1
 
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 13, 1996
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-03346
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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                             RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                                          
             TEXAS                            5511                         74-1733016
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)   CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                     8810 I.H. 10 EAST                    P. O. BOX 34630
                  SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78219         SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78265-4630
                       (210) 661-4511                      (210) 661-4511
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) W. MARVIN RUSH CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. 8810 I.H. 10 EAST SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78219 (210) 661-4511 (NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ COPIES TO: PHILLIP M. RENFRO, ESQ. CECIL SCHENKER, P.C. FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P. 300 CONVENT STREET, SUITE 2200 300 CONVENT STREET, SUITE 1500 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78205 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78205 (210) 224-5575 (210) 270-0800
------------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. / / If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / / THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
ITEMS AND CAPTION IN FORM S-1 LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS - ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ 1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus.... Cover Page of Registration Statement; Cross Reference Sheet; Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus 2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of Prospectus............................. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of Prospectus 3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges........ Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Selected Combined and Pro Forma Financial Data 4. Use of Proceeds........................... Use of Proceeds 5. Determination of Offering Price........... Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Underwriting 6. Dilution.................................. Risk Factors; Dilution 7. Selling Security Holders.................. * 8. Plan of Distribution...................... Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Underwriting 9. Description of Securities to be Registered................................ Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Dividend Policy; Description of Capital Stock 10. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel..... Legal Matters; Experts 11. Information with Respect to the Registrant................................ Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Dividend Policy; Capitalization; Selected Combined and Pro Forma Financial Data; Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Business; Management; Principal Shareholders; Description of Capital Stock; Certain Transactions; Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Combined Financial Statements; The Reorganization; S Corporation Distributions 12. Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities............................... *
- --------------- * Not applicable. 3 INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 13, 1996 2,500,000 SHARES [LOGO] [LOGO] RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. COMMON STOCK ------------------------ All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being issued and sold by Rush Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company"). It is anticipated that the initial public offering price will be between $11 and $13 per share. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock of the Company. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price. The Company's Common Stock has been approved for quotation and trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the trading symbol "RUSH." SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 8 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY. ------------------------ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO DISCOUNTS AND TO PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Share........................................................ $ $ $ Total(3)......................................................... $ $ $ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For information regarding indemnification of the Underwriters by the Company and certain compensation payable to the Representatives of the Underwriters, see "Underwriting." (2) Before deducting expenses of the offering estimated at $500,000, all of which will be paid by the Company. (3) The Underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 375,000 shares of Common Stock from the Company, solely to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms and conditions as the shares offered hereby. If the Underwriters exercise such option in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, and Proceeds to Company will be $ , $ and $ , respectively. See "Underwriting." ------------------------ The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, subject to their right to reject orders in whole or in part and to certain other conditions. It is expected that delivery of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock will be made on or about , 1996 at the office of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., New York, New York. ------------------------ LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. The date of this Prospectus is , 1996. 4 Gatefold Outside Front Cover [LOGO] Picture of Peterbilt Truck Peterbilt Model 379 [LOGO] Gatefold Inside Front Cover Picture of man spray painting truck Paint & Body Repair Picture of man operating a computer After Market Parts Sales Picture of Peterbilt truck Peterbilt Model 357 Picture of parts showroom Parts Showroom Picture of Peterbilt trucks Truck Sales [LOGO] Picture of map indicating Rush Truck Center Locations Picture of service and repair shop Service Bays Picture of Peterbilt truck Lease & Rental Truck Picture of man operating computer Service Specialist 5 [PICTURES] IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. 2 6 PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and combined financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. In this Prospectus, the term "Company" or "Rush Enterprises" refers to Rush Enterprises, Inc., a Texas corporation, its subsidiaries and Associated Acceptance, Inc. ("AA"), the insurance agency affiliated with the Company. Except as otherwise indicated, (i) all financial information and operating data in this Prospectus concerning the Company gives effect to the Reorganization that will be effected simultaneously with the closing of this offering and (ii) textual information includes the pro forma operations of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., which was acquired by the Company in December 1995. See "The Reorganization." Investors should carefully consider the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors." Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus does not give effect to the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting." THE COMPANY Founded in 1965, Rush Enterprises operates a regional network of truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; after-market parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. The Company's truck centers are strategically located in high truck traffic areas on or near major highways in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The Company is the largest Peterbilt truck dealer in North America, representing approximately 14.0% of all new Peterbilt truck sales in 1995, and is the sole authorized vendor for new Peterbilt trucks and replacement parts in its market areas. The Company was named Peterbilt Dealer of the Year for North America for the 1993-1994 year. Peterbilt trucks, which are manufactured by PACCAR, Inc. ("PACCAR"), have a reputation as premium-quality vehicles which are skillfully designed and driver friendly, and are typically custom manufactured to satisfy the requirements of its customers. Peterbilt's premium reputation is an important aspect of the Company's marketing of new and used trucks, and management believes that such reputation has resulted in relatively higher resale prices for used Peterbilt trucks. The Company's customers, which include owner-operators, regional and national fleets, corporations and local governments, use heavy-duty trucks for over-the-road and off-highway transportation and handling of virtually all materials, including general freight, petroleum, wood products, refuse and construction materials. The Company currently operates eight full-service and six parts/service truck centers. The full-service facilities offer a complete line of the Company's products and services to fully implement the Company's one-stop strategy, while the parts/service facilities offer a variety of product and service combinations. The full-service truck centers range in size from 13,500 to 73,000 square feet, with from six to 50 service bays, and are situated on lots ranging from three to 14 acres, while the parts/service facilities range in size from 2,500 to 62,000 square feet, with from six to 25 service bays, and are situated on lots ranging from 0.4 to five acres. The Company's state-of-the-art service and body shop facilities are equipped for virtually any type of truck repair on any type of truck and are staffed by experienced, highly-trained and factory-certified service technicians. Each truck center is a designated Peterbilt warranty service center and most are authorized service centers for a number of manufacturers of heavy-duty truck components, including Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, Eaton and Rockwell. Rush truck centers are the sole authorized Peterbilt parts and accessories supplier in their territories and carry a wide variety of Peterbilt and other parts inventory, with an average of approximately 4,500 items from over 30 suppliers at each location. The Company utilizes a centralized state-of-the-art management information system that permits real-time parts tracking, control of inventory mix, automated reordering, monitoring of customer buying patterns and shifting of truck and parts inventories from location to location to satisfy customer demand. As part of its one-stop sales and service strategy, the Company offers third-party financing and insurance products to assist customers purchasing a new or used truck, as well as truck leasing and rentals. The Company's new and used truck financing is typically provided through Associates Commercial Corporation ("Associates"), the largest third-party provider of heavy-duty truck financing in North America, and 3 7 PACCAR Financial. The Company is one of the largest originators of heavy-duty truck loans for Associates and because of its volume and low historical delinquency rate, benefits from favorable financing terms. The Company has an aggregate recourse liability of $600,000 per year in connection with customer defaults on such financings. The Company sells a complete line of property and casualty insurance, including collision and liability insurance on trucks, cargo insurance, standard automobile liability coverages, life, credit life, health, workers' compensation coverages and homeowner's insurance. The Company also engages in full-service Peterbilt truck leasing and rental under PACCAR's PacLease trade name at five locations and currently has 524 trucks in its lease and rental fleet. The Company believes that large, multi-location, full-service dealerships, which offer a large selection of new and used trucks, parts and sophisticated service and body shop facilities, are able to realize economies of scale and have a competitive advantage in the truck sales and services industry. As part of its strategy, the Company has begun to employ a Rush Truck Center branding program for its facilities to enhance the Company's name recognition and to communicate the standardized high level of quality products and services throughout its truck center network. The Company intends to brand each of its facilities as a Rush Truck Center through distinctive signage and uniform marketing programs. Currently five locations are branded Rush Truck Centers and the Company intends to establish all of its facilities as Rush Truck Centers by December 31, 1996. The retail heavy-duty truck industry is highly fragmented with over 1,700 dealerships nationwide, including 92 Peterbilt dealerships operating 178 locations. New heavy-duty truck sales historically have shown a high correlation to the rate of change in industrial production and gross domestic product. According to data published by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association ("AAMA"), during 1995, new heavy-duty truck sales in the United States surpassed 200,000 units at retail for the first time. Since 1986, however, annual domestic retail heavy-duty truck sales have averaged approximately 142,000 units. According to R. L. Polk & Co., 207,413 new heavy-duty trucks were registered in the United States during 1995. New Peterbilt truck registrations during this period were 20,035, for a national market share, based on new truck registrations, of 9.7%. In the Company's seven primary market areas 19,151 new heavy-duty trucks were registered, 2,657 of which represented new Peterbilts, resulting in an average market share of 13.9%. The Company's growth strategy is to continue the expansion of its existing facilities, to open new facilities in its existing and newly appointed territories and to acquire additional Peterbilt dealerships in new territories. Since 1990, at which time the Company operated one full-service facility, one sales facility, one parts/service facility and one leasing and rental facility located in Texas, the Company has undertaken an aggressive expansion program. The Company has subsequently opened four facilities in its existing territories, one facility in a new territory in Louisiana and acquired six facilities in new territories in California and Oklahoma. Management believes that it can operate new facilities effectively and improve the operating results of acquired dealers as a result of economies of scale, sophisticated management information systems, purchasing power, merchandising capability and the introduction of enhanced financial services and products. Additionally, the Company believes that its aggressive expansion program into California, Oklahoma and Louisiana and diversification into truck-related services, including financial services, leasing, renting and service and parts, has reduced cyclicality in the Company's operations due to geographic diversity and reduced reliance on new and used truck sales. The Company's plans include the opening of a full-service truck center in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area and a parts/service facility in Southern California, during 1996 and early 1997, at an anticipated cost of approximately $2.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company also intends to make strategic acquisitions of additional Peterbilt dealerships as favorable opportunities arise; however, there are currently no negotiations, commitments or agreements with respect to any such acquisitions. 4 8 THE OFFERING Common Stock offered by the Company..................... 2,500,000 shares. Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering(1).... 6,250,000 shares. Use of proceeds......................................... For debt repayment and general corporate purposes, including working capital, funds for opening of additional locations and acquisitions of truck dealerships in new markets. Nasdaq National Market symbol........................... RUSH
- --------------- (1) Excludes 500,000 shares issuable under the Company's Incentive Plan adopted in April 1996 and 250,000 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants to be granted to the Representatives of the Underwriters and their designees, exercisable at 120% of the public offering price (the "Representatives' Warrants"). See "Management," "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting." 5 9 SUMMARY COMBINED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA The Summary Combined and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data below has been taken or derived from the combined historical and pro forma financial statements and other records of the Company. The Financial and Operating Data presented below may not be comparable between periods in all material respects or indicative of the Company's future financial position or results of operations due primarily to acquisitions which occurred during the periods presented, including the acquisition of the Company's California and Oklahoma operations in February 1994 and December 1995, respectively. See "Business -- Recent Acquisitions" and Note 16 to the Company's Combined Financial Statements for a discussion of such acquisitions. The Summary Combined and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data should be read in conjunction with the Company's Historical and Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes contained in this Prospectus. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED FOUR-MONTH ENDED AUGUST 31, PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA MARCH 31, ----------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, ----------------- 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995(1) 1995 1996 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) SUMMARY OF INCOME STATEMENT DATA Revenues................... $73,605 $83,024 $ 28,415 $110,271 $206,386 $268,478.. $333,279 $64,002 $79,876 Cost of products sold...... 64,179 70,271 24,270 95,811 173,369 225,252 282,533 53,098 65,093 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Gross profit............... 9,426 12,753 4,145 14,460 33,017 43,226 50,746 10,904 14,783 Selling, general and administrative expenses................. 8,286 10,233 3,687 11,101 25,789 31,927 37,789 8,758 11,812 Depreciation and amortization expense..... 430 475 151 1,022 1,615 1,924 2,312 421 547 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Operating income........... 710 2,045 307 2,337 5,613 9,375 10,645 1,725 2,424 Interest expense........... 587 587 15 998 2,048 2,770 3,746 561 973 Minority interest.......... -- -- -- -- 123 162 -- 39 -- ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Income from continuing operations............... $ 123 $ 1,458 $ 292 $ 1,339 $ 3,442 $ 6,443 $ 6,899 $ 1,125 $ 1,451 ======= ======= ========== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======= ======= PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT DATA (UNAUDITED) Income from continuing operations before taxes.................... $ 6,443 $ 6,899 $ 1,125 $ 1,451 Pro forma adjustment to reflect federal and state income taxes(2).......... 2,448 2,622 428 552 -------- ------------ ------- ------- Pro forma income from continuing operations.... $ 3,995 $ 4,277 $ 697 $ 899 ======== ========== ======= ======= Pro forma income from continuing operations per share(3)................. $ .93 $ 1.00 $ .16 $ .21 ======== ========== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation........ 4,297 4,297 4,297 4,297 ======== ========== ======= ======= Supplemental pro forma net income from continuing operations per share(4)................. $ .90 $ .96 $ .16 $ .21 ======== ========== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation.............. 4,726 4,726 4,398 4,699 ======== ========== ======= =======
6 10
THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED FOUR-MONTH ENDED AUGUST 31, PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ----------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------ ----------------- 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT OPERATING DATA) OPERATING DATA Number of locations -- Full-service.......................... 1 1 1 2 6 8 6 8 Parts/service......................... 3 3 3 5 5 6 5 6 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total locations................. 4 4 4 7 11 14 11 14 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Unit truck sales -- New trucks............................ 622 623 237 982 1,705 2,263 560 642 Used trucks........................... 436 675 229 647 889 1,135 220 327 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total unit trucks sales......... 1,058 1,298 466 1,629 2,594 3,398 780 969 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Aggregate new and used truck finance contracts sold (in thousands)......... $17,676 $21,295 $ 10,100 $ 32,188 $ 45,453 $ 53,165 $13,527 $16,132 Truck lease and rental units............ 141 100 100 143 345 521 368 524
AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 ---------------------------------------- AS ACTUAL PRO FORMA(5) ADJUSTED(6) ------- ------------ ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) BALANCE SHEET DATA Working capital............................................................... $ (491) $ (6,491) $17,389 Inventories................................................................... 41,437 41,437 41,437 Total assets.................................................................. 82,883 82,883 99,883 Floor plan financing.......................................................... 37,861 37,861 37,861 Line-of-credit borrowings..................................................... 20 6,020 20 Long-term debt, including current portion..................................... 17,484 17,484 13,084 Shareholders' equity.......................................................... 8,396 1,975 29,375
- --------------- (1) Reflects adjustment to give effect to the following purchase transactions as if such transactions had occurred January 1, 1995: (i) acquisition of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., and (ii) acquisition of the minority interest in South Coast Peterbilt. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have been achieved had such transactions been consummated as of January 1, 1995, or that may be achieved in the future. See Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations and the Notes thereto. (2) For all periods presented, the Company was an S corporation and was not generally subject to corporate income taxes. The pro forma income tax provision has been computed as if the Company were subject to corporate income taxes for all periods presented based on the tax laws in effect during the respective periods. See "S Corporation Distributions" and Note 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. (3) Pro forma income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing pro forma income from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the stock split of the Common Stock and giving pro forma effect for the issuance of 547,400 shares of Common Stock, at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6.0 million distribution to the Company's sole shareholder of the undistributed taxable S corporation earnings as of March 31, 1996. See "S Corporation Distributions" and Notes 2 and 4 to the Combined Financial Statements. (4) Pro forma supplemental income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing pro forma income from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the stock split of the Common Stock and giving pro forma effect for the issuance of 948,900 shares of Common Stock, at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6.0 million distribution to the Company's sole shareholder of the undistributed S corporation earnings at March 31, 1996, and repay certain balances of outstanding indebtedness as of January 1, 1995. See "Use of Proceeds" and Notes 2 and 4 to the Combined Financial Statements. (5) Adjusted to give effect to: (i) the deferred tax liability of approximately $421,000 resulting from the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation and (ii) a $6.0 million decrease in shareholder's equity at March 31, 1996, resulting from a distribution to the sole shareholder related to the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation. See "S Corporation Distributions," "Capitalization" and Notes 2 and 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. (6) Adjusted to give effect to the sale of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial offering price of $12.00 per share and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization." 7 11 RISK FACTORS In evaluating an investment in the Common Stock, prospective purchasers should consider carefully the following risk factors in addition to the other information presented in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk Factors." SUBSTANTIAL DEPENDENCE UPON PACCAR. The Company currently operates as a franchised dealer of Peterbilt trucks and parts pursuant to dealership agreements with PACCAR and intends to acquire additional Peterbilt dealerships in the future. During 1995, approximately 65% of the Company's revenues resulted from sales, leasing and rental of equipment and parts purchased from PACCAR, excluding the Company's Oklahoma operations prior to their acquisition and parts purchased from PACCAR that could have been purchased from other suppliers at similar prices. Due to the Company's dependence on PACCAR, the Company believes that the long-term success of its Peterbilt dealerships depends, in large part, on the overall success of the PACCAR system, the promotional efforts of PACCAR for its Peterbilt division, the goodwill associated with the Peterbilt trademark, the continuing manufacture and delivery of competitively-priced, high quality Peterbilt trucks and parts by PACCAR in quantities sufficient to meet the Company's requirements, and the quality, consistency and management of the overall Peterbilt dealership system by PACCAR. The Company has no control over the management or operation of PACCAR or other Peterbilt dealers. PACCAR initiated a dealer allocation program in 1995, under which all Peterbilt dealers were limited in their supply of new trucks to their average sales during the prior two years. The program did not adversely affect the Company during 1995 and has been discontinued. The Company has not experienced any significant shortage in its supply of new trucks in the past and none is expected in 1996; however, there can be no assurance that a shortage will not occur in the future. PACCAR also manufactures Kenworth heavy-duty trucks which are distributed through a different, competing dealer network. The Company does not distribute Kenworth trucks. DEALERSHIP AGREEMENTS. The Company's dealership agreements with PACCAR impose a number of restrictions and obligations on the Company. For example, under the PACCAR dealership agreements, PACCAR can terminate the dealership agreements in the event of a change of control of the Company or if the Company violates any of a number of provisions in the dealership agreements, resulting in a loss to the Company of the right to purchase Peterbilt products and the right to use the Peterbilt trademark. The loss of such rights would have a material adverse effect on the Company. For this purpose, a change of control occurs if (i) W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush, Robin M. Rush and other executives of the Company (the "Dealer Principals") in the aggregate own less than 30% of the capital stock entitled to vote on the election of directors of the Company, or (ii) any person or entity other than the Dealer Principals or any person or entity who has been approved in writing by PACCAR, either (x) owns a greater percentage of the capital stock entitled to vote on the election of directors of the Company than the Dealer Principals in the aggregate, or (y) holds the office of Chairman of the Board, President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In the event that the Company were to find it necessary or advisable to sell any of its Peterbilt dealership locations, PACCAR retains the right of first refusal to purchase such dealership location in any proposed sale. The change of control and right of first refusal provisions could adversely affect the ability of the Company to obtain financing on favorable terms and may have anti-takeover effects. As a franchised dealer for Peterbilt, the Company may have less ability to negotiate price and terms or to substitute an alternative supplier of trucks and parts than in typical arm's-length transactions between suppliers and retailers. The Company's dealership agreements with PACCAR do not contractually provide the Company with exclusive dealerships in any territory. Although management believes that it is unlikely that PACCAR will create additional dealers in the market areas in which it currently operates, there is no assurance that PACCAR will not elect to do so in the future. See "Business -- Dealership Agreements." EFFECTS OF DOWNTURN IN GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS; CYCLICALITY. The Company's business, as well as the entire retail heavy-duty truck industry, is dependent on a number of factors relating to general economic conditions, including fuel prices, interest rate fluctuations, economic recessions and customer business cycles. In addition, unit sales of new trucks have historically been subject to substantial cyclical variation based on 8 12 such general economic conditions. Although industry-wide domestic retail sales of heavy-duty trucks exceeded 200,000 units for the first time in 1995 according to the AAMA, new order volume declined toward the end of that year and the industry forecast a decline of approximately 25% in heavy-duty new truck sales in 1996. For the first quarter of 1996, industry-wide heavy-duty truck sales declined 15.5% compared to the first quarter of 1995, while Peterbilt heavy-duty truck sales declined 2.9% in the same period. During the first quarter of 1996, the Company's unit sales increased by 82 units, or 14.6%. The Company's Oklahoma operations acquired in December 1995 contributed an increase of 132 units during the first quarter of 1996, which was partially offset by a decrease of 50 units, or 8.9% in unit sales, from its other operations during the period compared with the first quarter of 1995. The Company's operations may be materially and adversely affected by any continuation or renewal of general downward economic pressures or adverse cyclical trends. COMPETITION. The Company faces vigorous competition for customers and for suitable dealership locations. The competes with a large number of independent and factory-owned dealers, some of which operate in more than one location, but most of which operate in a single location. There is significant competition both within the markets currently being served by the Company and in new markets which the Company may enter from time to time. Moreover, the Company's dealership arrangements with PACCAR do not contractually provide the Company with exclusive dealerships in any territory. Although management believes that it is unlikely that PACCAR will create additional dealers in the market areas in which it currently operates, there is no assurance that PACCAR will not elect to do so in the future. While Peterbilt dealership agreements, including the Company's, restrict the dealer from operating sales or service facilities outside the dealer's assigned territory, such agreements do not restrict fleet or other sales or marketing activity outside the assigned territory. Accordingly, the Company may and does engage in fleet sales and other marketing activities outside its assigned territories and other Peterbilt dealers may engage in similar activities within the Company's territories. Dealer competition continues to increase based on accessibility of dealership locations, the number of the Company's dealership locations, price, value, quality and design of product as well as attention to customer service (including technical service). The Company believes that it is competitive in all of these categories. Nevertheless, the Company anticipates that it will face strong competition in the future. See "Business -- Competition." MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH. The Company has undergone a period of rapid growth during the last five years. Management has expended and expects to continue to expend significant time and effort in connection with the opening of a number of new locations. There can be no assurance that the Company's systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support the Company's expanding operations. The inability of the Company to manage its growth properly could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations. The Company's planned growth will also impose significant added responsibilities on members of senior management, including the need to identify, recruit and integrate new senior level managers and executives. There is no assurance that such management expansion can be readily and successfully implemented. As in the past several years, the Company anticipates that a substantial portion of its future growth will result from the development or acquisition of additional Peterbilt dealerships. Accomplishing these expansion goals will depend upon a number of factors, including the identification of new market areas in which the Company can successfully compete, the ability of the Company to obtain suitable sites for new dealerships at an acceptable cost, the availability from time to time of suitable acquisitions, the Company's financial capabilities and the integration of new locations into existing operations. In addition, any potential acquisition of a Peterbilt dealership or opening of a new dealership outside its current territories would require the approval of PACCAR. There can be no assurance that PACCAR will not object to ownership concentration of Peterbilt dealerships beyond a certain level or that the Company will be able to open and operate new Peterbilt dealerships on a profitable basis. Moreover, the costs associated with opening such dealerships may adversely affect the Company's profitability. SUBSTANTIAL INVENTORY AND FINANCING REQUIREMENTS. The heavy-duty truck business requires substantial inventories of trucks held for sale to be maintained at dealer locations in order to facilitate immediate sales to customers on demand. The Company generally purchases its inventories with the assistance of a floor plan financing program through General Motors Acceptance Corporation ("GMAC") which provides for payment at the earlier of the time of sale for each truck financed or at a fixed date following delivery. In the event that the Company's financing becomes insufficient to satisfy its future requirements, the Company would need to obtain similar financing from other sources. Management believes that the Company has sufficient resources, operating income and assets to obtain additional floor plan financing and alternate floor plan financing, if 9 13 required. There is, however, no assurance that such additional floor plan financing or alternate financing could be obtained or, if obtained, that it will be on commercially reasonable terms. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Business -- Facility Management." PRODUCT LIABILITY RISK. Products sold by the Company may expose it to potential liabilities for personal injury or property damage claims relating to the use of such products. Historically, product liability claims have not had any material adverse effect upon the Company. While the Company maintains third-party product liability insurance which it believes to be adequate, and most manufacturers are required to indemnify the Company for product liability claims, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience legal claims in excess of its insurance coverage, or claims which are ultimately not covered by insurance or subject to indemnification from manufacturers. Furthermore, if any significant claims are made against the Company or PACCAR, the Company's business may be adversely affected by related negative publicity. See "Business -- Product Liability." REGULATION. The Company is subject to regulation by various federal and state agencies, including the United States Department of Transportation ("DOT") and various state motor vehicle regulatory agencies. The Company is subject to provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the safety standards for trucks and components which have been promulgated thereunder by the DOT. The Company is also subject to regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and similar state agencies with respect to air quality and discharges into the environment, as well as storage, shipping, disposing and manifesting of hazardous materials and hazardous and non-hazardous waste. These activities are associated with the repair and maintenance of heavy-duty trucks at the Company's facilities, and no location or operation exceeds small quantity generation status. The Company's insurance and financing services are subject to the laws and regulations of the states in which it conducts business. These laws and regulations cover all aspects of the Company's insurance and financing business, including with respect to insurance, licensing, regulation of premium financing rates and insurance agency legislation pertaining to insurance agencies and their affiliates; and with respect to financing, commercial finance regulations that in some states may be similar to certain consumer finance regulations, including those governing interest rates and charges, maximum amounts and maturities of credit and disclosure to debtor of certain terms of each transaction. Although the Company believes that its operations are in material compliance with current laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that current regulatory requirements will not change, that currently unforeseen environmental incidents will not occur or that contamination or past non-compliance with environmental laws will not be discovered on properties on which the Company has operated. See "Business -- Regulation." S CORPORATION STATUS. Until the closing of this offering, the Company and AA (the "S Companies"), elected to be treated as S corporations under the Internal Revenue Code. Under the S corporation rules, the sole shareholder of the S Companies, W. Marvin Rush, is directly subject to tax on the income of the S Companies, and all tax returns have been filed consistently with these rules. While the Company believes that the S Companies have met the S corporation requirements and no IRS challenge to such treatment has ever been initiated, if, for any reason, either or both of the S Companies were subsequently determined by the IRS not to have met S corporation requirements, the S Company or S Companies affected would be liable to pay federal corporate taxes on its income at the effective federal corporate tax rate for the period from 1987 through the closing of this offering, plus interest and perhaps penalties. W. Marvin Rush, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and principal shareholder of the Company, has agreed to indemnify the Company for federal income taxes, interest and penalties incurred by the Company in the event that such S corporation election is ever determined to have been invalid. While there are circumstances under which the indemnity may not be available or insufficient to make the Company whole, the Company believes that, in light of such indemnity, the Company's liability in the event of an adverse determination is not likely to be material. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK. Pending the application of proceeds raised in this offering for the other purposes described herein, the Company intends to invest the proceeds of the offering under an arrangement with GMAC pursuant to which GMAC permits the Company to earn interest at the prime rate on overnight 10 14 funds, for up to one-half of the amount borrowed under its floor plan financing, real estate financing and revolving credit arrangements with GMAC. GMAC is one of the largest financing sources in the United States and the principal source of the Company's floor plan financing. Should GMAC experience financial difficulties that prevent it from repaying principal amounts invested by the Company under this arrangement, which the Company has no reason to anticipate, any default by GMAC would not be subject to federal deposit insurance and if the amounts invested were not recovered, such event would have a material adverse effect on the Company. DEPENDENCE UPON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company believes its success depends, in large part, upon the continued services of W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, W. M. "Rusty" Rush, President of the Company, and Robin M. Rush, Executive Vice President of the Company. Although the Company will enter into employment agreements with Marvin, Rusty and Robin M. Rush expiring in 2000, the loss of any one of such individuals could materially and adversely affect the Company. The Company maintains a key-man life insurance policy on W. Marvin Rush in the amount of $6.0 million. See "Management -- Employment Agreements and Change-In-Control Arrangements." CONTROL BY EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS. Upon completion of this offering, W. Marvin Rush will own approximately 60% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (56.6% if the Underwriters' over-allotment is exercised in full). As a result of such ownership, Mr. Rush will have the power to effectively control the Company, including the election of directors, the determination of matters requiring shareholder approval and other matters pertaining to corporate governance. See "Principal Shareholders." POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS. Except as may be otherwise approved from time to time by PACCAR, the retention of a controlling interest by Mr. Rush or other Dealer Principals equal to at least 30% of the outstanding voting stock and a number of voting shares at least equal to that owned by any other person or group is required under the PACCAR dealership agreements. See "Business -- Dealership Agreements -- PACCAR." To reduce the risk of a change of control that might materially adversely affect the Company's business or its rights under its PACCAR dealership agreements, the Company has adopted a Rights Plan. In addition, W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush, Robin Rush and Barbara Rush (wife of W. Marvin Rush), have granted PACCAR a right of first refusal to purchase their respective shares of Common Stock in the event that any of such individuals desire to transfer in excess of 100,000 shares in any 12-month period to any person other than a family member, an associate or a Dealer Principal (as defined in the PACCAR dealership agreements). This right of first refusal, the shares owned by Mr. Rush, the Rights Plan, the requirement in the PACCAR dealership agreement that the Dealer Principals retain a controlling interest in the Company, combined with the ability of the Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock without further vote or action by the shareholders, may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of the Company without further action by the shareholders, which could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. Management of the Company does not have the right to waive the right of first refusal and the terms of the PACCAR dealership agreements in order to accept a favorable offer, but the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the rights under the Rights Agreement to accept a favorable offer. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Rights Agreement" and "-- Preferred Stock." LACK OF PRIOR MARKET AND POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. There has been no public trading market for the Company's Common Stock prior to this offering. The initial public offering price of the Common Stock will be determined through negotiations between the Company and the Representatives of the Underwriters. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and continue after completion of this offering or that the market price of the Common Stock will not decline below the initial public offering price. Future announcements concerning the Company or its competitors, including government regulations, litigation or changes in earnings estimates or descriptive materials published by analysts, may cause the market price of the Common Stock to fluctuate substantially. These fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See "Underwriting." DILUTION. Purchasers of the Common Stock in this offering will experience an immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share. See "Dilution." 11 15 DIVIDEND POLICY. The Company does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy." SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. All shares of the Company's Common Stock currently outstanding are "restricted securities," as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and upon completion of this offering may be sold under certain circumstances without registration, including pursuant to Rule 144. Nonetheless, the current shareholder has agreed with the Representatives of the Underwriters not to offer, sell or otherwise publicly dispose of any shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the Representatives of the Underwriters for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus. Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public market following this offering, pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise, could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. In addition, an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance to key employees pursuant to the Company's Incentive Plan. Sales of a substantial number of shares issued to key employees following the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Incentive Plan could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See "Management -- Incentive Plan." The Company has agreed to issue warrants to the Representatives covering an aggregate of 250,000 shares. The warrant is exercisable for four years, commencing one year following completion of the offering. See "Underwriting." THE REORGANIZATION W. Marvin Rush, the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, currently owns all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company and AA, the insurance affiliate of the Company. A reorganization (the "Reorganization") of these entities will be effected simultaneously with the closing of this offering pursuant to which the Company will form and distribute all of its assets into operating subsidiaries and AA will contract with a managing general agent insurance subsidiary of the Company. The result will be that the Company will own a number of operating subsidiaries which hold substantially all of the Company's assets, and the profits and losses of AA will be attributed to the Company through the contractual relationship between AA, which will continue to be owned by W. Marvin Rush, and the managing general agent subsidiary of the Company. See "Certain Transactions." Except as otherwise indicated, all financial information and share and per share data in this Prospectus give effect to the Reorganization, and references to the Company and Rush Enterprises include all of the Company's operating subsidiaries and AA. S CORPORATION DISTRIBUTIONS The Company and AA have elected to be taxed as S corporations since September 1, 1987, and January 1, 1987, respectively, and will continue their S corporation election until the Reorganization is effected simultaneously with this offering. See "The Reorganization." Consequently, W. Marvin Rush, the sole shareholder of the Company and AA, has been paying federal income taxes on all of the net income of the Company and AA directly in past periods and will continue paying such taxes directly through the date of the Reorganization. Historically, a portion of the net income of the Company and AA has been distributed to Mr. Rush. Dividends declared payable for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and during the three-month period ended March 31, 1996, to W. Marvin Rush aggregated approximately $1.3 million, $2.1 million, $4.7 million and $740,000, respectively. In April 1996, the Company and AA collectively made a distribution of approximately $1.4 million to W. Marvin Rush in order to provide funds for Mr. Rush to pay estimated future federal and state income taxes. Simultaneously with the closing of this offering, the Company and AA will make a distribution of an aggregate of approximately $6.8 million to W. Marvin Rush, representing substantially all of the previously undistributed, accumulated net income of the Company and AA for which taxes have been paid directly by W. Marvin Rush (including dividends applicable to income subsequent to March 31, 1996 and certain tax timing differences). This distribution (prior to the termination of the S corporation election of the Company and AA) will allow Mr. Rush to receive this accumulated net income without tax. The Company intends to 12 16 utilize funds available under its line of credit to pay this distribution and a portion of funds raised from this offering will be used to reduce such line of credit. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby (at an assumed initial public offering price of $12 per share and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses) are estimated to be approximately $27.4 million ($31.6 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). The Company plans to use approximately $11.2 million of the proceeds to repay indebtedness as described below; approximately $3.6 million to expand and enhance its truck centers in Laredo and Houston, Texas, in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in Bossier City, Louisiana; approximately $2.0 million to acquire land, construct, equip and stock a full-service truck center in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area; and approximately $1.0 million for equipment, opening inventory and leasehold improvements to open a parts/service facility in Southern California. The balance of the net proceeds of $9.6 million ($13.8 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and funds to expand by acquisition into new markets. The Company does not presently have any agreements or understandings, written or oral, with any third party regarding a potential acquisition or business combination. The Company expects to repay approximately $6.8 million under its line of credit, which bears interest at prime plus 1.5%, that will be borrowed to pay the S corporation distribution to be made to W. Marvin Rush immediately prior to the offering. See "S Corporation Distributions." The Company also anticipates paying approximately $3.7 million in outstanding indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of certain vehicles used in its lease fleet, which notes bear interest at between 9.3% and 10.7% and have maturities ranging from July 1996 to June 2002. The Company also expects to repay the balance of a $984,000 promissory note issued in connection with the acquisition of the California operations in the amount of approximately $600,000, which note bears interest at prime plus 1.0% and matures in January 1999. The Company also plans to repay approximately $100,000 in outstanding indebtedness incurred in connection with certain property and equipment acquired by the Company, which notes bear interest at between 9.3% and 9.6%, and have maturities ranging from August 1997 to November 2012. Pending such uses, the net proceeds will be invested under an arrangement with GMAC pursuant to which GMAC permits the Company to earn interest at the prime rate on overnight funds, for up to one-half of the amount borrowed under its floor plan financing, real estate financing and revolving credit arrangements with GMAC. Any remaining proceeds will be invested in government securities and other short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments. DIVIDEND POLICY The Board of Directors intends to retain any earnings of the Company to support operations and to finance expansion and does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company, and will depend on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. Because AA and the Company are S corporations, a portion of the net income of the Company and AA in past years has been distributed to W. Marvin Rush, and one additional distribution of approximately $6.8 million will be made simultaneously with the closing of this offering. See "S Corporation Distributions." 13 17 DILUTION At March 31, 1996, the Company had a pro forma negative net tangible book value of approximately $(825,000) or $(.22) per share, after giving effect to (i) a deferred tax liability of approximately $421,000 that will result from the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation immediately prior to the closing of this offering and (ii) a $6.0 million decrease in shareholder's equity that will result from a distribution to the sole shareholder immediately prior to the closing of this offering related to the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation. See "S Corporation Distributions," "Capitalization" and Notes 2 and 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. Pro forma net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing the pro forma negative net tangible book value (tangible assets less liabilities) of the Company by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the issuance and sale of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby (at an assumed public offering price of $12.00 per share) and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom as set forth in "Use of Proceeds," the adjusted pro forma net tangible book value of the Company at March 31, 1996, would have been $26.6 million or $4.03 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $4.25 per share to the existing sole shareholder and an immediate dilution of $7.97 per share to new investors purchasing shares at the initial offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution per share: Assumed initial public offering price per share............................. $12.00 Pro forma negative net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 1996................................................................... $(.22) Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors.......................................................... $4.25 Adjusted pro forma net tangible book value per share after offering......... 4.03 ------ Dilution per share to new investors......................................... $ 7.97 ======
14 18 CAPITALIZATION The following table sets forth as of March 31, 1996 (i) the actual capitalization and short-term borrowings of the Company, (ii) the pro forma capitalization and short-term borrowings of the Company, after giving effect to (a) the deferred tax liability of approximately $421,000 resulting from the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation and (b) a $6.0 million decrease in shareholder's equity resulting from a distribution to the sole shareholder related to the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation, but without otherwise giving effect to this offering and (iii) the capitalization and short-term borrowings of the Company, as adjusted, to give effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustments and the issuance and sale by the Company of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, less offering expenses, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds," "S Corporation Distributions" and Notes 2 and 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. This table should be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements and the Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
MARCH 31, 1996 ------------------------------------- ACTUAL PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED ------- --------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) SHORT-TERM DEBT: Floor plan notes payable................................... $37,861 $37,861 $37,861 Current maturities of long-term debt....................... 3,600 3,600 2,720 Advances outstanding under lines of credit................. 20 6,020 20 ------- --------- ----------- Total short-term debt............................ $41,481 $47,481 $40,601 ======= ======== ========= Long-term debt, net of current maturities.................. $13,884 $13,884 $10,364 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding.......................... -- -- -- Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 3,750,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual and pro forma; 6,250,000 shares outstanding, as adjusted(2)........................................... 38 38 63 Affiliated Common Stock, $1.00 par value, 750,000 shares authorized and 451,000 shares outstanding............. 6 6 6 Additional paid-in capital............................... 729 1,931(1) 29,306 Retained earnings........................................ 7,623 -- -- ------- --------- ----------- Total shareholders' equity....................... 8,396 1,975 29,375 ------- --------- ----------- Total capitalization............................. $22,280 $15,859 $39,739 ======= ======== =========
- --------------- (1) Reflects the $6.0 million distribution of undistributed accumulated S corporation earnings as of March 31, 1996, and the reclassification of retained earnings as of March 31, 1996, to additional paid-in capital. (2) Excludes (i) 500,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan, of which options to purchase approximately 19,400 shares are expected to be granted prior to the commencement of the offering with exercise prices at 90% of the initial public offering price and (ii) 250,000 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Representatives' Warrants. See "Management -- Incentive Plan" and "Underwriting." 15 19 SELECTED COMBINED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA The following Selected Combined and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data relating to the Company has been taken or derived from the Combined Financial Statements and other records of the Company. The combined statements of income and combined balance sheets for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. The combined statements of income and combined balance sheets for the four-month period ended December 31, 1992, and for each of the two years ended August 31, 1992, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, have been derived from the books and records of the Company, for those periods. The Financial and Operating Data presented below may not be comparable between periods in all material respects or indicative of the Company's future financial position or results of operations due primarily to acquisitions which occurred during the periods presented, including the acquisition of the Company's California and Oklahoma operations in February 1994 and in December 1995, respectively. See Note 16 to the Company's Combined Financial Statements for a discussion of such acquisitions. The Selected Combined and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data should be read in conjunction with the Company's Historical and Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements and related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED FOUR-MONTH ENDED AUGUST 31, PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA MARCH 31, ---------------- DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ---------------- 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995(1) 1995 1996 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) SUMMARY OF INCOME STATEMENT DATA Revenues New and used truck sales.......... $55,434 $63,730 $ 20,518 $ 79,909 $143,569 $194,173 $243,115 $47,516 $58,133 Parts and service................. 14,997 15,315 6,541 24,604 51,631 58,785 70,254 13,273 16,930 Lease and rental.................. 2,350 2,633 955 2,158 5,476 10,180 13,578 2,085 3,016 Finance and insurance............. 314 745 143 2,247 3,774 4,125 4,125 923 1,486 Other............................. 510 601 258 1,353 1,936 1,215 2,207 205 311 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Total revenues.................. 73,605 83,024 28,415 110,271 206,386 268,478 333,279 64,002 79,876 Cost of products sold............... 64,179 70,271 24,270 95,811 173,369 225,252 282,533 53,098 65,093 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Gross profit........................ 9,426 12,753 4,145 14,460 33,017 43,226 50,746 10,904 14,783 Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................... 8,286 10,233 3,687 11,101 25,789 31,927 37,789 8,758 11,812 Depreciation and amortization expense........................... 430 475 151 1,022 1,615 1,924 2,312 421 547 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Operating income.................... 710 2,045 307 2,337 5,613 9,375 10,645 1,725 2,424 Interest expense.................... 587 587 15 998 2,048 2,770 3,746 561 973 Minority interest................... -- -- -- -- 123 162 -- 39 -- ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Income from continuing operations... 123 1,458 292 1,339 3,442 6,443 6,899 1,125 1,451 ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Discontinued operations -- Operating income (loss)........... (85) (42) 55 325 283 (224) -- (224) -- Gain on disposal.................. -- -- -- -- -- 1,785 -- 1,785 -- ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Income from discontinued operations........................ (85) (42) 55 325 283 1,561 -- 1,561 -- ------- ------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------ ------- ------- Net income.......................... $ 38 $ 1,416 $ 347 $ 1,664 $ 3,725 $ 8,004 $ 6,899 $ 2,686 $ 1,451 ======= ======= ========== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======= =======
16 20
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED PRO FORMA MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, ------------------- 1995 1995(1) 1995 1996 ------------ ------------ ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT DATA (UNAUDITED) Income from continuing operations before taxes..................... $ 6,443 $ 6,899 $ 1,128 $ 1,451 Pro forma adjustments to reflect federal and state income taxes(2)......................................................... 2,448 2,622 428 552 ------------ ------------ ------- ------- Pro forma income from continuing operations........................ $ 3,995 $ 4,277 $ 697 $ 899 ========== ========== ======= ======= Pro forma income from continuing operations per share(3)........... $ .93 $ 1.00 $ .16 $ .21 ========== ========== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation................. 4,297 4,297 4,297 4,297 ========== ========== ======= ======= Supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share(4)......................................................... $ .90 $ .96 $ .16 $ .21 ========== ========== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation.... 4,726 4,726 4,398 4,699 ========== ========== ======= =======
THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED FOUR-MONTH ENDED AUGUST 31, PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ----------------- DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- ----------------- 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT OPERATING DATA) OPERATING DATA Number of locations -- Full-service............................. 1 1 1 2 6 8 6 8 Parts/service............................ 3 3 3 5 5 6 5 6 ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total locations........................ 4 4 4 7 11 14 11 14 ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Unit truck sales -- New trucks............................... 622 623 237 982 1,705 2,263 560 642 Used trucks.............................. 436 675 229 647 889 1,135 220 327 ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total unit trucks sales................ 1,058 1,298 466 1,629 2,594 3,398 780 969 ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Aggregate new and used truck finance contracts sold (in thousands)............ $17,676 $21,295 $ 10,100 $32,188 $45,453 $53,165 $13,527 $16,132 Truck lease and rental units............... 141 100 100 143 345 521 368 524
YEAR ENDED FOUR-MONTH AUGUST 31, PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------- DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- MARCH 31, PRO AS 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 FORMA(5) ADJUSTED(6) ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ----------- -------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) BALANCE SHEET DATA Working capital........... $(1,029) $ 875 $ 2,213 $ (245) $ (937) $ 626 $ (491) $(6,491 ) $17,389 Inventories............... 5,997 6,799 7,960 14,183 20,755 36,517 41,437 41,437 41,437 Total assets.............. 13,824 13,268 17,683 29,263 44,185 76,079 82,883 82,883 99,883 Floor plan financing...... 5,697 4,003 6,023 10,648 17,325 34,294 37,861 37,861 37,861 Line-of-credit borrowings.............. 925 50 50 950 860 10 20 6,020 20 Long-term debt, including current portion......... 3,746 4,149 6,002 8,167 8,887 17,277 17,484 17,484 13,084 Shareholders' equity...... 1,105 1,847 2,298 2,706 4,376 7,685 8,396 1,975 29,375
Footnotes appear on following page 17 21 - --------------- (1) Reflects adjustment to give effect to the following purchase transactions as if such transactions had occurred January 1, 1995: (i) acquisition of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., and (ii) acquisition of the minority interest in South Coast Peterbilt. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have been achieved had such transactions been consummated as of January 1, 1995, or that may be achieved in the future. See Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations and the Notes thereto. (2) For all periods presented, the Company was an S corporation and was not generally subject to corporate income taxes. The pro forma income tax provision has been computed as if the Company were subject to corporate income taxes for all periods presented based on the tax laws in effect during the respective periods. See "S Corporation Distributions" and Note 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. (3) Pro forma income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing pro forma income from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the stock split of the Common Stock and giving pro forma effect for the issuance of 547,400 shares of Common Stock, at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6.0 million distribution to the Company's sole shareholder of the undistributed taxable S corporation earnings as of March 31, 1996. See "S Corporation Distributions" and Notes 2 and 4 to the Combined Financial Statements. (4) Pro forma supplemental income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing pro forma income from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the stock split of the Common Stock and giving pro forma effect for the issuance of 948,900 shares of Common Stock, at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6.0 million distribution to the Company's sole shareholder of the undistributed S corporation earnings at March 31, 1996, and repay certain balances of outstanding indebtedness as of January 1, 1995. See "Use of Proceeds" and Notes 2 and 4 to the Combined Financial Statements. (5) Adjusted to give effect to: (i) the deferred tax liability of approximately $421,000 resulting from the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation and (ii) a $6.0 million decrease in shareholder's equity at March 31, 1996 resulting from a distribution to the sole shareholder related to the termination of the Company's status as an S corporation. See "S Corporation Distributions," "Capitalization" and Notes 2 and 14 to the Combined Financial Statements. (6) Adjusted to give effect to the sale of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial offering price of $12.00 per share and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization." 18 22 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS GENERAL Rush Enterprises operates a regional network of truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. In February 1994, the Company consummated the purchase of the assets of Engs Motor Truck Company ("Engs"), which consisted of three full-service Peterbilt dealerships located in Pico Rivera, Fontana and Ventura, California, and a parts store located in Sun Valley, California. As part of the Company's acquisition strategy, the Company closed the Ventura facility in August 1994, consolidating its operations into the remaining facilities. The purchase price was approximately $9.6 million, funded by (i) $3.1 million of cash, (ii) $5.4 million of borrowings under the Company's floor plan financing with GMAC to purchase new and used truck inventory, and (iii) $984,000 payable pursuant to a note to the seller. In June 1994 the Company purchased the related leasing and truck rental operations of Engs for $300,000 in cash. In addition, the Company entered into a five year consulting agreement with two principals of the seller under which they are paid an aggregate of $12,500 per month. One of the former employees of Engs became a 10% partner in the acquired business, and the Company subsequently purchased this interest in August 1995 for cash consideration of approximately $435,000. In March 1995, the Company sold an automobile dealership in San Antonio, Texas, for cash of approximately $3.6 million. In December 1995, the Company acquired the assets of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., which consisted of a full-service Peterbilt dealership and stand-alone leasing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a full-service Peterbilt dealership in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The purchase price was approximately $10.2 million, funded by (i) $2.7 million of cash, (ii) $3.9 million of borrowings under the Company's floor plan financing with GMAC to purchase new and used truck and parts inventory, (iii) a $750,000 interest-free advance against future accounts receivable from Interstate Billing Services, Inc. and (iv) $2.8 million payable pursuant to a note to the seller. The Company also agreed to pay the principals of Kerr an aggregate consulting fee of $2,225 per month for five years from the effective date of this offering. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis includes the Company's historical results of operations for 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, without giving effect to pro forma results of operations for the Company's Oklahoma and California operations acquired in December 1995 and February 1994, respectively, except as expressly indicated. 19 23 The following table sets forth for the years indicated certain financial data as a percentage of total revenues:
THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------- --------------- 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- New and used truck sales................... 72.5% 69.6% 72.3% 74.2% 72.8% Parts and service.......................... 22.3 25.0 21.9 20.7 21.2 Lease and rental........................... 2.0 2.7 3.8 3.3 3.8 Finance and insurance...................... 2.0 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.9 Other...................................... 1.2 0.9 0.5 0.3 0.4 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total revenues................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Cost of products sold...................... 86.9 84.0 83.9 83.0 81.5 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Gross profit............................... 13.1 16.0 16.1 17.0 18.5 Selling, general and administrative expenses................................. 10.1 12.5 11.9 13.7 14.8 Depreciation and amortization.............. 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating income........................... 2.1 2.7 3.5 2.7 3.0 Interest expense........................... 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.2 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income from continuing operations.......... 1.2% 1.7% 2.4% 1.8% 1.8% ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 Revenues Revenues increased by approximately $15.9 million, or 24.8%, from $64.0 million to $79.9 million from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996. This increase was principally a result of the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma operations in December 1995. In addition, slight gains were achieved by the Company's parts and service, lease and rental, and finance and insurance operations. Sales of new and used trucks increased by approximately $10.6 million, or 22.3%, from $47.5 million to $58.1 million from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996. The acquisition of the Oklahoma operations contributed $11.4 million of new and used truck sales, which was partially offset by a $750,000 decrease in new and used truck sales in the Company's other operations. Unit sales of new and used trucks increased by 14.6% and 48.6%, respectively, from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996, while new truck prices increased by 5.4% and used truck prices decreased by 12.2%. All of the growth in new truck unit sales and most of the growth in used truck unit sales was attributable to the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma operations. Most of the remaining increase in used truck unit sales resulted from higher sales at the Company's San Antonio, Texas facilities. New truck prices increased at a rate slightly higher than inflation, and used truck prices decreased due to an oversupply of used trucks in the market. Parts and service sales increased by approximately $3.7 million, or 27.6%, from $13.3 million to $16.9 million primarily as a result of the inclusion of the Oklahoma operations. The remaining increase was due to the addition of 18 service and body shop bays during 1995 at the Company's facilities in San Antonio, Texas (10), Lufkin, Texas (6) and Fontana, California (2). Lease and rental revenues increased by approximately $931,000, or 44.7%, from $2.1 million to $3.0 million, primarily as the result of the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma lease and rental operations in December 1995. Finance and insurance revenues increased by approximately $563,000, or 61.0%, from $923,000 to $1.5 million from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996. The majority of the increase resulted from lower borrowing costs, with the balance of the increase resulting from the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma operations in December 1995. Finance and insurance revenues have limited direct costs and, therefore, contribute a disproportionate share of operating profits. 20 24 Gross Profit Gross profit increased by approximately $3.9 million, or 35.6%, from $10.9 million to $14.8 million from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996, primarily due to the increase in revenues from the Oklahoma operations. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 17.0% to 18.5% from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996. The increase in gross margins was due to higher gross margins on new truck sales, parts, service and body shop operations. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $3.1 million, from $8.8 million to $11.8 million, or 34.9%, from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996. The majority of the increase resulted from the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma operations in December 1995. Most of the remaining increase was due to increased sales volumes. Interest Expense Interest expense increased by approximately $412,000 from $561,000 to $973,000, or 73.4%, from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996, primarily as the result of increased levels of floor plan financing associated with higher inventory levels at all locations and additional inventories associated with the inclusion of the Company's Oklahoma operations acquired in December 1995, and to a lesser extent from increases in interest rates on the Company's variable-rate borrowings and higher average outstanding debt balances. Income from Continuing Operations Income from continuing operations increased by $326,000, or 29.0% from $1.1 million to $1.5 million from the first quarter of 1995 to the first quarter of 1996, as a result of the factors described above. 1995 COMPARED TO 1994 Revenues Revenues increased by approximately $62.1 million, or 30.1%, from $206.4 million to $268.5 million from 1994 to 1995. This increase was attributable to gains achieved by each of the Company's revenue categories. Approximately one-half of the increase from 1994 to 1995 is due to the inclusion in 1995 of a full year's results of the Company's California dealership operations which were acquired in February 1994. Increased activity at the Company's San Antonio dealership was the next largest contributor to revenue growth, while the balance of the improvement came throughout all other operating locations. Sales of new and used trucks increased by approximately $50.6 million, or 35.2%, from $143.6 million to $194.2 million from 1994 to 1995. Unit sales of new and used trucks increased by 32.3% and 27.7%, respectively, during 1995. While prices of new trucks remained unchanged during 1995, used truck prices increased by 16.6%. Unit increases were attributable to the factors discussed above, while price increases resulted from increased market demand. Parts and service sales increased by approximately $7.2 million, or 13.9%, from $51.6 million to $58.8 million primarily as the result of the factors discussed above plus the addition of 18 service and body shop bays at the Company's facilities in San Antonio, Texas (10), Lufkin, Texas (6) and Fontana, California (2). Pricing information and decisions improved following the implementation of the Company's new management information systems installed in 1994. Lease and rental revenues increased by approximately $4.7 million, or 85.9%, from $5.5 million to $10.2 million, primarily as the result of (i) the inclusion of a full year of results from the California lease and rental operations, which were acquired by the Company in June 1994, and (ii) the addition of 65 trucks to the California lease and rental fleet during 1995. Finance and insurance revenues increased by approximately $351,000, or 9.3%, from $3.8 million to $4.1 million from 1994 to 1995, primarily as a result of the increased sales of new and used trucks discussed 21 25 above and an addition to the Company's insurance sales staff. Finance and insurance revenues have limited direct costs and therefore contribute a disproportionate share of operating profits. Gross Profit Gross profit increased by approximately $10.2 million, or 30.9%, from $33.0 million to $43.2 million from 1994 to 1995, primarily due to the increase in revenues discussed above. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased slightly from 16.0% to 16.1% from 1995 to 1994. Higher gross margins on new truck sales and parts and service and body shop operations offset a decrease in used truck gross margins and decreased spreads from financing activities caused by rising interest rates. Management anticipates further increases in gross margins from parts and service activities will result from the integration of distribution and inventory management information systems that was completed in the Company's Oklahoma operations in December 1995 and in its California operations in April 1996. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $6.1 million, from $25.8 million to $31.9 million, or 23.8%, from 1994 to 1995, primarily as a result of expenses associated with the California operations. The balance of the increase resulted from variable expense increases associated with higher revenues. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses declined from 12.5% to 11.9% from 1994 to 1995, due primarily to the spreading of fixed costs over a larger base of sales, improved operating efficiencies from the integration of the Company's facilities in California following their acquisition in February 1994, and implementation of the Company's management information systems and distribution and management systems discussed above. Interest Expense Interest expense increased by approximately $722,000, from $2.0 million to $2.8 million, or 35.3%, from 1994 to 1995. Almost half the increase in interest expense relates to the inclusion of California results for a full year in 1995. Increased interest expense was also due to the financing of higher inventory levels to support sales growth as well as increases in interest rates on the Company's variable-rate borrowings and higher average outstanding debt balances. Income from Continuing Operations Income from continuing operations increased by $3.0 million, or 87.2%, from $3.4 million to $6.4 million from 1994 to 1995, as a result of the factors described above. 1994 COMPARED TO 1993 Revenues Revenues increased by approximately $96.1 million, or 87.2%, from $110.3 million to $206.4 million from 1993 to 1994. This increase was attributable to gains achieved from each of the Company's revenue categories. By far the largest increase resulted from the acquisition of the Company's California facilities in February 1994. Lesser contributors to this growth were the expansion of the Company's facility in Lufkin, Texas into a full-service truck center in May of 1993, and the opening of a full-service truck center in Bossier City, Louisiana in April of 1994. Sales of new and used trucks increased by approximately $63.7 million, or 79.7%, from $79.9 million to $143.6 million from 1993 to 1994. Unit sales of new and used trucks increased by 73.6% and 37.4%, respectively. New truck prices increased by 7.7% while used truck prices decreased by 11.2%. Unit sales increases were due to the factors described above. New truck prices increased due to increased market demand, while used truck prices decreased due to the mix of trucks sold in 1994. 22 26 Parts and service sales increased by approximately $27.0 million, or 109.8%, from $24.6 million to $51.6 million from 1993 to 1994, with the California operations accounting for most of the increase. Lease and rental revenues increased by approximately $3.3 million, or 153.8%, from $2.2 million to $5.5 million from 1993 to 1994, with virtually all the growth resulting from the acquisition of the Company's California lease and rental operations in June 1994. Finance and insurance revenues increased by approximately $1.5 million, or 68.0%, from $2.2 million to $3.8 million from 1993 to 1994, primarily as a result of the increased sales of new and used trucks discussed above. Gross Profit Gross profit increased by approximately $18.6 million, or 128.3%, from $14.5 million to $33.0 million from 1993 to 1994, primarily due to the increase in revenues discussed above. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 13.1% during 1993 to 16.0% during 1994. The increase in gross margins was primarily due to the inclusion of the Company's California operations which have a relatively larger contribution of higher gross margin parts and service sales, higher gross margins on used truck sales and increased spreads on customer financings due to improved financing terms. These increases were partially offset by a slight decrease in new truck gross margins. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $14.7 million, or 132.3%, from $11.1 million to $25.8 million from 1993 to 1994, primarily as a result of the increase in revenues described above. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 10.1% to 12.5%, respectively, primarily due to relatively higher overhead associated with the Company's California facilities acquired in February 1994. Interest Expense Interest expense increased by approximately $1.1 million, or 105.2%, from approximately $1.0 million to $2.0 million, from 1993 to 1994, respectively, primarily as a result of increased levels of floor plan financing associated with increased sales and higher inventory levels during 1994, and the acquisition of the Company's California facilities in February 1994. Interest expense also increased due to higher average outstanding debt balances. Income from Continuing Operations Income from continuing operations increased by $2.1 million, or 157.1%, from $1.3 million to $3.4 million, from 1993 to 1994, as a result of the factors described above. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's short-term cash needs are primarily for working capital, including inventory requirements, expansion of existing facilities and acquisitions of new facilities. These short-term cash needs have historically been financed with retention of profits and borrowings under credit facilities available to the Company. At March 31, 1996, the Company had working capital of approximately ($491,000), including $16.3 million in accounts receivable and $41.4 million in inventories, offset by $8.2 million of accounts payable and $37.9 million outstanding under floor plan financing. The aggregate maximum borrowing limits under working capital lines of credit with various commercial banks are approximately $6.5 million. The Company's floor plan agreements with its primary lender limit the aggregate amount of borrowings based on the number of new and used trucks. As of March 31, 1996, the Company's floor plan arrangements permit the financing of up to 692 new trucks and 283 used trucks. 23 27 For 1995, operating activities resulted in net cash used in operations of approximately $5.4 million. The use of cash in operations was primarily due to higher levels of accounts receivable and inventories. Accounts receivable increased by $7.4 million during 1995, primarily as a result of a large fleet sale made at the end of the year. Inventories increased by $10.6 million during 1995 as the Company returned to normal inventory levels required to support increased sales volume and expansion and due to acquisition of Oklahoma operations. For the first quarter of 1996, operating activities resulted in net cash used in operations of $886,000, primarily as a result of a $4.9 million increase in inventories associated with increased sales volume and a continued replenishment of inventory levels, partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in accrued liabilities. During 1995, the Company used $4.7 million of net cash in investing activities, including capital expenditures of $6.3 million in 1995 that were principally related to the expansion of its San Antonio facilities, the purchase of trucks for its lease fleet, the purchase of a new corporate aircraft and other capital spending. The Company also used net cash of $2.7 million in the acquisition of its Oklahoma operations in December 1995 and received $3.6 million from the sale of discontinued operations. For the first quarter of 1996, the Company used $2.6 million of net cash in investing activities. The Company had $2.9 million in capital expenditures, principally associated with the purchase of real estate related to the Company's Oklahoma operations. Net cash provided by financing activities in 1995 amounted to $11.4 million. Cash flows from financing activities included a net increase of $13.1 million in increased floor plan financings and net proceeds from notes payable of $2.8 million. The Company paid dividends of $3.6 million on the Company's S corporation earnings to enable its shareholder to make required tax payments. For the first quarter of 1996, net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $3.1 million. Cash flows from financing activities included $3.6 million in floor plan financings as a result of higher truck inventories. The Company paid dividends of $705,000 on the Company's S corporation earnings to enable its sole shareholder to make required tax payments. During 1994, operating activities resulted in cash provided by operations of approximately $5.9 million. The provision of cash from operations was primarily due to lower levels of inventory. Inventory decreased by $1.7 million primarily due to strong demand and longer production lead times from PACCAR. The Company used $11.4 million of net cash in investing activities in 1994. The Company had capital expenditures of $2.4 million that were principally related to the acquisition of its California facilities in February 1994. Net cash provided by financing activities in 1994 amounted to $4.8 million. Cash flows from financing activities included a $6.7 million net increase in floor plan financings. The Company paid dividends of $1.5 million on the Company's S corporation earnings to enable its sole shareholder to make required tax payments. During 1995, the Company arranged financing for approximately 25% of its total new and used truck sales, with approximately 65% related to new truck sales and the remaining 35% of financing related to used truck sales. The Company's new and used truck financing is typically provided through Associates and PACCAR Financial. The Company financed approximately $53.2 million of new and used truck purchases in 1995. The Company's contracts with Associates and PACCAR Financial provide for payment to the Company of all finance charges in excess of a negotiated discount rate within 30 days of the date of financing, with such payments subject to offsets resulting from the early pay-off, or defaults under, installment contracts previously sold to Associates and PACCAR Financial by the Company. The Company's agreements with Associates and PACCAR Financial limit the aggregate liability of the Company for defaults under the installment contracts sold to Associates and PACCAR Financial to $400,000 and $200,000 per year, respectively. Substantially all of the Company's truck purchases from PACCAR are made on terms requiring payment within 15 days or less from the date of shipment of the trucks from the factory. The Company finances all, or substantially all, of the purchase price of its new truck inventory, and 75% of the loan value of its used truck inventory, under a floor plan arrangement with GMAC under which GMAC pays PACCAR directly with 24 28 respect to new trucks. The Company makes monthly interest payments on the amount financed but is not required to commence loan principal repayments prior to sale on new vehicles to GMAC for a period of 12 months and for used vehicles for a period of three months. At March 31, 1996, the Company had $37.9 million outstanding under its floor plan financing arrangement with GMAC. GMAC permits the Company to earn, for up to one-half of the amount borrowed under its floor plan financing arrangement with GMAC, interest at the prime rate on overnight funds deposited by the Company with GMAC. Following this offering GMAC will increase the amount of funds that the Company can earn interest at the prime rate to include one-half of the outstanding floor plan financing, real estate financing and the line of credit extended by GMAC. Income Taxes The Company has historically elected to be taxed as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes, and the Company's sole shareholder has been paying federal income taxes on such income directly. Dividends declared payable for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and during the three months ended March 31, 1996, to W. Marvin Rush aggregated approximately $1.3 million, $2.1 million, $4.7 million and $740,000, respectively. The Company made distributions to its sole shareholder of $1.3 million, $1.5 million, $3.6 million and $705,000 during the years ended 1993, 1994, 1995, and during the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively, in order to provide funds for the sole shareholder to pay federal income taxes. As a result of the termination of the S corporation election simultaneously with this offering, the Company will be required to record deferred taxes which relate primarily to the timing differences between financial and income tax reporting of certain items that were attributable to the periods it had elected to be treated as an S corporation. Deferred taxes will be recorded according to FASB Statement No. 109 Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires the use of the liability method of accounting for the future tax consequences of temporary differences in the accounting for certain items for financial and income tax purposes. The recording of deferred taxes will result in a one-time, non-cash charge of $421,000 against earnings as an additional income tax provision equal to the amount of the deferred tax liability. Use of Proceeds The Company plans to use approximately $11.2 million of the proceeds from the offering to repay indebtedness; approximately $3.6 million to expand and enhance its truck centers in Laredo and Houston, Texas, in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Bossier City, Louisiana; approximately $2.0 million to acquire land, construct, equip and stock a full-service truck center in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area; and approximately $1.0 million for equipment, opening inventory and leasehold improvements to open a parts/service facility in Southern California. See "Use of Proceeds." The balance of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and funds to expand by acquisition into new markets, open new truck centers in the Company's existing and new territories and to finance enhancements of other existing locations. The Company does not presently have any agreements or understandings, written or oral, with any third party regarding a potential acquisition or business combination. Pending such uses, the net proceeds will be invested under the revised arrangement with GMAC under which it will earn interest at the prime rate on overnight funds. Any remaining proceeds will be invested in government securities and other short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments. After completion of this offering and application of the net proceeds therefrom, the balance of the net proceeds of $9.6 million ($13.8 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and funds for expansion and acquisitions into new markets. Management believes that its working capital following the offering, together with anticipated cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to finance its business activity for the twelve months following this offering. 25 29 Backlog The Company enters firm orders into its backlog at the time the order is received. Customer orders are typically filled in 75 to 90 days and customers normally place orders on that basis. However, certain customers, including fleets and governments, typically place orders six months to one year in advance of their desired delivery date. The Company in the past has typically allowed customers to cancel orders at any time prior to delivery, and the Company's level of cancellations is affected by general economic conditions, economic recessions and customer business cycles. As a percentage of orders, cancellations historically have ranged from 5% to 12% of annual order volume. The Company's backlog as of March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996 was approximately $90.0 million and $95.0 million, respectively. Backlog increased principally due to the acquisition of the Company's Oklahoma operations. Seasonality The Company's business is moderately seasonal. Seasonal effects on new truck sales related to the seasonal purchasing patterns of any single customer type are mitigated by the Company's diverse customer base, including small and large fleets, governments, corporations and owner operators. However, truck, parts and service operations historically have experienced higher volumes of sales in the second and third quarters. The Company has historically received benefits from volume purchases and meeting vendor sales targets in the form of cash rebates, which are typically recognized when received. Approximately 50% of such rebates are typically received in the fourth quarter, resulting in a seasonal increase in gross profit. Cyclicality The Company's business, as well as the entire retail heavy-duty truck industry, is dependent on a number of factors relating to general economic conditions, including fuel prices, interest rate fluctuations, economic recessions and customer business cycles. In addition, unit sales of new trucks have historically been subject to substantial cyclical variation based on such general economic conditions. Although industry-wide domestic retail sales of heavy-duty trucks exceeded 200,000 units for the first time in 1995 according to the AAMA, new order volume declined toward the end of that year and the industry forecasts a decline of approximately 25% in heavy-duty new truck sales in 1996. For the first quarter of 1996, industry-wide heavy-duty truck sales declined by 15.5% compared to the first quarter of 1995, while Peterbilt heavy-duty truck sales declined 2.9% in the same period. Although the Company believes that its geographic expansion and diversification into truck-related services, including financial services, leasing, rentals and service and parts, will reduce the overall impact to the Company resulting from general economic conditions affecting heavy-duty truck sales, the Company's operations may be materially and adversely affected by any continuation or renewal of general downward economic pressures or adverse cyclical trends. Effects of Inflation The Company believes that the relatively moderate inflation over the last few years has not had a significant impact on the Company's revenue or profitability. The Company does not expect inflation to have any near-term material effect on the sales of its products, although there can be no assurance that such an effect will not occur in the future. 26 30 BUSINESS GENERAL Founded in 1965, Rush Enterprises operates a regional network of truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; after-market parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. The Company's truck centers are strategically located in high truck traffic areas on or near major highways in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The Company is the largest Peterbilt truck dealer in North America, representing approximately 14.0% of all new Peterbilt truck sales in 1995, and is the sole authorized vendor for new Peterbilt trucks and replacement parts in its market areas. The Company was named Peterbilt Dealer of the Year for North America for the 1993-1994 year. The Company believes that large, multi-location, full-service dealerships, which offer a large selection of new and used trucks, parts and sophisticated service and body shop facilities, are able to realize economies of scale and have a competitive advantage in the truck sales and services industry. The Company's growth strategy is to continue the expansion of its existing facilities, to open new facilities in its existing territories and to acquire additional Peterbilt dealerships in new territories. The Company's executive offices are located in the San Antonio, Texas truck center at 8810 I.H. 10 East, San Antonio, Texas 78219, and its mailing address is P. O. Box 34630, San Antonio, Texas 78265-4630. The Company's phone number is (210) 661-4511. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Heavy-duty trucks are primarily used for over-the-road and off-highway hauling of general freight and a number of vocational applications, including the hauling of petroleum, wood products, refuse, construction materials and other specialty uses. Trucks are purchased for commercial purposes and are outfitted to perform according to the specifications of the user. Customers include owner-operators, regional and national fleets, corporations and government organizations. Trucks marketed by the Company are typically classified in the Class 8 heavy-duty truck category. Class 8 trucks are constructed on a heavy-duty chassis, which includes the engine, drive train and operations components and have a minimum gross vehicle weight ("gvw") rating above 33,000 pounds, with the typical heavy-duty truck having a gross combined weight ("gcw") of approximately 80,000 pounds. Industry-wide negotiated sales prices for new Class 8 heavy-duty trucks generally range from $57,000 to $100,000 and negotiated sales prices for new Peterbilt trucks generally range from $65,000 to $100,000, depending upon features and component specifications. Typically, Class 8 trucks are assembled by the manufacturer utilizing certain components manufactured by other companies, including engines, transmissions, axles, wheels and other components. As trucks and truck components have become increasingly complex, including the use of computerized controls and diagnostic systems, the ability to provide state-of-the-art service for a wide variety of truck equipment has become a competitive factor in the industry. Such service requires a significant capital investment in advanced equipment, parts inventory and a high level of training of service personnel. Additionally, EPA and DOT regulatory guidelines for service processes, including body shop, paint work and waste disposal, require sophisticated operating and testing equipment to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards. Differentiation between truck dealers has become less dependent on pure price competition and is increasingly based on their ability to offer a wide variety of trucking services. These include the ability to provide easily accessible, efficient and sophisticated truck service, replacement parts, the ability to offer financing for truck purchases, leasing and rental programs and the ability to accept multiple unit trade-ins related to large fleet purchases. The United States retail heavy-duty truck industry is highly fragmented with over 1,700 dealerships nationwide, including 92 Peterbilt dealerships operating 178 locations. New heavy-duty truck sales historically 27 31 have shown a high correlation to the rate of change in industrial production and gross domestic product. According to data published by the AAMA, during 1995 new heavy-duty truck sales in the United States surpassed 200,000 units at retail for the first time, increasing by 8.4% over the 185,696 units sold in 1994 to 201,303 units sold in 1995. Since 1986, however, annual domestic retail heavy-duty truck sales have averaged approximately 142,000 units. According to R. L. Polk & Co., during 1995, 207,413 new heavy-duty trucks were registered in the United States. New Peterbilt truck registrations during this period were 20,035, for a national market share, based on new truck registrations, of 9.7%. In the Company's seven primary market areas 19,151 new heavy-duty trucks were registered, 2,657 of which were new Peterbilts, resulting in an average market share of 13.9%. BUSINESS STRATEGY The Company's business strategy is to operate an integrated full-service dealer network marketing Peterbilt heavy-duty trucks and related services in the Western and Southern regions of the United States. As part of its business strategy, the Company will seek to expand its existing dealerships, establish new full-service and parts/service Peterbilt dealerships in its existing and newly appointed territories and make strategic acquisitions of additional Peterbilt heavy-duty truck dealers in new territories. The Company has successfully implemented its business strategy which has resulted in significant market penetration within both existing and new market areas. The Company's objective is to continue to build upon this base of operations and enhance its position as a leading dealer of heavy-duty trucks and related services by emphasizing the following key elements of its business strategy. One-Stop Center. The Company has developed its "one-stop truck center" where customers can purchase new Peterbilt or used heavy-duty trucks, lease and rent heavy-duty Peterbilt trucks, as well as purchase after-market parts and accessories and have virtually any kind of truck serviced by factory-certified technicians, all at one convenient location. Rush truck centers are the sole authorized vendor for new Peterbilt trucks and replacement parts in their market areas and have expansive parts departments that display many of the parts in open showrooms in a mix tailored to local buying patterns and market trends. As part of its one-stop sales and service strategy, the Company, through Rush Financial Services, offers third-party financing and insurance products to assist customers purchasing a new or used truck, as well as truck leasing and rentals. The Company's truck centers, three of which are open 24 hours a day, six days a week for parts and service, are located on or near major highways in high truck traffic areas. The continued implementation and enhancement of its one-stop truck center concept is an integral element of the Company's business strategy. Dealership Network. The Company believes it is one of the few organizations in the heavy-duty truck sales and service industry to operate a large, multi-state, full-service dealership network in an effort to realize economies of scale. The Company believes that its expansion and increasing economies of scale have resulted in superior purchasing power, favorable financing terms and cost savings from centralized management, which have enabled the Company to maximize profitability and offer competitive prices to its customers. In addition, the Company's dealership network and consistency in service have allowed it to reinforce relationships with fleet customers and attract those customers traveling throughout the Company's territories by guaranteeing them competitive and uniform pricing for parts and service at each of its truck centers. Management believes that this has resulted in continuing customer relationships. Furthermore, because of its large size, strong relationships with fleet customers and its ability to handle large quantities of used truck trade-ins, the Company, unlike most dealers, markets and sells to fleets nationwide. The Company believes that its aggressive expansion program into California, Oklahoma and Louisiana and diversification into truck-related services, including financial services, leasing, renting and service and parts, has reduced cyclicality in the Company's operations due to geographic diversity and reduced reliance on new and used truck sales. The geographic diversity of the Company's dealer network has significantly increased the Company's customer base while ameliorating the effects of certain local and regional economic downswings that more severely affect single dealership operators. Management believes that the Company's full-service concept and continued geographic expansion will help to mitigate the adverse impact on the Company's operations resulting from reduced demand for new and used heavy-duty trucks and regional economic downturns. 28 32 Rush Truck Center Development. The Company has begun to employ a branding program for its facilities, designating each as a Rush Truck Center through distinctive signage and uniform marketing programs to enhance its name recognition and to communicate the standardized high level of quality products and services throughout its truck center network. The Company believes the Rush Truck Center strategy will increase its market recognition and encourage its customers to utilize multiple locations throughout its dealership network. Currently five locations are branded Rush Truck Centers and the Company intends to establish all of its facilities as Rush Truck Centers by December 31, 1996. Expansion in Existing and New Territories. Since 1990, the Company has opened five facilities in its existing and new territories. As part of its expansion strategy, the Company intends to continue to open both full-service and parts/service truck centers to enhance market coverage in its existing territories and to enter newly appointed territories. In identifying new areas for expansion and acquisition, the primary focus of the Company is the market's historic level of new heavy-duty truck registrations, customer buying trends and the availability of suitable facilities. Management currently plans to open a full-service truck center in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area and parts/service facilities in Southern California, during 1996 and early 1997. The parts/service truck centers offer a variety of product and service combinations, including parts, rental and leasing services; parts, service and body shop facilities; and parts only. Management often analyzes the performance of a parts/service truck center as a factor to determine whether a full-service facility is warranted in a market area. The Company's truck centers in Lufkin and Laredo, Texas, and Bossier City, Louisiana, were originally opened as parts/service facilities and later expanded into full-service dealerships. The Company also intends to continue to open parts/service facilities in areas of its territory to maximize market coverage. PACCAR typically evaluates the management and capitalization of a prospective dealer in determining whether to grant such prospective dealer additional Peterbilt territories. The Company believes that its management and capitalization allow it to effectively compete for such additional dealership locations. Although the Company does not have exclusive territories, management believes that it is unlikely that PACCAR will create additional dealerships in the market areas in which the Company currently operates. The Company is not aware of any policies of PACCAR that would limit its ability to continue to acquire additional Peterbilt dealerships; however, there can be no assurance that PACCAR will not object to ownership concentration of Peterbilt dealerships beyond a certain level. Expansion by Acquisition. The Company has, since 1990, acquired four full-service and two parts/service truck centers, and its current expansion plan focuses beyond its existing presence in Texas, California, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Company's operating strategy and management systems establish a framework for continued acquisitions into the foreseeable future. Management believes that it can improve the operating results of acquired dealers as a result of economies of scale, sophisticated management information systems, purchasing power, merchandising capability and the introduction of enhanced financial services and products. The Company implemented its operating strategy at two full-service Peterbilt locations and parts stores acquired in California in February 1994, and has begun to implement its strategy at two full-service locations and a stand-alone leasing facility acquired in Oklahoma in December 1995. The previous owner of the California facilities sold 512 new Peterbilt trucks during 1993. During 1995, the first full year of operations under Rush management, the Company sold 887 new Peterbilt trucks from the same facilities. This annualized increase in sales of 31.6% was greater than the 12.9% annualized increase reported by AAMA for the overall Class 8 heavy-duty retail truck market. Additionally, the Company believes that the California facilities have demonstrated significantly improving financial performance since being acquired by the Company. Any prospective acquisition which the Company may be able to negotiate would require the willingness of PACCAR to accept the Company as a Peterbilt dealer at such additional retail locations. Although the Company is constantly evaluating acquisition opportunities, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Company does not have any agreements or understandings, written or oral, with any third party regarding a potential acquisition or business combination. 29 33 TRUCK CENTERS The Company currently operates eight full-service and six parts/service truck centers in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Rush truck centers are strategically located in high truck traffic areas on or near major highways. The Company's original dealership opened in Houston, Texas in 1965, and, since 1990, the Company has grown through a combination of acquisitions and new store openings in its existing and newly-appointed territories. The Company currently operates three full-service truck centers in Texas, two in Southern California, two in Oklahoma and one in Louisiana. The full-service truck centers provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial products. The Company's six parts/service facilities offer a variety of product and service combinations in areas of the Company's markets to maximize market coverage. Three of the Company's truck centers are open 24 hours a day, six days a week for parts and services. The Company's plans include the opening of a full-service truck center in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area and a parts/service facility in Southern California, during 1996 and early 1997. The full-service truck centers range in size from 13,500 to 73,000 square feet, with from six to 50 service bays, and are situated on lots ranging from three to 14 acres, while the parts/service facilities range in size from 2,500 to 6,200 square feet, with from six to 25 service bays, and are situated on lots ranging from 0.4 to five acres. The typical full-service Rush truck center displays between 10 and 100 new and used trucks, has six to 40 repair and maintenance service bays, four to 20 body shop bays, one to four paint bays, an open retail parts showroom ranging from 600 to 2,000 square feet, a parts warehouse ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 square feet and administrative and sales offices ranging from 1,000 to 7,000 square feet with facility characteristics determined by market needs. Set forth below is a summary description of each the Company's facilities:
DATE OPENED FINANCING RUSH TRUCK OR TRUCK LEASING AND CENTER LOCATION ACQUIRED METHOD SALES SERVICE PARTS BODY SHOP AND RENTING INSURANCE - ----------------------- -------- ----------- ----- ------- ----- --------- ----------- --------- Existing Truck Centers San Antonio, TX........ 1968 Start-up -- -- -- -- -- Houston, TX(1)......... 1988 Start-up -- -- Houston, TX(1)......... 1988 Start-up -- -- -- (2) Houston, TX............ 1993 Start-up -- -- -- (3) Houston, TX............ 1993 Start-up -- -- -- Lufkin, TX............. 1991 Start-up -- -- -- -- -- Laredo, TX............. 1993 Start-up -- -- -- -- (4) -- Bossier City, LA....... 1994 Start-up -- -- -- -- -- Pico Rivera, CA........ 1994 Acquisition -- -- -- -- -- -- Sun Valley, CA......... 1994 Acquisition -- Fontana, CA............ 1994 Acquisition -- -- -- -- -- -- Tulsa, OK.............. 1995 Acquisition -- -- -- -- -- Oklahoma City, OK...... 1995 Acquisition -- -- -- -- (5) -- Oklahoma City, OK...... 1995 Acquisition -- -- -- Planned Truck Centers Rio Grande Valley, 1996-97 Start-up -- -- -- -- -- TX................... Southern CA............ 1996-97 Start-up -- --
- --------------- (1) The Company started a full-service dealership in Houston, Texas in 1965, which was sold in 1979. The Company reacquired the dealership in 1988. (2) Paint shop only. (3) Operating at another location in Houston from 1988 to 1993. (4) Trailer repair shop. (5) Body shop under construction to be completed in late 1996. 30 34 TRUCK SALES New Truck Sales. Rush truck centers sell new trucks which are marketed under the Peterbilt nameplate primarily in the Class 8 diesel category. The Company also markets Class 7 Peterbilt trucks (having a gvw rating of 26,001 to 33,000 pounds), Peterbilt refuse chassis and cement mixer chassis, GMC medium-duty trucks and, at its Oklahoma facilities, Volvo Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. The Company's new Class 8 Peterbilt trucks, which are manufactured and supplied to the Company by PACCAR, constitute over 90% of all new trucks sold by the Company. Peterbilt trucks have a reputation as premium-quality vehicles which are skillfully designed and driver friendly, and are typically customized to satisfy the requirements of its customers. Peterbilt's premium reputation is an important aspect of the Company's marketing of new and used trucks and management believes that such reputation has resulted in relatively higher resale prices for used Peterbilt trucks. New heavy-duty truck sales are the largest segment of the Company's business, accounting for approximately 61% of total revenues in 1995. The Company's customers use Peterbilt heavy-duty trucks for over-the-road and off-highway handling of virtually all materials, including general freight, petroleum, wood products, refuse and construction materials. PACCAR purchases major truck components, such as engines, transmissions, tires, wheels and axles from other manufacturers, pursuant to each customer's specifications, to assemble its new trucks. The Company sells approximately 75% of its new heavy-duty trucks according to customer order, and the remaining 25% are sold out of inventory at its truck centers. It takes between 60 days and six months for the Company to receive delivery from PACCAR on a new truck order from the time an order is placed. A new Peterbilt heavy-duty truck typically ranges in negotiated price from $65,000 to $100,000, while a typical Class 8 truck ranges in negotiated price from $57,000 to $100,000. The Company aggressively markets to regional and national fleets, with approximately 59% of all unit sales to fleet customers (those that purchase more than five trucks in a single 12-month period) and the balance of new truck sales to other owner-operators, corporations and local governments. An important competitive issue for the Company's customers is driver retention, with a typical fleet averaging in excess of 100% driver turnover annually. Management believes Peterbilt trucks, due to their premium reputation and attractiveness to the drivers, are increasingly being used by major fleets and carriers as incentives to attract new drivers and retain existing drivers. The Company has a competitive advantage in that it can absorb multi-unit trade-ins often associated with fleet sales of new trucks and disperse the used trucks for resale throughout its dealership network. Because of its large size, strong relationships with fleet customers and its ability to handle large quantities of used truck trade-ins, the Company, unlike most dealers, markets and sells to fleets nationwide. Additionally, the Company believes that its attention to customer service and its broad range of trucking services, including its ability to offer truck financing and insurance, has resulted in a high level of customer loyalty. During 1995, approximately 75% of the Company's truck sales were to repeat customers. The Company sold 2,263 and 642 new trucks in 1995 and in the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively, compared with 1,705 and 560 in 1994 and in the three months ended March 31, 1995, respectively, excluding Kerr's operations prior to its acquisition. Used Truck Sales. The Company sells used heavy-duty trucks of numerous manufacturers, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack and Navistar. The Company is well positioned to market used heavy-duty trucks due to its ability to recondition used trucks for resale utilizing its parts and service departments and to shift inventory from location to location to satisfy customer demand. Approximately 85% of the Company's used truck fleet is comprised of trucks taken as trade-ins by new truck customers to be used as all or part of the new truck customer's down payment, and the remainder are purchased from third parties for resale on the Company's retail lots. The Company's used truck sales staff is trained to evaluate each prospective used truck on the basis of wholesale value and the costs of delivery, reconditioning and otherwise making the truck ready for sale. In a fleet purchase of several new trucks, not all of the trucks traded in will be suitable for sale on a Rush truck center's retail lot. Trucks that are not acceptable are typically sold at wholesale. Most used trucks acquired by the Company require some reconditioning prior to resale. The reconditioning process generally takes between one and three weeks, depending on the type of services to be performed. The Company utilizes its on-site 31 35 parts, service and body shop facilities to perform such reconditioning services. Unlike new trucks, the majority of the Company's used trucks are sold "as is" and without manufacturer's warranty, although manufacturers sometimes provide limited warranties on used vehicles if they have been reconditioned at a Rush truck center prior to resale or if the manufacturer's warranty is transferrable and has not yet expired. The Company closely monitors the age and quality of its used truck inventory and transfers such inventory between truck centers in order to maximize inventory turnover, avoid inventory overstock and understock situations and satisfy customer demand. The Company sold approximately 1,135 and 327 used trucks during 1995 and in the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively, compared with 889 and 220 used trucks in 1994 and in the three months ended March 31, 1995, respectively, excluding Kerr's operations prior to its acquisition. FINANCIAL SERVICES As part of its one-stop sales and service strategy, the Company offers third-party financing and insurance products to assist customers purchasing a new or used truck. The Company also offers truck leasing and rentals at five of its locations. Revenues from financial services were $17.7 million in 1995, or 5.3%, of total revenues. New and Used Truck Financing. Each new and used truck customer is directed by the Company's truck sales staff to the Company's financial services sales personnel. The Company, through Associates, the largest third-party provider of heavy-duty truck financing in North America, and PACCAR Financial, financed approximately $53.2 million of new and used truck purchases by customers in 1995, an increase of 17.0% from the $45.5 million financed in 1994, excluding Kerr's operations prior to its acquisition. The Company financed approximately $13.