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Magna
International Inc.
337
Magna Drive
Aurora,
Ontario L4G 7K1
Tel (905)
726-2462
Fax (905)
726-7164
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PRESS
RELEASE
MAGNA
ANNOUNCES BOARD APPROVAL OF PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING RUSSIAN
MACHINES
July
25, 2007, Aurora, Ontario, Canada - Magna International Inc. (TSX:
MG.A, MG.B; NYSE: MGA) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved
a definitive Plan of Arrangement and related agreements with respect to the
previously announced proposed strategic investment in Magna by Russian Machines,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Element Limited.
Rationale
The
strategic investment is designed to accelerate Magna’s strategic efforts to
capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the growing Russian automotive
market as well as other emerging markets. In targeting the Russian market,
Magna
believes that the best way to minimize risk and maximize return is by working
together with an established industrial partner. It also believes that having
Russian Machines and its controlling shareholder Basic Element as a strategic
partner, with an aligned interest through a significant ownership stake in
Magna, will assist Magna in carrying out its expansion strategy in Russia
and
other emerging markets. Basic Element is one of the largest, privately held
industrial conglomerates in Russia and its subsidiary Russian Machines owns
a
majority interest in GAZ Group, which is Russia’s second-largest automotive
manufacturer.
Magna
believes that, if implemented, the proposed Arrangement will achieve a greater
alignment of interests between the Stronach Trust, which currently controls
Magna, Russian Machines and other Magna shareholders and will create “checks and
balances” on the exercise of the Stronach Trust’s controlling interest in Magna
by virtue of Russian Machines’ Board nomination rights and new corporate
governance guidelines that will require certain major transactions to be
approved by two-thirds of the Board members. Further, the proposed alliance
is
designed to preserve the fundamental business philosophies and operating
principles that have been the cornerstone of Magna’s success, including Magna’s
Corporate Constitution and its Employee Charter.
Overview
of Arrangement
The
terms of the Arrangement and related agreements are consistent in all material
respects with those announced jointly by Magna and Basic Element on May 10,
2007
and will be described in detail in the management information circular/proxy
statement (the “Circular”) to be mailed on or about August 1, 2007 to Magna
shareholders of record as of July 16, 2007 in respect of the special meeting
of
Magna shareholders currently scheduled to take place on August 28, 2007 (subject
to court approval) to approve the Arrangement. The Circular will contain
relevant information concerning the Arrangement, including a description
of (i)
the definitive transaction terms and conditions, (ii) the Board’s recommendation
to shareholders, the factors underlying the Board’s recommendation and a
description of the review conducted by the Special Committee of independent
directors and its legal and financial advisors, (iii) the shareholder votes
and
court and regulatory approvals required to carry out the Arrangement, which
votes will include a “majority of minority” of the votes cast by holders of
Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, and (iv)
the
dissent rights available to “minority” Class B shareholders if the Arrangement
includes the proposed buyback of the Class B Shares other than those currently
controlled by the Stronach Trust. The remainder of this press release is
qualified by the more detailed information appearing in the Circular and
shareholders are urged to review the Circular carefully.
Under
the
terms of the proposed Arrangement, Russian Machines would invest approximately
US$1.54 billion to acquire indirectly 20 million Magna Class A Subordinate
Voting Shares from treasury. A new Canadian holding company (“Newco”) would hold
the respective holdings in Magna of the Stronach Trust and Russian Machines,
as
well as a portion of the respective holdings in Magna of Donald Walker,
Siegfried Wolf, Vincent Galifi, Jeffrey Palmer and Peter Koob (collectively,
the
“Principals”), all of whom are members of Magna’s executive management. Subject
to approval by a majority of the votes cast by “minority” Class B Shareholders,
the proposed Arrangement would also involve the purchase by Magna for
cancellation of all outstanding Class B Shares not held by the Stronach Trust
for Cdn.$114.00 in cash per Class B Share (the “Class B Share Acquisition”). If
the Arrangement includes the Class B Share Acquisition, the number of votes
attached to the Class B Shares would be reduced from 500 votes to 300 votes
per
share (the “Class B Share Vote Reduction”).
Upon
the
completion of the proposed Arrangement, Newco will hold indirectly 726,829
Class
B Shares and 20,605,000 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. Assuming approval
of
the Class B Share Acquisition, Newco will indirectly hold 100% of the
outstanding Class B Shares and approximately 16% of the outstanding Class
A
Subordinate Voting Shares, collectively representing approximately 68.8%
of the
total voting power of all the outstanding shares of Magna. In connection
with
the Arrangement, the Stronach Trust and Russian Machines will enter into
certain
agreements governing their relationship as shareholders, including the voting
of
the Magna shares held indirectly by Newco and the terms upon which Russian
Machines may elect to withdraw, or the Stronach Trust may cause Russian Machines
to withdraw, its investment in Newco and terminate those governance
arrangements.
