EDMONTON, Dec. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - AutoCanada Inc. ("AutoCanada" or the "Company") (TSX:ACQ) announced that it has completed a sale-leaseback transaction for four of its dealership properties with Capital Automotive Real Estate Services Inc.  AutoCanada will lease the properties from Capital Automotive under long-term triple net leases.

The transaction provides for proceeds of approximately $50 million which will be used to repay the Company's credit facility.  In addition, Capital Automotive has agreed to fund approximately $44 million for capital requirements in respect of the properties, including the reconstruction of three existing dealerships and the construction of the Maple Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC open point.

About AutoCanada

AutoCanada is a leading North American multi-location automobile dealership group currently operating 68 franchised dealerships, comprised of 28 brands, in eight provinces in Canada as well as a group in Illinois, USA and has over 4,200 employees. AutoCanada currently sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Infiniti, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Audi, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, BMW, MINI, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln and Honda branded vehicles. In 2017, our dealerships sold approximately 63,000 vehicles and processed approximately 870,000 service and collision repair orders in our 999 service bays generating revenue in excess of $3 billion.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release 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", "plan", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "will", "believe" and similar expressions) are not historical facts and are forward looking.  Forward-looking statements 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, actual results or outcomes may 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 press release.  The Company's Annual Information Form and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com) describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and which are incorporated herein by reference.

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.

Additional information

Additional information about AutoCanada Inc. is available at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.autocan.ca.

SOURCE AutoCanada Inc.