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 1996, an increase of 19.3% from the $16.1 million financed during the three months ended March 31, 1995. The Company is one of the largest originators of Class 8 heavy-duty truck loans for Associates. At times, the Company also acts as a broker, matching truck purchasers with alternative financing sources in exchange for a fee that is determined on a case-by-case basis. During 1995, the Company arranged customer financing for approximately 25% of its total new and used truck sales, with approximately 65% related to new truck sales and the remaining 35% of financing related to used truck sales, excluding Kerr's operations prior to its acquisition. The financings are typically installment contracts, which are secured by the trucks financed, and generally require a down payment of 10% to 30%, with the remaining balance financed over two to five years. The Company presents all of its financing opportunities in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana to Associates and its financing opportunities in California to PACCAR Financial. Approximately 75% of the principal amount financed by the Company under installment contracts during 1995 was financed through Associates, with the remainder financed through PACCAR Financial. The Company's contracts with Associates and PACCAR Financial provide for payment to the Company of all finance charges in excess of a negotiated discount rate within 30 days of the date of financing. Such payments are subject to offsets resulting from the early pay-off of, or defaults under, installment contracts previously sold to Associates and PACCAR Financial by the Company. The Company has been able to negotiate favorable discount rates with Associates and PACCAR Financial because of its low historical delinquency rate, and, with respect to Associates, the large volume of trucks financed. Associates and PACCAR Financial analyze each customer's credit risk and determine whether they will extend credit and the minimum terms for doing so. The Company evaluates the standards prescribed by Associates and PACCAR Financial and determines whether it is agreeable to completing the financing on such terms. The Company often requires an increased down payment, higher finance charges or additional collateral in order to complete the financing. The Company's agreements with Associates and PACCAR Financial limit the aggregate recourse liability of the Company for defaults under the installment contracts sold to Associates and PACCAR Financial to $400,000 and $200,000 per year, respectively. The Company carefully monitors its outstanding installment contracts and actively communicates with Associates and PACCAR Financial regarding delinquent accounts. Over the last five years, the default rate on loans originated by the Company has averaged less than 0.5% per year. The Company has not in the past 32 36 experienced significant losses resulting from defaults on loans, and such losses have historically been significantly less than the amount of its total recourse liability. Truck Leasing and Rental. The Company engages in full-service Peterbilt truck leasing under the PacLease trade name at five of its locations. Under the terms of a full-service lease, all parts sales, service and maintenance for the lease or rental trucks is performed at the Company's facilities. The Company has increased its lease and rental fleet from less than 100 trucks in 1993 to approximately 524 trucks at March 31, 1996. The Company owns approximately 13.0% of its lease and rental fleet, and approximately 87.0% of the fleet is leased from PACCAR. The Company was named PacLease Western Region Franchise of the Year in 1995. The Company offers both long-term leasing and short-term rentals to its customers. Approximately 80% of the Company's fleet is leased to customers for periods ranging from two to five years, and the remainder of the trucks are rented or leased for periods ranging from one day to two years. The Company generally holds trucks in its lease and rental fleet for approximately five years and then typically sells such used trucks through its truck centers. The Company has consistently realized gains on the sale of such trucks in excess of lease purchase option values. The Company constantly monitors the age of its lease and rental fleet, and as trucks are taken out of the fleet, the Company adds new trucks as needed. The average age of trucks in the Company's lease and rental fleet is 33 months. The Company's lease and rental customers provide a market to support the Company's parts and service operations by creating additional parts sales and service work for the Company. The Company also receives a rebate from PACCAR for each Peterbilt truck purchased for use in its lease fleet. Insurance Agency Services. The Company sells a complete line of property and casualty insurance, including collision and liability insurance on trucks, cargo insurance, standard automobile liability coverages, life, credit life and health, workers' compensation coverages and homeowner's insurance. The Company's agents are licensed in 25 states to sell insurance for various insurance companies, including Associates Insurance and Motors Insurance Corporation, which underwrite the products offered by the Company. While the Company sells a majority of its insurance products to its truck-purchasing customers, the Company also sells to the general public. The Company believes it has developed good relationships with its insurance-purchasing customers which resulted in an average renewal rate of 88% during 1995. The Company provides insurance premium financing to its insurance customers. Lending operations are supported by the Company's insurance subsidiary's own capital base. Premiums for property and casualty insurance are typically payable at the time a policy is placed in force or renewed. The Company's premium financing services allow the insured to pay a portion of the premium when the policy is placed in force and the balance in monthly installments substantially over the life of the policy. As security, the Company retains a contractual right to cancel the insurance policy if a premium installment is not paid when due. In the event of such cancellation, the Company applies the unearned premium toward the payment obligation of the insured. Premium financing which the Company offers to its customers does not involve any credit risk since no funds are advanced to outside parties and the Company is fully secured by the unearned premiums on the financed policies. PARTS, SERVICE AND BODY SHOP OPERATIONS The parts, service and body shop operations of the Company provide relatively higher profit margins and tend to be less cyclical than new and used truck sales. Parts, service and body shop revenues accounted for approximately $70.3 million, or 21.1%, of the Company's total revenues in 1995. Parts. Each Rush truck center carries a wide variety of Peterbilt and other parts inventory, with an average of approximately 4,500 items from over 30 suppliers at each location. The Company is the sole authorized Peterbilt parts and accessories supplier in each of its markets and estimates that approximately 80% of its service and parts functions are performed on Peterbilt heavy-duty trucks. The parts departments support the Company's sales and service functions. The Company utilizes its parts department when performing its repair, maintenance and body shop services, including all parts required to 33 37 recondition used trucks for resale and maintain and repair the Company's lease fleet. In addition to supporting the Company's service and body shop functions, the Company markets its parts and accessories both at its truck centers and through its outside sales staff. The Company's outside sales staff markets parts directly to fleet customers, who often perform truck maintenance and repairs at their own in-house service facilities. The Company's real-time inventory management tracking system reduces delays in parts delivery, helps maximize inventory turns and assists in controlling the potential of overstock and understock situations. The Company's inventory system also assists management in determining the appropriate parts inventory mix in each location and tailoring such inventory to local buying patterns and market trends, while monitoring product mix to optimize pricing and maximize profit margins. The Company's automated reordering system assists each truck center in maintaining the proper inventory levels and permits inventory delivery to each location, or directly to customers, typically within 24 hours from the time the order is placed. The Company provides the standard manufacturer's warranty on the parts that it sells, which is generally a 90-day to one-year replacement guarantee. The Company displays many of its higher margin parts and accessory items in open showrooms. Open parts showrooms are typically 600 to 2,000 square feet and feature up to 1,000 parts items and accessories in a mix tailored to local buying patterns and market trends. In order to maximize turnover, open parts showrooms are located near driver lounges and other high traffic areas of its truck centers. The Company encourages qualified customers to open accounts for parts purchases. Service and Body Shop. Rush truck centers feature various combinations of fully equipped service and body shop facilities capable of handling almost any type of truck repair on virtually any type of truck, from rebuilding entire trucks and engines to routine maintenance functions, including tune-ups, oil changes, tire balancing, front-end alignments and inspections. Rush truck centers offer such services in a relaxed and accommodating atmosphere. Most Rush truck centers have driver lounges equipped with televisions, recliners, sofas, phones and food and beverage machines to allow drivers to sleep, relax or conduct business while waiting for service to be performed. To simplify the buying process, the Rush truck centers offer "menu" pricing of service and body shop functions and offer expedited service at a premium price for certain routine repair and maintenance functions. The Company has a total of 266 service bays, including 11 paint bays, throughout its network. The Company performs both warranty and non-warranty service work, with the cost of the warranty work being reimbursed by the manufacturer at retail consumer rates. The Company estimates that approximately 20% of its service functions are performed under manufacturers' warranties. Rush truck centers are Peterbilt designated warranty service centers and most are authorized service centers for a number of manufacturers of heavy-duty truck components, including Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, Eaton and Rockwell. Manufacturers permit warranty work to be performed only at designated warranty service centers. To enhance accuracy and timeliness in payment of warranty claims, the Company maintains a computerized system for sending warranty claims to PACCAR and various other manufacturers. The Company's service and body shop facilities, three of which are open 24 hours a day, six days a week, are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and diagnostic equipment and staffed by manufacturer-trained and certified service technicians. The Company's service technicians perform full-service truck repairs and make-ready on Peterbilt and virtually any other type of heavy-duty truck. Rush truck centers' factory-certified service employees regularly attend manufacturer-sponsored training programs to remain abreast of current diagnostic and repair and maintenance techniques. The Company employs an innovative compensation program for its service technicians designed to encourage the performance of expedited and high quality repair and maintenance services. Rather than paying service technicians on an hourly basis, each technician receives a flat rate for each service or repair performed. If a service or repair is performed incorrectly, the technician making the initial repair or service must correct the situation without additional compensation. This compensation arrangement facilitates the retention of efficient service technicians who can increase their compensation by expeditiously and accurately completing service and repairs. The Company's body shops, which include multiple EPA approved paint bays, are fully equipped to make virtually any type of truck body repair, from complete reconstruction of truck frames damaged in accidents to 34 38 repairs and replacements of hoods, body panels and fenders. Rush truck centers' body shops are also used to refurbish trucks in need of updating due to changes in industry standards or to satisfy regulatory guidelines. SALES AND MARKETING The Company's aggressive expansion program and long history of operations have resulted in a customer base that is diverse in terms of geography, industry and scale of operations. The Company's customers include owner-operators, regional and national fleets, corporations and local governments, none of which accounted for more than 5% of its total sales in 1995. Because of its large size, strong relationships with fleet customers and its ability to handle large quantities of used truck trade-ins, the Company, unlike most dealers, markets and sells to fleets nationwide. Management also believes that the consistently reliable service received by customers at each Rush truck center and the Company's longevity have resulted in increased recognition of the "Rush" name, customer loyalty and continuing customer relationships. During 1995, approximately 75% of the Company's truck sales were to repeat customers. The Company believes that large, multi-location, full-service dealerships, which offer a large selection of new and used trucks, parts and sophisticated service and body shop facilities, are able to realize economies of scale and have a competitive advantage in the truck sales and services industry. As part of its strategy, the Company has begun to employ a Rush Truck Center branding program for its facilities to enhance the Company's name recognition and to communicate the standardized high level of quality products and services throughout its truck center network. The Company intends to brand each of its facilities as a Rush Truck Center through distinctive signage and uniform marketing programs. Currently five locations are branded as Rush Truck Centers and the Company intends to establish all of its facilities as Rush Truck Centers by December 31, 1996. The Company generally promotes its trucks and related services through its sales staff, trade magazine advertisements and attendance at industry shows, including the International Truck Show and the Southwest Trucking Show. In addition to cultivating walk-in customers, the Company's sales staff also makes customer visits and participates in organizations that support industries that utilize the Company's trucks. The Company uses its proprietary direct mail database to distribute its bi-monthly truck magazine, which includes new and used truck and parts specials, and other marketing materials to over 50,000 existing and potential customers. Support of the industry is achieved through membership and support of trucking organizations, such as the American Truck Dealers and American Trucking Association. In addition, the Company has a world-wide web site on the Internet featuring truck and parts specials at http://www.rushtruckcenters.com. The Company's new truck sales staff consists of 85 employees, including a national sales manager and six regional sales managers. Used trucks are sold through 13 used truck sales personnel, including a national sales manager and four regional sales managers. The sales staff at each Rush truck center receives sales training, instruction on technical and operating aspects of the trucks and education with respect to the industries in which such trucks are utilized, including the waste-disposal, construction and forestry industries. The sales staff of each Rush truck center is compensated on a commission and salary basis, with a high percentage of compensation based on commission. The Company has approximately 110 parts and service sales employees, including one national parts and service director, one national parts manager, one national service manager, 15 regional service managers and 10 regional parts managers. The Company sells parts in conveniently located open showrooms and parts counters at its truck centers and directly to fleet customers through its outside sales staff. The direct marketing to its fleet customers is intended to position the Company as the primary supplier of parts to such customers, who often perform truck maintenance and repairs at their own in-house service facilities. FACILITY MANAGEMENT Personnel. Each Rush truck center is managed by a general manager who oversees the operations, personnel and the financial performance of the location, subject to the direction of the Company's corporate office. Each Rush truck center is also typically staffed by a sales manager, parts manager, service manager, sales representatives, parts employees, and other service and make-ready employees. The sales staff of each 35 39 Rush truck center is compensated on a salary plus commission basis, with a high percentage of compensation based on commission, while the general manager, parts manager and service manager receive a combination of salary and performance bonus, with a high percentage of compensation based on the performance bonus. The Company believes that its employees are among the highest paid in the truck sales industry. General managers annually prepare detailed monthly forecasts and monthly profit and loss statements based upon historical information and projected trends and an element of each general manager's compensation is determined by meeting or exceeding these operating plans. During the year, general managers regularly review their Rush truck center's progress with senior management and make appropriate adjustments as needed. All employees of the Company undergo annual performance evaluations. The Company has been successful in retaining its senior management, general managers and other employees. The average tenure of the Company's current senior management is 13 years, and the average tenure of its current truck centers general managers is 10 years with the Company. To promote communication and efficiency in operating standards, general managers and members of senior management attend several Company-wide strategy sessions per year. In addition, management personnel attend various industry-sponsored leadership and management seminars and receive continuing education on Peterbilt products, marketing strategies and management information systems. Members of senior management regularly travel to each location to provide on-site management and support. Each location is audited twice a year for administrative record-keeping, human resources and environmental compliance matters. The Company has instituted succession planning pursuant to which employees in each truck center are groomed as assistant managers to assume management responsibilities in existing and future dealerships. Purchasing and Suppliers. The Company believes that pricing is an important element of its marketing strategy. Because of its size, the Company benefits from volume purchases at favorable prices that permit it to achieve a competitive pricing position in the industry. The Company purchases its Peterbilt heavy-duty truck inventory and Peterbilt parts and accessories directly from PACCAR. All other manufacturers' parts and accessories, including those of Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar and others are purchased through wholesale vendors or from PACCAR, who buys such products in bulk for resale to the Company and other Peterbilt dealers. All purchasing, volume and pricing levels and commitments are negotiated by the Company's corporate headquarters. The Company has been able to negotiate favorable terms, which facilitates the Company's ability to offer competitive prices for its products. Management Information Systems. Each Rush truck center maintains a centralized real-time inventory tracking system which is accessible simultaneously by all locations and by the Company's corporate office. The Company utilizes the information assimilated from its management information systems to determine and monitor the appropriate inventory level at each facility. From this information, management has developed a model reflecting historic sales levels of different product lines. This information identifies the appropriate level and mix of inventory and forms the basis of the Company's operating plan. The Company's management information systems and databases are also used to monitor market conditions, sales information and assess product and expansion strategies. Information received from state and regulatory agencies, manufacturers and industry contacts allows the Company to determine market share statistics and gross volume sales numbers for its products as well as those of competitors. This information impacts ongoing operations by allowing the Company to remain abreast of changes within the market and allows management to react accordingly by realigning product lines and by adding new product lines and models. Distribution and Inventory Management. The Company utilizes its real-time inventory management tracking system to maintain a close link between each truck center. This link allows for a timely and cost-effective sharing of managerial and sales information as well as the prompt transfer of inventory among various locations. The transfer of inventory reduces delays in delivery, helps maximize inventory turns and assists in controlling problems created by overstock and understock situations. The Company is linked directly to its major suppliers, including PACCAR and GMC, via real-time satellite communication links for purposes of ordering and inventory management. These automated reordering and satellite communication systems allow 36 40 the Company to maintain proper inventory levels and permit the Company to have inventory delivered to its locations, or directly to customers, typically within 24 hours of an order being placed. RECENT ACQUISITIONS California Facilities. In February 1994, the Company consummated the purchase of all of the assets of Engs, an entity owning three full-service Peterbilt dealerships located in Pico Rivera, Fontana and Ventura, California, and a parts store located in Sun Valley, California. As part of the Company's acquisition strategy, the Company closed the Ventura facility in August 1994, consolidating its operations into the remaining facilities. This acquisition provided the Company with an immediate market presence in Southern California. The purchase price was approximately $9.6 million, funded by (i) $3.1 million of cash, (ii) $5.4 million of borrowings under the Company's floor plan financing with GMAC to purchase new and used truck inventory, and (iii) $984,000 payable pursuant to a note to the seller. In June 1994, the Company purchased the related leasing and truck rental operations of Engs for $300,000 in cash. In addition, the Company entered into a five-year consulting agreement with two principals of the seller under which they are paid an aggregate of $12,500 per month. One of the former employees of Engs became a 10% partner in the acquired business, and the Company subsequently purchased this interest in August 1995 for cash consideration of approximately $435,000. The previous owner of the California facilities sold 512 new Peterbilt trucks during 1993, whereas the Company sold 887 new Peterbilt trucks from the same facilities during 1995, the first full year of operations under Rush management. This annualized increase in sales of 31.6% was greater than the 12.9% annualized increase reported by AAMA for the overall Class 8 heavy-duty retail truck market. Additionally, the Company believes that the California facilities have demonstrated significantly improving financial performance since being acquired by the Company. Oklahoma Facilities. In December 1995, the Company acquired the assets of Kerr, which consisted of a full-service Peterbilt dealership and stand-alone leasing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a full-service Peterbilt dealership in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The sales mix of such facilities has historically been similar to that of the Company. The acquisition of such facilities provides the Company with an immediate market presence in the state of Oklahoma. The purchase price was approximately $10.2 million, funded by (i) $2.7 million of cash, (ii) $3.9 million of borrowings under the Company's floor plan financing with GMAC to purchase new and used truck and parts inventory, (iii) a $750,000 interest-free advance against future accounts receivable, and (iv) $2.8 million payable pursuant to a note to the seller. The Company also agreed to pay the principals of Kerr an aggregate consulting fee of $2,225 per month for five years from the effective date of this offering. COMPETITION There is significant competition both within the markets currently being served by the Company and in new markets into which the Company may enter. Dealer competition continues to increase based on accessibility of dealership location, the number of the Company's dealership locations, price, value, quality and design of the product as well as attention to customer service (including technical service). The Company believes that it is competitive in all of these categories. Despite being what the Company believes to be one of the largest dealers in the industry in terms of total revenues, during 1995 the Company accounted for approximately 1.3% of all new Class 8 truck sales in North America. The Company's products compete with Class 8 and Class 7 trucks made by other manufacturers and sold through competing independent and factory-owned truck dealerships, including trucks manufactured by Navistar (International), Mack, Freightliner, Volvo, Ford, Western Star, other Class 8 trucks manufactured by PACCAR (Kenworth) and other manufacturers. Management believes it is able to effectively compete with dealerships and service providers on the basis of overall Peterbilt product quality, reputation and name recognition as well as its ability to provide full parts and service support, financing and insurance and other customer services, at easily accessible locations in high truck traffic areas on or near major highways. 37 41 DEALERSHIP AGREEMENTS PACCAR. The Company has entered into non-exclusive dealership agreements (the "Dealership Agreements") with PACCAR with respect to each of the Company's territories. The Dealership Agreements each have current terms expiring between February 1997 and December 1998 and may be terminated by PACCAR upon a violation by the Company of the provisions contained therein. Upon the expiration of the term of the Dealership Agreements, written renewals of such agreements must be executed by PACCAR. Any termination or non-renewal of the Dealership Agreements must be done by PACCAR in accordance with both state and federal legislation designed to protect dealers from arbitrary termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements. The Automobile Dealers Day in Court Act and applicable state laws provide that termination or non-renewal of a dealership agreement must be done in "good faith" and upon a showing of "good cause" by the manufacturer for such termination or non-renewal, as those terms have been defined by statute and case law. The Company has consistently had its Dealership Agreements renewed and the Company anticipates obtaining renewals in the future. However, no assurances can be given that such renewals will be obtained. PACCAR agreed to an amendment to the Dealership Agreements in order to permit this offering. The Company is not required to pay a royalty fee under the Dealership Agreements. Rather, the Company has agreed to stock, sell at retail and service Peterbilt trucks and products in its defined market areas. Pursuant to the terms of the Dealership Agreements, the Company is entitled to use the "Peterbilt" name, trade symbols and intellectual property. PACCAR periodically furnishes the Company general and specialized truck and parts sales and other service and technical training programs and makes available to the Company copies of service manuals and bulletins, publications and technical data to assist in the effective operation of the Company's services and parts operations. PACCAR also makes available field personnel who periodically advise the Company on sales, parts and service related subjects, including fleet sales, product quality, technical adjustments, repair, replacement and sale of products, customer relations, warranty administration, and service and parts merchandising, training and management. PACCAR maintains general advertising and promotion programs for the sale of Peterbilt products. Each of the Company's dealerships is required to establish and maintain a ratio of net working capital to total assets ranging from .05 to .25 as provided in its Dealership Agreement. If at any time a dealership's net working capital falls below the minimum requirements as determined from time to time by PACCAR, the dealership is required to take steps reasonably necessary to meet such minimum capital requirements. The Company has had no problem in the past satisfying such minimum capitalization requirements and does not anticipate any problems through fiscal 1996. The Dealership Agreements also require the Company to maintain a uniform accounting system designated by PACCAR and provide PACCAR with monthly financial and operating data. The Company is required to provide 60 days' prior written notice to PACCAR before it enters into a written agreement to sell and service the competitive vehicles of another truck manufacturer. The purpose of the notice is to provide PACCAR with an opportunity to evaluate and discuss with the Company the likely effect of such an action on the Company, PACCAR and the other Peterbilt dealers. In the event of a change of control of the Company, the Dealership Agreement may be immediately terminated by PACCAR. For this purpose, a change of control occurs (i) if the Dealer Principals (W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush, Robin M. Rush and other executives of the Company) in the aggregate own less than 30% of the capital stock entitled to vote on the election of directors of the Company, or (ii) if any "person" (as that term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than the Dealer Principals or any person who has been approved in writing by PACCAR, either (x) owns a greater percentage of the capital stock entitled to vote on the election of directors of the Company than the Dealer Principals in the aggregate, or (y) holds the office of Chairman of the Board, President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In the event that the Company were to find it necessary or advisable to sell any of its Peterbilt dealership locations, PACCAR retains the right of first refusal to purchase such dealership location in any proposed sale. The change of control and right of first refusal provisions may have anti-takeover effects. In addition to its dealership agreements with PACCAR, the Company is also an authorized dealer for Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation ("Volvo") and General Motors Corporation ("GMC") at certain of the Company's locations. 38 42 Volvo. The Company is an authorized, exclusive retail dealer of new Volvo trucks and parts at its Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma facilities. As part of the dealership agreement with Volvo (the "Volvo Agreement"), the Company is granted the right to use various Volvo trademarks in the conduct of its business and the benefit of Volvo materials and training. In order to remain in compliance with the terms of the Volvo Agreement, the Company must meet certain sales, service and facilities criteria established by Volvo, provide Volvo with various financial and planning documents on a regular basis and provide warranty repairs on covered Volvo trucks. The Volvo Agreement is effective through March 31, 2000 and is renewed annually unless terminated according to the provisions of the Volvo Agreement. The occurrence of any of the following events constitutes grounds for termination by Volvo: (a) ownership of a majority of the capital stock of the Company by persons other than W. Marvin Rush and members of his family; (b) disputes among, or actions by, the Controlling Individuals which may adversely affect the reputation of Volvo; (c) the sale by the Company of any of its principal operating assets; (d) the sale or transfer of the Volvo Agreement to an unauthorized party; and (e) the occurrence of various other material breaches enumerated in the Volvo Agreement which are typical of dealership agreements. GMC. Under the Company's non-exclusive dealership Agreement with GMC (the "GMC Agreement"), GMC provides the Company with, among other things, trucks, parts and training in the sales and service of GMC medium-duty trucks. GMC also allows the Company to use various GMC licenses, trade symbols and intellectual property owned by GMC. The Company is obligated to conform its operations to the standards established by the GMC Agreement and ongoing reviews of the Company's facilities and operations. The obligations of the Company include maintaining minimum size and appearance standards for its dealership facilities, maintaining its accounting records in conformance with GMC standards, performing GMC warranty repairs and responsibly promoting the sale and service of GMC products throughout the Company's assigned territory. The GMC Agreement is effective through October 31, 2000 and may be terminated by GMC in specific circumstances. The GMC Agreement is based on the personal relationship between GMC and the Dealer Operators (W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush and Robin M. Rush) and prohibits any attempted assignment, including upon the death or incapacity of one or more of the Dealer Operators, of the GMC Agreement to a third party which is not expressly approved by GMC. With regard to any proposed assignment of the GMC Agreement, GMC retains a right of first refusal on any offers to purchase the GMC Agreement. The Company is also prohibited from making any transfer of more than a ten percent equity interest in the Company without the consent of GMC. Some of the additional grounds upon which GMC may terminate the GMC Agreement are: (a) material conflicts with GMC over the Company's facilities and operations; (b) misconduct by the Company or the Dealer Operators; or (c) failure to maintain the specified net capital requirement and an open line of credit pursuant to the terms of the GMC Agreement. The Company has remained in compliance with the terms of the GMC Agreement and anticipates no conflicts through 1996. The Company believes that the change of ownership resulting from this offering will violate the GMC Agreement and that such agreements will be terminable by GMC after the completion of the offering. The termination of the GMC Agreement would not have a material adverse impact on the Company. FLOOR PLAN FINANCING Substantially all of the Company's truck purchases from PACCAR are made on terms requiring payment within 15 days or less from the date of shipment of the trucks from the factory. The Company finances all, or substantially all, of the purchase price of its new truck inventory, and 75% of the loan value of its used truck inventory, under a floor plan arrangement with GMAC under which GMAC pays PACCAR directly with respect to new trucks. The Company makes monthly interest payments on the amount financed but is not required to commence loan principal repayments on new vehicles to GMAC for a period of 12 months and for used vehicles for a period of three months. The loan is collateralized by a lien on the vehicle. The Company's floor plan agreements with its primary lender limit the aggregate amount of borrowings based on the number of new and used trucks. As of March 31, 1996, the Company's floor plan arrangements permit the financing of up to 692 new trucks and 283 used trucks. At March 31, 1996, the Company had $37.9 million outstanding under its floor plan financing arrangement with GMAC. GMAC permits the Company to earn interest at the 39 43 prime rate on overnight funds deposited by the Company with GMAC for up to one-half of the amount borrowed under its floor plan financing, real estate financing and revolving credit arrangements with GMAC. GMAC has indicated that it will continue to provide GMAC financing to the Company in the absence of a franchise agreement with GMC. PRODUCT WARRANTY PACCAR provides retail purchasers of new trucks with a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, excluding certain specified components which are separately warranted by component suppliers. The Company does not otherwise provide any warranty to retail purchasers of new trucks. The Company generally sells its used trucks "as is" and without manufacturer's warranty, although manufacturers sometimes provide limited warranties on used vehicles if they have been reconditioned at the Rush truck center prior to resale or if the manufacturer's warranty is transferrable and has not yet expired. The customer does not receive any warranty from the Company. BACKLOG At March 31, 1996, the Company's backlog of orders was approximately $95.0 million, compared to $90.0 million at March 31, 1995, excluding Kerr prior to its acquisition. The Company includes in backlog only confirmed orders. It takes between 60 days and six months for the Company to receive delivery from PACCAR once an order is placed. The Company expects to fill at least 80% of these orders by the end of 1996. The Company sells approximately 75% of its new heavy-duty trucks by customer special order, with the remainder sold out of inventory. Included in the Company's backlog as of March 31, 1996 are orders from a number of the Company's major fleet customers. EMPLOYEES At March 31, 1996, the Company employed approximately 675 people, of which 85 were involved in new truck sales, 13 in used truck sales, 394 in parts, service and body shop services, nine in insurance agency services, five in financing services, 85 in truck leasing and rental operations and 84 in administrative, management and corporate functions. The Company has no contracts or collective bargaining agreements with labor unions and has never experienced work stoppages. The Company considers its relations with employees to be satisfactory. PROPERTY As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company owned its truck center locations in Houston (4) and San Antonio (1), Texas, as well as 6,000 square feet of administrative office space located in San Antonio, Texas, its Oklahoma City, Oklahoma facilities, and a 4,140-acre ranch located in Cotulla, Texas. The remaining facilities operate on leased premises, with the unexpired terms of the leases ranging from six months to eight years, inclusive of options to renew. The Company has an option to terminate its leases on the Bossier City, Louisiana and Laredo, Texas locations, by providing notice and paying rent ranging from three to six months. In all cases the Company pays a fixed rent and is responsible for taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance. For 1995, the total net rent expense for the Company's leased stores was approximately $762,000. The building square footage of the Company's full-service truck centers range in size from 13,500 to 73,000 square feet, and are situated on lots ranging from three to 14 acres, while the parts/service facilities range in size from 2,500 to 62,000 square feet, and are situated on lots ranging from 0.4 to five acres. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND INSURANCE From time to time, the Company is involved in certain litigation arising out of its operations in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance, including product liability coverage, in amounts deemed adequate by management. To date, aggregate costs to the Company for claims, including product liability actions, have not been material. However, an uninsured or partially insured claim, or claim for which indemnification is not available, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company. The Company believes that there are no claims or litigation pending, the outcome of which could 40 44 have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company, however, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations for the fiscal period in which such resolution occurred. REGULATION The Company is subject to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the "Act"), Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards promulgated by the DOT and various state motor vehicle regulatory agencies. The Company believes that it is in compliance with the Act and applicable standards. The Company's service and body shop facilities are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning environmental matters with respect to air quality and discharges into the environment, as well as storage, shipping, disposing and manifesting of hazardous materials and hazardous and non-hazardous waste. These environmental matters are associated with the repair and maintenance of heavy-duty trucks at the Company's facilities, and no location or operation exceeds small quantity generation status. In addition, these laws and regulations affect the storing, dispensing and discharge of petroleum-based products and other waste, and require the Company to secure permits in connection with its dealership operations. The securing of permits and compliance with all laws and regulations can be costly and could, in the future, affect the Company's earnings; however, to date, the cost of permitting and compliance has not been material. Further, each dealership must comply with local governmental requirements concerning zoning, land use and environmental factors. Although the Company has not experienced difficulties in obtaining the required licensing or approvals, difficulties in obtaining such licensing or approvals in the future could result in delays in the opening of proposed new dealerships. State and local laws and regulations also require each dealership to obtain licenses to operate as a dealer in heavy-duty vehicles. The Company has obtained all necessary licenses and permits, and management believes the Company is in full compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Company's insurance and financing services are subject to the laws and regulations of the states in which it conducts business. These laws and regulations cover all aspects of the Company's insurance and financing business, including, with respect to insurance, licensing, regulation of insurance premiums financing rates and insurance agency legislation pertaining to insurance agencies and their affiliates; and with respect to financing, commercial finance regulations that in some states may be similar to certain consumer finance regulations, including those governing interest rates and charges, maximum amounts and maturities of credit and disclosure to debtor of certain terms of each transaction. The Company is also subject to the regulations promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), which regulates workplace health and safety. The Company's facilities are periodically inspected by representatives of OSHA. TRADEMARKS The Peterbilt, Volvo and GMC trademarks and trade names, which are licensed from each of the respective corporations, are recognized internationally and play an important role in the marketing of the Company's products. Each corporation engages in a continuous program of trademark and trade name protection in all marketing areas. The Company does not hold any registered trade or service marks at this time, but has trademark applications pending with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office for the names "Rush Truck Centers" and "Rush Enterprises." PRODUCT LIABILITY Products that have been or may be sold by the Company may expose it to potential liabilities for personal injury or property damage claims relating to the use of such products. Historically, product liability claims have not been material to the Company. While the Company maintains third-party product liability insurance which it believes to be adequate, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience legal claims in excess of its insurance coverage, or claims which are ultimately not covered by insurance. Furthermore, if 41 45 any significant claims are made against the Company or PACCAR, the Company's business may be adversely affected by related negative publicity. MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION - -------------------------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------- W. Marvin Rush.............................. 57 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director W. M. "Rusty" Rush.......................... 38 President and Director Robin M. Rush............................... 36 Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director D. Jeffery Michell.......................... 50 Vice President -- Chief Financial Officer David C. Orf................................ 45 Vice President -- Sales and Marketing B. J. Janner................................ 52 Vice President -- Parts and Service Brent Hughes................................ 52 Vice President -- Financial Services J. M. "Spike" Lowe.......................... 51 Vice President -- Corporate Development Donald Teague............................... 54 Vice President -- California Operations Ralph West.................................. 52 Vice President -- Leasing and Rental Operations John Hiltabiddle............................ 51 Controller Joseph M. Dunn.............................. 69 Director Nominee Ronald J. Krause............................ 68 Director Nominee
W. MARVIN RUSH founded the Company in 1965. He served as President from inception until November 1995, and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since November 1995. He served on the Peterbilt dealer council from 1984-1987 and was elected its Chairman in 1987. He was also active on the PacLease Executive Committee from 1989-1992 and was Chairman in 1992. Other honors include the Peterbilt Dealer of the Year in 1986, 1987 and 1988, as well as the Midranger Dealer of the Year in 1989. His highest Peterbilt honor was being named North American Peterbilt Dealer of the Year for the 1993-1994 year. Mr. Rush also serves as a director of TexStar National Bank. W. M. "RUSTY" RUSH served as Vice President and Executive Vice President of the Company from 1990 until November 1995 and has served as President of the Company since November 1995. For the past several years he has overseen the sales and finance departments. He is responsible for the total operations of the Company in Texas, California and Louisiana. ROBIN M. RUSH has been with the Company since 1991, and served as Vice President and general manager of the Company from 1993 until November 1995. Mr. Rush has served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company since October 1995 and as Executive Vice President of the Company since November 1995. He is presently the general manager of the San Antonio Peterbilt dealership. In addition, he oversees the administrative department of the Company which includes Human Resources, Environmental and Corporate Development. D. JEFFERY MICHELL, CPA joined the Company in April 1996 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Michell has more than 21 years' experience in the freight transportation industry. From March 1988 to February 1996, Mr. Michell worked for Burlington Northern Inc. as Director of Marketing Resources and later as Director of Investor Relations. Prior to March 1988, Mr. Michell was Vice President of Finance and Administration for Victory Freightway System, held numerous financial, accounting and management positions with North American Van Lines and began his career with Ernst & Ernst in 1969. Mr. Michell holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. 42 46 DAVID C. ORF has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Company since 1993. Mr. Orf was the general manager of the Company's Houston, Texas facilities until January 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Orf served as the Southeast region manager of Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR. B. J. JANNER has been with the Company since 1969 and has served as Vice President of the Company since 1993. Mr. Janner is currently the director of parts and services for all of the Company's truck centers. BRENT HUGHES has served as Vice President of Financial Services since 1993. He is in charge of all secured lending in Oklahoma and Texas and supervises California financing. Mr. Hughes was with Associates Commercial Corporation for 22 years, was Branch Manager in New York City, and later in San Antonio, and was Senior Vice President of the Western Region when he left to join the Company in 1992. J. M. "SPIKE" LOWE has been with the Company since 1968, and has served as a Vice President of the Company since 1994. Currently he is responsible for acquisitions and all open account and unsecured lending for the Company. DONALD TEAGUE has been with the Company since 1991 and has been a Vice President since 1995. Mr. Teague has served as the general manager at several of the Company's full-service truck centers, including the Lufkin, Texas facility, and is currently Vice President responsible for all of the Company's California operations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Teague was the manager of an unrelated Peterbilt dealership. RALPH WEST has been with the Company since 1994 and has served as a Vice President of the Company responsible for all leasing and rental operations since that time. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. West had been with Ryder Truck Rentals. During his 28 years at Ryder Truck Rentals, Mr. West served in various executive positions, with the last 14 years as Vice President. JOHN HILTABIDDLE, CPA has served as the Controller of the Company since December 1993. Mr. Hiltabiddle served as the Controller of two large automobile dealerships from 1989 until December 1993, and from 1984 until 1989, respectively. Mr. Hiltabiddle had 12 years of public accounting experience prior to joining the automobile dealership in 1984. JOSEPH M. DUNN has agreed to serve as a director of the Company beginning after the closing of the offering. Mr. Dunn has over 30 years of experience in the heavy-duty truck sales industry. Mr. Dunn joined PACCAR in 1964, and served as President and as a member of the Board of Directors of PACCAR from 1987 until his retirement in January 1992. Mr. Dunn is currently a director of SeaFirst Corporation and Seattle First National Bank and was a member of Western Highway Institute as Vice President at Large, Western Region. RONALD J. KRAUSE has agreed to serve as a director of the Company beginning after the closing of the offering. Mr. Krause served as President of Associates Commercial Corporation from 1976 until 1981 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Associates Corporation of North America from 1981 until 1989. Mr. Krause also was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Associates of North America from 1988 until his retirement in 1989. W. M. "Rusty" Rush and Robin M. Rush are brothers and the sons of W. Marvin Rush. There are no other family relationships among the executive officers and directors of the Company. All directors of the Company hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the election and qualification of their successors. Each officer of the Company was chosen by the Board of Directors and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until his or her successor is appointed or until his or her earlier resignation or removal in accordance with applicable law. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION During 1995, compensation of executive officers of the Company was determined by W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Simultaneously with the completion of 43 47 this offering, the Company will establish a Compensation Committee to review the performance of executive officers, establish overall employee compensation policies and recommend to the Board of Directors major compensation programs. No member of such Compensation Committee will be an executive officer of the Company. It is anticipated that the members of the Compensation Committee and Audit Committee will be Joseph M. Dunn and Ronald J. Krause. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Directors of the Company are not currently compensated for their services as directors. The Company, however, intends to begin compensating non-employee directors for their services in a manner and amount commensurate with other comparable companies. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the year ended December 31, 1995 by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's four other most highly compensated executive officers during 1995 (together, the "Named Officers"). SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION --------------------- ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION($) - ------------------------------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------------- W. Marvin Rush Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer... $263,860 -- $ 27,142(1) W. M. "Rusty" Rush President........................................... $ 65,900 $150,000 $ 5,569(2) David C. Orf Vice President...................................... $ 91,200 $162,000 $ 2,310(3) Brent Hughes Vice President...................................... $131,400 $ 95,000 $ 2,310(3) Donald Teague Vice President...................................... $127,275 $ 85,000 $ 4,244(3)
- --------------- (1) Consists of matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan ($2,310), life insurance premiums ($4,554) and personal use of the Company's corporate aircraft paid for by the Company ($20,278). (2) Consists of matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan ($2,044) and personal use of the Company's corporate aircraft paid for by the Company ($3,525). (3) Consists of matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS Upon completion of the offering, the Company will enter into employment agreements with W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush and Robin M. Rush which provide a four-year term, subject to automatic extension for an additional one year on each one-year anniversary of the agreements. These employment agreements are subject to early termination as provided therein, including termination by the Company for "cause" (as defined in the employment agreements) or termination by W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush or Robin M. Rush, as applicable, for "good reason" (as defined in the employment agreements). The employment agreements provide for annual base salaries as follows: W. Marvin Rush -- $525,000, W. M. "Rusty" Rush -- $150,000 and Robin M. Rush -- $108,000. The employment agreements also provide for bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board. 44 48 The employment agreements with W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush and Robin M. Rush provide that if the Company terminates their employment without cause (including the Company's election to not extend the employment agreements at any renewal date) or within two years of a change in control, or if they resign their employment for "good reason" (as "good reason" is defined in the employment agreements), they will be entitled to receive, at their election, either a lump-sum payment in the amount equal to their base salary for the unexpired term of their agreements or continuation of their base salary and benefits through the unexpired term of their agreements. A change of control is deemed to have occurred if (i) more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities is acquired, directly or indirectly, or (ii) at any time during the 24-month period after a tender offer, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or contested election, or any combination of such transactions, at least a majority of the Company's Board of Directors shall cease to consist of "continuing directors" (meaning directors of the Company who either were directors prior to such transaction or who subsequently became directors and whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors prior to such transaction), or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 60% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (iv) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement of sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. Upon completion of the offering, the Company will also enter into employment agreements with D. Jeffery Michell, David C. Orf, B. J. Janner, Brent Hughes, J. M. "Spike" Lowe, Donald Teague and Ralph West, which provide for annual base salaries as follows: D. Jeffery Michell -- $100,000, David C. Orf -- $129,000, B. J. Janner -- $102,000, Brent Hughes -- $131,400, J. M. "Spike" Lowe -- $138,000, Donald Teague -- $126,000, Ralph West -- $138,600 and John Hiltabiddle -- $79,200. The employment agreements also provide for incentive bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company. The employment agreements for these executives do not contain any change in control arrangements and are terminable by the Company upon six months' prior written notice or, in lieu thereof, immediately terminable upon the payment to the employee of six months of his then effective base salary. INCENTIVE PLAN In April 1996, the Board of Directors and shareholders adopted the Rush Enterprises, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). The Incentive Plan is intended to advance the best interests of the Company and its shareholders by attracting, retaining and motivating employees, advisors and consultants of the Company. The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options (which may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options for tax purposes), stock appreciation rights issued independent of or in tandem with such options ("SARs"), restricted stock awards and performance awards, thereby increasing the personal stake of participants in the continued success and growth of the Company. The Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee or other designated committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee"), which consists solely of two or more non-employee directors of the Company who are disinterested within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee will have broad authority to interpret and administer the Incentive Plan, including the power to grant and modify awards and the power to limit or eliminate its discretion as it may deem advisable to comply with or obtain preferential treatment under any applicable tax or other law, rule or regulation. The Committee will also have broad authority to accelerate the vesting of an award or the time at which any award is exercisable or to waive any condition or restriction on the vesting, exercise or receipt of any award. The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Incentive Plan without shareholder approval or approval of participants, subject to certain limitations. Initially, 500,000 shares of Common Stock will be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. In addition, as of January 1 of each year the Incentive Plan is in effect, if the total number of shares of Common 45 49 Stock issued and outstanding, not including any shares issued under the Incentive Plan, exceeds the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of January 1 of the preceding year (or, for 1995, as of the commencement of the Incentive Plan), the number of shares available will be increased by an amount such that the total number of shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan equals 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, not including any shares issued under the Incentive Plan. Lapsed, forfeited or cancelled awards will not count against these limits. Cash exercises of SARs and cash settlement of other awards will also not be counted against these limits but the total number of SARs and other awards settled in cash shall not exceed the total number of shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan (without reduction for issuances). The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to stock options or SARs that may be granted to any one participant in any one year under the Incentive Plan shall be 100,000. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to any one participant in any one year in respect of restricted stock shall be 100,000. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be received by any one participant in any one year in respect of a performance award shall be 100,000 and the aggregate amount of cash that may be received by any one participant in any one year in respect to a performance award shall be $500,000. To date, no awards have been made under the Incentive Plan. However, prior to this offering, the Company intends to grant options under the Incentive Plan to purchase an aggregate of 19,403 shares (assuming an offering price of $12 per share) to 18 employees, all of which will be fully vested. Such options will be exercisable at 90% of the initial public offering price. 401(K) PLAN AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company provides a 401(k) Plan to its employees in California (the "California 401(k) Plan") and in the other areas of its operations (the "Principal 401(k) Plan"). The plans provide that employees who have completed at least one year of service and attain the age of 21 are eligible to participate, subject to certain other conditions. Eligible participants under the Principal 401(k) Plan may elect to defer receipt of up to a maximum of 10% of their annual compensation (up to a maximum dollar amount established in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) and have such deferred amounts contributed to the Principal 401(k) Plan. The Company makes matching contributions under the Principal 401(k) Plan equal to 25% each year, with such participants always being 100% vested in their contributions with employer contributions vesting over a five-year period. Under the California 401(k) Plan, the Company contributes an amount equal to 2.5% of the eligible employees' compensation and participating employees do not make contributions. The aggregate amount of the Company's contributions for 1995 under these plans was $293,000. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS The Company's Articles of Incorporation to be effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering provide that the liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be limited to the fullest extent permissible under Texas law. This limitation of liability does not affect the availability of injunctive relief or other equitable remedies. The Company's Bylaws to be effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering provide that the Company will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent possible under Texas law. These indemnification provisions require the Company to indemnify such persons against certain liabilities and expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their service as a director or officer of the Company or any of its affiliated enterprises. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors providing indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and also setting forth certain procedures, including the advancement of expenses, that apply in the event of a claim for indemnification. 46 50 PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of May 10, 1996 and as adjusted to reflect the sale by the Company of the shares offered hereby with respect to (a) each shareholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, (b) each director and director nominee, (c) the Named Officers and (d) all executive officers and directors as a group.
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF NUMBER OF SHARES SHARES SHARES BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY OWNED OWNED NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OWNED(2) BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING - ------------------------------------------------------ --------- --------------- -------------- W. Marvin Rush........................................ 3,750,000 100% 60% W. M. "Rusty" Rush(3)................................. 3,041 * * Robin M. Rush(3)...................................... 750 * * David C. Orf(3)....................................... 3,284 * * Brent Hughes(3)....................................... 1,926 * * Donald Teague(3)...................................... 1,723 * * Joseph M. Dunn........................................ -- -- -- 1556 77th Place, N.E. Medina, Washington 98039 Ronald J. Krause...................................... -- -- -- 316 Steeplechase Drive Irving, Texas 75062 All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(4)......................................... 3,763,848 100% 60%