The
Principals, the Stronach Trust and Stronach & Co., an associate of Magna’s
Chairman, Mr. Frank Stronach, have interests in the Arrangement that are
different from other shareholders. Those interests were identified in Magna’s
press release dated May 10, 2007 and will also be disclosed in the
Circular.
Magna’s
Board approval today of the Arrangement and related agreements followed the
report and favourable recommendation of its Special Committee of independent
directors formed to review and consider the Arrangement and related
transactions. In doing so, the Board determined that the Arrangement is in
the
best interests of Magna and its shareholders and authorized the submission
of
the Arrangement to holders of Magna’s Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and
Class B Shares for their approval as required under applicable law. CIBC
World
Markets Inc. (“CIBCWM”), the independent financial advisor to the Special
Committee, concluded that, as of May 9, 2007 (the date the Board approved
the
previously announced Transaction Agreement with Russian Machines), the
consideration of CDN$114.00 per Class B Share to be offered to each minority
holder of Magna’s Class B Shares under the Arrangement is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the minority holders of Magna Class B Shares. A copy of
the
CIBCWM fairness opinion, the factors considered by the Special Committee
and
Magna’s Board and other relevant background information will be included in the
Circular.
Subject
to court approval, Magna expects to hold the Special Shareholders’ Meeting on
August 28, 2007 in Toronto and expects that the Arrangement, if approved,
will
become effective in September 2007, subject to receipt of necessary regulatory
approvals. The Arrangement will require the approval of shareholders,
including:
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a
majority of the votes cast by Magna Class A Subordinate Voting
Shareholders and Class B Shareholders (excluding certain
“insiders” as defined in the Toronto Stock Exchange
Company Manual), voting together as a single
class;
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a
majority of the votes cast by the “minority” Class A Shareholders, voting
separately as a class; and
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with
respect only to the Class B Share Acquisition, a majority of the
votes
cast by “minority” Class B Shareholders, voting separately as a
class.
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Magna
and
certain parties related to Magna, including its directors and senior officers,
may not vote their Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or Class B Shares for
the
purposes of the “majority of the minority” approval requirements. If the Class B
Share Acquisition is not approved by the “minority” Class B Shareholders, but
the Arrangement is otherwise approved by the requisite votes of shareholders,
then the Arrangement, excluding the Class B Share Acquisition and the Class
B
Share Vote Reduction, will proceed (subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of all
other conditions).
The
Arrangement requires court approval. Prior to the mailing of the Circular,
Magna
will obtain an interim court order, which will provide for the calling and
holding of the Special Shareholders’ Meeting, the grant of dissent rights to
“minority” holders of Class B Shares in respect of the Class B Share
Acquisition, and other procedural matters. If the Arrangement is approved
by
shareholders at the Special Shareholders’ Meeting in the manner required by the
interim order, a hearing in respect of a final order will take place to
consider, among other things, the fairness of the Arrangement.
Proposed
Substantial Issuer Bid
On
May
10, 2007, in connection with, and conditional upon completion of, the
Arrangement, Magna announced its intention to make a substantial issuer bid
to
purchase up to 20 million of its outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares.
The issuer bid is expected to take the form of a modified “Dutch auction”,
whereby Magna will offer a range of prices within which it is willing to
repurchase such Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. The issuer bid is expected
to
be an offer to purchase up to 20 million Class A Subordinate Voting Shares
at an
aggregate price of not more than $1,536,600,000. Pricing information
and other material terms and conditions are expected to be determined by
the
Board and publicly announced prior to the Special Shareholders’
Meeting.
About
Magna
Magna
is
the most diversified automotive supplier in the world. Magna designs, develops
and manufactures automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components,
and
engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original
equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks in North America, Europe,
Asia,
South America and Africa. Magna’s capabilities include the design, engineering,
testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems;
closure
systems; metal body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems;
exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete vehicle
engineering and assembly.
Magna
has
approximately 83,000 employees in 235 manufacturing operations and 62 product
development and engineering centres in 23 countries.
For
further information, please contact Vincent Galifi at (905)
726-7100.
FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS
The
previous discussion may contain statements that, to the extent that they
are not
recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements
may
include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding
Magna’s
future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions underlying
any of the foregoing. Magna uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "will",
"likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast",
"project", "estimate" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking
statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions
and
analyses made by Magna in light of its experience and its perception of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as
well
as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However,
whether actual results and developments will conform with Magna’s expectations
and predictions is subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties.
These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, without limitation, that
the
benefits, growth prospects and strategic objectives expected to be realized
from
the investment by, and strategic alliance with, Russian Machines may not
be
fully realized, realized at all or may take longer to realize than expected;
Magna will be governed by a board of directors to which the Stronach Trust
and
Russian Machines will each have the right to appoint an equal number of
nominees, in addition to the current co-chief executive officers, with the
result that Magna will be controlled indirectly by the Stronach Trust and
Russian Machines; Magna’s Russian strategy involves making investments and
carrying on business and operations in Russia, which will expose it to the
political, economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties of that country;
the
possibility that Russian Machines may exercise its right to withdraw its
investment in Newco and exit from the governance arrangements in connection
with
the Arrangement at any time after two years; the possibility that the Stronach
Trust may exercise its right to require Russian Machines to withdraw its
investment in Newco and exit from such arrangements at any time after three
years; the possibility that Russian Machines’ lender may require Russian
Machines to withdraw its investment in Newco and exit from such arrangements
at
any time if such lender is entitled to realize on its loan to Russian Machines;
the conditions precedent to completion of the Arrangement may not be satisfied
or, if satisfied, the timing of such satisfaction may be delayed; the occurrence
of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the
termination of the Transaction Agreement, the delay of the completion of
the
Arrangement or failure to complete the Arrangement for any other reason.
In
addition to the risks, assumptions and uncertainties related to the transaction,
there are additional risks and uncertainties relating generally to Magna
and its
business and affairs, including the impact of: declining production volumes
and
changes in consumer demand for vehicles; a reduction in the production volumes
of certain vehicles, such as certain light trucks; the termination or
non-renewal by Magna’s customers of any material contracts; Magna’s ability to
offset increases in the cost of commodities, such as steel and resins, as
well
as energy prices; fluctuations in relative currency values; Magna’s ability to
offset price concessions demanded by Magna’s customers; Magna’s dependence on
outsourcing by its customers; Magna’s ability to compete with suppliers with
operations in low cost countries; changes in Magna’s mix of earnings between
jurisdictions with lower tax rates and those with higher tax rates, as well
as
Magna’s ability to fully benefit from tax losses; other potential tax exposures;
the financial distress of some of Magna’s suppliers and customers; the inability
of Magna’s customers to meet their financial obligations to Magna; Magna’s
ability to fully recover pre-production expenses; warranty and recall costs;
product liability claims in excess of Magna’s insurance coverage; expenses
related to the restructuring and rationalization of some of Magna’s operations;
impairment charges; Magna’s ability to successfully identify, complete and
integrate acquisitions; risks associated with new program launches; legal
claims
against Magna; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; labour
union
activities at Magna’s facilities; work stoppages and labour relations disputes;
changes in laws and governmental regulations; costs associated with compliance
with environmental laws and regulations; potential conflicts of interest
involving Magna’s controlling shareholder, the Stronach Trust; and other factors
set out in Magna’s Annual Information Form filed with securities regulatory
authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada and its annual report
on
Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
and
subsequent filings. In evaluating forward-looking statements, readers should
specifically consider the various factors which could cause actual events
or
results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Magna
does
not intend, nor does it undertake any obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information, events, results
or
circumstances or otherwise.
ABOUT
ANY TENDER OFFER FOR CLASS A SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES
In
connection with the proposed substantial issuer bid referred to above (which
bid
is called an issuer tender offer in the United States), shareholders are
strongly encouraged to carefully read all offer documents if and when these
become available because they would contain important information about the
offer. The Magna Board of Directors has not yet approved the terms of any
tender
offer. This Press Release is for informational purposes only, and is not
an
offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of Magna’s Class
A Subordinate Voting Shares. Solicitation of offers to purchase Magna’s Class A
Subordinate Voting Shares would only be made pursuant to offer documents
that
Magna would distribute to its shareholders after filing such offer documents
with the applicable securities regulatory authorities.
Any
tender offer documents required to be filed in the United States, including
Schedule TO and related exhibits, along with all other documents that Magna
would be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, would
be
available without charge at the Securities and Exchange Commission web site
at
www.sec.gov and by calling J. Brian Colburn, Magna’s Executive Vice-President
and Secretary, at 905-726-2462. In addition, such documents would be delivered
without charge to all holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares.
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