revenue

New vehicles 
Used vehicles
Finance and insurance
Parts, service and collision repair

9 Cost of sales

New vehicles
Used vehicles
Finance and insurance
Parts, service and collision repair

10 Operating expenses

Employee costs (Note 11)
Administrative costs (1)
Facility lease costs
Depreciation

2011
$
640,721
206,030
51,845
110,262

2010
$
514,676
202,552
43,721
108,558

1,008,858

869,507

2011
$
593,017
188,649
5,286
52,782

2010
$
476,511
185,667
4,638
52,671

839,734

719,487

2011
$
82,362
38,680
11,559
4,245

2010
$
75,850
37,709
12,507
4,171

136,846

130,237

(1) Administrative costs include professional fees, consulting services, technology-related expenses, selling and
marketing, and other general and administrative costs.

50 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

11 Employees

The average number of people employed by the Company in the following areas was:

Sales
Service
Administration

Operating expenses incurred in respect of employees were:

Wages, salaries and commissions
Withholding taxes and insurance
Employee benefits
Termination benefits

12 Finance costs

Finance costs:

Long term debt
Floorplan financing
Other interest expense

Finance income:

Short term bank deposits

2011
442
605
123

2010
403
621
132

1,170

1,156

2011
$
75,997
3,652
2,585
128

82,362

2011
$

1,136
8,057
655

9,848

2010
$
68,495
3,674
2,695
986

75,850

2010
$

1,076
7,536
605

9,217

(1,361)

(921)

Cash interest paid during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $9,812 (2010 - $9,348).

13 Taxation

Components of income tax expense are as follows:

Current
Deferred tax

Total income tax expense

51 

2011
$
2,046
10,463

12,509

2010
$
-
4,956

4,956

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

13 Taxation continued

Factors affecting tax expense for the year:

Income before taxes
Income before tax multiplied by the standard rate of Canadian

corporate tax of 27.0% (2010 - 29.0%)

Effects of:

Change in deferred tax rate
Difference between future and current rate
Non-deductible expenses
Change in items for which no deferred asset was recognized
Other

2011
$
49,293

2010
$
19,552

13,309

5,670

(200)
(717)
74
-
43

(86)
(473)
59
(239)
25

Total income tax expense

12,509

4,956

The movements of deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown below:

Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
January 1, 2010
(Expense) benefit to income

statement

Deferred tax acquired on

acquisition

December 31, 2010
Benefit (expense) to income

statement

Deferred tax acquired on

acquisition

Deferred
income from
partnerships
$
(2,012)

Property and
equipment
$
309

Goodwill and
intangible
assets
$
4,694

Other
$
501

Total
$
3,492

(2,248)

-

(4,260)

334

-

643

(3,023)

(19)

(4,956)

-

1,671

(88)

394

(88)

(1,552)

(2,419)

(198)

(7,490)

(356)

(10,463)

-

-

-

(41)

(41)

December 31, 2011

(6,679)

445

(5,819)

(3)

(12,056)

Changes  in  the  deferred  income  tax  components  are  adjusted  through  deferred  tax  expense.  Of  the  above
components of deferred income taxes, $6,679 of the deferred tax liabilities are expected to be recovered within
12  months.  The  decrease  in  standard  rate  of  Canadian  corporate  tax  is  due  to  general  decreases  in  the
corporate tax rate in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company applies a blended rate in
determining its overal income tax expense.

52 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

14 Business acquisitions

Valley Autohouse

On November 4, 2011, the Company purchased substantially all of the net operating and fixed assets of Valley
Autohouse  (1984)  Ltd.  operating  two  dealerships  as  Valley  Autohouse  (“Abbotsford  and  Chilliwack
Volkswagen”) for total cash consideration of $1,753. The acquisition was financed with cash from operations.
The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method and the consolidated financial statements
include  operating  results  of  Abbotsford  and  Chilliwack  Volkswagen  subsequent  to  November  3,  2011.  The
purchase of this business complements the Company’s other Volkswagen dealership in that area.

The purchase price allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, based on their fair values, is as
follows:

Carrying
amount
$

Fair value
adjustments
$

Fair value
$

Current assets

Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Other current assets

Long term assets

Property and equipment
Intangible assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Long term liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

Total net assets acquired

44
312
6

362

801
-

1,163

59

59

-

59

1,104
-

1,104

-
-
-

-

-
620

620

-

-

42

42

578
71

649

44
312
6

362

801
620

1,783

59

59

42

101

1,682
71

1,753

The  revenue  of  Abbotsford  and  Chilliwack  Volkswagen  from  date  of  acquisition  that  was  included  in  the
consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $2,541.

53 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

14 Business acquisitions continued

Future Hyundai

On April 12, 2010, the Company purchased substantially all of the net operating and fixed assets of 1192038
Ontario Inc. operating as Future Hyundai (“401 Dixie Hyundai”) for total cash consideration of $3,550. The
acquisition was funded by drawing on the Company’s revolving floorplan facilities in the amount of $1,312
and  the  remaining  $2,238  was  financed  with  cash  from  operations.  The  acquisition  has  been  accounted  for
using the acquisition method and the consolidated financial statements include operating results of 401 Dixie
Hyundai  subsequent  to  April  12,  2010.  The  purchase  of  this  business  complements  the  Company’s  other
dealerships in the Greater Toronto Area. 

Purchase price allocation

The purchase price allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, based on their fair values, is as
follows:

Carrying
amount
$

Fair value
adjustments
$

Fair value
$

Current assets

Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Other current assets

Long term assets

Property and equipment
Intangible assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Long term liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

Total net assets acquired

19
1,598
31

1,648

400
-

2,048

78

78

-

78

1,970
-

1,970

-
-
-

-

-
1,359

1,359

-

-

88

88

1,271
309

1,580

19
1,598
31

1,648

400
1,359

3,407

78

78

88

166

3,241
309

3,550

The revenue of 401 Dixie Hyundai from date of acquisition that was included in the consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $29,244 (2010 - $15,934).

54 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

15 Business divestiture

On  June  21,  2011,  the  Company  sold  the  operating  assets  of  its  Colombo  Chrysler  Jeep  Dodge  dealership
located in Woodbridge, Ontario.  Total cash proceeds of $1,464 resulted in a gain on divestiture of $86, which
is included in gain on disposal of assets in the statement of comprehensive income.  The break-down of the
transaction was as follows:

Current assets
Property and equipment
Current liabilities

Net assets disposed of
Net gain on divestiture

Net cash inflow on divestiture

16 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and on hand
Short-term deposits

$
6,124
503
(5,249)

1,378
86

1,464

December 31,
2011
$
14,911
38,730

December 31,
2010
$
12,966
24,575

January 1,
2010
$
11,948
9,580

53,641

37,541

21,528

Short-term  deposits  consists  of  cash  held  with  Ally  Credit.  The  Company's  revolving  floorplan  facility
agreements allow the Company to hold excess cash in accounts with Ally Credit which is used to offset our
finance costs on our revolving floorplan facilities. The Company has immediate access to this cash unless we
are  in  default  of  our  facilities,  in  which  case  the  cash  may  be  used  by  Ally  Credit  in  repayment  of  our
facilities. If a default were to occur, the cash would be reclassified as restricted cash.  See Note 21 for further
detail regarding cash balances held with Ally Credit.