- --------------- * Less than 1%. (1) Except as otherwise noted, the street address of the named beneficial owner is 8810 I.H. 10 East, San Antonio, Texas 78219. (2) Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. (3) Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options to be granted under the Company's Incentive Plan prior to the completion of this offering. See "Management -- Incentive Plan." (4) Includes 14,862 shares (assuming an offering price of $12.00 per share) of Common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to be granted to certain executive officers under the Incentive Plan upon the completion of the offering. See "Management -- Incentive Plan." 47 51 CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and J. M. "Spike" Lowe, Vice President of the Company, own 65% and 10%, respectively, of the outstanding capital stock of Ruel Smith Transportation Services ("Ruel Smith"), a trucking company that leased office space ($41,000, $45,000 and $60,000 in rent paid to the Company in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and $12,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 1996) and purchased $1.6 million, $535,000 and $770,000 of products and services from Rush Enterprises in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and $218,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 1996. W. Marvin Rush owns 45% of San Marcos Pontiac GMC Trucks, Inc. ("SMP"), a retailer of GMC trucks and automobiles. During 1995, Rush Enterprises had approximately $770,000 of outstanding loans to SMP and the Company purchased $146,000 of delivery trucks from SMP. During 1995, the Company also had approximately $400,000 in outstanding loans to Hill Country Enterprises, Inc. ("HCE"), an entity owned 52 1/2% by W. Marvin Rush. The loans were made to SMP and HCE to support their working capital needs. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company did not have any outstanding loans to SMP or HCE. In April 1996, Mr. Rush entered into a contract to dispose of his interest in SMP and sold HCE in February 1996. Under Article 21.14 of the Texas Insurance Code ("TIC"), every officer, director and shareholder of a corporation licensed to act as a local recording agent must be individually licensed to act as an insurance agent. An insurance agent is required to be a resident of the State of Texas and pass an examination for a local recording insurance agent's license. W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is licensed to act as an insurance agent in the State of Texas and is therefore qualified to act as the shareholder, director and officer of AA, the corporation currently affiliated with the Company that is licensed to act as a local recording agent. Prior to the offering, the Company will acquire as a wholly-owned subsidiary, a managing general agent (the "MGA") licensed under Article 21.07-3 of the TIC to manage all of the operations of AA following the offering. In addition to managing AA, the MGA will be qualified to receive any and all commission income which would otherwise have been payable to AA. The MGA, Mr. Rush and AA will enter into agreements pursuant to which (i) the MGA will manage all operations of AA following the offering, (ii) all of the income of AA will be transferred to MGA, (iii) the Company will transfer such funds to AA as are necessary for its operation, and (iv) Mr. Rush will grant the MGA the right to transfer legal ownership of the shares of capital stock of AA to a properly licensed local recording agent of MGA's choice in the event of any attempted disposition of such shares by Mr. Rush, including death, divorce, voluntary transfer, pledge or otherwise. Mr. Rush will continue to own all of the outstanding stock of AA subsequent to the offering, subject to his agreements with MGA prohibiting the transfer of such capital stock. The Company invests funds belonging to Ruel Smith on Ruel Smith's behalf under the Company's arrangement with GMAC pursuant to which the Company receives the prime rate on overnight funds. The Company believes that all of the transactions set forth above were made on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. All future transactions between the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders and their affiliates will continue to be approved by a majority of the members of the Company's Board of Directors, including a majority of the independent and disinterested outside directors on the Board of Directors, and will continue to be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties. 48 52 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value. As of May 10, 1996, the Company had issued and outstanding 3,750,000 shares of Common Stock. As of such date, there was one holder of record of the Common Stock. No shares of preferred stock have been designated or issued. COMMON STOCK Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and all matters to be submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders. Subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock which may be issued in the future, the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors and paid by the Company out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities and liquidation preferences, if any. Holders of shares of Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued by the Company in connection with this offering will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. PREFERRED STOCK The Company's Articles of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences determined from time to time by its Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Common Stock. In the event of issuance, the preferred stock could be used, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. See "Risk Factors -- Control by Existing Shareholders" and "Possible Anti-Takeover Effects." CERTAIN ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAW PROVISIONS The Company has no super-majority, staggered board or other anti-takeover provisions in either its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation of the Company contain provisions which eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty other than liability for a breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith that constitute a breach of the director's duty to the Company, acts that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, transactions in which the director receives an improper benefit and acts or omissions for which liability is expressly provided by an applicable statute. The Bylaws of the Company contain provisions requiring the indemnification of the Company's directors and officers, and persons serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, to the fullest extent permitted under the Texas Business Corporation Act. The Company believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers of the Company. RIGHTS AGREEMENT On April 8, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of one common share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of Common Stock outstanding. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock at a price of $35.00 per share (the "Purchase Price"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of April 8, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"). Until the earlier of (i) ten business days after a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person"), which term does not include the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or the Company's subsidiaries, or any entity holding 49 53 Common Stock for or pursuant to any such plan, have acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Common Stock and (ii) ten business days after the commencement of, or the first public announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership by a person or group (excluding the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and any entity holding Common Stock for or pursuant to any such plan) of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock outstanding (the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any certificate for Common Stock outstanding, by such certificate together with a copy of a Summary of Rights and, with respect to any certificate for new issuances of Common Stock before the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), by such certificate, which will bear a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration of the Rights), (i) the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Stock, and (ii) the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Stock will also constitute the transfer of the rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on April 7, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case, as described below. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common Stock, (ii) upon the issuance to holders of the Common Stock of certain rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Common Stock with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Common Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends or dividends payable in Common Stock, or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of outstanding Rights and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date. In the event, following the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such (the "Shares Acquisition Date"), the Company is, in effect, acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or more than 50% of its consolidated assets or earning power is sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring person equal to the result obtained by dividing (x) the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock for which a Right is then exercisable by (y) 50% of the market price per share of common stock of the Acquiring Person at the time of such transaction. In the event any person becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that were or are beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, which Rights will thereafter be null and void and the holder thereof shall have no rights with respect to such Rights, whether under the Rights Agreement or otherwise, will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the result obtained by dividing the then current Purchase Price by 50% of the market price per share of Common Stock at the date such person became an Acquiring Person. Under certain circumstances, other securities, property, cash or combinations thereof, including a combination with 50 54 Common Stock, that are equal in value to the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Right is exercisable may be issued in lieu of Common Stock for which the Right is exercisable. Under certain circumstances, after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the Acquiring Person), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right (subject to adjustment). With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued, and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise. At any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after the Shares Acquisition Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.02 per Right (the "Redemption Price"), which may be paid in cash, with Common Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company to redeem the Rights, the Company shall announce the redemption, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights at any time to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provisions and may, prior to the Distribution Date, be amended to change or supplement any other provision in any manner that the Company may deem necessary or desirable. After the Distribution Date, the terms of the Rights may be amended (other than to cure ambiguities or to correct or supplement defective or inconsistent provisions) only so long as the amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (not including an Acquiring Person, in whose hands Rights are void). Each share of Common Stock currently outstanding has been issued one Right, and each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to this offering will be issued one Right. In addition, the Company will issue one Right for each share of Common Stock that becomes outstanding prior to the Distribution Date (or the earlier expiration, exchange or redemption of the Rights) so that all such shares will have attached Rights. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company without conditioning the offer on a substantial number of Rights being acquired. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors of the Company since the Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after the Shares Acquisition Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price. SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE The Company has 500,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of any awards granted under the Company's Incentive Plan adopted in 1996 and 250,000 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Representatives' Warrants. See "Management -- Incentive Plan" and "Underwriting." LISTING The Company's Common Stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National Market under the trading symbol "RUSH." TRANSFER AGENT The Transfer Agent for the Common Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. 51 55 SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock of the Company, and no assurance can be given that a significant public market for the Common Stock can be developed or sustained after the offering. Future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market could have a material effect on the market price of the Common Stock from time to time. Upon completion of the offering, the Company will have outstanding approximately 6,250,000 shares of Common Stock. Of these shares, the 2,500,000 shares sold in the offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless they are purchased by "affiliates" of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (which sales would be subject to certain limitations and restrictions described below). The remaining 3,750,000 shares of Common Stock, all of which are held by W. Marvin Rush, may be sold in the public market only if registered or pursuant to an exemption from registration such as Rules 144 or 144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act. Certain shares of the Company's Common Stock outstanding after the offering will be subject to contractual lock-up agreements with the Company or the Underwriters. Specifically, Mr. Rush and holders of securities exercisable into shares of Common Stock have executed lock-up agreements providing that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of, or agree to dispose of, any shares of Common Stock (other than gifts) until 180 days after the date of this Prospectus at which time their shares will be released from the lock-up. In addition, W. Marvin Rush, W. M. "Rusty" Rush, Robin Rush and Barbara Rush (wife of W. Marvin Rush), have granted PACCAR a right of first refusal to purchase their respective shares of Common Stock in the event that any such individuals desire to transfer in excess of 100,000 shares in any 12-month period to any person other than a family member, an associate or a Dealer Principal (as defined in the PACCAR dealership agreement). In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned shares for at least two years (including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate) is entitled to sell in "brokers' transactions" or to market makers, within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (a) one percent of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding (approximately 62,500 shares immediately after this offering) or (b) the average weekly trading volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the required filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are subject to the availability of current public information about the Company. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least three years, is entitled to sell such shares without having to comply with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144. Unless otherwise restricted "144(k) shares" may therefore be sold immediately upon the completion of this offering. Under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, persons who purchase shares upon exercise of options granted prior to this offering are entitled to sell such shares 90 days after this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to comply with the holding period requirements of Rule 144 and, in the case of non-affiliates, without having to comply with the volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144. In addition, Rule 144A would permit the resale of restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers, subject to compliance with conditions of the Rule. After the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, 3,750,000 shares, which have been held by W. Marvin Rush for over three years, will be eligible for sale in the public market subject to compliance with Rule 144. The Company is unable to estimate accurately the number of "restricted" shares that will be sold under Rule 144 since this will depend in part on the market price for the Common Stock, the personal circumstances of the sellers and other factors. After the completion of this offering, the Company intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the 500,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's Incentive Plan. After the date of such filing if not otherwise subject to a lock-up agreement, shares purchased pursuant to the Company's Incentive Plan generally would be available for resale in the public market. Although the Company has not granted any awards under such plans as of the date of this Prospectus, the Company plans to grant options under such plan to purchase an aggregate of 19,403 shares prior to this offering. See "Management -- Incentive Plan." 52 56 UNDERWRITING Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, the Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), have severally, and not jointly, agreed, through Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. and Principal Financial Securities, Inc., the Representatives of the Underwriters, to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their respective names.
NUMBER OF UNDERWRITERS SHARES - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. ................................................... Principal Financial Securities, Inc. ............................................. --------- Total................................................................... 2,500,000 ========
The Underwriters are committed to take and to pay for all of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, if any are purchased. The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose to offer all or part of the Common Stock offered directly to the public initially at the price to the public set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, that they may offer shares to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession of not more than $. per share and that the Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession of not more than $. per share to certain other dealers. After the commencement of this offering, the price to the public and the concessions may be changed. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 375,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with sale of the shares offered hereby. To the extent the Underwriters exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will be committed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the same percentage thereof as the percentage of the initial shares to be purchased by that Underwriter. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and certain related persons against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. The Company and its directors, officers and affiliates have agreed that they will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any equity securities of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any rights to purchase or acquire, equity securities of the Company for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of the Representatives of the Underwriters. The Company has agreed to issue to the Representatives of the Underwriters and their designees, for their own accounts, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of Common Stock. The warrants will be exercisable during the four-year period commencing one year after the date hereof, at an exercise price per share equal to 120% of the initial public offering price. The warrants will contain customary anti-dilution provisions and certain rights to register the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act. 53 57 Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock. The initial offering price was determined by negotiations between the Company and the Representatives. Among the factors considered in such negotiations were the Company's historical results of operations and financial condition, prospects for the Company and for the industry in which the Company operates, the Company's capital structure, and the general condition of the securities market. The Representatives of the Underwriters have informed the Company that the Underwriters do not expect sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares offered hereby, and the Representatives of the Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of shares to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., San Antonio, Texas. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., San Antonio, Texas. EXPERTS The financial statements included in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports. The statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Kerr Consolidated, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1994 appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part of the Registration Statement may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission. The Company intends to furnish to its shareholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by an independent public accounting firm and quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited interim financial information. 54 58 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE ---- RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND AFFILIATE: Report of Independent Public Accountants........................................... F-2 Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and March 31, 1996....... F-3 Combined Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.................................. F-4 Combined Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and Three Months Ended March 31, 1996............................ F-5 Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 and 1996............................ F-6 Notes to Combined Financial Statements............................................. F-7 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC.: Reports of Independent Public Accountants.......................................... F-23 Consolidated Statements of Income for the Eleven-Month Period Ended November 30, 1995, and the Year Ended December 31, 1994...................................... F-25 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Eleven-Month Period Ended November 30, 1995, and the Year Ended December 31, 1994......................... F-26 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Eleven-Month Period Ended November 30, 1995, and the Year Ended December 31, 1994.................................. F-27 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................................... F-28 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND AFFILIATE: Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1995......................................................... F-32 Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 (Unaudited)..................................................................... F-33 Notes to Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations (Unaudited).................... F-34
F-1 59 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To Rush Enterprises, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Rush Enterprises, Inc. (a Texas corporation), and Associated Acceptance, Inc. (Affiliate), as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the related combined statements of income, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companies' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Rush Enterprises, Inc., and Affiliate as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the combined results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP San Antonio, Texas March 22, 1996 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 2, as to which the date is April 5, 1996) F-2 60 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995, AND MARCH 31, 1996 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA, ------------------ MARCH 31, MARCH 31, 1994 1995 1996 1996 ------- ------- ----------- (NOTE 4) (UNAUDITED) ----------- (UNAUDITED) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents......................... $ 851 $ 2,149 $ 1,760 $ 1,760 Accounts receivable, net.......................... 9,004 16,411 16,274 16,274 Inventories....................................... 20,755 36,517 41,437 41,437 Prepaid expenses and other........................ 255 266 641 641 Net assets of discontinued operations............. 1,009 -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total current assets......................... 31,874 55,343 60,112 60,112 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net......................... 11,972 17,560 19,684 19,684 OTHER ASSETS, net................................... 339 3,176 3,087 3,087 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total assets................................. $44,185 $76,079 $82,883 $82,883 ======= ======= ======= ======= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floor plan notes payable.......................... $17,325 $34,294 $37,861 $37,861 Current maturities of long-term debt.............. 2,162 3,600 3,600 3,600 Advances outstanding under lines of credit........ 860 10 20 6,020 Trade accounts payable............................ 6,992 7,591 8,247 8,247 Dividends payable................................. 543 1,615 1,650 1,650 Accrued expenses.................................. 4,929 7,607 9,225 9,225 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total current liabilities.................... 32,811 54,717 60,603 66,603 ------- ------- ------- ------- LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities........... 6,725 13,677 13,884 13,884 ------- ------- ------- ------- DEFERRED TAXES...................................... -- -- -- 421 ------- ------- ------- ------- MINORITY INTEREST................................... 273 -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15) SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY: Rush Enterprises, Inc., common stock, par value $.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized and 3,750,000 shares outstanding in 1994 and 1995 (Note 2).................................. 38 38 38 38 Associated Acceptance, Inc., common stock, par value $1.00 per share; 750,000 shares authorized and 451,000 shares outstanding in 1994 and 1995 (Note 2)......................... 6 6 6 6 Additional paid-in capital........................ 729 729 729 1,931 Retained earnings................................. 3,603 6,912 7,623 -- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total shareholder's equity................... 4,376 7,685 8,396 1,975 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total liabilities and shareholder's equity... $44,185 $76,079 $82,883 $82,883 ======= ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements. F-3 61 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ------------------------------- ------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- (UNAUDITED) REVENUES: New and used truck sales......................... $79,909 $143,569 $194,173 $47,516 $58,133 Parts and service................................ 24,604 51,631 58,785 13,273 16,930 Lease and rental................................. 2,158 5,476 10,180 2,085 3,016 Finance and insurance............................ 2,247 3,774 4,125 923 1,486 Other............................................ 1,353 1,936 1,215 205 311 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total revenues................................. 110,271 206,386 268,478 64,002 79,876 COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD.............................. 95,811 173,369 225,252 53,098 65,093 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- GROSS PROFIT....................................... 14,460 33,017 43,226 10,904 14,783 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE................ 11,101 25,789 31,927 8,758 11,812 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION...................... 1,022 1,615 1,924 421 547 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- OPERATING INCOME................................... 2,337 5,613 9,375 1,725 2,424 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- OTHER EXPENSE: Interest expense................................. 998 2,048 2,770 561 973 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total other expense............................ 998 2,048 2,770 561 973 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- MINORITY INTEREST.................................. -- 123 162 39 -- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS.................. 1,339 3,442 6,443 1,125 1,451 -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: Operating income (loss).......................... 325 283 (224) (224) -- Gain on disposal................................. -- -- 1,785 1,785 -- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS................ 325 283 1,561 1,561 -- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- NET INCOME......................................... $ 1,664 $ 3,725 $ 8,004 $ 2,686 $ 1,451 ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= UNAUDITED PRO FORMA DATA (Note 4): Income from continuing operations before income taxes.......................................... $ 6,443 $ 1,125 $ 1,451 Pro forma adjustments to reflect federal and state income taxes............................. 2,448 428 552 -------- ------- ------- Pro forma income from continuing operations after provision for income taxes..................... $ 3,995 $ 697 $ 899 ======== ======= ======= Pro forma income from continuing operations per share...................................... $ .93 $ .16 $ .21 ======== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation.......................... 4,297 4,297 4,297 ======== ======= ======= Supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share........................... $ .90 $ .16 $ .21 ======== ======= ======= Weighted average shares outstanding used in the supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share calculation............... 4,726 4,398 4,699 ======== ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements. F-4 62 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 (IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK --------------------------------------------------------------- ASSOCIATED ACCEPTANCE, INC. RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. --------------------------- -------------------------- SHARES SHARES ADDITIONAL ISSUED AND $1.00 ISSUED AND $.01 PAID-IN RETAINED OUTSTANDING PAR VALUE OUTSTANDING PAR VALUE CAPITAL EARNINGS ----------- --------- ----------- --------- ---------- -------- BALANCE, December 31, 1992 (Note 2)..................... -- $-- 3,750 $38 $729 $ 1,531 ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK....... 451 6 -- -- -- -- NET INCOME..................... -- -- -- -- -- 1,664 DIVIDENDS DECLARED............. -- -- -- -- -- (1,262 ) --- --- ----- --- ---- ------- BALANCE, December 31, 1993..... 451 6 3,750 38 729 1,933 NET INCOME..................... -- -- -- -- -- 3,725 DIVIDENDS DECLARED............. -- -- -- -- -- (2,055 ) --- --- ----- --- ---- ------- BALANCE, December 31, 1994..... 451 6 3,750 38 729 3,603 NET INCOME..................... -- -- -- -- -- 8,004 DIVIDENDS DECLARED............. -- -- -- -- -- (4,695 ) --- --- ----- --- ---- ------- BALANCE, December 31, 1995..... 451 6 3,750 38 729 6,912 NET INCOME (Unaudited)......... -- -- -- -- -- 1,451 DIVIDENDS DECLARED (Unaudited).................. -- -- -- -- -- (740 ) --- --- ----- --- ---- ------- BALANCE, March 31, 1996 (Unaudited).................. 451 $ 6 3,750 $38 $729 $ 7,623 === === ===== === ==== =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements. F-5 63 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 (IN THOUSANDS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ------------------------------- ------------------ 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- (UNAUDITED) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income from continuing operations............... $ 1,339 $ 3,442 $ 6,443 $ 1,125 $ 1,451 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations -- Depreciation and amortization..................... 1,022 1,615 1,924 421 547 Minority interest................................. -- 123 162 39 -- Change in receivables............................. 292 (5,685) (7,407) 536 137 Change in inventories............................. (6,223) 1,738 (10,591) (2,813) (4,920) Change in other current assets.................... 43 14 18 (135) (375) Change in accounts payable........................ 2,289 2,140 599 (136) 656 Change in accrued liabilities..................... 1,143 2,989 2,678 (1,170) 1,618 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations........................................ (95) 6,376 (6,174) (2,133) (886) Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations........................................ 499 (479) 785 (566) -- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities........................................ 404 5,897 (5,389) (2,699) (886) ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of property and equipment............... (2,137) (2,368) (6,311) (276) (2,905) Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.... -- -- 1,151 427 257 Acquisitions of dealerships and leasing operations........................................ -- (8,878) (2,690) -- -- Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations... -- -- 3,601 -- -- Investment by (purchase of) minority interest....... -- 150 (435) -- -- Change in other assets.............................. (74) (265) (27) 7 66 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Net cash used in investing activities............... (2,211) (11,361) (4,711) 158 (2,582) ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable......................... 237 2,356 9,629 6,603 1,647 Principal payments on notes payable................. (1,378) (2,620) (6,811) (3,924) (1,440) Draws (payments) on floor plan financing, net....... 4,625 6,677 13,053 2,317 3,567 Draws (payments) on line of credit, net............. 950 (90) (850) (640) 10 Dividends paid...................................... (1,262) (1,512) (3,623) (182) (705) ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by financing activities........... 3,172 4,811 11,398 4,174 3,079 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............. 1,365 (653) 1,298 1,633 (389) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year.......... 139 1,504 851 851 2,149 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year................ $ 1,504 $ 851 $ 2,149 $ 2,484 $ 1,760 ======= ======== ======== ======= ======= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the year for interest.............. $ 1,083 $ 2,272 $ 2,552 $ 561 $ 973 ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Liabilities incurred in connection with property and equipment acquisitions............................ $ 3,306 $ -- $ 2,022 $ -- $ -- Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions of dealerships and leasing operations............. -- 984 3,550 -- --
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements. F-6 64 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 (INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1996, AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996, IS UNAUDITED) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Principles of Combination and Basis of Presentation The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of Rush Enterprises, Inc. (the Company), and its divisions, World Wide Tires, San Antonio Peterbilt, South Coast Peterbilt, Translease-California, Translease Corporation Houston, Houston Peterbilt, Hou-Tex Industrial and Truck Supply, Lufkin Peterbilt, Laredo Peterbilt, Ark-La-Tex Peterbilt, Oklahoma Trucks, Tulsa Trucks, Translease-Oklahoma and Los Cuernos Ranch. In February 1994, the Company acquired a 90 percent interest in South Coast Peterbilt and Translease-California. In August 1995, the Company purchased the remaining 10 percent minority interest (see Note 16). In March 1995, the Company sold its Rush Pontiac-GMC dealership to a third party. Rush Pontiac-GMC sold passenger automobiles and small- to medium-use trucks to the general public. The results of operations and net assets of this division have been presented as discontinued operations for all years presented (see Note 3). In December 1995, the Company purchased significantly all the assets of Kerr Consolidated, Inc. (Kerr), and began operations of Oklahoma Trucks, Tulsa Trucks and Translease-Oklahoma. Kerr's primary line of business is the sale of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks, parts, leasing and service (see Note 16). The Company's financial statements have been combined with the financial statements of Associated Acceptance, Inc. (Affiliate), a Texas corporation, as both of these entities are under common ownership of the same sole stockholder and management. Associated provides various insurance agency brokerage services and sells property and casualty insurance, primarily to Rush Enterprises, Inc., customers. All significant interdivision and intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Business The Company, founded in 1965, operates a regional network of 14 truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; parts, service and body shop facilities; and financial services, including assisting in the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. The Company's truck centers are located in areas on or near major highways in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Estimates in Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Interim Financial Data The combined financial statements and related information as of March 31, 1996, and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and F-7 65 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, such combined financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring entries) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholder's equity of the Company for such periods. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for the entire year. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by specific identification for new and used truck inventory and by utilizing the first-in, first-out methods for tires, parts and accessories. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the useful life of the improvement, or the term of the lease, whichever is less. Both the straight-line and double declining-balance methods of depreciation are used. The cost, accumulated depreciation and amortization and estimated useful lives are summarized as follows (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, ------------------ MARCH 31, ESTIMATED 1994 1995 1996 LIFE (YEARS) ------- ------- --------- ------------ Land................................................. $ 2,304 $ 2,874 $ 3,840 - Buildings and improvements........................... 4,165 4,654 5,428 31 - 39 Leasehold improvements............................... 1,579 1,710 2,100 7 - 10 Machinery and shop equipment......................... 1,170 2,219 2,464 5 - 7 Furniture and fixtures............................... 952 1,692 1,946 5 - 7 Transportation equipment............................. 2,181 3,386 3,477 2 - 5 Leased vehicles...................................... 3,351 5,337 4,778 3 - 7 Accumulated depreciation and amortization............ (3,730) (4,312) (4,349) ------- ------- ------- $11,972 $17,560 $19,684 ======= ======= =======
Allowance for Doubtful Receivables and Repossession Losses The Company provides an allowance for doubtful receivables and repossession losses after considering historical loss experience and other factors, which might affect the collectibility of accounts receivable and the ability of customers to meet their obligations on finance contracts sold by the Company. Other Assets Other assets primarily consists of approximately $2,800,000 of goodwill acquired by the Company as part of the Kerr acquisition in 1995 and long-term deposits. The goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 30 years. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996, was approximately $8,000 and $31,000, respectively. Periodically, the Company assesses the appropriateness of the asset valuations of goodwill and the related amortization period. Income Taxes Rush Enterprises, Inc., and Affiliate have elected and have been treated for federal and certain state income tax purposes as an S corporation under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a result, the income of Rush Enterprises, Inc., and Affiliate for federal and certain state income tax purposes is included in the income tax return of the individual shareholder. Accordingly, no recognition F-8 66 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) has been given to federal and certain state income taxes in the accompanying historical combined financial statements. The accompanying combined financial statements include recognition of those state income taxes which are levied on the Company. In connection with the pending reorganization described in Note 2, both Rush Enterprises, Inc., and Affiliate will change their federal tax status from an S corporation to a C corporation and, accordingly, will be subject to federal and certain state income taxes. (See Note 4 and Note 14 for pro forma income tax information.) Revenue Recognition Policies Income on the sale of vehicles is recognized when the seller and customer execute a purchase contract and there are no significant uncertainties related to financing or delivery. Finance income related to the sale of a vehicle is recognized over the period of the respective finance contract on the effective interest rate method if the finance contract is retained by the Company. During 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1996, no finance contracts were retained for any significant length of time by the Company but were generally sold, with limited recourse, to certain finance companies concurrent with the sale of the related vehicle. Gain or loss is recognized by the Company upon the sale of such finance contracts to the finance companies, net of a provision for repossession losses and early repayment penalties. Leasing income is recognized over the period of the related lease agreement. Parts and services revenue is earned at the time the Company sells the parts to its customers, or at the time the Company completes the service work order related to service provided to the customer's vehicle. Statement of Cash Flows Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash and other money market instruments. The Company considers any temporary investments that mature in three months or less to be cash equivalents for reporting cash flows. New Accounting Pronouncements In March 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" (FAS 121), was issued. Under FAS 121, an impairment loss must be recognized, for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used by an entity, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. FAS 121 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995, and must be adopted on a prospective basis. Restatement of previously issued financial statements is not permitted. The Company adopted FAS 121 effective January 1, 1996. Such adoption did not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. In October 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (FAS 123) was issued. FAS 123 defines a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock options or similar equity instruments and encourages all entities to adopt that method of accounting for all of their employee stock compensation plans. Under the fair value based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period of the award, which is usually the vesting period. However, FAS 123 also allows entities to continue to measure compensation costs for employee stock compensation plans using the intrinsic value method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25). Entities electing to remain with the accounting prescribed by APB 25 must make pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method recommended by FAS 123 had been applied. The accounting requirements of FAS 123 are effective for transactions entered into in fiscal F-9 67 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) years that begin after December 15, 1995. The disclosure requirements of FAS 123 are effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. The Company intends to measure compensation costs using APB 25 and to provide pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method of accounting under FAS 123 had been applied. Therefore, FAS 123 will not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. (See Note 13.) 2. PENDING REORGANIZATION AND OFFERING: Rush Enterprises, Inc., has filed a Registration Statement in contemplation of an initial public offering of common stock (the Offering). Effective April 5, 1996, Rush Enterprises, Inc., declared a stock dividend to its sole shareholder whereby after such dividend there are 3,750,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Such stock dividend has been treated as a stock split for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, all references to common stock and per share information have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split following such dividend. Effective in April 1996, Rush Enterprises, Inc., has also authorized the creation of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value. No shares of preferred stock are expected to be issued in connection with the Offering or related reorganization. Rush Enterprises, Inc., will terminate its S corporation federal tax election upon the successful completion of the Offering and, accordingly, will be subject to federal and certain state income taxes from that date forward. Prior to such termination, the Company will distribute to its current sole shareholder all accumulated Subchapter S earnings as of the termination date. At March 31, 1996, the amount of the undistributed accumulated Subchapter S earnings was approximately $6,000,000, excluding $1,650,000 of accrued dividends payable at such date. Prior to completion of the Offering, Rush Enterprises, Inc., will purchase a wholly-owned subsidiary (managing general agent) which will control all the affairs and operations of Associated Acceptance, Inc. In return, any and all income of Associated Acceptance, Inc., will be received by the managing general agent and the sole shareholder of Associated Acceptance, Inc., will be prohibited from the sale or transfer of the capital stock of Associated Acceptance, Inc. In the event of a sale of Associated Acceptance, Inc. (as authorized by the managing general agent), any and all proceeds of such sale will be remitted to the Company. 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: In March 1995, the Company sold its Pontiac-GMC Truck division and, therefore, has accounted for these operations as discontinued operations. Under the terms of the sales agreement, the Buyer purchased the new car and truck inventory. The Company received approximately $3,601,000 for the sale of the dealership. The results of the division's operations and cash flows have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the combined statements of income and cash flows. The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have been classified in the combined balance sheet as "net assets of discontinued operations" as of December 31, 1994. All assets and liabilities of Rush Pontiac-GMC were sold prior to December 31, 1995. Sales revenues applicable to Rush Pontiac-GMC were $25,287,000, $30,305,000 and $6,435,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and $6,435,000 for the three months ended F-10 68 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) March 31, 1995. The summarized components of net assets of discontinued operations at December 31, 1994, were as follows (in thousands): Accounts receivable......................................... $1,460 Inventory................................................... 3,774 Property and equipment, net................................. 89 ------ Total assets........................................... 5,323 ------ Floor plan notes payable.................................... 3,663 Accounts payable............................................ 533 Accrued expenses............................................ 118 ------ Total liabilities...................................... 4,314 ------ Net assets of discontinued operations.................. $1,009 ======
4. PRO FORMA INFORMATION (UNAUDITED): Pro Forma Income From Continuing Operations and Income From Continuing Operations Per Share (Unaudited) Pro forma income from continuing operations and pro forma income from continuing operations per share for the year ended December 31, 1995, and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, have been determined assuming that the Company had been taxed as a C corporation for federal and certain state income tax purposes for such periods. Pro forma income from continuing operations per share has been computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding of Rush Enterprises, Inc., as adjusted for the stock dividend. The common shares of Associated Acceptance, Inc. have been excluded from the weighted average number of common shares outstanding as all rights and benefits of the operations of Associated Acceptance, Inc., will accrue to Rush Enterprises, Inc., after completion of the pending reorganization (see Note 2). Common equivalent shares for all periods presented have been increased by 547,400 shares to reflect the number that would have to be sold at the estimated offering price per share which would be necessary to repay the line-of-credit borrowings that will be used to fund an approximate $6,000,000 distribution of undistributed S corporation earnings as of March 31, 1996. It is proposed that a portion of the proceeds of a successful completion of the Offering of the Company's common stock will be used to repay such line-of-credit borrowings (see Notes 2 and 17). Supplemental Pro Forma Income From Continuing Operations Per Share (Unaudited) Supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock used in the calculation of pro forma income from continuing operations per share plus 428,800, 100,400 and 401,500 common equivalent shares representing the number of shares at the estimated offering price per share that the Company would need to fund the repayment of $4,700,000, $1,100,000 and $4,400,000 of outstanding long-term debt at December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, which is contemplated to be extinguished from the proceeds of the Offering. For purposes of computing supplemental pro forma income from continuing operations per share, pro forma income from continuing operations has been increased by $270,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, and by $16,000 and $68,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, representing elimination of related interest expense, net of tax, on such indebtedness assuming the Offering and repayment of debt occurred at the beginning of each respective period. F-11 69 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Pro Forma Balance Sheet (Unaudited) The unaudited pro forma balance sheet at March 31, 1996, gives effect to the following transactions, as if such transactions occurred on that date: (1) The payment of a distribution of approximately $6,000,000 which represents substantially all of the Company's undistributed S corporation earnings at March 31, 1996. Such distribution of undistributed earnings will be funded by draws on the Company's line of credit which will be repaid by a portion of the proceeds from the Offering. (2) The accrual of an estimated $421,000 deferred tax liability, which would be required as a reduction of retained earnings had the Company terminated its S corporation status at March 31, 1996. (See Note 14.) (3) The reclassification of retained earnings to additional paid-in capital. 5. SUPPLIER AND CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION: Major Suppliers and Dealership Agreements The Company has entered into dealership agreements with various companies (Distributors). These agreements are nonexclusive agreements that allow the Company to stock, sell at retail and service trucks and products of the Distributors in the Company's defined market. The agreements allow the Company to use the Distributor's name, trade symbols and intellectual property and expire as follows:
DISTRIBUTOR EXPIRATION DATES ------------ ---------------- PACCAR.............................. February 1997 to December 1998 GMC................................. October 2000 Volvo............................... March 2000
These agreements impose a number of restrictions and obligations on the Company, including restrictions on a change in control of the Company and the maintenance of certain required levels of working capital. Violation of such restrictions could result in the loss of the Company's right to purchase the Distributor's products and use the Distributor's trademarks. As of March 31, 1996, the Company's management believes it was in compliance with all the restrictions of its dealership agreements. The Company purchases most of its new vehicles and parts from PACCAR, the maker of Peterbilt trucks and parts, at prevailing prices charged to all franchised dealers. Sales of new Peterbilt trucks accounted for 95 percent and 92 percent of the Company's new vehicle sales for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively. The Company has obtained an amendment of its PACCAR and Volvo dealership agreements which would permit the Company to complete its proposed Offering. Subsequent to a successful completion of the Offering, the Company will continue to be subject to certain change of control restrictions, as defined, under the PACCAR and Volvo agreements. The Company has not obtained an amendment of its GMC dealership agreement which would permit the change in control which would occur upon the successful completion of the contemplated Offering and is unable to determine if such dealership rights will be revoked if the Offering is completed. The Company believes that a revocation of its GMC dealership agreement would not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations if such Distributor were to enforce its rights under the related agreement. F-12 70 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Primary Lender The Company purchases its new and used truck inventories with the assistance of a floor plan financing program from a single financial institution. Such financial institution also provides the Company with lines of credit which allow borrowings of up to $6,000,000. The loan agreements with this financial institution generally provide that such agreements may be terminated at the option of the lender. Further, the agreements provide that the occurrence of certain events, including termination of the Company's GMC dealership agreement, will be considered events of default under agreements. The Company has obtained a letter from the financial institution which states the financing agreements will not be terminated if the Company were to lose its GMC dealership rights due to a change in control of the Company caused by completion of the Offering. In the event that the Company's financing becomes insufficient, or its relationship terminates with the current primary lender, the Company would need to obtain similar financing from other sources. Management believes it can obtain additional floor plan financing or alternative financing if necessary. (See Note 8.) Concentrations of Credit Risks Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with quality financial institutions. At December 31, 1995, the Company had deposits in excess of federal insurance totaling approximately $2,300,000. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are reduced because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company's customer base, thus, spreading the trade credit risk. A majority of the Company's business, however, is concentrated in the United States heavy-duty trucking market and related aftermarkets. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals and by selling certain trade receivables without recourse. Related to the Company's finance contracts, after the finance contract is entered into, the Company generally sells the contracts to a third party. The finance contracts are sold with recourse, but the annual amount of recourse losses which can be put to the Company is contractually limited. (See Note 15.) Historically, bad debt expense associated with the Company's accounts receivable and finance contracts has not been material. 6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: The Company's accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following as of each respective date (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, ----------------- MARCH 31, 1994 1995 1996 ------ ------- --------- Trade accounts receivable from sale of vehicles.... $5,442 $12,428 $12,926 Other trade receivables............................ 2,025 1,925 2,236 Warranty claims.................................... 925 706 1,084 Related parties.................................... 389 784 203 Other accounts receivable.......................... 545 856 101 Less -- Allowance for doubtful receivables and repossession losses.............................. (322) (288) (276) ------ ------- ------- Total......................................... $9,004 $16,411 $16,274 ====== ======= =======
F-13 71 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Accounts receivables-related parties represents receivables with entities in which the stockholder and/or key members of the Company's management have a controlling interest. These receivables are primarily related to short-term advances made by the Company or receivables as a result of arm's-length transactions between the Company and the related parties. For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company had sales to one of its related parties of approximately $1,631,000, $535,000, $770,000, $257,000 and $218,000, respectively. 7. INVENTORIES: The Company's inventories consisted of the following as of each respective date (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, ------------------ MARCH 31, 1994 1995 1996 ------- ------- --------- New vehicles...................................... $10,640 $21,870 $24,825 Used vehicles..................................... 3,435 5,490 5,786 Parts and accessories............................. 6,487 8,744 10,096 Tires............................................. 193 413 730 ------- ------- ------- Total........................................ $20,755 $36,517 $41,437 ======= ======= =======
8. FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE AND LINES OF CREDIT: Floor Plan Notes Payable Floor plan notes are financing agreements to facilitate the Company's purchase of new and used trucks. These notes are collateralized by the inventory purchased and accounts receivable arising from the sale thereof. The Company's floor plan notes have interest rates at prime plus a percentage rate as determined by the finance provider, as defined in the agreement. The interest rates applicable to these agreements were 9.0 percent and 8.25 percent at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The amounts borrowed under these agreements are due when the related truck inventory (collateral) is sold and the sales proceeds are collected by the Company. These lines are discretionary and may be modified, suspended or terminated at the election of the lender, at any time. The Company's three floor plan agreements with its primary lender limit the aggregate amount of borrowings based on either an aggregate dollar amount or an aggregate number of new and used trucks that may be financed. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the floor plan agreements were amended whereby the capacity under the agreements are determined by the number of units that may be floor planned. The aggregate amounts of capacity and availability under these agreements at December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996, are as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 1995, MARCH 31, 1996, ---------------------------- --------------------------- CAPACITY AVAILABILITY CAPACITY AVAILABILITY ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------ Dollars (one agreement)..................... $24,200,000 $ 9,400,000 -- -- New truck units (two agreements)............ 385 75 692 308 Used truck units (two agreements)........... 175 70 283 56
F-14 72 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Amounts of collateral as of December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996, are as follows (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1995 1996 ------------ --------- Inventories, new and used vehicles at cost based on specific identification...................................................... $ 27,360 $30,611 Truck sale related accounts receivable................................ 12,428 12,926 ------- ------- Total............................................................ $ 39,788 $43,537 ======= ======= Floor plan notes payable.............................................. $ 34,294 $37,861 ======= =======
Lines of Credit The Company has various separate line-of-credit agreements with two financial institutions which provide for an aggregate maximum borrowings of $6,000,000 and $450,000, respectively, with advances generally limited to 75 percent of new parts inventory and eligible accounts receivable (as defined). Advances bear interest ranging from prime plus 1.25 percent to prime plus 2.0 percent. Advances under the line-of-credit agreements are secured by new parts inventory. The line-of-credit agreement contains financial covenants which include the maintenance of a certain level of tangible net worth (as defined). The Company was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996. Either party may terminate the agreement with 60 days written notice. Indebtedness under the agreements is guaranteed by the Company's stockholder. After a successful completion of the Offering, the guarantee of the Company's stockholder will be terminated. As of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and March 31, 1996, advances outstanding under the various line-of-credit agreements amounted to $860,000, $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. As of December 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996, $6,440,000 and $6,430,000, respectively, was available for future borrowings. These lines are discretionary and may be modified, suspended or terminated at the election of the lender, at any time. 9. LONG-TERM DEBT: Long-term debt is comprised of the following as of each respective date (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, ------------------ MARCH 31, 1994 1995 1996 ------- ------- --------- Variable interest rate term notes................. $ 2,581 $ 5,139 $ 6,319 Fixed interest rate term notes.................... 6,306 11,248 10,485 Advance from related party........................ -- 890 680 ------- ------- ------- Total debt................................... 8,887 17,277 17,484 Less -- Current maturities........................ (2,162) (3,600) (3,600) ------- ------- ------- $ 6,725 $13,677 $13,884 ======= ======= =======
Advance from related party is a short-term advance from a company controlled by the Company's sole shareholder. The advance carries interest at prime rate and is due in 1996. F-15 73 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) As of December 31, 1995, debt maturities are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal year -- -------------- 1996...................................... $ 3,600 1997...................................... 1,768 1998...................................... 2,918 1999...................................... 1,290 2000...................................... 1,157 Thereafter................................ 6,544 ------- Total................................ $17,277 =======
The Company's variable interest rate notes are primarily with financial institutions and have interest rates ranging from prime plus 1 percent to prime plus 1.25 percent, which ranged from 9.5 percent to 9.75 percent at December 31, 1995. Monthly payments of these notes range from $3,300 to $9,900, including principal and interest and maturities of these notes range from December 1997 to February 2000. The Company's fixed interest rate notes are primarily with financial institutions and have interest rates ranging from 7.5 percent to 10.5 percent at December 31, 1995. Monthly payments on the notes range from $300 to $16,500, including principal and interest and maturities of these notes range from February 1996 to November 2012. The proceeds from the issuance of the variable and fixed rate notes were used primarily to acquire land, buildings and improvements, transportation equipment and leased vehicles. The notes are secured by the assets acquired by the proceeds of such notes, and certain notes are guaranteed by the stockholder of the Company. Such guarantees will be terminated upon a successful completion of the Offering. 10. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: In December 1991, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 (FAS 107), "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments" was issued. FAS 107 requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument held by the Company: Current assets and current liabilities -- The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these items. Accrued interest payable -- The carrying amount approximates fair value as the majority of interest payments are made monthly. Long-term debt -- The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is based on secondary market indicators. Since the Company's debt is not quoted, estimates are based on each obligation's characteristics, including remaining maturities, interest rate, credit rating, collateral, amortization schedule and liquidity. The carrying amount approximates fair value. 11. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION PLANS: The Company has a defined contribution pension plan (the Rush Plan) which is available to all Company employees and the employees of certain affiliates, except employees of South Coast Peterbilt. As of December 31 of every year, each employee who has completed one year of continuous service is entitled to enter the Rush Plan. Participating employees may contribute from 2 percent to 10 percent of total gross compensation. The Company may contribute an amount equal to 25 percent of the employees' contributions. During the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and F-16 74 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 1996, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $75,000, $115,000, $127,000, $45,000 and $65,000, respectively, related to the Rush Plan. South Coast Peterbilt also has a defined contribution pension plan (the South Coast Plan) which is available to all employees of South Coast Peterbilt. Each employee who has completed one year of continuous service is entitled to enter the South Coast Plan. Participating employees do not contribute. South Coast contributes an amount equal to 2.50 percent of the employees' compensation. During the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, South Coast Peterbilt incurred expenses of approximately $117,000, $166,000, $27,000 and $47,000, respectively, related to the South Coast Plan. Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits In December 1990, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" (FAS 106) was issued. FAS 106 requires employers to recognize the obligation to provide postretirement benefits to employees during the periods that employees render service to earn the benefit. Previously, generally accepted accounting principles provided that employers could report such expenses in the period the related costs were paid. The Company does not provide such benefits to its employees, thus, FAS 106 has no effect on the results of operations of the Company. In November 1992, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112 "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" (FAS 112) was issued. FAS 112 requires employers to recognize the obligation to provide benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement, if certain conditions are met. The Company does not provide such benefits to its employees, thus, FAS 112 has no effect on the results of operations of the Company. 12. LEASES: Vehicle Leases The Company leases vehicles primarily over periods ranging from one to six years under operating lease arrangements. This equipment is subleased to customers under various agreements in its own leasing operation. Generally, the Company is required to incur all operating costs and pay a minimum rental and an excess mileage charge based on maximum mileage over the term of the lease. Vehicle lease expenses for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, were approximately $1,005,000, $2,600,000, $4,076,000, $973,000 and $1,345,000, respectively. Minimum rental commitments for noncancelable vehicle leases in effect at December 31, 1995, are as follows (in thousands): 1996........................................ $ 5,712 1997........................................ 4,601 1998........................................ 3,876 1999........................................ 2,619 2000........................................ 1,470 Thereafter.................................. 1,325 ------- Total.................................. $19,603 =======
Customer Vehicle Leases A Company division leases both owned and leased vehicles to customers primarily over periods of one to six years under operating lease arrangements. The leases require a minimum rental and a contingent rental F-17 75 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) based on mileage. Rental income during the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, consisted of minimum payments of approximately $1,283,000, $3,600,000, $5,915,000, $1,458,000 and $2,314,000, respectively, and contingent rentals of approximately $299,000, $600,000, $2,076,000, $443,000 and $547,000, respectively. Minimum lease payments to be received for noncancelable leases and subleases in effect at December 31, 1995, are as follows (in thousands): 1996........................................ $ 6,896 1997........................................ 5,401 1998........................................ 4,120 1999........................................ 3,046 2000........................................ 1,684 Thereafter.................................. 1,598 ------- Total.................................. $22,745 =======
Other Leases The Company leases its various facilities under operating leases which expire at various times through 2001. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, was $110,000, $712,000, $762,000, $208,000 and $310,000, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases at December 31, 1995, are as follows (in thousands): 1996......................................... $ 801 1997......................................... 791 1998......................................... 711 1999......................................... 423 2000......................................... 389 Thereafter................................... 146 ------ Total...................................... $3,261 ======
13. COMMON STOCK: At December 31, 1994 and 1995, and March 31, 1996, there were 2,141,760 shares authorized and 607,832 shares issued and outstanding of Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A voting common stock. In addition, there were 750,000 shares authorized and 451,162 shares issued and outstanding of Associated Acceptance, Inc., Class A voting common stock. All shares had a par value of $1.00. Dividends in the amount of $1,262,000, $2,055,000, $4,695,000, $505,000 and $740,000 were declared to the shareholder of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Dividends in the amount of $1,262,000, $1,512,000, $3,623,000, $182,000 and $705,000 were paid to the shareholder for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Company adopted a stock option plan (the Incentive Plan) which provides for the grant of stock options and stock appreciation rights. Initially, 500,000 shares of common stock will be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The Company intends to grant options to purchase approximately 19,400 shares to certain key employees contemporaneous with the Offering. Such options will be exercisable at 90 percent of the initial public offering price per common share and will be fully vested. F-18 76 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 14. CHANGE IN S CORPORATION STATUS AND PRO FORMA INCOME TAXES: Prior to the proposed Offering of the Company's common stock, the Company will maintain the status of S corporation for federal and certain state income tax purposes. As an S corporation, the Company is generally not responsible for income taxes. Upon the closing of the proposed Offering, the Company's S corporation election will be terminated and the Company will be reorganized as described in Note 2. Accordingly, the Company will be subject to federal and state income taxes from that date forward. Prior to consummation of the proposed Offering, the Company intends to make distributions of the Company's undistributed S corporation earnings to its shareholder. As of March 31, 1996, such undistributed S corporation earnings aggregated approximately $6,000,000 (excluding accrued dividends payable of $1,650,000 as of March 31, 1996). The Company plans to pay the undistributed S corporation earnings through draws on the Company's lines of credit which will be repaid from the proceeds of the proposed offering. In addition, effective with the termination of the Company's S corporation status, the Company will provide for deferred income taxes for cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of its assets and liabilities at the date of termination. If the termination had occurred at March 31, 1996, the net deferred income tax liability, calculated in accordance with FAS 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," would have approximated $421,000 (unaudited). The tax liability is primarily due to basis differences of $970,000 related to property and equipment, net of $549,000 in deferred tax assets associated with inventories and with accruals and reserves deducted for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes. This deferred tax liability will be charged against income from continuing operations in the period the Company's tax status changes. Pro Forma Provision for Income Taxes (Unaudited) The unaudited pro forma provision for income taxes represents the estimated income taxes on income from continuing operations that would have been reported under FAS 109 had the Company been a taxable entity for both state and federal income tax purposes for the year ended December 31, 1995, and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996. The components of the pro forma income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 1995, is summarized as follows (in thousands): Current provision -- Federal............................................................ $1,945 State.............................................................. 230 ------ 2,175 ------ Deferred provision -- Federal............................................................ 245 State.............................................................. 28 ------ 273 ------ Unaudited pro forma provision for income taxes....................... $2,448 ======
F-19 77 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) A reconciliation of taxes based on the federal statutory rate of 34 percent and the unaudited pro forma provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 1995, is summarized as follows (in thousands): Income taxes at the federal statutory rate........................... $2,191 State income taxes, net of federal benefit........................... 170 Other, net........................................................... 87 ------ Unaudited pro forma provision for income taxes....................... $2,448 ======
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: The Company is contingently liable to finance companies for the notes sold to such finance companies related to the sale of trucks. The Company's recourse liability related to sold finance contracts is limited to 15 to 25 percent of the outstanding amount of each note sold to the finance company with the aggregate recourse liability for 1995 being limited to $200,000. The Company provides an allowance for repossession losses and early repayment penalties. Finance contracts sold with recourse during the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, were $32,188,000, $45,453,000, $53,165,000, $13,527,000 and $16,132,000, respectively. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Company's aggregate annual loss limit was increased to $600,000 annually. The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes it is unlikely that the final outcome of any of the claims or proceedings to which the Company is a party would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, however, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations for the fiscal period in which such resolution occurred. The Company has consulting agreements with individuals for an aggregate monthly payment of $15,725 per month. The agreements expire in 1999 through 2001. 16. ACQUISITIONS: In February 1994, South Coast acquired substantially all of the operations of four existing Peterbilt truck dealerships in Southern California. The purchase price was approximately $9,562,000 consisting of $3,139,000 in cash, $5,439,000 in floor plan financing for inventory and a note to the seller in the amount of $984,000. South Coast was initially owned 90 percent by the Company and 10 percent was owned by a minority interest owner. In June 1994, South Coast acquired substantially all of the operations of an existing truck leasing company in Southern California. The purchase price was $300,000. The acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases; operations of the businesses acquired have been included in the accompanying combined financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The F-20 78 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) purchase price has been allocated based on the fair values of the assets at the date of acquisition as follows (in thousands): Inventories.................................. $8,310 Property and equipment....................... 1,327 Lease costs.................................. 225 ------ Total................................... $9,862 ======
In August 1995, the Company purchased the minority interest in South Coast. The Company paid approximately $435,000 for the remaining 10 percent ownership interest. In December 1995, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and leasing operations of Kerr, consisting of two existing Peterbilt truck dealerships and a leasing operation in Oklahoma. The purchase price was approximately $10,155,000. The purchase price was approximately $2,690,000 in cash, floor plan financing for inventory of $3,915,000, a note payable to a financial institution of $750,000 and a note to the seller for $2,800,000. During the first quarter of 1996, the Company acquired land and buildings related to the acquisition of certain assets of Kerr for approximately $1,700,000. The Company paid approximately $425,000 in cash and entered into mortgage notes payable of approximately $1,275,000 due in monthly installments of principal and interest over approximately 10 years. Also, concurrent with the closing of this transaction, the Company entered into a construction loan of approximately $638,000 for new buildings to be constructed at the Oklahoma operation in 1996. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase; operations of the business acquired has been included in the accompanying combined financial statements from the respective date of acquisition. The purchase price has been allocated based on the fair values of the assets at the date of acquisition as follows (in thousands): Inventories................................. $ 6,981 Property and equipment...................... 345 Lease costs................................. 29 Goodwill.................................... 2,800 ------- Total..................................... $10,155 =======
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents information as if the Kerr acquisitions, and the minority interest in South Coast acquisition and the sale of the Rush Pontiac-GMC dealership had occurred at the beginning of each fiscal year. The pro forma information is provided for information purposes only. It is based on historical information and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred nor is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company. In preparing the pro forma data, adjustments have been made to reflect the impact of income tax expense for the respective periods and the weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computation of income from continuing operations per share has been increased to reflect the number of shares at the proposed offering price, necessary to fund repayment of the line of credit drawn to pay the $6,000,000 distribution of undistributed S corporation earnings. Supplemental income from continuing operations per share has been computed using the number of common and common equivalent shares as described above plus the number of shares required, at the F-21 79 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) proposed offering price, necessary to fund repayment of certain debt obligations which are proposed to be extinguished with the proceeds from the Offering (in thousands, except per share amounts).
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------- 1994 1995 -------- -------- (UNAUDITED) Revenues from continuing operations...................... $277,939 $333,279 -------- -------- Income from continuing operations after pro forma provision for income taxes............................. $ 2,959 $ 4,277 -------- -------- $1.00 Income from continuing operations per share.............. ======== Supplemental income from continuing operations per $.96 share.................................................. ========
17. SECURITIES OFFERING: The Company has filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an underwritten offering of 2,500,000 shares of common stock. The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the Offering to retire certain debt obligations, fund potential acquisition opportunities which may arise in the future and for general corporate purposes. In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to issue to the underwriters of the Offering, warrants to purchase 10 percent of the initial public offering shares offered to the public. Such warrants will be exercisable during a four-year period commencing one year from the date of the Offering, at an exercise price equal to 120 percent of the initial public offering price. The warrant agreement will provide for customary antidilution and registration right provisions. F-22 80 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To Rush Enterprises, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., and subsidiaries (an Oklahoma corporation) for the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of Kerr Consolidated, Inc.'s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., and its cash flows for the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP San Antonio, Texas March 15, 1996 F-23 81 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors Kerr Consolidated, Inc. We have audited the accompanying statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Kerr Consolidated, Inc. (an S corporation) for the year ended December 31, 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Kerr Consolidated, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1994 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Oklahoma City, Oklahoma May 26, 1995 F-24 82 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND THE ELEVEN-MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995 (IN THOUSANDS)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED 31, NOVEMBER 30, 1994 1995 ----------- ------------------- REVENUES: Truck sales.................................................. $55,526 $48,942 Parts and service............................................ 11,128 11,469 Lease........................................................ 4,096 3,398 Other........................................................ 803 992 ------- ------- Total revenues.......................................... 71,553 64,801 COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD.......................................... 63,075 57,281 ------- ------- GROSS PROFIT................................................... 8,478 7,520 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE............................ 6,411 6,082 DEPRECIATION................................................... 331 295 ------- ------- OPERATING INCOME............................................... 1,736 1,143 INTEREST EXPENSE............................................... (485) (716) ------- ------- NET INCOME..................................................... $ 1,251 $ 427 ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-25 83 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND THE ELEVEN-MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995 (IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK ------------------------ SHARES ADDITIONAL ISSUED AND $.10 PAID-IN RETAINED OUTSTANDING PAR VALUE CAPITAL (DEFICIT) ----------- --------- ---------- -------- BALANCE, December 31, 1993........................... 425 $43 $5,152 $ (1,723) NET INCOME........................................... -- -- -- 1,251 DIVIDENDS............................................ -- -- -- (932) --- --- ---------- -------- BALANCE, December 31, 1994........................... 425 43 5,152 (1,404) NET INCOME........................................... -- -- -- 427 DIVIDENDS............................................ -- -- -- (775) --- --- ---------- -------- BALANCE, November 30, 1995........................... 425 $43 $5,152 $ (1,752) ========= ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-26 84 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND THE ELEVEN-MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995 (IN THOUSANDS)
YEAR ENDED ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, NOVEMBER 30, 1994 1995 ------------ ------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income.................................................. $ 1,251 $ 427 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities -- Depreciation and amortization.......................... 331 295 Bad debt expense....................................... 23 -- Gain on sale of property............................... (179) (10) Change in receivables.................................. 701 (662) Change in inventories.................................. (844) (4,540) Change in prepaid expenses and other................... 13 60 Change in other assets................................. 72 (5) Change in accounts payable............................. 439 169 Change in accrued liabilities.......................... (169) (27) ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities........................................ 1,638 (4,293) ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment............ 246 -- Purchase of property and equipment.......................... (809) (960) ------- ------- Net cash used in investing activities.................... (563) (960) ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from notes payable................................. 1,275 1,531 Principal payments on notes payable......................... (1,032) (411) Draws (payments) on floor plan financing, net............... (570) 4,382 Payments on line of credit, net............................. (117) -- Dividends paid.............................................. (932) (775) ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities...... (1,376) 4,727 ------- ------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................... (301) (526) CASH, beginning of period..................................... 833 532 ------- ------- CASH, end of period........................................... $ 532 $ 6 ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-27 85 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1994, AND NOVEMBER 30, 1995 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Operations Kerr Consolidated, Inc. (Kerr), primarily operates two truck dealerships and a truck leasing operation in the retail trucking industry. The truck dealerships are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and offer sales and service of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and related parts and accessories. The leasing operation maintains a fleet of medium- and heavy-duty trucks which are offered for rent or lease to the public. The truck leasing operations are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Truck leasing operations' customers are primarily other businesses. In December 1995, substantially all the assets, leasing operations and certain liabilities of Kerr were sold to Rush Enterprises, Inc. (Rush). (See Note 9.) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kerr and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and amounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Basis of Presentation As described in Note 9, Kerr sold a significant portion of its assets and leasing operations to Rush. The amounts in the accompanying financial statements reflect the historical account balances of Kerr prior to the consummation of the sales transaction and do not reflect the purchase transaction or any associated gain or loss. Major Suppliers Kerr purchases substantially all of its new vehicles and parts from PACCAR and Volvo at the prevailing prices charged to all franchised dealers. Depreciation Depreciation is determined primarily on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 10 to 20 years for buildings and improvements and 2 to 10 years for machinery, equipment and other. Income Taxes Effective July 1, 1986, the stockholders of Kerr elected to be taxed under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code related to S corporations. Under those provisions, Kerr does not pay corporate income taxes. The income or loss of Kerr for tax purposes is included in the individual income tax returns of Kerr's stockholders. Consequently, no provision for income taxes has been reflected in the financial statements. Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash paid for interest was approximately $466,000 and $716,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. Estimates in Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and F-28 86 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 3. LEASES: During the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, Kerr leased certain trucks from others for subleasing. The leases and subleases are accounted for as operating leases. These trucks are individually leased for up to seven years. The lease payments by Kerr are based upon a monthly fixed fee plus 1.5 percent of certain sublease revenues. Minimum rental commitments for noncancelable vehicle leases in effect at November 30, 1995, are as follows (in thousands): 1996......................................... $ 888 1997......................................... 601 1998......................................... 504 1999......................................... 286 2000......................................... 138 Thereafter................................... 47 ------ Total................................... $2,464 ======
Rent expense under all operating lease agreements, including month-to-month leases, was approximately $1,178,000 and $979,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. Contingent rental payments were not material for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995. The Company subleases the trucks for periods of up to seven years. The lease revenue is based on a fixed fee plus a mileage fee. Future minimum lease payments to be received on various rental properties and trucks sublet at November 30, 1995, are as follows (in thousands): 1996......................................... $ 888 1997......................................... 601 1998......................................... 504 1999......................................... 286 2000......................................... 137 Thereafter................................... 87 ------ $2,503 ======
4. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Kerr sponsors a 401(k) savings plan covering substantially all full-time employees. Kerr's contribution to the plan is discretionary but shall not exceed the lesser of 6 percent of each participant's compensation or 50 percent of each participant's contribution. Benefit expense related to the savings plan amounted to $62,000 and $71,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and for the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: Kerr's customers include various individuals and entities in the trucking industry as well as trucking divisions of entities engaged in other types of business. Credit is generally extended to customers directly by Kerr for sales other than trucks based on an evaluation of the customer's financial position and other factors. F-29 87 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Credit losses are provided for within the financial statements based on estimates, based on experience and on periodic assessments of accounts receivable and outstanding finance contracts, particularly those accounts and contracts past due. Kerr assists customers in obtaining financing contracts for sales of trucks. Kerr and its stockholders are contingently liable under repurchase and guaranty agreements in connection with these contracts. The contingent liability of approximately $3,500,000 at December 31, 1994, relating to these sales would be reduced by the resale value of trucks repurchased. Kerr has annual loss caps on outstanding finance contracts which limit the maximum loss liability in any calendar year to approximately $375,000. Current earnings are charged and accrued liabilities are credited with an estimated provision for repossession losses based on experience and on any unusual circumstances which may affect the ability of customers to meet their obligations with respect to purchases of trucks. Management believes that the provision for repossession losses adequately provides for any losses that may result from the repurchase and guaranty agreements. Various suits and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business are pending against Kerr. While the ultimate effect of these matters cannot be ascertained at this time, in the opinion of management of Kerr after consultation with counsel, the liabilities which may arise from these matters would not result in losses which would materially affect Kerr's results of operations. 6. SALES TO MAJOR CUSTOMERS: Sales to one customer accounted for approximately 14 percent and 7 percent of Kerr's total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. 7. TRANSACTIONS WITH PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER: Kerr earned approximately $47,000 and $58,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, in commissions as an agent for an insurance agency owned by the principal stockholder of Kerr. Kerr paid approximately $120,000 and $110,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively, in management fees to an affiliated entity owned by the principal stockholder. Kerr has paid annual dividends since its election to be taxed as an S corporation. Total distributions to stockholders of approximately $932,000 and $775,000 were paid for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. 8. PHANTOM STOCK PLAN: In 1992, the board of directors of Kerr approved a Phantom Stock Plan (the Plan) effective as of January 1, 1990. Under the terms of the Plan, phantom equity accounts representing hypothetical investments in Kerr's stockholders' equity at the date of grant may be awarded to certain key employees. Each phantom equity account is 100 percent vested and represents an amount equal to 5 percent of stockholders' equity, as defined, at the date of grant. The phantom equity accounts are adjusted for the effect of changes in Kerr's stockholders' equity that occur after the date of the initial award. A participant may elect prior to the beginning of the year to receive a cash bonus equal to his annual "distributable amount" for the next year as defined in the Plan, with a corresponding reduction in his phantom equity account. Distributable amounts not withdrawn are increased 10 percent annually for five years. Upon voluntary termination of employment, the participant is entitled to receive from Kerr the value of his account at the date of termination over a period not to exceed five years. A participant forfeits all rights to any payments under the Plan if terminated for cause or in certain other specified circumstances. The phantom equity accounts do not entitle the participant to voting rights or to receive dividends. The Plan is unfunded and no assets of Kerr have been segregated for payment of benefits under the Plan. F-30 88 KERR CONSOLIDATED, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) The initial award of phantom equity accounts was granted to two key employees in 1992. Each phantom equity account awarded was equal to 5 percent of stockholders' equity, as defined, as of January 1, 1990. Kerr's annual provision for accrued benefits related to the Plan was approximately $40,000 and $49,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995, respectively. 9. SALE OF ASSETS: On December 1, 1995, Kerr entered into an agreement whereby Rush purchased significantly all the assets (except real estate) and assumed the employees' accrued vacation liabilities and deposits of Kerr. The purchase price paid by Rush for the assets was approximately $10,155,000. On March 1, 1996, Rush purchased certain land and buildings of Kerr for approximately $1,700,000. F-31 89 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND AFFILIATE INTRODUCTION TO PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED) The following unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1995, gives effect to the following: - The acquisition of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., which was effective as of December 1, 1995, is assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 1995. - The acquisition of the 10 percent minority interest in South Coast Peterbilt, which was effective September 1, 1995, is assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 1995. - The disposition of Rush Pontiac-GMC which was effective during March 1995, is assumed to have occurred as of December 31, 1994. - The reorganization of the Company as if such reorganization had occurred January 1, 1995, including certain S corporation distributions and the change in tax status from an S corporation to a taxable C corporation. - The extinguishment of $9,700,000 of debt outstanding at December 31, 1995, which is planned to be repaid from the proceeds of the Company's contemplated initial public offering. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1995, reflects the audited historical income statement of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the audited historical income statement of Kerr Consolidated, Inc., for the eleven-month period ended November 30, 1995. The pro forma financial information does not reflect the effects of any of the anticipated changes to be made by the Company in the Kerr Consolidated, Inc., operations from the historical Kerr Consolidated, Inc., operations. The pro forma statements are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed to be indicative of the Company's results of operations had the transactions actually been consummated on the dates assumed and do not project the Company's results of operations for any future period. The significant assumptions and adjustments are disclosed in the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and other financial information pertaining to the Company and Kerr Consolidated, Inc., included elsewhere in this Prospectus. F-32 90 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
KERR CONSOLIDATED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 RUSH ENTERPRISES INC., ELEVEN --------------------------------------------------------- INC., YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED SUPPLEMENTAL DECEMBER 31, NOVEMBER 30, PRO FORMA SUBTOTAL PRO FORMA TOTAL 1995 1995 ADJUSTMENTS(1) PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS(2) PRO FORMA ----------------- ------------ -------------- --------- -------------- --------- SALES............................. $ 268,478 $ 64,801 $333,279 $333,279 COSTS OF PRODUCTS SOLD............ 225,252 57,281 282,533 282,533 -------- ------- -------- -------- GROSS PROFIT...................... 43,226 7,520 50,746 50,746 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.................. 31,927 6,082 $ (220)(C) 37,789 37,789 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION..... 1,924 295 93(B) 2,312 2,312 -------- ------- ------- -------- -------- OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)........... 9,375 1,143 127 10,645 10,645 INTEREST EXPENSE.................. 2,770 716 260(D) 3,746 $ (435)(H) 3,311 MINORITY INTEREST................. 162 -- (162)(A) -- -- -- -------- ------- ------- -------- ----- -------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS...................... 6,443 427 29 6,899 435 7,334 -------- ------- ------- -------- ----- -------- DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS: Operating loss.................. (224) -- 224(E) -- -- Gain on disposal................ 1,785 -- (1,785)(E) -- -- -------- ------- ------- -------- ----- -------- GAIN FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS...................... 1,561 -- (1,561) -- -------- ------- ------- -------- ----- -------- PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES........ -- -- (2,622)(F) (2,622 ) (165)(I) (2,787 ) -------- ------- ------- -------- ----- -------- NET INCOME........................ $ 8,004 $ 427 $ (4,154) $ 4,277 $ 270 $ 4,547 ======== ======= ======= ======== ===== ======== $1.00 $.96 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE......... ======== ======== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING..................... 4,297,400(G) 4,726,200(J) ========= =========
See accompanying notes to pro forma unaudited combined financial statements. F-33 91 RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND AFFILIATE NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 1. Pro forma adjustments related to acquisition of Kerr Consolidated, Inc. (Kerr), the acquisition of the 10 percent minority interest in South Coast Peterbilt and the disposition of Rush Pontiac-GMC. A. Eliminate minority interest in the operations of South Coast Peterbilt for the period from January 1, 1995, to August 31, 1995, the date of acquisition of such minority interest by Rush Enterprises, Inc. B. Increase in amortization expense related to the acquisition of Kerr to amortize the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets over a period of 30 years. C. Reduce general and administrative expenses of Kerr to eliminate management fees and salary paid to the former sole shareholders, net of the annual amounts to be paid to such shareholders in the future in connection with a five-year consulting agreement. D. Record the interest effect of the borrowings associated with the acquisition of Kerr and the minority interest in South Coast Peterbilt, net of the interest effect of the disposition of Rush Pontiac-GMC. E. Eliminate the operating loss and gain on disposal related to the discontinued operations of Rush Pontiac-GMC, which was sold effective March 1995. F. Provide for federal and state income tax expense at an effective tax rate of 38 percent as if both Rush Enterprises, Inc. (Rush), and Kerr had been taxed as a C corporation for the year ended December 31, 1995, net of effect of adjustments A., B., C., D. and E. G. Weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding are based upon the historical post-split shares outstanding of Rush plus 574,400 common shares which would be necessary to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6,000,000 distribution of undistributed earnings from the proceeds of a successful completion of the initial public offering of the Company's common stock. 2. Supplemental pro forma adjustments related to the reorganization of Rush, the $6,000,000 distribution of accumulated S corporation earnings of the Company to be made subsequent to December 31, 1995, and supplemental pro forma adjustments related to the planned extinguishment of $10,700,000 of debt (consisting of $6,000,000 in line-of-credit borrowings and $4,700,000 in long-term debt) from the proceeds of the contemplated initial public offering. H. Record the reduction in interest expense due to use of offering proceeds to repay $4,700,000 of outstanding long-term debt as described above. I. To record federal and state income tax for the net effect of the aforementioned supplemental pro forma adjustment A. at an effective tax rate of 38 percent. J. Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding is based upon the historical post-split shares of Rush plus 976,200 common shares which would be necessary to repay the line-of-credit borrowings made to fund the $6,000,000 distribution of accumulated S corporation earnings and repay $4,700,000 of outstanding indebtedness as described above. F-34 92 Inside Back Cover Picture of Peterbilt truck mounted on a sign Rush Truck Center Sign Picture of Peterbilt truck Peterbilt Model 377 Picture of Peterbilt truck Peterbilt Model 320 93 - ------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------ NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE. ------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- Prospectus Summary.................... 3 Risk Factors.......................... 8 The Reorganization.................... 12 S Corporation Distributions........... 12 Use of Proceeds....................... 13 Dividend Policy....................... 13 Dilution.............................. 14 Capitalization........................ 15 Selected Combined and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data........ 16 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations....................... 19 Business.............................. 27 Management............................ 42 Principal Shareholders................ 47 Certain Transactions.................. 48 Description of Capital Stock.......... 49 Shares Eligible for Future Sale....... 52 Underwriting.......................... 53 Legal Matters......................... 54 Experts............................... 54 Additional Information................ 54 Index to Combined Financial Statements.......................... F-1
------------------------ Until , 1996 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as Underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions. - ------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------ 2,500,000 SHARES RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. COMMON STOCK -------------------- [LOGO] PROSPECTUS -------------------- LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. , 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------ 94 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby (other than underwriting discounts and commissions). Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee.................... $ 12,888.00 NASDAQ National Market System application fee.................... 28,125.00 NASD filing fee.................................................. 4,274.00 Legal fees and expenses.......................................... 125,000.00 Transfer Agent and Registrar fee and expenses.................... 5,000.00 Accounting fees and expenses..................................... 230,000.00 Blue sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees).............. 17,000.00 Printing costs................................................... 75,000.00 Miscellaneous.................................................... 2,713.00 Total.................................................. $500,000.00
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Article 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act grants each corporation organized thereunder the power to indemnify its officers and directors against liability under certain circumstances. The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify all directors, officers, employees and agents of the Registrant. The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation also contain a provision eliminating the liability of directors of the Registrant to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary damages except under certain circumstances. The Registrant also has a policy insuring its directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Section 6 of the Underwriting Agreement (contained in Exhibit 1.1 hereto) provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of directors and officers of the Registrant against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, under certain circumstances. See "Item 17. Undertakings" for a description of the Securities and Exchange Commission's position regarding such indemnification provisions. ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. All sales of securities of the Registrant sold by the Registrant occurred prior to April 1992. II-1 95 ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) Exhibits
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 1.1. *** Form of Underwriting Agreement and Agreement Among Underwriters. 3.1. ** Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. 3.2. ** Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended. 4.1. *** Specimen of certificate representing Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant. 4.2. *** Form of Representatives' Warrant. 4.3. ** Rights Agreement dated April 8, 1996 between Rush Enterprises, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Trustee. 5.1. *** Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. regarding legality of the Common Stock being registered. 10.1. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (heavy-duty truck) dated October 5, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. 10.2. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (heavy-duty truck) dated November 1, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba South Coast Peterbilt. 10.3. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (heavy-duty truck) dated October 10, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Ark-La-Tex Peterbilt, Inc. 10.4. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (heavy-duty truck) dated October 30, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Houston Peterbilt, Inc. 10.5. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (heavy duty truck) dated December 1, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks. 10.6. ** Amendment to Dealership Sales and Service Agreements [heavy-duty truck] dated April 1, 1996, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.7. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement (medium duty) dated October 5, 1995 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a San Antonio Peterbilt -- GMC Trucks, Inc. 10.8. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement [medium duty truck] dated February 2, 1994 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a South Coast Peterbilt. 10.9. ** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement [medium duty truck] dated January 10, 1995 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Ark-La-Tex Peterbilt, Inc. 10.10.** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement [medium duty truck] dated December 30, 1994 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Houston Peterbilt, Inc. 10.11.** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement [medium duty] dated December 1, 1995, between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks. 10.12.** Amendment to Dealer Sales and Service Agreements [medium-duty trucks] dated April 1, 1996 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.13.** GMC Truck Division Dealer Sales and Service Agreement dated July 9, 1992 between General Motors Corporation, GMC Truck Division and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Rush Pontiac - GMC Truck Center.
II-2 96
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 10.14.** GMC Truck Division Dealer Sales and Service Agreement dated January 17, 1996 between General Motors Corporation, GMC Truck Division and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. 10.15.** Dealer Sales and Service Agreement dated January 26, 1996 between Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation and Rush Enterprise, Inc. 10.16.** Franchise Agreement effective July 28, 1994 between PACCAR Leasing Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Translease Corp. 10.17.** Franchise Agreement Addendum dated December 1, 1995 between PACCAR Leasing Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Translease Corp. 10.18.** Agreement for Acquisition of Secured Retail Installment Paper dated March 14, 1996 between PACCAR Financial Corp. and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.19.** Letter Agreement dated January 5, 1996 between Rush Enterprises, Inc. for South Coast Peterbilt and PACCAR Financial. 10.20.** Alternative Reserve Program Letter Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Truck Sales & Service, Inc., Houston Peterbilt, Inc., Lufkin Peterbilt Inc. and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.21.** Alternative Reserve Program Letter Agreement dated January 1, 1996 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.22.** Dealer Agreement for General Motors Retail Truck Financing Plan for GMC and Chevrolet Dealers effective August 1, 1984 between Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Truck Sales & Service, Inc. and Associates Commercial Corporation. 10.23.** Dealer Agreement dated November 13, 1986 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Truck Sales & Service, Inc. 10.24.** Associates / Rush Enterprises, Inc. Dealer Agreement Addendum dated December 8, 1986 to Dealer Agreement dated November 13, 1986 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Truck Sales & Service, Inc. 10.25.** Dealer Agreement dated January 13, 1988 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Houston Peterbilt, Inc. 10.26.** Dealer Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Lufkin Peterbilt, Inc. 10.27.** Dealer Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba South Coast Peterbilt. 10.28.** Peterbilt Distributor Limited Liability Truck Financing Agreement dated July 21, 1983 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Truck Sales & Service, Inc. 10.29.** Peterbilt Distributor Limited Liability Truck Financing Agreement dated January 13, 1988 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Houston Peterbilt, Inc. 10.30.** Peterbilt Distributor Limited Liability Truck Financing Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Associates Commercial Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Lufkin Peterbilt, Inc. 10.31.** Peterbilt Distributor Limited Liability Truck Financing Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Associates Commercial Corporation and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.32.** Dealer Financing Agreement dated July 30, 1993 between Interstate Billing Service, Inc. and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Translease Corp. 10.33.** Credit Balance Agreement dated April 3, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Rush Pontiac-GMC Truck Center, San Antonio Peterbilt, ARK-LA-TEX Peterbilt, Houston Peterbilt, Lufkin Peterbilt, Laredo Peterbilt, Hummer of South Texas and South Coast Peterbilt.
II-3 97
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 10.34.** Letter dated March 11, 1996 from General Motors Acceptance Corporation to Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.35.** Loan Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. 10.36.** Promissory Note dated June 19, 1995, in the original principal amount of $5,000,000, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.37.** Wholesale Security Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. 10.38.** Agreement Amending the Wholesale Security Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. 10.39.** Assignment of DPP Vehicle Proceeds dated June 19, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt -- GMC Trucks, Inc. 10.40.** Guaranty dated June 19, 1995 by W. Marvin Rush on behalf of Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba San Antonio Peterbilt-GMC Truck, Inc. and accepted by General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.41.** Revolving Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated December 1, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. in the maximum principal amount of $1,100,000.00. 10.42.** Promissory Note dated December , 1995, in the original principal amount of $1,100,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.43.** Wholesale Security Agreement dated November 30, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. 10.44.** Agreement Amending the Wholesale Security Agreement and Conditionally Authorizing the Sale of New Floor Plan Vehicles on a Delayed Payment Privilege Basis dated November 30, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. 10.45.** Guaranty dated November 30, 1995 by W. Marvin Rush on behalf of Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Oklahoma Trucks Inc. and accepted by General Motors Acceptance Corporation, Inc. 10.46.** Revolving Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated December 1, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. in the maximum principal amount of $900,000.00. 10.47.** Promissory Note dated December 1, 1995, in the original principal amount of $900,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.48.** Wholesale Security Agreement dated November 30, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Tulsa Trucks, Inc. 10.49.** Agreement Amending the Wholesale Security Agreement and Conditionally Authorizing the Sale of New Floor Plan Vehicles on a Delayed Payment Privilege Basis dated November 30, 1995 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. 10.50.** Guaranty dated November 30, 1995 by W. Marvin Rush on behalf of Rush Enterprises, Inc. dba Tulsa Trucks, Inc. and accepted by General Motors Acceptance Corporation.
II-4 98
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 10.51.** Guaranty Agreement dated December 1, 1995 by W. Marvin Rush in favor of General Motors Acceptance Corporation in the amount of $2,000,000.00 on behalf of Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. and Tulsa Trucks, Inc. 10.52.** Revolving Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated December 18, 1995 between Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. and General Motors Acceptance Corporation in the maximum principal amount of $800,000.00. 10.53.** Promissory Note dated December 18, 1995, in the original principal amount of $800,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.54.** Revolving Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated December 18, 1995 between Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. and General Motors Acceptance Corporation in the maximum principal amount of $700,000.00. 10.55.** Promissory Note dated December 18, 1995, in the original principal amount of $700,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Tulsa Trucks, Inc. to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.56.** Guaranty Agreement dated December 18, 1995 by W. M. Rush in favor of General Motors Acceptance Corporation in the amount of $1,500,000.00 on behalf of Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Oklahoma Trucks, Inc. and Tulsa Trucks, Inc.. 10.57.** Revolving Promissory Note dated March 18, 1993, in the maximum principal amount of $450,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to The Frost National Bank of San Antonio. 10.58.** Dealership Purchase Contract dated November 10, 1995 between Kerr Consolidated, Inc. and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.59.** Real Estate Purchase Agreement dated November 10, 1995 between Kerr Consolidated, Inc. and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.60.** Promissory Note dated December 1, 1995, in the original principal amount of $2,800,000.00 payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to Kerr Consolidated, Inc. 10.61.** Real Estate Mortgage dated December 1, 1995, in the original principal sum of $2,800,000.00 payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to Kerr Consolidated, Inc. 10.62.** Real Estate Lease Agreement effective December 1, 1995 between Kerr Consolidated, Inc. and Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.63.** Escrow Instructions dated February 24, 1994 to Commerce Escrow Company regarding purchase of assets from Engs Motor Truck Company by Rush Enterprises, Inc. 10.64.** Secured Purchase Money Promissory Note dated February 1, 1994, in the original principal amount of $984,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to Engs Motor Truck Company, Inc. 10.65.** Continuing Unlimited Guaranty dated February 24, 1994 by W. M. Rush and Thomas McKellar in favor of Engs Motor Truck Company, Edward W. Engs and Stewart R. Engs on behalf of South Coast Peterbilt. 10.66.** Lease Modification Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Richard R. Shade and Barbara S. Lateer, Trustees of the Ruth R. Shade Trust, et al., Engs Motor Truck Company and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.67.** Lease Modification Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Angelus Block Company, Inc., Engs Motor Truck Company and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.68.** Lease Modification Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between Angelus Block Company, Inc., Engs Motor Truck Company and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.69.** Lease dated February 1, 1994 between Edward W. Engs and Stuart R. Engs, and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.70.** Lease dated February 1, 1994 between Engs Motor Truck Company and South Coast Peterbilt.
II-5 99
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 10.71.** Contract Termination and Release dated September 29, 1995 by and among South Coast Peterbilt, Rush Enterprises, Inc., Tom McKellar, Inc. and Tom McKellar. 10.72.** Termination Agreement dated September 29, 1995 by and among Rush Enterprises, Inc., Tom McKellar, Inc. and South Coast Peterbilt. 10.73.** Lease Agreement effective November 1, 1992, between Pete Gallegos and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Laredo Peterbilt, Inc., as amended August 31, 1994. 10.74.** Commercial Lease dated July 31, 1992 between R. L. Lehman and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Lufkin Peterbilt, Inc., as amended through June 1, 1995. 10.75.** Lease Agreement dated September 17, 1993 between McBray Realty, Inc. and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Ark-La-Tex Peterbilt. 10.76.** Right of First Refusal dated April 1, 1996 between Peterbilt Motors Company and W. Marvin Rush. 10.77.** Right of First Refusal dated April 1, 1996 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Barbara Rush. 10.78.** Right of First Refusal dated April 1, 1996 between Peterbilt Motors Company and W. M. "Rusty" Rush. 10.79.** Right of First Refusal dated April 1, 1996 between Peterbilt Motors Company and Robin Rush. 10.80.** Form of Indemnity Agreement between Rush Enterprises, Inc. and the members of its Board of Directors. 10.81.** Form of Employment Agreement between W. Marvin Rush, W.M. "Rusty" Rush and Robin M. Rush. 10.82.** Form of Employment Agreement between Rush Enterprises, Inc., and D. Jeffery Michell, David C. Orf, B.J. Janner, Brent Hughes, J.M. "Spike" Lowe, Donald Teague, Ralph West and John Hiltibiddle. 10.83.** Tax Indemnification Agreement between Rush Enterprises, Inc., Associated Acceptance, Inc. and W. Marvin Rush. 10.84.** Rush Enterprises, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. 10.85.** Form of Rush Enterprises, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement. 10.86.** Revolving Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated February 24, 1994, between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a South Coast Peterbilt in the maximum principal amount of $3,000,000.00. 10.87.** Demand Promissory Note dated February 24, 1994, in the original principal amount of $3,000,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a South Coast Peterbilt to General Motors Acceptance Corporation. 10.88.** General Security Agreement dated February 2, 1994 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a South Coast Peterbilt. 10.89.** Guaranty dated February 2, 1994 between General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a South Coast Peterbilt. 10.90.** Real Estate Lien Note dated July 1, 1993, in the principal amount of $1,238,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to Associates Commercial Corporation. 10.91.** Promissory Note dated December 7, 1995, in the original principal amount of $1,900,000.00, payable by Rush Enterprises, Inc. to General Electric Capital Corporation. 10.92.** Aircraft Chattel Mortgage dated December 4, 1995, as amended, between Rush Enterprises, Inc. as Mortgagor and General Electric Capital Corporation as Mortgagee. 10.93.** Individual Guaranty dated December 4, 1995, between General Electric Capital Corporation and Rush Enterprises, Inc.
II-6 100
SEQUENTIALLY EXHIBIT NUMBERED NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 23.1. *** Consent of Arthur Andersen L.L.P. 23.2. *** Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 23.3. ** Consent of Joseph M. Dunn. 23.4. ** Consent of Ronald J. Krause. 23.5. *** Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in 5.1). 24.1. ** Power of Attorney (included on signature page of initial filing of this Registration Statement). 27.1. *** Financial Data Schedule.
- ------------------------- * To be filed by amendment. ** Previously filed. *** Filed herewith. (b) Financial Statement Schedules: All financial statement schedules, for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are not required under the related instructions, are inapplicable or information required is included in the financial statements and therefore have been omitted. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. The Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions described in Item 14 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY UNDERTAKES THAT: (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-7 101 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Antonio, State of Texas on May 10, 1996. RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. By: /s/ W. Marvin Rush -------------------------------------- W. Marvin Rush Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- ------------ /s/ W. MARVIN RUSH Chairman of the Board and Chief - ------------------------------------------ Executive Officer and Director W. Marvin Rush (Principal Executive Officer) May 10, 1996 /s/ W. M. "RUSTY" RUSH President and Director May 10, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ W. M. "Rusty" Rush /s/ ROBIN M. RUSH Executive Vice President and - ------------------------------------------ Director May 10, 1996 Robin M. Rush JOHN HILTABIDDLE* Controller (Principal Financial - ------------------------------------------ Officer and Principal Accounting John Hiltabiddle Officer) May 10, 1996 *By /s/ W. MARVIN RUSH - ------------------------------------------ W. Marvin Rush as Attorney-in-Fact
II-8 102 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT - ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.1. *** Form of Underwriting Agreement and Agreement Among Underwriters. 4.1. *** Specimen of certificate representing Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant. 4.2. *** Form of Representatives' Warrant. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Trustee. 5.1. *** Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. regarding legality of the Common Stock being registered. 23.1. *** Consent of Arthur Andersen L.L.P. 23.2. *** Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 23.5. *** Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in 5.1). 27.1. *** Financial Data Schedule.
   1
                                2,500,000 Shares