17 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

Net trade receivables
Other receivables

Trade and other receivables

December 31,
2011
$
41,293
(359)

December 31, 
2010
$
32,343
(364)

January 1,
2010
$
33,948
(332)

40,934
1,514

42,448

31,979
853

32,832

33,616
1,707

35,323

55 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

17 Trade and other receivables continued

The aging of trade and other receivables at each reporting date was at follows:

Current
Past due 31 - 60 days
Past due 61 - 90 days
Past due 91 - 120 days
Past due > 120 days

December 31, 
2011
$
36,741
3,165
613
602
1,327

December 31, 
2010
$
27,412
3,375
751
613
681

January 1,
2010
$
30,683
3,250
916
250
224

42,448

32,832

35,323

Included  in  amounts  greater  than  120  days  are  $559  (2010  -  $nil)  of  receivables  related  to  corporate  fleet
leasing arrangements.

The Company is exposed to normal credit risk with respect to its accounts receivable and maintains provisions
for potential credit losses. Potential for such losses is mitigated because there is limited exposure to any single
customer and because customer creditworthiness is evaluated before credit is extended.

18 Inventories

New vehicles
Demonstrator vehicles
Used vehicles
Parts and accessories

December 31,
2011
$
101,135
6,302
21,531
7,901

December 31,
2010
$
84,870
7,261
18,084
7,873

January 1,
2010
$
73,264
5,816
22,197
7,047

136,869

118,088

108,324

During the period ended December 31, 2011, $839,734 of inventory (2010 - $719,487) was expensed as cost
of goods sold which included net write-downs on used vehicles of $85 (2010 - $151).  During the period ended
December 31,  2011,  $1,219  of  demonstrator  expense  (2010  -  $1,414)  was  included  in  selling,  general,  and
administration  expense.  As  at  December 31,  2011,  the  Company  had  recorded  reserves  for  inventory  write
downs of $1,440 (2010 - $1,581). 

56 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

19 Property and equipment

Company
& lease
vehicles
$

Leasehold
Improvements
$

Machinery
&
Equipment
$

Land &
buildings
$

Furniture,
fixtures &
other
$

Computer
hardware
$

Total
$

Cost:
January 1, 2010

Capital expenditures

Acquisitions of dealership assets

Acquisitions of real estate

Disposals

Transfer in (out) of inventory, net

December 31, 2010
Capital expenditures

Acquisitions of dealership assets

Disposals

Transfer in (out) of inventory, net

December 31, 2011

Accumulated depreciation:
January 1, 2010

Current year depreciation

Disposals

Transfers out of inventory

December 31, 2010
Current year depreciation

Disposals

Transfers out of inventory

2,766

222

-

-

(18)

781

3,751
-

546

-

768

5,065

(962)

(694)

26

552

(1,078)
(961)

-

822

4,170

2,394

336

-

-

-

6,900
1,124

9

(2,100)

-

9,878

782

41

-

(96)

-

4,138

-

-

6,088

-

-

10,605
811

10,226
-

117

(387)

-

-

-

-

3,929

574

21

-

(27)

-

4,497
539

102

(13)

-

2,710

27,591

427

2

-

(13)

-

3,126
480

27

(24)

-

4,399

400

6,088

(154)

781

39,105
2,954

801

(2,524)

768

5,933

11,146

10,226

5,125

3,609

41,104

(2,755)

(664)

-

-

(3,419)
(543)

1,958

-

(3,183)

(1,493)

53

-

(4,623)
(1,258)

89

-

(365)

(313)

-

-

(678)
(527)

-

-

14

-

(1,833)
(562)

(148)

-

(1,271)

(1,455)

(576)

(431)

(9,991)

(4,171)

95

552

2

-

(1,884)
(394)

(13,515)
(4,245)

(90)

-

1,809

822

December 31, 2011

(1,217)

(2,004)

(5,792)

(1,205)

(2,543)

(2,368)

(15,129)

Carrying amount:
January 1,  2010

December 31, 2010

December 31, 2011

1,804

2,673

3,848

1,415

3,481

3,929

6,695

5,982

5,354

3,773

9,548

9,021

2,658

2,664

2,582

1,255

1,242

1,241

17,600

25,590

25,975

Fully  depreciated  assets  are  retained  in  cost  and  accumulated  depreciation  accounts  until  such  assets  are
removed  from  service.  Proceeds  from  disposals  are  netted  against  the  related  assets  and  the  accumulated
depreciation and included in the statement of operations and comprehensive income.

57 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

20 Intangible assets

Intangible  assets  consist  of  rights  under  franchise  agreements  with  automobile  manufacturers  ("dealer
agreements").

Cost:
Opening balance 
Acquisitions (Note 14)
Divestitures (Note 15)

Closing balance

Accumulated impairment:
Opening balance
Reversals of impairments
Divestitures (Note 15)

Closing balance

December 31,
2011
$

December 31, 
2010
$

January 1,
2010
$

77,130
620
(3,747)

74,003

37,112
(25,543)
(3,747)

7,822

75,771
1,359
-

77,130

45,171
(8,059)
-

37,112

75,771
-
-

75,771

45,171
-
-

45,171

Carrying amount

66,181

40,018

30,600

Cash  generating  units  have  been  determined  to  be  individual  dealerships.  The  following  table  shows  the
carrying amount of indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets by cash generating unit:
December 31,
2010
$
10,375
7,035
3,181
9,626
3,785
-
863
-
346
2,053
1,726
1,028

Cash Generating Unit
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
Other L - T combined

December 31,
2011
$
21,687
9,431
3,303
9,626
8,497
3,258
1,234
1,102
1,359
2,053
1,726
2,905

January 1,
2010
$
5,825
2,762
2,372
9,626
3,652
-
1,234
9
-
2,053
188
2,879

66,181

40,018

30,600

58 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

20 Intangible assets continued

The  following  table  shows  the  impairments  (recoveries  of  impairment)  of  indefinite-lived  identifiable
intangible assets by cash generating unit:

Cash Generating Unit
A
B
C
E
F
G
H
I
K
Other L - T combined

December 31,
2011
$
(11,313)
(2,397)
(122)
(4,712)
(3,258)
(371)
(1,102)
(1,013)
-
(1,255)

December 31,
2010
$
(4,550)
(4,273)
(809)
(133)
-
371
9
1,013
(1,538)
1,851

(25,543)

(8,059)

Impairment test of indefinite life intangible assets

The Company performed a test for impairment as of January 1, 2010 (the "Transition date") upon transition to
IFRS for intangible assets, which compares the recoverable amount to the carrying value of each CGU.  As a
result of the test performed, the Company recorded an impairment in the amount of $13,100.

The  Company  performed  its  annual  test  for  impairment  at  December  31,  2010.    As  a  result  of  the  test
performed,  the  Company  recorded  a  reversal  of  impairment  in  the  amount  of  $8,059  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2010.  

The  Company  performed  its  annual  test  for  impairment  at  December  31,  2011.    As  a  result  of  the  test
performed,  the  Company  recorded  a  reversal  of  impairment  in  the  amount  of  $25,543  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2011.  