                             RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                  Common Stock

                                ($.01 par value)

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                              New York, New York
                                                              June ___, 1996

LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. and
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.
  As Representatives of the several Underwriters
   named in Schedule A hereto
c/o Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc.
         540 Madison Avenue
         New York, New York 10022

Dear Sirs:

                  1.1. Introductory. RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., a Texas corporation
(the "Company"), proposes to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to
the several underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the "Underwriters," or,
each, an "Underwriter"), an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01
par value (the "Common Stock") of the Company. The aggregate of 2,500,000 shares
so proposed to be sold is hereinafter referred to as the "Firm Stock." The
Company also proposes to sell to the Underwriters, upon the terms and conditions
set forth in Section 3 hereof, up to an additional 375,000 shares of Common
Stock (the "Optional Stock"). The Firm Stock and the Optional Stock are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Stock." Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co.
Inc. ("Ladenburg") and Principal Financial Securities, Inc. ("Principal") are
acting as representatives of the several Underwriters and in such capacity are
hereinafter referred to as the "Representatives."

                  2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
and W. Marvin Rush ("Mr. Rush"), the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and sole current shareholder of the Company, jointly and severally
represent and warrant to, and agree with, the several Underwriters that:

                  (a) A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33- ) in
         the form in which it became or becomes effective and also in such form
         as it may be when any post-effective amendment thereto shall become
         effective with
   2
         respect to the Stock, including any preeffective prospectuses included
         as part of the registration statement as originally filed or as part of
         any amendment or supplement thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424
         under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
         and the rules and regulations (the "Rules and Regulations") of the
         Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") thereunder,
         copies of which have heretofore been delivered to you, has been
         carefully prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements
         of the Securities Act and has been filed with the Commission under the
         Securities Act; one or more amendments to such registration statement,
         including in each case an amended preeffective prospectus, copies of
         which amendments have heretofore been delivered to you, have been so
         prepared and filed. If it is contemplated, at the time this Agreement
         is executed, that a post-effective amendment to the registration
         statement will be filed and must be declared effective before the
         offering of the Stock may commence, the term "Registration Statement"
         as used in this Agreement means the registration statement as amended
         by said post-effective amendment. The term "Registration Statement" as
         used in this Agreement shall also include any registration statement
         relating to the Stock that is filed and declared effective pursuant to
         Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act. The term "Prospectus" as used in
         this Agreement means the prospectus in the form included in the
         Registration Statement, or, (A) if the prospectus included in the
         Registration Statement omits information in reliance on Rule 430A under
         the Securities Act and such information is included in a prospectus
         filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
         Act, the term "Prospectus" as used in this Agreement means the
         prospectus in the form included in the Registration Statement as
         supplemented by the addition of the Rule 430A information contained in
         the prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and
         (B) if prospectuses that meet the requirements of Section 10(a) of the
         Securities Act are delivered pursuant to Rule 434 under the Securities
         Act, then (i) the term "Prospectus" as used in this Agreement means the
         "prospectus subject to completion" (as such term is defined in Rule
         434(g) under the Securities Act) as supplemented by (a) the addition of
         Rule 430A information or other information contained in the form of
         prospectus delivered pursuant to Rule 434(b)(2) under the Securities
         Act or (b) the information contained in the term sheets described in
         Rule 434(b)(3) under the Securities Act, and (ii) the date of such
         prospectuses shall be deemed to be the date of the term sheets. The
         term "Preeffective Prospectus" as used in this Agreement means the
         prospectus subject to completion in the form included in the
         Registration Statement at the time of the initial filing of the
         Registration Statement with the Commission, and as such prospectus
         shall have been amended from time to time prior to the date of the
         Prospectus.

                  (b) The Commission has not issued or threatened to issue any
         order preventing or suspending the use of any Preeffective Prospectus,
         and, at its


                                        2
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         date of issue, each Preeffective Prospectus conformed in all material
         respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and did not
         include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
         made, not misleading; and, when the Registration Statement becomes
         effective and at all times subsequent thereto up to and including the
         Closing Dates, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any
         amendments or supplements thereto contained and will contain all
         material statements and information required to be included therein by
         the Securities Act and conformed and will conform in all material
         respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and neither the
         Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or
         supplement thereto, included or will include any untrue statement of a
         material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided,
         however, that the foregoing representations, warranties and agreements
         shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from any
         Preeffective Prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
         or any such amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon, and in
         conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by or on
         behalf of any Underwriter, directly or through you, specifically for
         use in the preparation thereof; there is no franchise, lease, contract,
         agreement or document required to be described in the Registration
         Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the
         Registration Statement which is not described or filed therein as
         required; and all descriptions of any such franchises, leases,
         contracts, agreements or documents contained in the Registration
         Statement are accurate and complete descriptions of such documents in
         all material respects.

                           (c) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which
         information is given in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and
         except as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, neither the
         Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any material
         liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, nor entered into any
         material transactions not in the ordinary course of business, and there
         has not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or
         otherwise), properties, business, management, prospects, net worth or
         results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as
         a whole, or any change in the capital stock, short-term or long-term
         debt of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole.

                           (d) The financial statements, together with the
         related notes and schedules, set forth in the Prospectus and elsewhere
         in the Registration Statement fairly present in all material respects,
         on the basis stated in the Registration Statement, the financial
         position and the results of operations and changes in


                                        3
   4
         financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at
         the respective dates or for the respective periods therein specified.
         Such statements and related notes and schedules have been prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
         consistent basis except as may be set forth in the Prospectus. The
         selected financial and statistical data set forth in the Prospectus
         under the caption "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" fairly
         present, on the basis stated in the Registration Statement the
         information set forth therein.

                           (e) Arthur Andersen LLP, who have expressed their
         opinions on the audited financial statements and related schedules
         included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, are
         independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and
         the Rules and Regulations.

                           (f) The Company has and each of its subsidiaries has
         been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing as
         corporations under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of
         organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own or
         lease their properties and to conduct their businesses as described in
         the Prospectus; the Company is and each of its subsidiaries is in
         possession of and operating in compliance with all franchises, grants,
         authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, consents, certificates
         and orders required for the conduct of its business, all of which are
         valid and in full force and effect; and the Company is and each of such
         subsidiaries are duly qualified to do business and in good standing as
         foreign corporations in all other jurisdictions where their ownership
         or leasing of properties or the conduct of their businesses requires
         such qualification. The Company has and each of its subsidiaries has at
         all relevant times had all requisite power and authority, and all
         necessary consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations,
         qualifications, licenses and permits of and from all public regulatory
         or governmental agencies and bodies to own, lease and operate its
         properties and conduct its business as now being conducted and as
         described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and no such
         consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification,
         license or permit contains a materially burdensome restriction not
         adequately disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
         The Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, only the
         following corporations, associations or other entities, each of which
         is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, except as expressly
         indicated to the contrary:

         [                         ].
          -------------------------


                                        4
   5
                           (g) The Company's authorized and outstanding capital
         stock is on the date hereof, and will be on the Closing Dates, as set
         forth under the heading "Capitalization" in the Prospectus; the
         outstanding shares of common stock of the Company conform to the
         description thereof in the Prospectus and have been duly authorized and
         validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and have been
         issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws and
         were not issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive rights or
         similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities and conform to
         the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. Except as
         disclosed in and or contemplated by the Prospectus and the financial
         statements of the Company and related notes thereto included in the
         Prospectus, the Company does not have outstanding any options or
         warrants to purchase, or any preemptive rights or other rights to
         subscribe for or to purchase any securities or obligations convertible
         into, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, shares of its
         capital stock or any such options, rights, convertible securities or
         obligations, except for options granted subsequent to the date of
         information provided in the Prospectus pursuant to the Company's
         employee and stock option plans as disclosed in the Prospectus. The
         description of the Company's stock option and other stock plans or
         arrangements, and the options or other rights granted or exercised
         thereunder, as set forth in the Prospectus, accurately and fairly in
         all material respects presents the information required to be shown
         with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights. All
         outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary have been duly
         authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable and
         (except for directors' qualifying shares) are owned directly by the
         Company or by another wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company free and
         clear of any liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

                           (h) The Stock to be issued and sold by the Company to
         the Underwriters hereunder has been duly and validly authorized and,
         when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein,
         will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
         of any preemptive or similar rights and will conform to the description
         thereof in the Prospectus. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon
         exercise of the Warrants (as hereinafter defined) have been duly and
         validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment
         therefor in accordance with the terms thereof, will be duly and validly
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or
         similar rights.

                           (i) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there are
         no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is a party or of which any
         property of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate is subject,
         which, if determined adversely to the Company or any such subsidiary or
         affiliate, might individually or in the aggregate (i) prevent or
         adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this


                                        5
   6
         Agreement, (ii) suspend the effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement, (iii) prevent or suspend the use of the Preeffective
         Prospectus in any jurisdiction, or (iv) result in a material adverse
         change in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business,
         management prospects, net worth or results of operations of the Company
         and its subsidiaries considered as a whole; and to the best of the
         Company's knowledge no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated
         against the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate by governmental
         authorities or others. The Company is not a party nor subject to the
         provisions of any material injunction, judgment, decree or order of any
         court, regulatory body or other governmental agency or body. The
         description of the Company's litigation under the heading "Legal
         Proceedings and Insurance" in the Prospectus is true and correct in all
         material respects and complies with the Rules and Regulations.

                           (j) The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated
         will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
         provisions of or constitute a default under any material indenture,
         mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement or other material agreement or
         instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party
         or by which it or any of its properties is or may be bound, the
         Articles of Incorporation, By-laws or other organizational documents of
         the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any law, order, rule or
         regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having
         jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
         their properties nor will the execution, delivery and performance of
         this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein
         contemplated result in the creation of any material lien.

                           (k) No consent, approval, authorization or order of
         any court or governmental agency or body is required for the
         consummation by the Company or of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement, except such as may be required by the National Association
         of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or under the Securities Act or
         the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of any jurisdiction in connection
         with the purchase and distribution of the Stock by the Underwriters.

                           (l) The Company has the full corporate power and
         authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
         hereunder (including to issue, sell and deliver the Stock), and this
         Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered
         by the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
         enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to
         the extent that rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be
         limited by federal or state securities laws or the public policy
         underlying such laws. The Company has the full corporate power and
         authority to execute and deliver the Warrants on the terms and
         conditions set forth in this Agreement


                                        6
   7
         and in the Warrants, and such execution and delivery of the Warrants
         has been duly and validly authorized, and when executed and delivered
         pursuant to this Agreement, the Warrants will be enforceable against
         the Company in accordance with their terms.

                           (m) The Company and its subsidiaries are in all
         material respects in compliance with, and conduct their businesses in
         conformity with, all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws,
         rules and regulations of any court or governmental agency or body; to
         the knowledge of the Company, otherwise than as set forth in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no prospective change in any
         of such federal or state laws, rules or regulations has been adopted
         which, when made effective, would have a material adverse effect on the
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. In the ordinary course
         of business, employees of the Company conduct periodic reviews of the
         effect of Environmental Laws (as defined below) on the business
         operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the
         ordinary course of which they seek to identify and evaluate associated
         costs and liabilities. Except as disclosed in the Registration
         Statement, the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all
         applicable existing federal, state, local and foreign laws and
         regulations relating to the protection of human health or the
         environment or imposing liability or requiring standards of conduct
         concerning any Hazardous Materials ("Environmental Laws"), except for
         such instances of noncompliance which, either singly or in the
         aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect. The term
         "Hazardous Material" means (i) any "hazardous substance" as defined by
         the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
         Act of 1980, as amended, (ii) any "hazardous waste" as defined by the
         Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (iii) any petroleum
         or petroleum product, (iv) any polychlorinated biphenyl, and (v) any
         pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical,
         material, waste or substance regulated under or within the meaning of
         any other Environmental Law.

                           (n) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all
         necessary federal, state, local and foreign income, payroll, franchise
         and other tax returns and have paid all taxes shown as due thereon or
         with respect to any of their properties, and there is no tax deficiency
         that has been, or to the knowledge of the Company is likely to be,
         asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
         respective properties or assets that would materially adversely affect
         the financial position, business or operations of the Company and its
         subsidiaries.

                           (o) No person or entity has the right to require
         registration of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the
         Company because of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement or otherwise, except for persons


                                        7
   8
         and entities who have expressly waived such right or who have been
         given proper notice and have failed to exercise such right within the
         time or times required under the terms and conditions of such right.

                           (p) Neither the Company nor any of its officers,
         directors or affiliates has taken or will take, directly or indirectly,
         any action designed or intended to stabilize or manipulate the price of
         any security of the Company, or which caused or resulted in, or which
         might in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in,
         stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
         Company.

                           (q) The Company has provided you with all financial
         statements since _______________, 199___ to the date hereof that are
         available to the officers of the Company, including financial
         statements for the months of __________ and __________, 1996.

                           (r) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess
         all material patents, trademarks, trademark registrations, service
         marks, service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses,
         inventions, trade secrets and rights described in the Prospectus as
         being owned by them or any of them or necessary for the conduct of
         their respective businesses, and the Company is not aware of any
         material claim to the contrary or any challenge by any other person to
         the rights of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to the
         foregoing. The Company's business as now conducted and as proposed to
         be conducted does not and will not infringe or conflict with in any
         material respect patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
         copyrights, trade secrets, licenses or other intellectual property or
         franchise right of any person. Except as described in the Prospectus,
         no material claim has been made against the Company alleging the
         infringement by the Company of any patent, trademark, service mark,
         trade name, copyright, trade secret, license in or other intellectual
         property right or franchise right of any person.

                           (s) The Company and its subsidiaries have performed
         all material obligations required to be performed by them under all
         contracts required by Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the
         Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement,
         and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any other party
         to such contract is in default under or in breach of any such
         obligations. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
         received any notice of such default or breach.

                           (t) The Company is not involved in any material labor
         dispute nor is any such dispute threatened. The Company is not aware
         that (A) any executive, key employee or significant group of employees
         of the Company or


                                        8
   9
         any subsidiary plans to terminate employment with the Company or any
         such subsidiary or (B) any such executive or key employee is subject to
         any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting
         or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed
         business activities of the Company and its subsidiaries. Neither the
         Company nor any subsidiary has or expects to have any material
         liability for any prohibited transaction or funding deficiency or any
         complete or partial withdrawal liability with respect to any pension,
         profit sharing or other plan which is subject to the Employee
         Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), to which
         the Company or any subsidiary makes or ever has made a contribution and
         in which any employee of the Company or any subsidiary makes or ever
         has made a contribution and in which any employee of the Company or any
         subsidiary is or has ever been a participant. With respect to such
         plans, the Company and each subsidiary are in compliance in all
         material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA.

                           (u) The Company has obtained the written agreement
         described in Section 8(j) of this Agreement from each of its officers,
         directors and holders of Common Stock listed on Schedule B hereto.

                           (v) The Company and its subsidiaries have and the
         Company and its subsidiaries as of the Closing Dates will have, good
         and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and
         marketable title to all personal property owned or proposed to be owned
         by them which is material to the business of the Company or of its
         subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances
         and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or such as
         would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
         subsidiaries considered as a whole; and any real property and buildings
         held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries or proposed to be
         held after giving effect to the transactions described in the
         Prospectus are, or will be as of the Closing Dates, held by them under
         valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as would
         not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries
         considered as a whole, in each case except as described in or
         contemplated by the Prospectus.

                           (w) The Company and its subsidiaries are insured by
         insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and
         risks and in such amounts as are customary in the businesses in which
         they are engaged or propose to engage after giving effect to the
         transactions described in the Prospectus; and neither the Company nor
         any subsidiary of the Company has any reason to believe that it will
         not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such
         coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as
         may be necessary to continue their business at a cost that would not
         materially


                                        9
   10
         and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the
         earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
         considered as a whole, except as described in or contemplated by the
         Prospectus.

                           (x) Other than as contemplated by this Agreement,
         there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive
         from the Company any brokerage or finder's fee or commission as a
         result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                           (y) The Company has complied with all provisions of
         Section 517.075 Florida Statutes (Chapter 92-198; Laws of Florida).1

                           (z) The Company and each of its subsidiaries
         maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to
         provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in
         accordance with management's general or specific authorization; (ii)
         transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
         financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
         principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to
         assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
         specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets
         is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and
         appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                           (aa) To the Company's knowledge, neither the Company
         nor any of its subsidiaries nor any employee or agent of the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries has made any payment of funds of the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries or received or retained any funds in violation
         of any law, rule or regulation, which payment, receipt or retention of
         funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Prospectus.

                           (bb) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
         is an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment
         company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of
         1940, as amended.

                           (cc) Each certificate signed by any officer of the
         Company and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the
         Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the
         Company as to the matters covered thereby.

                  3. Purchase by, and Sale and Delivery to,
Underwriters--Closing Dates. The Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the
Firm Stock, and on the basis of the


- -----------------------------
         1        Relating to doing business with the Government of Cuba or with
                  any person or any affiliate located in Cuba.


                                       10
   11
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, but
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase the Firm Stock from the Company, the
number of shares of Firm Stock to be purchased by each Underwriter being set
opposite its name in Schedule A, subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 12 hereof.

                  The purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to
the Company will be $________ per share (the "Purchase Price").

                  The Company will deliver the Firm Stock to the Representatives
for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters (in the form of
definitive certificates, issued in such names and in such denominations as the
Representatives may direct by notice in writing to the Company given at or prior
to 12:00 Noon, New York Time, on the second full business day preceding the
First Closing Date (as defined below) or, if no such direction is received, in
the names of the respective Underwriters or in such other names as Ladenburg may
designate (solely for the purpose of administrative convenience) and in such
denominations as Ladenburg may determine), against payment of the aggregate
Purchase Price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks in
Clearing House funds (next day funds), payable to the order of the Company all
at the offices of ___________________________________. The time and date of the
delivery and closing shall be at 10:00 A.M., New York Time, on
____________________________, 1996, in accordance with Rule 15c6-1 of the
Exchange Act. The time and date of such payment and delivery are herein referred
to as the "First Closing Date." The First Closing Date and the location of
delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Firm Stock may be varied by
agreement between the Company and Ladenburg. The First Closing Date may be
postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.

                  The Company shall make the certificates for the Stock
available to the Representatives for examination on behalf of the Underwriters
not later than 10:00 A.M., New York Time, on the business day preceding the
First Closing Date at the offices of Ladenburg, 540 Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10022.

                  It is understood that Ladenburg or Principal, individually and
not as Representatives of the several Underwriters, may (but shall not be
obligated to) make payment to the Company on behalf of any Underwriter or
Underwriters, for the Stock to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters.
Any such payment by such Representatives shall not relieve such Underwriter or
Underwriters from any of its or their other obligations hereunder.

                  The several Underwriters agree to make an initial public
offering of the Firm Stock at the initial public offering price as soon after
the effectiveness of the


                                       11
   12
Registration Statement as in their judgment is advisable. The Representatives
shall promptly advise the Company of the making of the initial public offering.

                  For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection
with the distribution and sale of the Firm Stock as contemplated by the
Prospectus, the Company hereby grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase,
severally and not jointly, up to 375,000 shares of Optional Stock. The price per
share to be paid for the Optional Stock shall be the Purchase Price. The option
granted hereby may be exercised as to all or any part of the Optional Stock at
any time, and from time to time, not more than thirty (30) days subsequent to
the effective date of this Agreement. No Optional Stock shall be sold and
delivered unless the Firm Stock previously has been, or simultaneously is, sold
and delivered. The right to purchase the Optional Stock or any portion thereof
may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by the Underwriters to
the Company.