The carrying value of intangible assets for each significant CGU is identified separately in the table above. “L
- T combined” comprises intangible assets allocated to the remaining CGUs.

The valuation techniques, significant assumptions and sensitivities applied in the intangible assets impairment
test are described below:

Valuation Techniques

The  Company  did  not  make  any  changes  to  the  valuation  methodology  used  to  assess  impairment  since  the
impairment test on transition to IFRS. The recoverable amount of each CGU was based on the greater of fair
value less cost to sell and value in use.

59 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

20 Intangible assets continued

Value in Use

Value in use ("VIU") is predicated upon the value of the future cash flows that a business will generate
going  forward.  The  discounted  cash  flow  (“DCF”)  method  was  used  which  involves  projecting  cash
flows and converting them into a present value equivalent through discounting. The discounting process
uses  a  rate  of  return  that  is  commensurate  with  the  risk  associated  with  the  business  or  asset  and  the
time  value  of  money.  This  approach  requires  assumptions  about  revenue  growth  rates,  operating
margins, and discount rates.

Fair value less costs to sell

Fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  ("FVLCS")  assumes  that  companies  operating  in  the  same  industry  will
share similar characteristics and that company values will correlate to those characteristics. Therefore, a
comparison of a CGU to similar companies may provide a reasonable basis to estimate fair value. Under
this approach, fair value is calculated based on EBITDA ("Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization") multiples comparable to the businesses in each CGU.  Data for EBITDA multiples
was based on recent comparable transactions and management estimates.  Multiples used in the test for
impairment for each CGU were in the range of 4.0 to 6.0 times forecasted EBITDA.

Significant Assumptions for Value in Use

Growth

The assumptions used were based on the Company’s internal budget which is approved by the Board of
Directors. The Company projected revenue, gross margins and cash flows for a period of one year, and
applied growth rates for years thereafter commensurate with industry forecasts.  Management applied a
2%  terminal  growth  rate  in  its  projections.  In  arriving  at  its  forecasts,  the  Company  considered  past
experience, economic trends and inflation as well as industry and market trends.

Discount Rate

The Company assumed a discount rate in order to calculate the present value of its projected cash flows.
The  discount  rate  represented  the  Company's  internally  computed  weighted  average  cost  of  capital
(“WACC”) for each CGU with appropriate adjustments for the risks associated with the CGU's in which
intangible  assets  are  allocated.  The  WACC  is  an  estimate  of  the  overall  required  rate  of return on an
investment  for  both  debt  and  equity  owners  and  serves  as  the  basis  for  developing  an  appropriate
discount  rate.  Determination  of  the  discount  rate  requires  separate  analysis  of  the  cost  of  equity  and
debt, and considers a risk premium based on an assessment of risks related to the projected cash flows
of each CGU. 

60 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

20 Intangible assets continued

Significant Assumptions for Fair Value Less Costs to Sell

EBITDA

The  Company's  assumptions  for  EBITDA  were  based  on  the  Company's  internal  budget  which  is
approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  Company  projected  EBITDA  for  a  period  of  one  year  and
reduced the amount for allocation of corporate overhead based on a percentage of gross profit for each
CGU as compared to the gross profit of the Company. As noted above, data for EBITDA multiples was
based on recent comparable transactions and management estimates.

Costs to sell

Management applied a percentage of 5% of the estimated purchase price in developing an estimate of
costs to sell, based on historical transactions.

Additional Assumptions

The key assumptions used in performing the impairment test, by CGU, were as follows:

Basis of Recoverable

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L - T combined

Sensitivity

Amount Discount Rate
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
VIU/ FVLCS 15.3% - 18.5%

16.63
18.51
16.63
18.51
18.51
15.88
15.88
18.69
15.51
14.57
18.13

VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU
VIU

Perpetual
Growth Rate
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00

The recoverable amount for each CGU that was in excess of its carrying value ranged from 104% to 1,224%
of the carrying value of the applicable CGU. The fair value for each CGU that was below its carrying value
ranged  from  11%  to  97%  of  the  carrying  value  of  the  applicable  CGU.    As  a  result,  the  Company  expects
future impairments and reversals of impairments to occur as market conditions change and risk premiums used
in developing the discount rate change.

61 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

20 Intangible assets continued

Based  on  sensitivity  analysis,  no  reasonably  possible  change  in  growth  rate  assumptions  would  cause  the
recoverable amount of any CGU to have a significant change from its current valuation.  A 1% change in the
discount  rate  would  not  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  recoverable  amounts  of  CGUs.  The  recoverable
amount of each CGU is sensitive to changes in market conditions and could result in material changes in the
carrying value of intangible assets in the future.

21 Financial instruments

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the
basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of
financial asset and financial liability are disclosed in the accounting policies.  The Company's financial assets
have been classified as loans and receivables.  The Company's financial liabilities have been classified as other
financial liabilities.  Details of the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities are disclosed below:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables

Financial liabilities
Current indebtedness
Long-term indebtedness
Revolving floorplan facilities
Trade and other payables

December 31,
2011
$

December 31,
2010
$

January 1,
2010
$

53,641
42,448

2,859
20,115
150,816
32,132

37,541
32,832

21,528
35,323

277
24,974
124,609
26,622

96
22,785
102,370
32,132

Financial Risk Management Objectives

The Company’s activities are exposed to a variety of financial risks of varying degrees of significance which
could affect the Company’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives. AutoCanada’s overall risk management
program  focuses  on  the  unpredictability  of  financial  and  economic  markets  and  seeks  to  reduce  potential
adverse  effects  on  the  Company’s  financial  performance.    Risk  management  is  carried  out  by  financial
management  in  conjunction  with  overall  corporate  governance.    The  principal  financial  risks  to  which  the
Company is exposed are described below.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because
of changes in foreign currency and interest rates.

62 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

21 Financial instruments continued

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency risk arises from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the degree of volatility of
these rates relative to the Canadian dollar.  The Company is not directly exposed to significant foreign
currency risk with respect to its financial instruments.

Interest Rate Risk

The Ally Credit revolving floorplan facilities ("Ally facilities") are subject to interest rate fluctuations
and  the  degree  of  volatility  in  these  rates.    The  Company  does  not  currently  hold  any  financial
instruments that mitigate this risk.  The Ally facilities bear interest at Prime Rate plus 0.20%.  These
facilities define Prime Rate as the greater of the Royal Bank of Canada Prime Rate (“RBC Prime”) or
4.00%.    Since  the  RBC  Prime  Rate  is  currently  3.00%,  the  Company  is  not  exposed  to  interest  rate
fluctuations until the RBC Prime Rate is equal to 4.00% (increase of 1.00% from the present rate).

The VW Credit Canada, Inc. revolving floorplan facilities ("VCCI facilities") are subject to interest rate
fluctuations  and  the  degree  of  volatility  in  these  rates.    The  Company  does  not  currently  hold  any
financial instruments that mitigate this risk.  The VCCI facilities bear interest at Prime Rate plus 0.75%
for new vehicles and Prime Rate plus 1.00%-1.25% for used vehicles. These facilities define Prime Rate
as the Royal Bank of Canada Prime Rate (3.00% as at December 31, 2011).