                  The option granted hereby may be exercised by the Underwriters
by giving written notice from Ladenburg to the Company setting forth the number
of shares of the Optional Stock to be purchased by them and the date and time
for delivery of and payment for the Optional Stock. Each date and time for
delivery of and payment for the Optional Stock (which may be the First Closing
Date, but not earlier) is herein called the "Option Closing Date" and shall in
no event be earlier than two (2) business days nor later than ten (10) business
days after written notice is given. (The Option Closing Date and the First
Closing Date are herein called the "Closing Dates.") All purchases of Optional
Stock from the Company shall be made on a pro rata basis. Optional Stock shall
be purchased for the account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the
number of shares of Firm Stock set forth opposite such Underwriter's name in
Schedule A hereto bears to the total number of shares of Firm Stock (subject to
adjustment by the Underwriters to eliminate odd lots). Upon exercise of the
option by the Underwriters, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the
number of shares of Optional Stock set forth in the written notice of exercise,
and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly and subject to the terms
and conditions herein set forth, to purchase the number of such shares
determined as aforesaid.

                  The Company will deliver the Optional Stock to the
Underwriters (in the form of definitive certificates, issued in such names and
in such denominations as the Representatives may direct by notice in writing to
the Selling Shareholders given at or prior to 12:00 Noon, New York Time, on the
second full business day preceding the Option Closing Date or, if no such
direction is received, in the names of the respective Underwriters or in such
other names as Ladenburg may designate (solely for the purpose of administrative
convenience) and in such denominations as Ladenburg may determine), against
payment of the aggregate Purchase Price therefor by certified or official bank
check or checks in Clearing House funds (next day funds), payable to the order
of the Company all at the offices of ______________________________________.


                                       12
   13
The Company shall make the certificates for the Optional Stock available to the
Underwriters for examination not later than 10:00 A.M., New York Time, on the
business day preceding the Option Closing Date at the offices of Ladenburg, 540
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. The Option Closing Date and the
location of delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Optional Stock may be
varied by agreement between the Company and Ladenburg. The Option Closing Date
may be postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.

                  In order to induce you to enter into this Agreement, the
Company, in consideration of the receipt of $__________ for each Warrant and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, shall execute and deliver to you, in your individual
capacity and not as Representatives, or your assignees, in compliance with the
rules of the NASD, warrants exercisable during the four-year period commencing
__________, 1997 (the "Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to 120% of the initial public
offering price per share set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus. The
Warrants shall be in the form of Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.
Execution and delivery of Warrants, registered in your name or the names of such
of your officers or such assignees as you shall notify the Company in writing,
shall be made to you, at your offices at 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10022, at the First Closing Date. The cost of original issue tax stamps, if any,
in connection with the execution and delivery of the Warrants shall be borne by
the Company.

                  4.       Covenants and Agreements of the Company.  The Company
covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that:

                           (a) The Company will (i) if the Company and the
         Representatives have determined not to proceed pursuant to Rule 430A,
         use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
         effective, (ii) if the Company and the Representatives have determined
         to proceed pursuant to Rule 430A, use its best efforts to comply with
         the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 430A and Rule 424 of the Rules and Regulations and
         (iii) if the Company and the Representatives have determined to deliver
         Prospectuses pursuant to rule 434 of the Rules and Regulations, to use
         its best efforts to comply with all the applicable provisions thereof.
         The Company will advise the Representatives promptly as to the time at
         which the Registration Statement becomes effective, will advise the
         Representatives promptly of the issuance by the Commission of any stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of
         the institution of any proceedings for that purpose, and will use its
         best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and to
         obtain as soon as possible the lifting thereof, if issued. The Company
         will advise the Representatives promptly of the


                                       13
   14
         receipt of any comments of the Commission or any request by the
         Commission for any amendment of or supplement to the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information and will not
         at any time file any amendment to the Registration Statement or
         supplement to the Prospectus which shall not previously have been
         submitted to the Representatives a reasonable time prior to the
         proposed filing thereof or to which the Representatives shall
         reasonably object in writing or which is not in compliance with the
         Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

                           (b) The Company will prepare and file with the
         Commission, promptly upon the request of the Representatives, any
         amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectus which in the opinion of the Representatives may be necessary
         to enable the several Underwriters to continue the distribution of the
         Stock and will use its best efforts to cause the same to become
         effective as promptly as possible.

                           (c) If at any time after the effective date of the
         Registration Statement when a prospectus relating to the Stock is
         required to be delivered under the Securities Act any event relating to
         or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries occurs as a result
         of which the Prospectus or any other prospectus as then in effect would
         include an untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any
         material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is
         necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the
         Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives
         thereof and will prepare an amended or supplemented prospectus which
         will correct such statement or omission; and in case any Underwriter is
         required to deliver a prospectus relating to the Stock nine (9) months
         or more after the effective date of the Registration Statement, the
         Company upon the request of the Representatives and at the expense of
         such Underwriter will prepare promptly such prospectus or prospectuses
         as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of
         Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

                           (d) The Company will deliver to the Representatives,
         at or before the Closing Dates, signed copies of the Registration
         Statement, as originally filed with the Commission, and all amendments
         thereto including all financial statements and exhibits thereto, and
         will deliver to the Representatives such number of copies of the
         Registration Statement, including such financial statements but without
         exhibits, and all amendments thereto, as the Representatives may
         reasonably request. The Company will deliver or mail to or upon the
         order of the Representatives, from time to time until the effective
         date of the Registration Statement, as many copies of the Preeffective
         Prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company
         will deliver or


                                       14
   15
         mail to or upon the order of the Representatives on the date of the
         initial public offering, and thereafter from time to time during the
         period when delivery of a prospectus relating to the Stock is required
         under the Securities Act, as many copies of the Prospectus, in final
         form or as thereafter amended or supplemented as the Representatives
         may reasonably request; provided, however, that the expense of the
         preparation and delivery of any prospectus required for use nine (9)
         months or more after the effective date of the Registration Statement
         shall be borne by the Underwriters required to deliver such prospectus.

                           (e) The Company will make generally available to its
         shareholders as soon as practicable, but not later than fifteen (15)
         months after the effective date of the Registration Statement, an
         earning statement which will be in reasonable detail (but which need
         not be audited) and which will comply with Section 11(a) of the
         Securities Act, covering a period of at least twelve (12) months
         beginning after the "effective date" (as defined in Rule 158 under the
         Securities Act) of the Registration Statement.

                           (f) The Company will cooperate with the
         Representatives to enable the Stock to be registered or qualified for
         offering and sale by the Underwriters and by dealers under the
         securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may
         designate and at the request of the Representatives will make such
         applications and furnish such consents to service of process or other
         documents as may be required of it as the issuer of the Stock for that
         purpose; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
         qualify to do business or to file a general consent (other than that
         arising out of the offering or sale of the Stock) to service of process
         in any such jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. The Company
         will, from time to time, prepare and file such statements and reports
         as are or may be required of it as the issuer of the Stock to continue
         such qualifications in effect for so long a period as the
         Representatives may reasonably request for the distribution of the
         Stock. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly after the
         Company becomes aware of the suspension of the qualifications or
         registration of (or any such exception relating to) the Common Stock of
         the Company for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or of any
         initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the
         event of the issuance of any orders suspending such qualifications,
         registration or exception, the Company will, with the cooperation of
         the Representatives use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
         thereof.

                           (g) The Company will furnish to its shareholders
         annual reports containing financial statements certified by independent
         public accountants and with quarterly summary financial information in
         reasonable detail which may be unaudited. During the period of five (5)
         years from the date hereof, the Company will deliver to the
         Representatives and, upon request, to each of the


                                       15
   16
         Underwriters, as soon as they are available, copies of each annual
         report of the Company and each other report furnished by the Company to
         its shareholders and will deliver to the Representatives, (i) as soon
         as they are available, copies of any other reports (financial or other)
         which the Company shall publish or otherwise make available to any of
         its shareholders as such, (ii) as soon as they are available, copies of
         any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the
         Commission or any national securities exchange and (iii) from time to
         time such other information concerning the Company as you may request.
         So long as the Company has active subsidiaries, such financial
         statements will be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts
         of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports
         furnished to its shareholders generally. Separate financial statements
         shall be furnished for all subsidiaries whose accounts are not
         consolidated but which at the time are significant subsidiaries as
         defined in the Rules and Regulations.

                           (h) The Company will use its best efforts to list,
         subject to official notice of issuance, on the Nasdaq National Market,
         the Stock to be issued and sold by the Company.

                           (i) The Company will maintain a transfer agent and
         register for its Common Stock.

                           (j) Prior to filing its quarterly statements on Form
         10-Q, the Company will have its independent auditors perform a limited
         quarterly review of its quarterly numbers.

                           (k) The Company will not offer, sell, assign,
         transfer, encumber, contract to sell, grant an option to purchase or
         otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or securities
         convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock during
         the 180 days following the date on which the price of the Common Stock
         to be purchased by the Underwriters is set, other than the Company's
         sale of Common Stock hereunder and the Company's issuance of Common
         Stock upon the exercise of warrants and stock options which are
         presently outstanding and described in the Prospectus.

                           (l) The Company will apply the net proceeds from the
         sale of the Stock as set forth in the description under "Use of
         Proceeds" in the Prospectus, which description complies in all respects
         with the requirements of Item 504 of Regulation S-K.

                           (m) The Company will supply you with copies of all
         correspondence to and from, and all documents issued to and by, the
         Commission in connection with the registration of the Stock under the
         Securities Act.


                                       16
   17
                           (n) Prior to the Closing Dates the Company will
         furnish to you, as soon as they have been prepared, copies of any
         unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company and
         its subsidiaries for any periods subsequent to the periods covered by
         the financial statements appearing in the Registration Statement and
         the Prospectus.

                           (o) Prior to the Closing Dates the Company will issue
         no press release or other communications directly or indirectly and
         hold no press conference with respect to the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries, the financial condition, results of operations, business,
         prospects, assets or liabilities of any of them, or the offering of the
         Stock, without your prior written consent. For a period of twelve (12)
         months following the Closing Date, the Company will use its best
         efforts to provide to you copies of each press release or other public
         communications with respect to the financial condition, results of
         operations, business, prospects, assets or liabilities of the Company
         at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the public issuance thereof or
         such longer advance period as may reasonably be practicable.

                           (p) During the period of five (5) years hereafter,
         the Company will furnish to the Representatives, and upon request of
         the Representatives, to each of the Underwriters: (i) as soon as
         practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual
         Report of the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of
         the close of such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders'
         equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the opinion thereon
         of the Company's independent public accountants; (ii) as soon as
         practicable after the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement,
         Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Report on
         Form 8-K or other report filed by the Company with the Commission, or
         the NASD or any securities exchange; and (iii) as soon as available,
         copies of any report or communication of the Company mailed generally
         to holders of its Common Stock.

                  5.       Payment of Expenses.

                           (a) The Company will pay (directly or by
         reimbursement) all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with
         expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this
         Agreement and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
         including but not limited to (i) all expenses and taxes incident to the
         issuance and delivery of the Stock to the Representatives; (ii) all
         expenses incident to the registration of the Stock under the Securities
         Act; (iii) the costs of preparing stock certificates (including
         printing and transfer costs); (iv) all fees and expenses of the
         registrar and transfer agent of the Stock; (v) all necessary issue,
         transfer and other stamp taxes in


                                       17
   18
         connection with the issuance and sale of the Stock to the Underwriters;
         (vi) fees and expenses of the Company's counsel and the Company's
         independent accountants; (vii) all costs and expenses incurred in
         connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and
         distribution of the Registration Statement, each Preeffective
         Prospectus and the Prospectus (including all exhibits and financial
         statements) and all amendments and supplements provided for herein, the
         "Agreement Among Underwriters" between the Representatives and the
         Underwriters, the Master Selected Dealers' Agreement, the Underwriters'
         Questionnaire and the Blue Sky memoranda and this Agreement; (viii) all
         filing fees, attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Company or
         the Underwriters in connection with exemptions from the qualifying or
         registering (or obtaining qualification or registration of) all or any
         part of the Stock for offer and sale and determination of its
         eligibility for investment under the Blue Sky or other securities laws
         of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate; (ix) all
         fees and expenses paid or incurred in connection with filings made with
         the NASD; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the
         performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise
         specifically provided for in this Section 5.

                           (b) In addition to its other obligations under
         Section 6(a) hereof, the Company agrees that, as an interim measure
         during the pendency of any claim, action, investigation, inquiry or
         other proceeding arising out of or based upon (i) any statement or
         omission or any alleged statement or omission or (ii) any breach or
         inaccuracy in its representations and warranties, it will reimburse
         each Underwriter on a quarterly basis for all reasonable legal or other
         expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
         such claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding,
         notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as to the
         propriety and enforceability of the Company's obligation to reimburse
         each Underwriter for such expenses and the possibility that such
         payments might later be held to have been improper by a court of
         competent jurisdiction. To the extent that any such interim
         reimbursement payment is so held to have been improper, each
         Underwriter shall promptly return it to the Company together with
         interest, compounded daily, determined on the basis of the prime rate
         (or other commercial lending rate for borrowers of the highest credit
         standing) announced from time to time by ____________________, New
         York, New York (the "Prime Rate"). Any such interim reimbursement
         payments which are not made to an Underwriter in a timely manner as
         provided below shall bear interest at the Prime Rate from the due date
         for such reimbursement. This expense reimbursement agreement will be in
         addition to any other liability which the Company may otherwise have.
         The request for reimbursement will be sent to the Company.


                                       18
   19
                           (c) In addition to its other obligations under
         Section 6(b) hereof, each Underwriter severally agrees that, as an
         interim measure during the pendency of any claim, action,
         investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of or based upon
         any statement or omission, or any alleged statement or omission,
         described in Section 6(b) hereof which relates to information furnished
         to the Company pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, it will reimburse the
         Company (and, to the extent applicable, each officer, director, or
         controlling person) on a quarterly basis for all reasonable legal or
         other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending
         any such claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding,
         notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as to the
         propriety and enforceability of the Underwriters' obligation to
         reimburse the Company (and, to the extent applicable, each officer,
         director, or controlling person) for such expenses and the possibility
         that such payments might later be held to have been improper by a court
         of competent jurisdiction. To the extent that any such interim
         reimbursement payment is so held to have been improper, the Company
         (and, to the extent applicable, each officer, director, or controlling
         person) shall promptly return it to the Underwriters together with
         interest, compounded daily, determined on the basis of the Prime Rate.
         Any such interim reimbursement payments which are not made to the
         Company within thirty (30) days of a request for reimbursement shall
         bear interest at the Prime Rate from the date of such request. This
         indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such
         Underwriter may otherwise have.

                           (d) It is agreed that any controversy arising out of
         the operation of the interim reimbursement arrangements set forth in
         paragraph (b) and/or (c) of this Section 5, including the amounts of
         any requested reimbursement payments and the method of determining such
         amounts, shall be settled by arbitration conducted under the provisions
         of the Constitution and Rules of the Board of Governors of the New York
         Stock Exchange, Inc. or pursuant to the Code of Arbitration Procedure
         of the NASD. Any such arbitration must be commenced by service of a
         written demand for arbitration or written notice of intention to
         arbitrate, therein electing the arbitration tribunal. In the event the
         party demanding arbitration does not make such designation of an
         arbitration tribunal in such demand or notice, then the party
         responding to said demand or notice is authorized to do so. Such an
         arbitration would be limited to the operation of the interim
         reimbursement provisions contained in paragraph (b) and/or (c) of this
         Section 5 and would not resolve the ultimate propriety or
         enforceability of the obligation to reimburse expenses which is created
         by the provisions of Section 6.


                                       19
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                  6.       Indemnification and Contribution.

                           (a) The Company and each of the undersigned
         subsidiaries thereof, jointly and severally, and Mr. Rush, secondarily
         to the extent that the Company and such subsidiaries are unable to
         satisfy any indemnification liability arising hereunder, agree to
         indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any,
         who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act
         and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
         representatives and agents of each of such Underwriter (collectively,
         the "Underwriter Indemnified Parties" and, each, an "Underwriter
         Indemnified Party"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities
         or expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating and
         defending against any claims therefor and counsel fees incurred in
         connection therewith), joint or several, which may be based upon the
         Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal, state, local or
         foreign statute or regulation, or at common law, on the ground or
         alleged ground that any Preeffective Prospectus, the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus (or any Preeffective Prospectus, the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus as from time to time amended
         or supplemented) includes or allegedly includes an untrue statement of
         a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
         of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless
         such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity
         with, written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter,
         directly or through the Representatives, specifically for use in the
         preparation thereof; provided, however, that, with respect to any
         untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
         made in any Preeffective Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained
         in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter
         from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses purchased the Common Stock concerned (or to the
         benefit of any person controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that
         any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense of such Underwriter
         or controlling person results from the fact that a copy of the
         Prospectus was not sent or given to such person at or prior to the
         written confirmation of sale of such Common Stock to such person as
         required by the Act, and if the untrue statement or omission has been
         corrected in the Prospectus unless such failure to deliver the
         Prospectus was a result of noncompliance by the Company with its
         obligations under Section 4(d) hereof; and provided further that the
         foregoing liability of Mr. Rush shall in any event be limited to the
         amount of distributions to Mr. Rush of undistributed S corporation
         earnings at December 31, 1995 and subsequent thereto. The Underwriter
         Indemnified Parties shall not be required to proceed separately against
         the Company and Mr. Rush in any suit brought to enforce any such
         liability. The Company will be entitled to participate at its own
         expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of
         any suit brought to


                                       20
   21
         enforce any such liability, but if the Company elects to assume the
         defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it. In
         the event the Company elects to assume the defense of any such suit and
         retain such counsel, any Underwriter Indemnified Parties, defendant or
         defendants in the suit, may retain additional counsel but shall bear
         the fees and expenses of such counsel unless (i) the Company shall have
         specifically authorized the retaining of such counsel or (ii) the
         parties to such suit include any such Underwriter Indemnified Parties,
         and the Company and such Underwriter Indemnified Parties have been
         advised by counsel to the Underwriters that one or more legal defenses
         at law or in equity may be available to it or them which may not be
         available to the Company, in which case the Company shall not be
         entitled to assume the defense of such suit notwithstanding its
         obligation to bear the fees and expenses of such counsel. This
         indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any
         liability which the Company might otherwise have and shall not limit
         any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available at law or in
         equity to each Underwriter Indemnified Party.

                           (b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees
         to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each
         of its officers who have signed the Registration Statement and each
         person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
         Securities Act (collectively, the "Company Indemnified Parties")
         against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
         (including, unless the Underwriter or Underwriters elect to assume the
         defense, the reasonable cost of investigation and defending against any
         claims therefor and counsel fees incurred in connection therewith),
         joint or several, which arise out of or are based in whole or in part
         upon the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal, state,
         local or foreign statute or regulation, or at common law, on the ground
         or alleged ground that any Preeffective Prospectus, the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus (or any Preeffective Prospectus,
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as from time to time amended
         and supplemented) includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
         omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
         circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, but only insofar
         as any such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in
         conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by such
         Underwriter, directly or through the Representatives, specifically for
         use in the preparation thereof; provided, however, that in no case is
         such Underwriter to be liable with respect to any claims made against
         any Company Indemnified Party against whom the action is brought unless
         such Company Indemnified Party shall have notified such Underwriter in
         writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal
         process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been
         served upon the Company Indemnified Party, but failure to notify such
         Underwriter of such claim shall not


                                       21
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         relieve it from any liability which it may have to any Company
         Indemnified Party otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement
         contained in this paragraph. Such Underwriter shall be entitled to
         participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to
         assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability,
         but, if such Underwriter elects to assume the defense, such defense
         shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it. In the event that any
         Underwriter elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
         such counsel, the Company Indemnified Parties and any other Underwriter
         or Underwriters or controlling person or persons, defendant or
         defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
         additional counsel retained by them, respectively. The Underwriter
         against whom indemnity may be sought shall not be liable to indemnify
         any person for any settlement of any such claim effected without such
         Underwriter's consent. This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and
         will be in addition to any liability which such Underwriter might
         otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may
         otherwise be available at law or in equity to any Company Indemnified
         Party.

                           (c) If the indemnification provided for in this
         Section 6 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an
         indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any
         losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
         thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifying party shall
         contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
         result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
         actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifying
         party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
         indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such
         proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
         by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from
         the offering of the Stock. If, however, the allocation provided by the
         immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then
         each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable
         by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to
         reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of
         the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in
         connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
         losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
         thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
         relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
         Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
         as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses)
         received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and
         commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in
         the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall
         be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue
         or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the


                                       22
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         omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
         information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the
         parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
         opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The
         Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
         equitable if contributions were determined by pro rata allocation (even
         if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by
         any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
         equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or payable
         by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to
         above shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
         incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating,
         defending, settling or compromising any such claim. Notwithstanding the
         provisions of this subsection (c), no Underwriter shall be required to
         contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price
         at which the shares of the Stock underwritten by it and distributed to
         the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages
         which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
         such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
         omission. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute are several in
         proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
         Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution
         from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
         misrepresentation.

                  7. Survival of Indemnities, Representations, Warranties, etc.
The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by them respectively, pursuant to this Agreement,
shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by
or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any of its officers or directors
or any controlling person, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the
Stock; provided, however, that the indemnification obligation of Mr. Rush
pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof shall survive for a period of three years from
the date hereof.

                  8. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The respective
obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder shall be subject to the
accuracy, at and (except as otherwise stated herein) as of the date hereof and
at and as of the Closing Dates, of the representations and warranties made
herein by the Company, to compliance at and as of the Closing Dates by the
Company with its covenants and agreements herein contained and other provisions
hereof to be satisfied at or prior to the Closing Dates, and to the following
additional conditions:


                                       23
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                           (a) The Registration Statement shall have become
         effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall
         have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
         initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Representatives,
         shall be threatened by the Commission, and any request for additional
         information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been
         complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.
         Any filings of the Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, required
         pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434 of the Rules and Regulations, shall
         have been made in the manner and within the time period required by
         Rule 424(b) and Rule 434 of the Rules and Regulations, as the case may
         be.

                           (b) The Representatives shall have been satisfied
         that there shall not have occurred any change, on a consolidated basis,
         prior to the Closing Dates, in the condition (financial or otherwise),
         properties, business, management, prospects, net worth or results of
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole,
         or any change in the capital stock, short-term or long-term debt of the
         Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, such that (i) the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or
         supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact which, in the
         opinion of the Representatives, is material, or omits to state a fact
         which, in the opinion of the Representatives, is required to be stated
         therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
         or (ii) it is unpracticable in the reasonable judgment of the
         Representatives to proceed with the public offering or purchase the
         Stock as contemplated hereby.

                           (c) The Representatives shall be satisfied that no
         legal governmental action, suit or proceeding affecting the Company
         which is material and adverse to the Company or which affects or may
         affect the Company's ability to perform its material obligations under
         this Agreement shall have been instituted or threatened and there shall
         have occurred no material adverse development in any existing such
         action, suit or proceeding.

                           (d) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the
         Representatives shall have received from Arthur Andersen LLP,
         independent certified public accountants, a letter dated the date
         hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.

                           (e) The Representatives shall have received from
         Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants, letters,
         dated the Closing Dates, to the effect that such accountants reaffirm,
         as of the Closing Dates, and as though made on the Closing Dates, the
         statements made in the letter furnished by such accountants pursuant to
         paragraph (d) of this Section 8.


                                       24
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                           (f) The Representatives shall have received from
         Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, counsel for the Company, an opinion, dated
         the Closing Dates, to the effect set forth in Exhibit I hereto.

                           (g) The Representatives shall have received from
         Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters,
         their opinion or opinions dated the Closing Dates with respect to the
         incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Stock, the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus and such other related
         matters as it may reasonably request, and the Company shall have
         furnished to such counsel such documents as they may request for the
         purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

                           (h) The Representatives shall have received a
         certificate, dated the Closing Dates, of the chief executive officer or
         the President and the chief financial or accounting officer of the
         Company to the effect that:

                                    (i) No stop order suspending the
                  effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued,
                  and, to the best of the knowledge of the signers, no
                  proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
                  pending or contemplated under the Securities Act;

                                    (ii) Neither any Preeffective Prospectus, as
                  of its date, nor the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
                  nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the time when
                  the Registration Statement became effective and at all times
                  subsequent thereto up to the delivery of such certificate,
                  included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
                  state any material fact required to be stated therein or
                  necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
                  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

                                    (iii) Subsequent to the respective dates as
                  of which information is given in the Registration Statement
                  and the Prospectus, and except as set forth or contemplated in
                  the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its
                  subsidiaries has incurred any material liabilities or
                  obligations, direct or contingent, nor entered into any
                  material transactions not in the ordinary course of business
                  and there has not been any material adverse change in the
                  condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business,
                  management, prospects, net worth or results of operations of
                  the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, or any
                  change in the capital stock, short-term or long-term debt of
                  the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole;


                                       25
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                                    (iv) The representations and warranties of
                  the Company in this Agreement are true and correct in all
                  material respects at and as of the Closing Dates, and the
                  Company has complied in all material respects with all the
                  agreements and performed or satisfied all the conditions on
                  its part to be performed or satisfied all the conditions on
                  its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the
                  Closing Dates; and

                                    (v) Since the respective dates as of which
                  information is given in the Registration Statement and the
                  Prospectus, and except as disclosed in or contemplated by the
                  Prospectus, (i) there has not been any material adverse change
                  or a development involving a material adverse change in the
                  condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business,
                  management, prospects, net worth or results of operations of
                  the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole; (ii)
                  the business and operations conducted by the Company and its
                  subsidiaries have not sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood,
                  accident or other calamity (whether or not insured) of such a
                  character as to interfere materially with the conduct of the
                  business and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
                  considered as a whole; (iii) no legal or governmental action,
                  suit or proceeding is pending or threatened against the
                  Company which is material to the Company, whether or not
                  arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business,
                  or which may materially and adversely affect the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) since such dates and
                  except as so disclosed, the Company has not incurred any
                  material liability or obligation, direct, contingent or
                  indirect, made any change in its capital stock (except
                  pursuant to its stock plans), made any material change in its
                  short-term or funded debt or repurchased or otherwise acquired
                  any of the Company's capital stock; and (v) the Company has
                  not declared or paid any dividend, or made any other
                  distribution, upon its outstanding capital stock payable to
                  stockholders of record on a date prior to the Closing Date.

                           (i) The Company shall have furnished to the
         Representatives such additional certificates as the Representatives may
         have reasonably requested as to the accuracy, at and as of the Closing
         Dates, of the representations and warranties made herein by it and as
         to compliance at and as of the Closing Dates by it with its covenants
         and agreements herein contained and other provisions hereof to be
         satisfied at or prior to the Closing Dates, and as to satisfaction of
         the other conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder.

                           (j) Ladenburg shall have received the written
         agreements of the officers, directors and holders of Common Stock
         listed in Schedule B that each will not offer, sell, assign, transfer,
         encumber, contract to sell, grant an option to


                                       26
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         purchase or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock (including,
         without limitation, Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially
         owned by such officer, director or holder in accordance with the Rules
         and Regulations) during the 180 days following the date of the final
         Prospectus.

                           (k) The Nasdaq National Market shall have approved
         the Stock for inclusion, subject only to official notice of issuance.

                  All opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will
be in compliance with the provisions hereunder only if they are satisfactory in
form and substance to the Representatives. The Company will furnish to the
Representatives conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and
other documents as the Representatives shall reasonably request. If any of the
conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section shall not have been
satisfied when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement may be
terminated by the Representatives by notifying the Company of such termination
in writing or by telegram at or prior to the Closing Dates, but Ladenburg shall
be entitled to waive any of such conditions.

                  9. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective
immediately as to Sections 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 and, as to
all other provisions, at 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the first full
business day following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or at
such earlier time after the Registration Statement becomes effective as the
Representatives may determine on and by notice to the Company or by release of
any of the Stock for sale to the public. For the purposes of this Section 9, the
Stock shall be deemed to have been so released upon the release for publication
of any newspaper advertisement relating to the Stock or upon the release by you
of telegrams (i) advising Underwriters that the shares of Stock are released for
public offering or (ii) offering the Stock for sale to securities dealers,
whichever may occur first.

                  10. Termination. This Agreement (except for the provisions of
Section 5) may be terminated by the Company at any time before it becomes
effective in accordance with Section 9 by notice to the Representatives and may
be terminated by the Representatives at any time before it becomes effective in
accordance with Section 9 by notice to the Company. In the event of any
termination of this Agreement under this or any other provision of this
Agreement, there shall be no liability of any party to this Agreement to any
other party, other than as provided in Sections 5, 6 and 11 and other than as
provided in Section 12 as to the liability of defaulting Underwriters.

                  This Agreement may be terminated after it becomes effective by
the Representatives by notice to the Company (i) if at or prior to the First
Closing Date trading in securities on any of the New York Stock Exchange,
American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq National Market, Chicago Board of Options
Exchange, Chicago


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Mercantile Exchange or Chicago Board of Trade shall have been suspended or
minimum or maximum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or
market, or a banking moratorium shall have been declared by New York or United
States authorities; (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have
been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) if at or
prior to the First Closing Date there shall have been (A) an outbreak or
escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power or of
any other insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States which, in
the judgment of the Representatives, makes it impractical or inadvisable to
offer or sell the Firm Stock on the terms contemplated by the Prospectus or (B)
any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis which, in the judgment
of the Representatives, makes it impractical or inadvisable to offer or sell the
Firm Stock on the terms contemplated by the Prospectus; (iv) if there shall have
been any development or prospective development involving particularly the
business or properties or securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which, in the judgment of
the Representatives, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to offer or deliver
the Firm Stock on the terms contemplated by the Prospectus; (v) if there shall
be any litigation or proceeding, pending or threatened, which, in the judgment
of the Representatives, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to offer or
deliver the Firm Stock on the terms contemplated by the Prospectus; or (vi) if
there shall have occurred any of the events specified in the immediately
preceding clauses (i) - (v) together with any other such event that makes it, in
the judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to offer or
deliver the Firm Stock on the terms contemplated by the Prospectus.

                  11. Reimbursement of Underwriters. Notwithstanding any other
provisions hereof, if this Agreement shall not become effective by reason of any
election of the Company pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 10 or shall
be terminated by the Representatives under Section 8, the Company will bear and
pay the expenses specified in Section 5 hereof and, in addition to its
obligations pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Company will reimburse the
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the several Underwriters (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters up to a
maximum of $____) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the proposed
purchase of the Stock, and promptly upon demand the Company will pay such
amounts to you as Representatives.

                  12. Substitution of Underwriters. If any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase shares of
Stock hereunder and the aggregate number of shares which such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed ten
percent (10%) of the total number of shares underwritten, the other Underwriters
shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments
hereunder, to purchase the shares which such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase. If any Underwriter or Underwriters
shall so default and the aggregate number of shares with respect to which


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such default or defaults occur is more than ten percent (10%) of the total
number of shares underwritten and arrangements satisfactory to the
Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such shares by other persons
are not made within forty-eight (48) hours after such default, this Agreement
shall terminated.

                  If the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters are
required hereby or agree to take up all or part of the shares of Stock of a
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters as provided in this Section 12, (i) the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Dates for a period of not
more than five (5) full business days in order that the Company may effect
whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company
agrees promptly to file any amendments to the Registration Statement or
supplements to the Prospectus which may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the
respective numbers of shares to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters or
substituted Underwriters shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting
obligation for all purposes of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall
relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability to the Company or the other
Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default hereunder. Any termination of
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12 shall be without liability on the
part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for expenses to be
paid or reimbursed pursuant to Section 5 and except for the provisions of
Section 6.

                  13. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and, if sent to the Underwriters shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to you, as their Representatives c/o Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. at
540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, attention:
______________________________________, except that notices given to an
Underwriter pursuant to Section 6 hereof shall be sent to such Underwriter at
the address furnished by the Representatives or, if sent to the Company, shall
be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed c/o Rush Enterprises, Inc.,
Mr. W. Marvin Rush, 8810 IH-10 East, San Antonio, Texas 78219.

                  14. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the several Underwriters, the Company and their respective
successors and legal representatives. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this
Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the
persons mentioned in the preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein
contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being
intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and
for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties,
covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company contained in this Agreement
shall also be for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any
Underwriter or Underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the indemnities of the several
Underwriters shall


                                       29
   30
also be for the benefit of each director of the Company, each of its officers
who has signed the Registration Statement and the person or persons, if any, who
control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act.

                  15. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                  16. Authority of the Representatives. In connection with this
Agreement, you will act for and on behalf of the several Underwriters, and any
action taken under this Agreement by Ladenburg and Principal, as
Representatives, will be binding on all the Underwriters.

                  17. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or
provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is
for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed
to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to
make it valid and enforceable.

                  18. General. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and
all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders
and the singular and the plural include one another. The section headings in
this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect
the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be
amended or modified, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived, only by a writing signed by the Company and the Representatives.

                  19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two (2) or
more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as
if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.


                                       30
   31
                  If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding,
please indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that
purpose, whereupon this letter and yours acceptance shall constitute a binding
agreement between us.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board

                                      SUBSIDIARIES (for purposes of the 
                                      obligation set forth in Section 6(a)
                                      hereof only).

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------



                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      W. Marvin Rush, Individually


Accepted and delivered in ________
as of the date first above written.

LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC.

   Acting on its own behalf and as Representative of several Underwriters
   referred to in the foregoing Agreement.

By:
   --------------------------------
Title:
      -----------------------------

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.

   Acting on its own behalf and as Representative
   of several Underwriters referred to in the
   foregoing Agreement.

By:
   --------------------------------
Title:
      -----------------------------


                                       31
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                                   SCHEDULE A