The HSBC Revolver and the HSBC Term Loan (the “HSBC Facilities”) are also subject to interest rate
fluctuations  and  the  degree  of  volatility  in  these  rates.    The  Company  does  not  currently  hold  any
financial instruments that mitigate this risk.  The HSBC Revolver bears interest at the HSBC Prime Rate
plus 1.25% and the HSBC Term Loan bears interest at the HSBC Prime Rate plus 1.75% (HSBC Prime
Rate as at December 31, 2011 is 3.00%).  

The BMO Term Loan is a fixed rate term loan and is not subject to interest rate fluctuations until its
maturity date at September 30, 2012, at which time, will be subject to market rates of interest when the
amount is refinanced.

The Company’s exposures to interest rates on financial assets and financial liabilities are detailed in the
liquidity  risk  management  section  of  this  note.  The  sensitivity  analysis  below  has  been  determined
based  on  the  exposure  to  interest  rates  at  the  reporting  date  and  stipulated  change  taking  place  at  the
beginning of the financial year and held constant throughout the reporting period.  The amounts below
represent  an  increase  to  the  reported  account  if  positive  and  a  decrease  to  the  reported  account  if
negative.    A  100  basis  point  change  and  200  basis  point  change  is  used  when  reporting  interest  risk
internally  to  key  management  personnel  and  represents  management’s  assessment  of  the  possible
change in interest rates.

+ 200 Basis Point
2010
$
1,695
246

2011
$
1,936
387

- 200 Basis Point
2010
$
(449)
-

2011
$
(450)
-

+ 100 Basis Point
2010
$
225
-

2011
$
225
-

- 100 Basis Point
2010
$
(225)
-

2011
$
(225)
-

Finance costs
Finance income

63 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

21 Financial instruments continued

Credit Risk

The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with its accounts receivable is the risk that a customer will
be unable to pay amounts due to the Company or its subsidiaries.  Concentration of credit risk with respect to
contracts-in-transit  and  accounts  receivable  is  limited  primarily  to  automobile  manufacturers  and  financial
institutions  (see  Note  7  for  further  discussion  of  the  Company’s  economic  dependence  on  Chrysler  Canada
and associated credit risk).  Credit risk arising from receivables with commercial customers is not significant
due to the large number of customers dispersed across various geographic locations comprising our customer
base.  Details of the aging of the Company's trade and other receivables is located in Note 17.

The Company evaluates receivables for collectability based on the age of the receivable, the credit history of
the  customer  and  past  collection  experience.  Allowances  are  provided  for  potential  losses  that  have  been
incurred at the balance sheet date. The amounts disclosed on the balance sheet for accounts receivable are net
of the allowance for bad debts.  Details of the allowances for doubtful accounts are located in Note 17. 

Concentration of cash and cash equivalents exist due to the significant amount of cash held with Ally Credit
(see Note 7 for further discussion of the Company’s concentration of cash held on deposit with Ally Credit).
The Revolving floorplan facilities allow our dealerships to hold excess cash (used to satisfy working capital
requirements of our various OEM partners) in an account with Ally Credit which bears interest equal to the
interest rates of the Ally facilities (4.20% at December 31, 2011).  These cash balances are fully accessible by
our dealerships at any time, however in the event of a default by a dealership in its floorplan obligation; the
cash may be used to offset unpaid balances under the Ally facilities.  As a result, there is a concentration of
cash balances risk to the Company in the event of a default under the Ally facilities.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company is not able to meet its financial obligations as they become due or
can do so only at excessive cost.  The Company’s activity is financed through a combination of the cash flows
from operations, borrowing under existing credit facilities and the issuance of equity.  Prudent liquidity risk
management implies maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and the availability of funding through
adequate  amounts  of  committed  credit  facilities.    One  of  management’s  primary  goals  is  to  maintain  an
optimal level of liquidity through the active management of the assets and liabilities as well as cash flows.  

The  Company  is  exposed  to  liquidity  risk  as  a  result  of  its  economic  dependence  on  suppliers  and  lenders.
(See Note 7 for further information regarding the Company’s economic dependence on Chrysler Canada and
Ally Credit and the potential effect on the Company’s liquidity).

64 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

21 Financial instruments continued

Liquidity Risk continued

The  following  table  details  the  Company’s  remaining  contractual  maturity  for  its  financial  liabilities.  The
tables below have been drawn up based on the undiscounted contractual maturities of the financial liabilities.
Contractual interest payable includes interest that will accrue to these liabilities except where the Company is
entitled and intends to repay the liability before its maturity.

Trade and other payables
Revolving floorplan facilities
HSBC revolving term facility
HSBC fixed term loan
BMO fixed rate term loan
Lease obligations
Contractual interest payable

22 Other long-term assets

Prepaid rent (Note 30)
Other assets

23 Payables, accruals and provisions

Trade payables
Accruals and provisions
Sales tax payable
Wages and witholding taxes payable

2012
$
32,132
150,816
-
176
2,683
1,204
890

Total
2013
$
$
32,132
-
- 150,816
17,000
3,291
2,683
1,204
1,274

17,000
3,115
-
-
384

187,901

20,499 208,400

December 31,
2011
$
7,558
51

December 31,
2010
$
5,850
59

January 1,
2010
$
2,142
56

7,609

5,909

2,198

December 31,
2011
$
15,085
5,156
2,239
9,652

December 31,
2010
$
13,106
4,909
2,132
6,475

January 1,
2010
$
16,796
1,154
1,832
5,049

32,132

26,622

24,831

65 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

24 Indebtedness

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Company's interest-bearing debt, which are
measured  at  amortized  cost.  For  more  information  about  the  Company's  exposure  to  interest  rate,  foreign
currency and liquidity risk, see Note 21.

Current indebtedness
Current portion of indebtedness
Revolving floorplan facilities - Ally Credit (i)
Revolving floorplan facilities - VCCI (ii)

Non-current indebtedness
HSBC revolving term loan (iii)
HSBC non-revolving fixed term loan (iv)
BMO fixed rate term facility (v)

December 31,
2011
$

December 31,
2010
$

January 1,
2010
$

2,859
148,587
2,228

153,674

17,000
3,115
-

20,115

277
124,609
-

124,886

19,000
3,291
2,683

24,974

96
102,370
-

102,466

20,000
-
2,785

22,785

Total indebtedness

173,789

149,860

125,251

Terms and conditions of outstanding loans are as follows:

i

ii

The Revolving floorplan facilities - Ally Credit (“Ally facilities”) are available to the Company
to  finance  new,  demonstrator  and  used  vehicles  bears  interest  at  the  Prime  Rate  plus  0.20%
(4.20% at December 31, 2011) and is payable monthly in arrears.  Prime Rate is defined as the
greater  of  the  Royal  Bank  of  Canada  (“RBC”)  prime  rate  (3.00%  at    December 31,  2011)  or
4.00%.    The  maximum  amounts  of  financing  provided  by  the  Ally  facilities  are  based  on  a
maximum  number  of  new,  used  and  demonstrator  vehicles  to  be  financed  on  an  individual
dealership basis.  The Ally facilities are collateralized by all of the dealerships’ new, used and
demonstrator  inventory  financed  by  the  Ally  facilities  and  a  general  security  agreement  and
cross  guarantee  from  each  of  the  Company’s  dealerships  financed  by  Ally  Credit.    The
individual  notes  payable  of  the  Ally  facilities  are  due  when  the  related  vehicle  is  sold  or
according to an aging based repayment policy as mandated by Ally Credit.
The  Revolving  floorplan  facilities  -  VCCI  (“VCCI  facilities”)  are  available  to  the  Company
from  VW  Credit  Canada,  Inc.  ("VCCI")  to  finance  new  and  used  vehicles  for  the  Abbotsford
and Chilliwack Volkswagen dealerships. The VCCI facilities bear interest at the Royal Bank of
Canada  ("RBC")  prime  rate  plus  0.75%  for  new  vehicles  and  1.00%-1.25%  for  used  vehicles
(RBC prime rate = 3.00% at  December 31, 2011). The maximum amount of financing provided
by the VCCI facilities is $7,300. The VCCI facilities are collateralized by all of the dealerships'
new, used and demonstrator inventory financed by VCCI and a general security agreement from
the  two  dealerships.  The  individual  notes  payable  of  the  VCCI  facilities  are  due  when  the
related vehicle is sold, as outlined in the agreement with VCCI.

66 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

24 Indebtedness continued

iii

iv

v

HSBC  Bank  Canada  (“HSBC”)  provides  the  Company  with  a  fully  committed,  extendible
revolving term loan (the “HSBC Revolver”) in the amount of $30,000.  The HSBC Revolver’s
maturity date is June 30, 2012, however the facility may be extended for an additional 365 days
prior to the maturity of the HSBC Revolver at the request of the Company and upon approval by
HSBC.  If the HSBC Revolver is not extended by HSBC, repayment of the outstanding amount
is not due until June 30, 2013.  The HSBC Revolver bears interest at HSBC’s Prime Rate plus
0.75%  (3.75%  at  December 31,  2011).    The  HSBC  Revolver  is  collateralized  by  all  of  the
present  and  future  assets  of  the  subsidiaries  of  AutoCanada  Inc,  the  various  Limited
Partnerships  and  the  General  Partners  of  each  dealership  within  the  Company.  As  part  of  a
priority agreement signed by HSBC, Ally Credit, VCCI and the Company, the collateral for the
HSBC  Revolver  excludes  all  new,  used  and  demonstrator  inventory  financed  with  the  Ally
facilities and VCCI facilities.
HSBC  provides  the  Company  with  a  committed,  extendible  non-revolving  term  loan  (the
“HSBC  Term  Loan”).    The  HSBC  Term  Loan’s  maturity  date  is  June  30,  2012,  however  the
facility  may  be  extended  at  the  request  of  the  Company  and  upon  approval  by  HSBC.    If  the
HSBC  Term  Loan is not extended by HSBC, repayment of the outstanding amount is not due
until  June  30,  2013.  The  HSBC  Term  Loan  bears  interest  at  HSBC’s  Prime  Rate  plus  1.75%
(4.75% at December 31, 2011).  Repayments are based on a 20 year amortization of the original
loan amount; consisting of fixed monthly principal repayments of $15 plus applicable interest.
The HSBC Term Loan requires maintenance of certain financial covenants and is collateralized
by  a  first  fixed  charge  in  the  amount  of  $3,510 registered over the Newmarket Infiniti Nissan
property.    At    December 31,  2011,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  Newmarket  Infiniti  Nissan
property was $5,646.
Bank  of  Montreal  provides  the  Company  a  Fixed  Rate  Term  Loan  (the  “BMO  Term  Loan”).
The BMO Term Loan matures September 30, 2012 and bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.11%.
Repayments consist of fixed monthly payments totaling $20 per month.  The BMO Term Loan
requires  maintenance  of  certain  financial  covenants  and  is  collateralized  by  a  general  security
agreement  consisting  of  a  first  fixed  charge  in  the  amount  of  $3,450  registered  over  the
Cambridge Hyundai property.  At  December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of the Cambridge
Hyundai property was $3,375.

67 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

25 Leases

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Company's lease obligations.

Current
Vehicle repurchase obligations (i)
Current finance lease obligations (ii)

Non-current
Long-term finance lease obligations (ii)

Total lease obligations

December 31,
2011
$

December 31,
2010
$

January 1,
2010
$

1,082
122

1,204

-

1,204

742
165

907

120

1,027

-
175

175

289

464

Terms and conditions of lease obligations were as follows:

i

ii

The  Company  provides  a  corporate  fleet  customer  with  vehicles  for  individual  terms  not  to
exceed six months, at which time the Company has an obligation to repurchase each vehicle at a
predetermined  amount.    The Company has determined that the transactions shall be treated as
operating leases, whereby the Company acts as lessor.  As a result, the Company has recorded
the  contractual  repurchase  amounts  as  outstanding  vehicle  repurchase  obligations  and  have
classified the liability as current due to the short term nature of the instruments. 
A number of equipment leases are classified as a finance leases. At inception of the leases, the
Company recognized an asset and a liability at an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the
equipment. The imputed finance costs on the liability were determined based on the lower of the
Company's incremental borrowing rate and the rates implicit in each lease.

Other leasing arrangements:

In conjunction with the acquisition of Valley Autohouse (note 14), the Company acquired an in-house leased
vehicle  portfolio  in  which  the  Company  acts  as  lessor.    The  vehicles  are  leased  to  third  parties  pursuant  to
non-cancellable  operating  lease  agreements.  As  at  December  31,  2011,  the  lease  terms  for  the  remaining
vehicle leases range from 36 to 48 months.  The future aggregate minimum lease payments receivable under
the non-cancellable operating leases are $65 within 1 year and $52 thereafter.  The Company intends to wind-
down the in-house lease program at this location over the next 48 months.

68 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

26 Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The  Company  has  operating  lease  commitments,  with  varying  terms  through  2029,  to  lease  premises  and
equipment used for business purposes.  The Company leases the majority of the lands and buildings used in its
franchised automobile dealership operations from related parties (Note 30) and other third parties.  The future
aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Thereafter

December 31,
2011
$
-
-
10,109
8,611
8,307
7,984
6,881
56,481

December 31,
2010
$
-
11,447
8,066
5,551
5,212
4,917
4,872
45,617

January 1,
2010
$
19,555
10,322
7,310
5,328
4,657
4,488
4,439
49,487

98,373

85,682

105,586

Lawsuits and legal claims

The Company’s operations are subject to federal, provincial and local environmental laws and regulations in
Canada.  While the Company has not identified any costs likely to be incurred in the next several years, based
on  known  information  for  environmental  matters,  the  Company’s  ongoing  efforts  to  identify  potential
environmental concerns in connection with the properties it leases may result in the identification of additional
environmental  costs  and liabilities.  The magnitude of such additional liabilities and the costs of complying
with  environmental  laws  or  remediating  contamination  cannot  be  reasonably  estimated  at  the  balance  sheet
date due to lack of technical information, absence of third party claims, the potential for new or revised laws
and regulations and the ability to recover costs from any third parties.  Thus the likelihood of any such costs or
whether such costs would be material cannot be determined at this time.

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is engaged in various legal proceedings and claims
that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of all of the proceedings and claims against
the Company, including those described above, is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of
litigation.  Based  on  information  currently  known  to  the  Company  and  after  consultation  with  outside  legal
counsel,  management  believes  that  the  probable  ultimate  resolution  of  any  such  proceedings  and  claims,
individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  will  not  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  financial  condition  of  the
Company, taken as a whole.

69 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

27 Share-based payments

The  Company  operates a combination of cash and equity-settled compensation plan under which it receives
services from employees as consideration for cash payments. The plan is described below:

Restricted Share Units (RSUs)

The  Company  granted  11,752  RSUs  in  2011  to  designated  management  employees  entitling  them  to
receive a combination of cash and common shares based on the Company's share price at each vesting
date.  The  RSUs  are  also  entitled  to  earn  additional  units  based  on  dividend  payments  made  by  the
Company  and  the  share  price  on  date  of  payment.    With  respect  to  the  above  granted  RSUs,  an
additional 493 were earned during the year.  The RSUs granted are scheduled to vest evenly over three
years conditional upon continued employment with the Company. During the year ended December 31,
2011, $302 was expensed relating to the RSU plan (2010 - $57).

28 Share capital

Common  shares  of  the  Company  are  voting  shares  and  have  no  par  value.    The  authorized  common  share
capital is an unlimited number of shares.

Dividends

Dividends  are  discretionary  and  are  determined    based  on  a  number  of  factors.  Dividends  are  subject  to
approval of the Board of Directors.  During the year ended  December 31, 2011, eligible dividends totaling
$6,163  (2010  -  $2,387)  were  declared  and  paid.    On  February  15,  2012,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the
Company  declared  a  quarterly  eligible  dividend  of  $0.14  per  common  share  on  the  Company's  outstanding
Class  A  common  shares,  payable  on  March  15,  2012  to  shareholders  of  record  at  the  close  of  business  on
February 29, 2012.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share was calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common shares by the sum of the
weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. The Company does not have any dilutive
stock options or other securities.  Earnings used in determining earnings per share from continuing operations
are presented below:

Earnings attributable to common shares

The weighted-average number of shares outstanding is presented below:

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

2011
$
36,784

2010
$
14,596

2011
19,880,930

2010
19,880,930

70 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

29 Capital disclosures

The  Company's  objective  when  managing  its  capital  is  to  safeguard  the  Company's  assets  and  its  ability  to
continue  as  a  going  concern  while  at  the  same  time  maximize  the  growth  of  the  business,  returns  to
shareholders, and benefits for other stakeholders. The Company views its capital as the combination of long-
term indebtedness, long-term lease obligations and equity.

The calculation of the Company's capital is summarized below:

Long-term indebtedness
Long-term lease obligations
Equity

December 31,
2011
$
20,115
-
112,995

December 31,
2010
$
24,974
120
82,374

January 1,
2010
$
22,785
289
70,165

133,110

107,468

93,239

The Company manages its capital structure in accordance with changes in economic conditions and the risk
characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Company may
assume additional debt, refinance existing debt with different characteristics, sell assets to reduce debt, issue
new shares or adjust the amount of dividends paid to its shareholders.

30 Related party transactions

Transactions with COAG and affiliates

As  of  December  31,  2011,  Canada  One  Auto  Group  ("COAG")  and  affiliates  beneficially  owned
approximately  42.3%  of  the  Company's  shares.  In  the  normal  course  of  business,  COAG  and  certain  of  its
affiliates had transactions with the Company.  These transactions are measured at the exchange amount, which
is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.  Details of these transactions
are noted below:

1

Prepaid rent

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  the  Company  prepaid  rent  amounts  to  a  company  with
common  directors  as  part  of  an  agreement  for  a  long  term  rent  reduction  which  was  entered  into  in
2009. Total prepayments of rent for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $2,160 (2010 - $4,163) of
which $452 (2010 - $452) has been amortized as a reduction in current period facilities lease costs. On
March 1, 2012, the final prepayment was made with respect to this agreement.

71 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

30 Related party transactions continued

2

Rent paid to companies with common directors

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011,  total  rent  paid  to  companies  with  common  directors
amounted to $7,906  (2010 - $8,171).  The Company currently leases thirteen of twenty-four properties
from  affiliates  of  COAG.  The  Company's  independent  board  of  directors  has  received  advice  from  a
national real estate appraisal company that the market rents at each of the COAG properties were at fair
market value rates when the leases were entered into.

3

Management fees and non-competition fees

During  the  period  ended  December 31,  2011  total  management  fees  received  from  companies  with
common directors amounted to $201  (2010 - $276).

Key management personnel compensation

Key  management  personnel  consists  of  the  Company's  executive  officers  and  directors.    Key  management
personnel compensation is as follows:

Short-term employee benefits
Employee costs (including directors)
Termination benefits
Share-based payments

31 Comparative figures

2011
$
117
3,106
(265)
302

3,260

2010
$
160
2,377
978
57

3,572

In  addition  to  reclassifications  identified  in  Note  32,  certain  comparative  figures  have  been  reclassified  to
conform with the current year's consolidated financial statements presentation.

32 Transition to IFRS

These consolidated financial statements represent the first consolidated financial statements of the Company
prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.  The Company's consolidated financial statements
were  previously  prepared  in  accordance  with  Canadian  GAAP.    The  Company  adopted  IFRS  in accordance
with IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. The first date at which IFRS
was applied was January 1, 2010 (“Transition Date”). In accordance with IFRS, the Company has:

!
!
!
!

provided comparative financial information;
applied the same accounting policies throughout all periods presented;
retrospectively applied all effective IFRS standards as of January 1, 2010, as required; and
applied  certain  optional  exemptions  and  certain  mandatory  exceptions  as  applicable  for  first
time IFRS adopters.

72 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

Exemption options

Set  forth  below  are  the  IFRS  1  applicable  exemptions  applied  in  the  conversion  from  Canadian  GAAP  to
IFRS:

1.  Business  combinations  -  IFRS  1  provides  the  option  to  apply  IFRS  3,  Business  Combinations,
retrospectively or prospectively from January 1, 2010 (the "Transition Date"). The retrospective basis would
require  restatement  of  all  business  combinations  that  occurred  prior  to  the  Transition  Date.  The  Company
elected not to retrospectively apply IFRS 3 to business combinations that occurred prior to its Transition Date
and such business combinations have not been restated. Any goodwill arising on such business combinations
before  the  Transition  Date  has  not  been  adjusted  from  the  carrying  value  previously  determined  under
Canadian GAAP as a result of applying these exemptions. Further, the Company did not early adopt IFRS 3
Revised and instead has adopted that standard upon its effective date which, for the Company, was January 1,
2010.

Mandatory exceptions

Set forth below are the applicable mandatory exceptions in IFRS 1 applied in the conversion from Canadian
GAAP to IFRS.

1.  Estimates  -  Hindsight  is  not  used  to  create  or  revise  estimates.  The  estimates  previously  made  by  the
Company under Canadian GAAP were not revised for application of IFRS except where necessary to reflect
any difference in accounting policies.

Reconciliations of Canadian GAAP to IFRS

IFRS  1  requires  an  entity  to  reconcile  equity,  comprehensive  income  and  cash  flows  for  prior  periods.  The
Company’s first time adoption of IFRS did not have an impact on the total operating, investing or financing
cash  flows.  The  following  represents  the  reconciliations  from  Canadian  GAAP  to  IFRS  for  the  respective
periods noted for the retained deficit:

Reconciliation of accumulated deficit

Accumulated deficit as reported under Canadian GAAP

IFRS adjustments:
1. Property and equipment
2. Impairments
3. Income taxes

Accumulated deficit as reported under IFRS

73 

December 31,
2010
$
(107,966)

January 1,
2010
$
(114,251)

(345)
(5,041)
1,373

(194)
(13,100)
3,357

(111,979)

(124,188)

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

Reconciliation of comprehensive income

Net comprehensive income under Canadian GAAP

Differences in GAAP increasing (decreasing) reported earnings:
1. Property and equipment
2. Reversal of impairments
3. Income taxes

Net comprehensive income under IFRS

Changes in accounting policies

Year ended
December 31,
2010
$
8,670

(150)
8,059
(1,983)

14,596

In addition to the exemptions and exceptions discussed above, the following narratives explain the significant
differences  between  the  previous  historical  Canadian  GAAP  accounting  policies  and  the  current  IFRS
accounting policies applied by the Company. Only the differences having an impact on AutoCanada Inc. are
described below. The following is not a complete summary of all of the differences between Canadian GAAP
and  IFRS.  Relative  to  the  impacts  on  AutoCanada  Inc.,  the  descriptive  caption  next  to  each  numbered  item
below  corresponds  to  the  same  numbered  and  descriptive  caption  in  the  tables  above,  which  reflect  the
quantitative  impacts  from  each  change.  Unless  a  quantitative  impact  was  noted  below,  the  impact  from  the
change was not material to AutoCanada Inc.

1

Property and equipment

The objective of amortization under Section 3061 of the CICA Handbook is to provide a rational and
systematic  basis  for  allocating  the  amortizable  amount  of  an  item  of  property  and  equipment  over  its
estimated life and useful life.  Under Canadian GAAP, the components of the Company's buildings were
determined  to  operate  in  combination  and  were  amortized  at  the  declining  balance  rate  of  4%  annual
amortization.  Under IFRS, accounting for components of property and equipment is required at a more
detailed level than under Canadian GAAP.  IAS 16 requires separate amortization for those components
with a distinct rate of amortization.  As a result of applying the componentization requirements of IAS
16,  the  net  book  value  of  property  and  equipment  decreased  by  $194  and  $345,  reflecting  increased
amortization  of  the  components  of  the  Company's  buildings  at  at  January  1,  2010  and  December  31,
2010 respectively.

2

Impairments and reversals of impairments

IAS  36  requires  that  impairment  testing  be  done  on  a  CGU  level,  which  is  the  smallest  identifiable
group of assets that generates cash inflows.  For AutoCanada Inc., the CGU's consist of each individual
dealership,  which  resulted  in  more  CGU's  subject  to  impairment  testing  under  IFRS  than  under
Canadian GAAP in which impairment testing for intangible assets was performed at the single reporting
unit level.

74 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

2

Impairments and reversals of impairments continued

IAS  36  also  requires  a  one-step  approach  to  determine  the  recoverable  amount  of  a  CGU.    Canadian
GAAP's two-step approach required the application of discounted cash flow techniques to measure the
impairment amount, but only after the use of undiscounted cash flow analysis indicated the existence of
an impairment.  The adoption of IAS 36 is expected to result in more frequent impairments or reversals
of  impairments  since  the  carrying  amount  of  assets  which  are  supported  by  undiscounted  cash  flows
may be determined to be impaired when the future cash flows are discounted in accordance with IFRS
requirements.    Unlike  Canadian  GAAP,  previous  impairments  of  intangible  assets  and  property  and
equipment may be reversed or reduced if the circumstances which lead to the impairment change.

In  accordance  with  IAS  36,  the  Company  reviewed  the  recoverable  amount  for  its  CGU's  at  both  the
Transition  Date  and  as  at  December  31,  2010.    The  key  assumptions  and  methodology  used  in  those
reviews are disclosed in Note 20.

At  the  Transition  Date,  as  a  result  of  the  impairment  test  performed,  the  Company  determined  that
certain of the Company's CGU's were impaired.  The impairment resulted in a decrease to the carrying
value of intangible assets at the Transition Date of $13,100.  In accordance with the provisions of IFRS
1, this difference was recognized in the opening accumulated deficit at the Transition Date. The change
in carrying value noted above resulted in an adjustment to deferred taxes, which is discussed below.

At December 31, 2010, in accordance with IAS 36, an annual test for impairment was performed.  The
Company determined that certain of the Company's CGU's were impaired and certain of the Company's
CGU's  previously  recorded  impairments  were  reduced.    The  impairment  test  resulted  in  an  overall
increase in the carrying value of intangible assets at December 31, 2010 in the amount of $8,059.  In
accordance  with  IAS  36,  the  overall  reversal  of  impairment  of  intangible  assets  was  recorded  in  the
statement  of  operations  as  an  increase  to  net  comprehensive  income  of  $8,059  for  the  year  ended
December  31,  2011.    The  change in carrying value noted above resulted in an adjustment to deferred
taxes, which is discussed below.

Given  the  volatility  of  the  retail  automotive  industry  in  Canada,  the  Company  expects  to  incur  more
frequent impairments or reversals of impairments of intangible assets in future reporting periods.

3

Income taxes

As a result of the differences identified above between Canadian GAAP and IFRS, the revised carrying
values  of  intangible  assets  and  property  and  equipment  resulted  in  revised  temporary  differences
between the accounting basis and tax basis of these assets.

At  the  Transition  Date,  the  Company  recorded  a  net  increase  in  deferred  tax  assets  of  $3,357.    In
accordance with the provisions of IFRS 1, this difference was recognized in the opening accumulated
deficit at the Transition Date.

At December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a net decrease in deferred tax liabilities of $1,373.  This
difference  reflects  the  reversal  of  impairment  of  intangible  assets  recorded  during  the  year  ended
December 31, 2010 which resulted in revised temporary differences from the amounts at the Transition
Date.    For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2010,  the  Company  recorded  a  net  increase  in  income  tax
expense  of  $1,983  relating  to  the  increased  carrying  values  of  intangible  assets  due  to the reversal of
impairments during the year.

75 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

3

Income taxes continued

Due  to  the  expectation  of  more  frequent  impairments  or  reversals  of  impairments of intangible assets
and  property  and  equipment,  the  Company  expects  to  incur  more  volatility  in  its  deferred  tax  and
resulting income tax expense in the future.

Presentation reclassifications - Statement of Financial Position

Deferred tax - Under Canadian GAAP, deferred tax assets and liabilities were presented as current or
long-term on the consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the assets or liabilities that gave rise to
the deferred tax balances.  Under IFRS, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be presented as
non-current.    The  Company  has  reclassified  the  deferred  taxes  into  non-current  assets  and  liabilities
based on the net asset and liability positions at each reporting date.

Other  -  All  other  reclassifications  have  been  made  to  simplify  the  presentation  of  the  statement  of
financial position and are not as a result of the adoption of IFRS standards.

Presentation reclassifications - Statement of Comprehensive Income

Finance  costs  /  Finance  income  -  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  finance  income  was  not  required  to  be
separated  from  revenue.    Under  IFRS,  finance  income  is  required  to  be  presented  separately  from
revenue  and  presented  after  operating  profit.    Previously  under  Canadian  GAAP,  the  Company
disclosed finance costs as "interest costs".  This amount was included in operating profit.  Under IFRS,
finance costs is required to be presented after operating profit.

Other  -  All  other  reclassifications  have  been  made  to  simplify  the  presentation  of  the  statement  of
financial position and are not as a result of the adoption of IFRS standards.

76 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2010

Canadian GAAP accounts

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Prepaid expenses

Current assets
Property and equipment

Intangible assets

Future income tax

Prepaid rent

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Accounts payable

Revolving floorplan facilities

Current portion of long term debt

Future income taxes

Current liabilities
Long term debt

Total liabilities

Shareholders' equity
Share capital

Contributed surplus

Deficit

Total shareholders' equity

Total liabilities and equity

CGAAP
Balance
$

IFRS
Adjustments
$

IFRS
Reclassifications
$

IFRS
Balance

$                         IFRS accounts

21,528

35,323

108,324

1,646

166,821
17,794

43,700

1,647

2,142

56

-

-

-

-

-

-
(194)

(13,100)

3,357

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

(1,512)

(2,142)

(56)

2,198

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Current assets
Property and equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax

21,528

35,323

108,324

1,646

166,821
17,600

30,600

3,492

-

-

2,198

Other long-term assets

232,160

(9,937)

(1,512)

220,711

Total assets

-

-

(96)

96

(1,512)

24,831

Equity and liabilities
Trade and other payables

102,370

Revolving floorplan facilities

175

96

-

Current lease obligations

Current indebtedness

(1,512)
(22,785)

127,472
289

Current liabilities
Long-term lease obligations

22,785

22,785

Long-term indebtedness

(1,512)
-

-

-

-

-

150,546
-

190,435

3,918

Total liabilities

Equity
Share capital

Contributed surplus

(124,188)

Accumulated deficit

70,165

Total equity

(1,512)

220,711

Total liabilities and equity

24,831

102,370

271

-

1,512

128,984
23,074

-

152,058
-

190,435

3,918

(114,251)

80,102

232,160

-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

-
-

-

-

(9,937)

(9,937)

(9,937)

77 

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2010

Canadian GAAP accounts

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Prepaid expenses

Current assets
Property & equipment

Intangible assets

Goodwill

Future income tax

Prepaid rent

Other assets

CGAAP
Balance
$

IFRS
Adjustments
$

IFRS
Reclassifications
$

IFRS
Balance

$                         IFRS accounts

37,541

32,832

118,088

1,148

189,609
25,935

45,059

309

930

5,850

59

-

-

-

-

-

-
(345)

(5,041)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

-

(930)

(5,850)

(59)

5,909

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Current assets
Property and equipment

Intangible assets

Goodwill

37,541

32,832

118,088

1,148

189,609
25,590

40,018

309

-

-

-

5,909

Other long-term assets

Total assets

267,751

(5,386)

(930)

261,435

Total assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables

Revolving floorplan facilities

Current lease obligations

Current indebtedness

Future income taxes

Current liabilities
Lease obligations

Long-term debt

Total liabilities

Shareholders' equity
Share capital

Contributed surplus

Deficit

Total shareholders' equity

Total liabilities and equity

26,622

124,609

907

277

3,855

156,270
120

24,974

-

181,364
-

190,435

3,918

(107,966)

86,387

267,751

-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

(1,373)

(1,373)
-

-

-

(4,013)

(4,013)

(5,386)

78 

-

-

-

-

(3,855)

(3,855)
-

-

2,925

(930)
-

-

-

-

-

26,622

Equity and Liabilities
Trade and other payables

124,609

Revolving floorplan facilities

907

277

-

152,415
120

24,974

1,552

179,061
-

190,435

3,918

Current lease obligations

Current indebtedness

Current Liabilities
Long-term lease obligations

Long-term indebtedness

Deferred tax

Total liabilities

Equity
Share capital

Contributed surplus

(111,979)

Accumulated deficit

82,374

Total equity

(930)

261,435

Total equity and liabilities

AutoCanada Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for share and per share amounts)

32 Transition to IFRS continued

Reconciliation of Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2010

Canadian GAAP accounts

Vehicles
Parts, service and collision

repair

Other

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross Profit
Selling, general and
administrative

Interest

Amortization

CGAAP
Balance
$
760,527

108,558

1,446

870,531
(719,594)

150,937

126,056

9,217

4,021

IFRS
Adjustments
$
-

IFRS
Reclassifications
$
108,980

IFRS Balance

$               IFRS accounts
Revenue

869,507

-

-

-
-

-

150

-

-

(108,558)

(1,446)

(1,024)
107

-

-

869,507
(719,487)

Revenue
Cost of sales

(917)

150,020

Gross profit

4,025

(9,217)

(4,021)

130,231

Operating expenses

-

-

Earnings before income taxes

11,643

(150)

8,296

19,789

Earnings before income taxes

Earnings before income taxes

Income tax

-

11,643
-

-

11,643
2,972

8,059

7,909
-

-

7,909
1,984

Net earnings

8,671

5,925

-

8,296
(9,217)

921

-
-

-

8,059

27,848
(9,217)

921

19,552
4,956

14,596

Operating profit before
other income
Reversal of impairment
of intangible assets

Operating profit
Finance costs

Finance income

Net income for the
period before
taxation
Income tax

Net income and
comprehensive income
for the period

79 

CORPORATE INFORMATION 

AUTOCANADA INC. 

Shareholder Information 

Head Office 

AutoCanada Inc. 

Senior Management 

Patrick Priestner, 
Chief Executive Officer 

Thomas Orysiuk, 
President and Chief Financial Officer 

#200 – 15505 Yellowhead Trail 
Edmonton, Alberta  
T5V 1E5 
www.autocan.ca 

Investor Relations 

Jeffery Christie 
780-732-7164 
jchristie@autocan.ca 

Stephen Rose, 
Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services 

Auditors 

Jeffery Christie, 
Vice-President, Finance 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP 
Edmonton, Alberta 

Board of Directors 

Shares Listed 

Gordon Barefoot – Chairman 

Michael Ross  

Robin Salmon 

Dennis DesRosiers 

Christopher Cumming 

Patrick Priestner 

Thomas Orysiuk 

Toronto Stock Exchange 
Trading Symbol: ACQ 

Transfer Agent 

Valiant Trust Company 

Annual General Meeting 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012 
10:00 a.m. Mountain Time 
AutoCanada Inc. Corporate Head Office 
200 – 15505 Yellowhead Trail 
Edmonton, Alberta 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#200 - 15505 Yellowhead Trail • Edmonton, AB • T5V 1E5
www.autocan.ca

8 » AutoCanada 2011