  
Number of Number of Firm Shares Optional Shares Name to be Purchased to be Purchased - ---- --------------- --------------- Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. Principal Financial Securities, Inc. Total................
33 SCHEDULE B 34 2,500,000 Shares RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. Common Stock AGREEMENT AMONG UNDERWRITERS New York, New York June ___, 1996 LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. c/o Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. 540 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 Dear Sirs: We understand that Rush Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company"), a Texas corporation, and W. Marvin Rush, a stockholder of the Company ("Mr. Rush") desire to enter into an agreement, substantially in the form of the underwriting agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Underwriting Agreement"), for the sale to you and the other firms and corporations (collectively, the "Underwriters") named in Schedule A attached thereto of the respective number of shares of the common stock (the "Common Stock") of the Company, $.01 par value, aggregating 2,500,000 shares, indicated in said Schedule A, with an option to purchase from the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement all or part of an aggregate of an additional 375,000 shares. Such 2,500,000 shares of the Common Stock which the several Underwriters are to purchase are hereinafter called the "Firm Stock"; such 375,000 shares which they have an option to purchase are hereinafter called the "Optional Stock"; and the shares of Firm Stock and Optional Stock are hereinafter together called the "Shares." It is understood that changes may be made in those who are to be Underwriters and in the number of Shares to be purchased by each, provided that the number of Shares to be purchased by us will not be changed without our consent except as provided herein or in the Underwriting Agreement. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the Shares pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement are hereinafter called their "underwriting obligations." We hereby confirm our agreement with you with respect to the proposed purchase by the Underwriters severally of the Shares, and the proposed offering of the Shares, as follows: SECTION 1. REGISTRATION UNDER SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. The Shares are more particularly described in the registration statement and prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating, among other things, to the Shares, in which, with our consent, we have been or will be, by amendment, named as one of the Underwriters. The registration statement is not yet effective, and you are to notify us after you are advised that it has become effective. Copies of the 35 registration statement in the form in which it becomes effective and the prospectus, as filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Act, are hereinafter respectively referred to as the "Registration Statement" and the "Prospectus." SECTION 2. AUTHORITY AS REPRESENTATIVES. We authorize you as our Representatives to (i) enter into the Underwriting Agreement with the Company and Mr. Rush in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A; (ii) exercise all the authority vested in the Underwriters or in you by the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement, including (but not by way of limitation) authority to take all such action as you may deem desirable in order to carry out the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement and this Agreement; (iii) consent on our behalf, with the approval of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, to any further amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus which may be filed prior to the First Closing Date as defined in the Underwriting Agreement (the "First Closing Date"); (iv) determine the public offering price of the Shares and any concessions therefrom; (v) furnish the Company with the information to be included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto with respect to the terms of the offering; (vi) exercise, cancel or permit to expire in accordance with Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement, in your discretion, the option to purchase the Optional Stock; and (vii) act as our Representatives in all other matters concerning the Underwriting Agreement, this Agreement, and the purchase, carrying, sale and distribution of the Shares under the Underwriting Agreement and this Agreement. SECTION 3. PUBLIC OFFERING. (a) The public offering of the Shares, as herein provided, shall initially be made at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the "Offering Price") on or as soon after the date on which the Registration Statement shall become effective as in your judgment shall be practicable. You will advise us when the Shares are released for offering. After the public offering has commenced, the Offering Price and the Selling Concession (which term is hereinafter defined) and the Reallowance (which term is also hereinafter defined) may be changed by you as our Representatives. We have not advertised the Shares, and we will not do so until after the first public advertisement by you, as our Representatives, has appeared. Any advertisement by us shall be at our own expense and risk and shall be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. (b) We authorize you, for our account, in your discretion to reserve (whether or not pursuant to subscriptions) any or all of the Firm Stock which we shall have agreed to purchase (i) for offering at the Offering Price to institutions and other retail purchasers selected by you and (ii) for offering to dealers (the "Selected Dealers") selected by you, among whom any of the Underwriters may be included, pursuant to the terms and conditions of agreements with such dealers substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Selling Agreements") and to sell and deliver any Firm Stock so reserved. We understand that you will advise us as to the number of shares of Firm Stock which are not reserved as aforesaid and that, on and after the date of the commencement of the public offering, any or all of our reserved shares of Firm Stock may, in your discretion, be released to us upon our request. Firm Stock so released shall not be deemed to have been reserved for the above purposes. Any of our Firm Stock which shall not at the time be reserved pursuant to this subsection (b) may, 2 36 at any time on and after the commencement of the public offering, be sold by us in accordance with the terms of the offering thereof. (c) The selling concession for Shares sold to Selected Dealers is set forth in the Selling Agreements and is herein called the "Selling Concession." Subject to the provisions of Section 25 hereof and Section 3(a) of the Selling Agreement, Underwriters may allow, and Selected Dealers may reallow out of the Selling Concession, a concession not exceeding $____ for each Share purchased (the "Reallowance") to any member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or to foreign dealers not eligible for such membership who agree to conform to the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD in making sales to purchasers outside the United States. SECTION 4. MANAGERS. We authorize you, as our Representatives, (a) to act as managers under the Selling Agreements, and, as such, to determine when the public offering of the Shares shall have been completed and thereupon to terminate the Selling Agreements, as therein provided, if they shall not have theretofore expired in accordance with their terms, and (b) to manage, and take such action as you may deem advisable in all matters pertaining to, the public offering of the Shares. SECTION 5. COMPENSATION OF REPRESENTATIVES. As compensation for your services to us in connection with the purchase of the Shares and the managing of the public offering of the Shares, we authorize you to charge to our account at the First Closing Date, with respect to the Firm Stock purchased by us, and at each "Option Exercise Date" (as such term is defined in the Underwriting Agreement), with respect to the Optional Stock purchased by us, the amount of $____ per Share, or, if you should elect, we agree to make payment to you of such compensation at the First Closing Date or at each Option Exercise Date, as the case may be. SECTION 6. DELIVERY AND PAYMENT. (a) At or before the First Closing Date, upon at least 48 hours' prior notice from you, we will deliver to you at the offices of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. at 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, a certified or bank cashier's check, payable to your order in New York Clearing House funds, for an amount equal to the Offering Price (less the Selling Concession) of the Shares which we shall have agreed to purchase (the "Purchase Price"). The determination by you of the amounts to be paid by us shall be final and conclusive and binding upon us. We authorize you to make payments to the Company and Mr. Rush, in the manner provided in the Underwriting Agreement, against delivery to you for our account of our Shares. You shall promptly deliver to us such Shares purchased by us as shall not have been reserved for our account pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof. Payment for and delivery of Shares purchased by us will be made by physical delivery. Upon receipt by you of payment for the Shares sold by you for our account, you will remit to us an amount equal to the Purchase Price, less such reserve as you shall deem proper in respect of Shares purchased by us as shall not have been reserved for our account pursuant to the provisions of said Section 3(b), and you will credit to our account on your books the amount of such reserve and the amount of such payment in excess of the Purchase Price, less the cost of any transfer tax stamps in respect of each Share so reserved and sold. (b) Unless we shall notify you at least 72 hours before the First Closing Date and at least 24 hours before each Option Exercise Date to make other arrangements, you may, 3 37 in your discretion, advise the Company to register the Shares to be purchased by us in our name and in certificates of the denomination of 100 shares each. (c) In the event that one or more Underwriters shall default in its or their respective obligations to purchase and pay for the Shares which such Underwriter or Underwriters has or have agreed to purchase and pay for under the Underwriting Agreement, you are authorized to procure some other responsible party or parties, who or which may include one or more of the remaining Underwriters, to purchase such Shares under the terms herein set forth. SECTION 7. MARKETING PROCEDURE. We understand that (a) we and the other Underwriters may, through you and with your approval, buy and sell Shares from and to each other at the Offering Price, less a concession which shall not exceed the Selling Concession, and (b) each Underwriter may purchase Shares from any other Underwriter or from any Selected Dealer at the Offering Price or at the Offering Price less the Reallowance. SECTION 8. ADVICE AND RESALE OF UNSOLD SHARES. We agree to advise you from time to time, upon request, prior to the termination of this Agreement, of the Shares owned by us at the time of such request, and, if in your opinion any such Shares shall be needed to make delivery of Shares sold or over-allotted for the account of one or more of the several Underwriters, we will, forthwith upon your request, grant to you for the account or accounts of such Underwriter or Underwriters the right, exercisable promptly after receipt of notice from us that such right has been granted, to purchase, at the Offering Price, less such amount (if any) as shall be agreed upon between you and us but not in excess of the Selling Concession, such Shares owned by us as shall have been specified in your request. SECTION 9. REPURCHASE PROVISIONS. We agree that, if any Shares originally purchased by us under the Underwriting Agreement (including Shares which may have been issued in exchange for such Shares) shall be sold by us, other than through you, as our Representatives, and shall be purchased or contracted for during the term of this Agreement by you, as the Representatives of any Underwriter, at or below the Offering Price, you may, at your election, either (a) require us to purchase such Shares from the Underwriter for whose account it was so purchased by you, at a price equal to the cost of such purchase by you, including commissions plus transfer tax stamps, or (b) charge our account with, or require us to pay to you, an amount equal to the Selling Concession in request of such Shares so purchased by you. SECTION 10. DELIVERY OF UNSOLD SHARES. Any Shares reserved for offering as provided in Section 3(b) hereof, but not sold and paid for, shall, on or before the termination of this Agreement, be delivered to each Underwriter as nearly as practicable in the ratio which the number of such Underwriter's Shares so reserved bears to the number of Shares of all Underwriters so reserved, except that (1) there shall be credited against the commitment of any Underwriter, with respect to any unsold Shares reserved for sale to Selected Dealers, any Shares purchased by such Underwriter as a Selected Dealer and (2) if the aggregate of all reserved and unsold shares does not exceed 10% of the Firm Stock, you are authorized in your discretion to sell such Shares for the accounts of the several Underwriters at such price or prices as you may determine. 4 38 SECTION 11. STABILIZING. To enable you to effect transactions for the purpose of stabilizing the market in the Common Stock, we authorize you, as our Representatives, and for our account, prior to the termination of this Agreement, or for such longer period as may be necessary to cover any short position incurred for the accounts of the several Underwriters under this authority, (a) to buy and sell the Common Stock in the open market or otherwise on a when-issued or when-delivered basis or otherwise, at such price or prices as you may determine, (b) in arranging for sales of the Shares to Selected Dealers and others, to over-allot and (c) in order to cover any such over-allotments, to exercise in whole or in part the option granted to you as our Representatives pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement and to purchase Optional Stock pursuant to such exercise. It is understood that such purchases and sales, over-allotments and exercises shall be made for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters as nearly as practicable in the ratios which the number of shares of Firm Stock which they severally shall have agreed to purchase respectively bears to the number of shares of Firm Stock purchased by all of the Underwriters. At no time will our net commitment for either long or short account resulting from such purchases and sales (including over-allotments) exceed 15% of the number of shares of Firm Stock which we shall have agreed to purchase. We authorize you to charge our account with the cost of any Common Stock so purchased for our account and agree to deliver to you on demand Common Stock to the extent thereof so sold for our account. We authorize you, as our Representatives, and on our behalf, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all reports required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), to be filed by you, as our Representatives, in connection with any transaction effected by you for our account pursuant to the authorizations contained in this Section 11, and agree to furnish you with any information needed for such reports. You agree to notify us if, as our Representatives, you engage in any transaction which requires such reports to be filed. This provision is not an assurance that the price of the Common Stock will be stabilized or that stabilization, if commenced, may not be discontinued at any time. SECTION 12. UNDERWRITERS NOT TO ENGAGE IN STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS. In order that no transaction which might be deemed a stabilizing transaction shall be effected by any Underwriter, other than transactions effected by you pursuant to this Agreement, we agree that, prior to the termination of this Agreement or prior to such earlier date as you may approve and except as herein otherwise provided, we will not, for our own account, buy, sell or deal in any securities of the Company other than as provided in this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement or the Selling Agreements; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit our acting as broker or agent in the execution on an agency basis of unsolicited orders of customers for the purchase or sale of any securities of the Company. SECTION 13. DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS. Default by one or more Underwriters hereunder or under the Underwriting Agreement shall not release the other Underwriters from their obligations or affect the liability of any defaulting Underwriter to the other Underwriters for damages resulting from such default. In the event that, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the number of Shares which you are to purchase is increased or arrangements are made for the purchase by others, including non-defaulting Underwriters, of Shares not taken up by defaulting Underwriters, the respective numbers of the Shares to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters and by such others shall be taken as the basis for the underwriting obligations under this Agreement. 5 39 In the event of default by one or more Underwriters in respect of their obligations under this Agreement, each non-defaulting Underwriter shall assume its proportionate share of the obligations under this Agreement of each such defaulting Underwriter (other than the underwriting obligation of such defaulting Underwriter). SECTION 14. EXPENSES. We agree to pay to you and authorize you to charge to our account our proportionate share, based on the ratio which our underwriting obligation shall bear to the underwriting obligation of all of the Underwriters, of all expenses (other than transfer taxes) to be paid by the Underwriters under the terms of this Agreement or in connection with the purchase, carrying and sale of the Shares, and all transfer taxes paid on our behalf on sales or transfers made for our account pursuant to any provision of this Agreement. Your determination of all such expenses and your allocation thereof shall be final and conclusive and binding upon us. SECTION 15. AUTHORITY TO BORROW. We authorize you for our account to advance such funds, charging current interest rates, or to arrange such loans for the purpose of taking up and paying for any Shares acquired by us pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement or this Agreement or for the purpose of carrying any or all of such Shares as you may in your discretion deem desirable or otherwise for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. In connection with any such loan (whether or not you are the lender), we authorize you to pledge such Shares and to execute in our name or otherwise and to deliver such notes, agreements, instructions and other instruments as you may deem appropriate. Any lender is hereby authorized to rely upon your instructions in all matters relating to any such loan or loans. Our obligation in respect of any such loan shall be several and not joint. We authorize you to charge to our account, and agree to pay you on demand, our share of all expenses in connection therewith. SECTION 16. TERMINATION AND SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. Except as herein otherwise provided, and unless extended by you with the consent of Underwriters (including yourself) who shall have agreed to purchase an aggregate of more than 50% of the Firm Stock, this Agreement shall terminate 60 days after the First Closing Date or 30 days after the termination of the Selling Agreements, whichever date shall be later, but this Agreement or any provision hereof may be terminated by you at any time upon written or telegraphic notice to us. Upon termination of this Agreement, the net credit or debit balance in our account, after proper charge and credit for all interim payments and receipts, shall be paid to or by us, provided that you in your discretion may reserve from distribution such amount as you may determine to cover possible additional expenses chargeable to the several Underwriters. The determination by you of the amounts to be paid to or by us shall be final and conclusive. Notwithstanding any settlement on the termination of this Agreement, we agree to pay (a) our proportionate share (based on our underwriting obligation) of all expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by or for the account of the Underwriters as such and (b) any transfer taxes which may be accrued and paid after such settlement on account of any sales or purchases hereunder for our account. SECTION 17. TERMINATION OR NON-EFFECTIVENESS OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. If the Underwriting Agreement shall be cancelled or terminated as permitted by the terms thereof, or if the Underwriting Agreement shall be executed but shall not become effective, our 6 40 obligations hereunder shall immediately cease and terminate, except our obligation to pay our proportionate share (based on our underwriting obligation) of all expenses to be paid by the Underwriters and except obligations, if any, incurred for our account under Section 11 hereof. SECTION 18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF REPRESENTATIVES. You shall be under no duty to account for any interest on funds of any of the Underwriters at any time in your hands and such funds may be held by you unsegregated from your general funds. You shall be under no liability to any Underwriter for, or in respect of, the validity of the Shares or the form of, or the statements contained in, the Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than any liability which may arise under the Act), the Underwriting Agreement, the Selling Agreements, this Agreement, or any other letters or instruments executed by the Company or Mr. Rush or for the delivery of the Shares, or the performance by the Company or Mr. Rush of any agreement on its part, or for any matter in connection with any of the foregoing, except for your own want of good faith, and no obligation not expressly assumed by you in this Agreement shall be implied hereby. SECTION 19. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. (a)(i) We agree to indemnify and hold harmless each of the other Underwriters, and each person who controls any other Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and to reimburse their expenses, to the extent and upon the terms that we agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Indemnified Parties and to reimburse their expenses, all as defined and set forth in Section 6(b) of the Underwriting Agreement, and (ii) we shall be liable for our proportionate share (based on our underwriting obligation) of the amount of any liability which may be incurred by the Underwriters, or any of them, based on the claim that the Underwriters constitute a partnership, association, unincorporated business or other separate entity and of any expenses incurred by you or any other Underwriter with your approval in contesting any such claim or liability. (b) Each Underwriter will pay, upon your request, as contribution, its proportionate share (based upon its underwriting obligation) of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter to any person other than an Underwriter, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by the Company or Mr. Rush in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any preliminary prospectus or any other selling or advertising material used by the Underwriters in connection with the sale of the Shares, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of an Underwriter through you specifically for use therein), (iii) the employment by the Company or Mr. Rush of any device, scheme or artifice to defraud, or the engaging by the Company or Mr. Rush in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit, or any conspiracy with respect thereto, in which the Company or Mr. Rush shall participate, in connection with the issuance and sale of any of the Shares or (iv) any transaction contemplated by this Agreement; and will pay such proportionate share of any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by you or with your consent in connection with investigating or 7 41 defending any such loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof. In determining the amount of our obligation under this subsection (b), appropriate adjustment may be made by you to reflect any amounts received by any one or more Underwriters in respect of such claim from the Company or Mr. Rush pursuant to Section 6 of the Underwriting Agreement or otherwise. There will be credited against any amount paid or payable by us pursuant to this subsection (b), any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense which is incurred by us as a result of any such claim asserted against us, and if such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is incurred by us subsequent to any payment by us pursuant to this subsection (b), appropriate provision will be made to effect such credit by refund or otherwise. If any such claim is asserted, you may take any action in connection therewith as you deem necessary or desirable, including retention of counsel for the Underwriters, and in your discretion separate counsel for any particular Underwriter or group of Underwriters, and the fees and disbursements of any counsel so retained by you will be included in the amounts payable pursuant to this subsection (b). In determining amounts payable pursuant to this subsection (b), any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense incurred by any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act which has been incurred by reason of such control relationship will be deemed to have been incurred by such Underwriter. Any Underwriter may elect to retain at its own expense its own counsel. You may settle or consent to the settlement of any such claim, on advice of counsel retained by you. Whenever you receive notice of the assertion of any claim to which the provisions of this subsection (b) would be applicable, you will give prompt notice thereof to each Underwriter. If any Underwriter or Underwriters default in their obligation to make any payments, each non-defaulting Underwriter will be obligated to pay its proportionate share of all defaulted payments, based upon such Underwriter's underwriting obligation as related to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters. Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default. (c) Our agreements contained in this Section 19 will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person and will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares and the termination of this Agreement. SECTION 20. BLUE SKY MATTERS. Notwithstanding any information heretofore or hereafter given by you to us with respect to your understanding as to proceedings taken or to be taken for or as to the necessity for the qualification of the Shares for sale under the blue sky or securities laws of the respective jurisdictions, we understand and agree that compliance with the securities or blue sky laws in each jurisdiction where we shall offer or sell any of the Shares shall be our sole responsibility and that you do not assume any responsibility as to our right to sell the Shares in any jurisdiction or as to any sale therein. SECTION 21. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF UNDERWRITERS. Nothing contained herein or in the Underwriting Agreement shall constitute the several Underwriters as a partnership, association, unincorporated business or other separate entity, or render any Underwriter liable for any obligation of any other Underwriter; and the obligations of the Underwriters are several in accordance with their respective interests and are not joint. Default by any other Underwriter in respect of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement shall not release us from any of our obligations hereunder or thereunder except as expressly set forth therein. 8 42 If the Underwriters are deemed to constitute a partnership for federal income tax purposes, we as a member of the group (as opposed to us individually) elect to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and agree not to take any position inconsistent with such election, and you are authorized, in your discretion, to execute on behalf of the Underwriters such evidence of such election as may be required by the Internal Revenue Service. SECTION 22. UNDERTAKING TO MAIL PROSPECTUS. We confirm that we have delivered all preliminary prospectuses and revised preliminary prospectuses, if any, required to be delivered under the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act and agree to deliver all Prospectuses required to be delivered thereunder. You have heretofore delivered to us such preliminary prospectuses as have been requested by us, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and will deliver such Prospectuses as will be requested by us. SECTION 23. NOTICES. Any notice to us shall be deemed to have been duly given if telegraphed or mailed to us at our address set forth in our Underwriters' Questionnaire addressed to the Company. Any notice to you shall be addressed to Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. SECTION 24. CONFIRMATION OF UNDERWRITERS. We confirm that we have examined the Registration Statement and amendments thereto filed under the Act relating, among other things, to the Shares, that we are familiar with the amendments thereto (including the final form of prospectus) proposed to be filed, that we are willing to accept the responsibilities of an underwriter under the Act in respect of the Registration Statement and are willing to proceed with the public offering of the Shares in the manner contemplated, and that the form of the Selling Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B is satisfactory to us. We further confirm that (a) the statements in such proposed final form of registration statement and prospectus as to the terms of offering of the Shares under the heading "Underwriting," insofar as they relate to us, are correct and (b) there is no information about us required to be stated in said proposed final forms other than as set forth in the Underwriters' Questionnaire previously delivered by us to you and the Company. We understand that the aforementioned documents are subject to further change and that we will be supplied with copies of any further amendments or supplements to said Registration Statement and of any related amended or supplemented prospectuses promptly, if and when received by you, but the making of such changes, amendments and supplements shall not release us or affect our obligations hereunder or under the Underwriting Agreement. We represent and warrant that (a) all of the information contained in the Underwriters' Questionnaire which was furnished in connection with the offering of the Shares is true and correct as of the date hereof and (b) we do not expect our sales of Shares to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the number of Shares sold by us and, without your prior consent, we will not confirm sales of Shares to any account over which we exercise discretionary authority. SECTION 25. BROKER-DEALER REQUIREMENTS. (a) We are members in good standing of the NASD and, in connection with the sale of the Shares, we agree to comply with Section 24 of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD and to obtain a written agreement similar to this clause (a) or to the succeeding clause (b) from any person to whom we grant a selling concession, discount or other allowance, or (b) we are a foreign bank, dealer or institution not 9 43 eligible for membership in the NASD and we agree that (i) in making sales of the Shares outside the United States, we will comply with the requirements of the Rules of Air Practice of the NASD as though we were a member of the NASD, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 24 and 36 of such Rules and Section 25 of such Rules as that Section applies to a non-member broker-dealer in a foreign country and (ii) we will not offer or sell any of the Shares in the United States or to persons we have reason to believe are citizens or residents of the United States. We further confirm that the ratio of our aggregate indebtedness to our net capital is such that we may, in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act, obligate ourselves to purchase, and purchase, the number of Shares which we agree to purchase under the Underwriting Agreement and that we have not effected and will not effect any transaction in violation of the provisions of Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act applicable to this offering. We are and shall continue to be in compliance with all securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and all requirements of the NASD, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the securities exchanges applicable to us. SECTION 26. REPORTS. We agree to furnish you, for statistical purposes and with the understanding that you will not make the same public, a report, in such form as you may request, showing the number of Shares sold by us in each jurisdiction and showing the distribution of the purchasers classified by number of Shares purchased, but no such report shall require us to inform you of the names of any purchasers of any of the Shares from us. SECTION 27. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. Kindly confirm at the foot hereof that the foregoing is acceptable to you. Upon your confirmation hereof and upon confirmation by you of an identical agreement with each of the other Underwriters, this Agreement and all such identical agreements shall together constitute the Agreement Among Underwriters. Very truly yours, By:_________________________________ As Attorney-in-fact for each of the several Underwriters named in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement 10 44 CONFIRMED: LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. By: Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. By:___________________________________ 11 45 2,500,000 Shares RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. Common Stock SELLING AGREEMENT New York, New York June ___, 1996 Dear Sirs: SECTION 1. Purchase of Shares by Several Underwriters. The several Underwriters named in the enclosed Prospectus, on whose behalf we are acting as Representatives, have severally agreed to purchase from Rush Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company"), a Texas corporation, an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of the Common Stock ("Common Stock"), $.01 par value, of the Company, and the several Underwriters have been granted an option to purchase from the Company all or part of an additional 375,000 shares of the Common Stock, subject to the terms of an agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") among the several Underwriters, the Company and W. Marvin Rush, a stockholder of the Company ("Mr. Rush"),. Such aggregate of 2,500,000 shares and 375,000 shares of the Common Stock (collectively referred to as the "Shares") are described in the Prospectus, additional copies of which will be supplied in reasonable quantities upon request to us. SECTION 2. Offering to Selected Dealers. (a) One or more of the several Underwriters, acting through us, are severally offering a portion of the Shares to certain dealers (the "Selected Dealers") as principals, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the Underwriting Agreement and to modification or cancellation of the offering without notice, at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the "Offering Price"), less a concession not exceeding $____ for each Share (the "Selling Concession"). The Offering Price may be changed at any time or from time to time in our discretion without notice to the extent permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Shares purchased by the several Underwriters and not sold to the Selected Dealers as aforesaid may be sold by the Underwriters, all of whom have agreed with respect to the sale of the Shares to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Any of the several Underwriters may be included among the Selected Dealers. (b) The offering of a portion of the Shares to Selected Dealers may be made on the basis of reservations or allotments against subscriptions. We are advising you by telegram of the method and terms of the offering. Acceptance of any reserved Shares received by us, at the offices of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, after the time specified therefor in the telegrams and any application for additional Shares will be subject to rejection in whole or in part. The offering may be 46 withdrawn by us at any time without notice and the right is reserved to reject any subscription in whole or in part. Any offering or invitation to you pursuant to the terms hereof is conditioned on your being qualified under applicable securities laws, if any, to act as a dealer or broker in securities. (c) Any Selected Dealer may buy Shares from or sell Shares to any other Selected Dealer at the Offering Price, less all or any part of the Selling Concession. (d) The Selling Concession payable to you for the Shares purchased and paid for by you will be held by us as a deposit for your account and will be payable after the termination of this Agreement, except that we shall have the right to cancel the Selling Concession in respect of any Shares (including Shares which may have been issued on transfer of or in exchange for such first mentioned Shares) delivered to you which we may purchase or contract to purchase for the account of any Underwriter at or below the Offering Price prior to the termination of this Agreement, or which may be delivered against purchase contracts made prior to termination of this Agreement at or below the Offering Price, and, in addition, we may charge you with any broker's commission and transfer tax paid in connection with such purchase or contract to purchase. SECTION 3. Offering to Public by Selected Dealers. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, you may reoffer the Shares purchased by you in conformity with the terms of offering set forth in the Prospectus and at the Offering Price immediately upon receipt of telegraphic release by us. Without our approval, the Shares shall not be offered or sold by you below the Offering Price before the termination of this Agreement, except that a concession not exceeding $____ for each Share may be allowed by you to dealers who are members in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and who agree in writing to comply with Section 24 of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD or to foreign banks, dealers and institutions not eligible for such membership who agree in writing (i) to conform to the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD in making sales to purchasers outside of the United States as though they were members of the NASD, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 24 and 36 of such Rules and Section 25 of such Rules as that Section applies to a non-member broker-dealer in a foreign country and (ii) not to offer or sell any of the Shares in the United States or to persons they have reason to believe are citizens or residents of the United States. (b) You agree to advise us from time to time upon request, prior to the termination of this Agreement, of the amount of Shares purchased by you hereunder remaining unsold, and to sell to us for the accounts of the several Underwriters such amount of any unsold Shares as we may designate, at the Offering Price, less an amount determined by us not in excess of the Selling Concession. (c) Neither you nor any other person is, or has been, authorized by the Company, Mr. Rush, any of the several Underwriters or us to give any information or to make any representations in connection with the sale of the Shares other than those contained in the Prospectus. 2 47 SECTION 4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Shares which you shall have agreed to purchase shall be made by you on such date and at such time as we may advise you on at least 24 hours' notice, at the offices of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by certified or bank cashier's check in New York Clearing House funds to our order, against delivery of such Shares. Delivery instructions must be in our hands at said address at such time as we request. Additional Shares confirmed to you shall be delivered on such date or dates as we shall advise you. Payment for and delivery of Shares purchased by you hereunder will be made by physical delivery, unless you have otherwise notified us prior to the date specified in our telex or telegram to you. SECTION 5. Blue Sky Matters. Neither we nor any of the several Underwriters shall have any obligation or responsibility with respect to the right of any dealer to sell the Shares in any jurisdiction, notwithstanding any information which may be furnished as to the jurisdictions under the securities laws of which it is believed the Shares may be sold. SECTION 6. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate at the close of business 30 days after the date hereof, but may be extended for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 30 days, as we may determine. We may terminate this Agreement at any time without notice. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, you shall remain liable for your proportion of any transfer tax or any liability which may be asserted or assessed against us or any one or more of the several Underwriters or Selected Dealers based upon the claim that the Selected Dealers or any of them constitute a partnership, association, unincorporated business or other separate entity. SECTION 7. Stabilization. (a) Each Underwriter has authorized us, in our discretion, to make purchases and sales of the shares of the Common Stock on a when-issued or when-delivered basis or otherwise, and, in arranging for sales of the Shares, to over-allot for the account of such Underwriter, all as more fully set forth in the Registration Statement with respect to the Shares and in an agreement (the "Agreement Among Underwriters") between the several Underwriters and us. (b) Each Underwriter has agreed that, during the term of the Agreement Among Underwriters or such shorter period as we may determine, it will not buy or sell any securities of the company for its own account, except as otherwise provided in the Agreement Among Underwriters. The Agreement Among Underwriters will not prohibit any Underwriter from engaging in brokerage transactions with respect to securities of the Company, not involving solicitation of the customer's order. (c) You represent that you have not effected and will not effect any transaction in violation of the provisions of Rule 10b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), applicable to this offering, and you agree that you will not, until the completion of the distribution by you of the Shares which you acquired pursuant to this Agreement, bid for, purchase, sell or deal in, or attempt to induce others to purchase Shares, except (i) as provided for in this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement and the Agreement Among Underwriters or as otherwise approved by us and (ii) in brokerage transactions not involving solicitation of the customer's order. 3 48 SECTION 8. Obligations of Selected Dealers. (a) Your acceptance hereof will constitute an obligation on your part to purchase, upon the terms and conditions hereof, the number of Shares reserved for and accepted by you (including any Shares subscribed for and allotted to you) and to perform and observe all of the terms and conditions hereof. (b) In acting as a Selected Dealer under this Agreement and in offering and selling Shares hereunder, you agree to comply with all applicable rules of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the 1934 Act and all applicable state securities laws. You represent that you are familiar with Rule 15c2-8 under the 1934 Act relating to the distribution of preliminary and final prospectuses and agree that you will comply therewith. (c) You are not authorized to act as agent for any of the several Underwriters in offering Shares to the public or otherwise. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the Selected Dealers a partnership, association, unincorporated business or other separate entity, or shall constitute the Selected Dealers, or any of them, partners with the several Underwriters or with us. SECTION 9. Position of the Representatives. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the offering or arising hereunder, but shall act only as Representatives of the several Underwriters. Neither we nor any of the several Underwriters shall be under any liability to you, except for our own lack of good faith, obligations expressly assumed in this Agreement and any liabilities arising under the 1933 Act. No obligations not expressly assumed by us in this Agreement shall be implied hereby or inferred herefrom. SECTION 10. Notices. All communications from you shall be addressed to Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Any notice from us to you shall be deemed to have been duly authorized by the several Underwriters and to have been duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the addressed at which this letter is mailed. SECTION 11. Reports. You agree to furnish us, for statistical purposes and with the understanding that we will not make the same public, a report, in such form as we may request, showing the number of Shares sold by you in each jurisdiction and showing the distribution of the purchasers classified by the number of Shares purchased, but no such report shall require you to inform us of the names of any purchaser of any of the Shares from you. SECTION 12. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 4 49 Please confirm this Agreement by signing and returning at once the duplicate copy enclosed herewith. Very truly yours, LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. By: Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. By:____________________________________ Acting on its own behalf and as the Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A of the Underwriting Agreement. Accepted and Agreed to: _____________________________ By:__________________________ 5 50 LADENBURG, THALMANN & CO. INC. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC. c/o Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. As Representatives of the several Underwriters 540 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 Dear Sirs: The undersigned hereby confirms its agreement to purchase __________ Shares referred to in the foregoing Selling Agreement, subject to your acceptance or rejection in whole or in part in case of a subscription in excess of any reservation, and acknowledges that such purchase and any purchase of additional Shares made during the term of said Agreement are subject to all the applicable terms and conditions set forth in said Agreement, and agrees to take up and pay for such Shares at the price and upon the terms and conditions stated in said Agreement. The undersigned hereby confirms that (a) it is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and, in connection with the sale of such Shares, it agrees to comply with Section 24 of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD and to obtain a written agreement similar to this clause (a) or to the succeeding clause (b) from any person to whom it grants a selling concession, discount or other allowance, or (b) it is a foreign bank, dealer or institution not eligible for such membership and agrees (i) to conform to the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD in making sales to purchasers outside of the United States as though it were a member of the NASD, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 24 and 36 of such Rules and Section 25 of such Rules as that Section applies to a non-member broker-dealer in a foreign country and (ii) not to offer or sell any of such Shares in the United States or to persons it has reason to believe are citizens or residents of the United States. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus relating to such Shares, and confirms that, in agreeing to purchase such Shares, it has relied on said Prospectus and not on any other statement whatsoever, written or oral. The undersigned further confirms that copies of the latest preliminary prospectus with respect to such Shares have been mailed, at least two days prior to the date hereof, to all persons to whom it is presently expected it will sell such Shares and that, if it expects to mail a confirmation of any such sale to any person by airmail, said preliminary prospectus has been sent to such person by airmail. Dated: __________ ___, 1996 __________________________________ By:_______________________________
   1
          COMMON STOCK                     COMMON STOCK

         NUMBER                                                     SHARES
R ____________________                                         ________________


                     RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
       INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

                                                               CUSIP 781846 100
                                            SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THIS CERTIFIES that

is the owner of

            FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK,
                      $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE OF
                         RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person
or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly
endorsed.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent
and Registrar.
     WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures
of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:

                         RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                               CORPORATE
                                 SEAL
                                 1965
                                TEXAS

SECRETARY                                                            PRESIDENT

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED.
     AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
          (NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
                                                               TRANSFER AGENT
BY                                                              AND REGISTRAR

                                                           AUTHORIZED OFFICER




   2
   The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

   TEN COM--as tenants in common         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT--    Custodian
                                                            -----------------
   TEN ENT--as tenants by the entireties                   (Cust)    (Minor)
   JT TEN --as joint tenants wtih right of                 under Uniform Gifts
            survivorship and not as tenants                to Minors Act______
            in common                                                   (State)
   Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


      For value received,____________hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

      PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
         IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
      --------------------------------------
                
      ______________________________________



      --------------------------------------------------------------------
 (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE  NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

      --------------------------------------------------------------------

      --------------------------------------------------------------------

      ______________________________________________________________shares
      of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
      irrevocably constitute and appoint
   
      ____________________________________________________________Attorney
      to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation
      with full power of substitution in the premises.

      Dated______________________


                        -------------------------------------------------
                        THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND 
                        WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE 
                        CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION
                NOTICE: OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.



      
      Signature(s) Guaranteed:


      By

      The signature(s) shoudlbe guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
      institution, (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations 
      and Credit Unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee 
      Medallion Program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.

   1
THIS WARRANT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.
THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OR TRANSFERRED, EXCEPT UPON SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UPON DELIVERY TO THE MAKER OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE MAKER
THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER.

                             RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.

               WARRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

No. 1                                                             250,000 Shares

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Rush Enterprises, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the "COMPANY"), hereby certifies that
______________________________________ or its permitted assigns, is entitled to
purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time commencing on
__________ ____, 1997 and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on __________
____, 2001, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (250,000) fully paid and non-assessable
shares of the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company for an
aggregate purchase price of $__________ (computed on the basis of $______ per
share). (Hereinafter, (i) said common stock, together with any other equity
securities which may be issued by the Company with respect thereto or in
substitution therefor, is referred to as the "COMMON STOCK," (ii) the shares of
the Common Stock purchasable hereunder or under any other Warrant (as
hereinafter defined) are referred to individually as a "WARRANT SHARE" and
collectively as the "WARRANT SHARES," (iii) the aggregate purchase price payable
for the Warrant Shares hereunder is referred to as the "AGGREGATE WARRANT
PRICE," (iv) the price payable for each of the Warrant Shares hereunder is
referred to as the "PER SHARE WARRANT PRICE," (v) this Warrant, all similar
Warrants issued on the date hereof and all Warrants hereafter issued in exchange
or substitution for this Warrant or such similar Warrants are referred to as the
"WARRANTS," and (vi) the holder of this Warrant is referred to as the "HOLDER"
and the holder of this Warrant and all other Warrants or Warrant Shares issued
upon the exercise of any Warrant are referred to as the "HOLDERS.") The
Aggregate Warrant Price is not subject to adjustment. The Per Share Warrant
Price is subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided; in the event of any such
adjustment, the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted by dividing the
Aggregate Warrant Price by the Per Share Warrant Price in effect immediately
after such adjustment.

                  1. EXERCISE OF WARRANT. This Warrant may be exercised in whole
at any time or in part from time to time, commencing on __________ ____, 1997
and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City, on __________ ____, 2001, by the Holder
by the surrender of the subscription form at the end hereof duly executed) at
the address set forth in Subsection 9(a) hereof, together with proper payment of
the Aggregate Warrant Price, or the proportionate part hereof if this Warrant is
exercised in part. Payment for Warrant Shares shall be made by certified or
official bank check payable to the order of the Company. If this Warrant is
exercised in part, this Warrant must be exercised for a number of whole shares
of the
   2
Common Stock, and the Holder is entitled to receive a new Warrant covering the
Warrant Shares which have not been exercised and setting forth the proportionate
part of the Aggregate Warrant Price applicable to such Warrant Shares. Upon such
surrender of this Warrant, the Company will (a) issue a certificate or
certificates in the name of the Holder for the largest number of whole shares of
the Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled and, if this Warrant is
exercised in whole, in lieu of any fractional share of the Common Stock to which
the Holder shall be entitled, pay to the Holder cash in an amount equal to the
fair value of such fractional share (determined in such reasonable manner as the
Board of Directors of the Company shall determine), and (b) deliver the other
securities and properties receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or the
proportionate part thereof if this Warrant is exercised in part, pursuant to the
provisions of this Warrant.

                  2. RESERVATION OF WARRANT SHARES; LISTING. The Company agrees
that, prior to the expiration of this Warrant, the Company will at all times (a)
have authorized and in reserve, and will keep available, solely for issuance or
delivery upon the exercise of this Warrant, the shares of the Common Stock and
other securities and properties as from time to time shall be receivable upon
the exercise of this Warrant, free and clear of all restrictions on sale or
transfer and free and clear of all preemptive rights and rights of first refusal
and (b) if the Company hereafter lists its Common Stock on any national
securities exchange, keep the shares of the Common Stock receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant authorized for listing on such exchange upon notice of
issuance.

                  3. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.

                           (a) In case the Company shall hereafter (i) pay a
dividend or make a distribution on its capital stock in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of
shares, (iii) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares or (iv) issue by reclassification of its Common Stock any
shares of capital stock of the Company, the Per Share Warrant Price shall be
adjusted so that the Holder upon the exercise hereof shall be entitled to
receive the number of shares of Common Stock or other capital stock of the
Company which the Holder would have owned immediately following such action had
such Warrant been exercised immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made
pursuant to this Subsection 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the
record date in the case of a dividend or distribution and shall become effective
immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination
or reclassification.

                           (b) In case of any capital reorganization or
reclassification, or any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party
other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing
corporation, or in case of any sale or conveyance to another entity of the
property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, or in
the case of any statutory exchange of securities with another corporation
(including any exchange effected in connection with a merger of a third
corporation into the Company), the Holder of this Warrant shall have the right
thereafter to receive on the exercise of this Warrant the kind and amount of
securities, cash or other property which the Holder would


                                        2
   3
have owned or have been entitled to receive immediately after such
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, statutory exchange,
sale or conveyance had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the
effective date of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger,
statutory exchange, sale or conveyance and in any such case, if necessary,
appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions set
forth in this Section 3 with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of
the Holder of this Warrant to the end that the provisions set forth in this
Section 3 shall thereafter correspondingly be made applicable, as nearly as may
reasonably be, in relation to any shares of stock or other securities or
property thereafter deliverable on the exercise of this Warrant. The above
provisions of this Subsection 3(b) shall similarly apply to successive
reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, statutory
exchanges, sales or conveyances. The issuer of any shares of stock or other
securities or property thereafter deliverable on the exercise of this Warrant
shall be responsible for all of the agreements and obligations of the Company
hereunder. Notice of any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
merger, statutory exchange, sale or conveyance and of said provisions so
proposed to be made, shall be mailed to the Holders of the Warrants not less
than 30 days prior to such event. A sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company for a consideration consisting primarily of securities
shall be deemed a consolidation or merger for the foregoing purposes.

                           (c) In case any event shall occur as to which the
other provisions of this Section 3 are not strictly applicable but as to which
the failure to make any adjustment would not fairly protect the purchase rights
represented by this Warrant in accordance with the essential intent and
principles hereof then, in each such case, the Holders of Warrants representing
the right to purchase a majority of the Warrant Shares subject to all
outstanding Warrants may appoint a firm of independent public accountants of
recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Company, which shall
give their opinion as to the adjustment, if any, on a basis consistent with the
essential intent and principles established herein, necessary to preserve the
purchase rights represented by the Warrants. Upon receipt of such opinion, the
Company will promptly mail a copy thereof to the Holder of this Warrant and
shall make the adjustments described therein. The fees and expenses of such
independent public accountants shall be borne by the Company.

                           (d) No adjustment in the Per Share Warrant Price
shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease
of at least $0.05 per share of Common Stock; provided, however, that any
adjustments which by reason of this Subsection 3(d) are not required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment;
provided further, however, that adjustments shall be required and made in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 (other than this Subsection
3(d)) not later than such time as may be required in order to preserve the
tax-free nature of a distribution to the Holder of this Warrant or Common Stock
issuable upon exercise hereof. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be
made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may
be. Anything in this Section 3 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company
shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Per Share Warrant Price, in
addition to those required by this Section 3, as it in its discretion shall deem


                                        3
   4
to be advisable in order that any stock dividend, subdivision of shares or
distribution of rights to purchase stock or securities convertible or
exchangeable for stock hereafter made by the Company to its stockholders shall
not be taxable.

                           (f) Whenever the Per Share Warrant Price is adjusted
as provided in this Section 3 and upon any modification of the rights of a
Holder of Warrants in accordance with this Section 3, the Company shall promptly
obtain, at its expense, a certificate of a firm of independent public
accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors (who may
be the regular auditors of the Company) setting forth the Per Share Warrant
Price and the number of Warrant Shares after such adjustment or the effect of
such modification, a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment or
modification and the manner of computing the same and cause copies of such
certificate to be mailed to the Holders of the Warrants.

                           (g) If the Board of Directors of the Company shall
(i) declare any dividend or other distribution with respect to the Common Stock,
(ii) offer to the holders of shares of Common Stock any additional shares of
Common Stock, any securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of
Common Stock or any rights to subscribe thereto, or (iii) propose a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company, the Company shall mail notice thereof
to the Holders of the Warrants not less than 15 days prior to the record date
fixed for determining stockholders entitled to participate in such dividend,
distribution, offer or subscription right or to vote on such dissolution,
liquidation or winding up.

                           (h) If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
this Section 3, the Holder of any Warrant thereafter surrendered for exercise
shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock
or shares of Common Stock and other capital stock of the Company, the Board of
Directors (whose determination shall be conclusive and shall be described in a
written notice to the Holder of any Warrant promptly after such adjustment)
shall determine the allocation of the adjusted Per Share Warrant Price between
or among shares or such classes of capital stock or shares of Common Stock and
other capital stock.

                  4. FULLY PAID STOCK; TAXES. The Company agrees that the shares
of the Common Stock represented by each and every certificate for Warrant Shares
delivered on the exercise of this Warrant shall, at the time of such delivery,
be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and not subject
to preemptive rights or rights of first refusal, and the Company will take all
such actions as may be necessary to assure that the par value or stated value,
if any, per share of the Common Stock is at all times equal to or less than the
then Per Share Warrant Price. The Company further covenants and agrees that it
will pay, when due and payable, any and all Federal and state stamp, original
issue or similar taxes which may be payable in respect of the issue of any
Warrant Share or certificate therefor.


                                        4
   5
                  5. REGISTRATION UNDER SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

                           (a) The Company agrees that if, at any time during
the period commencing on __________ ___, 1997 and ending on __________ ___,
2001, (i) the Holder and/or the Holders of any other Warrants and/or Warrant
Shares who or which shall hold, collectively, not less than 50% of the Warrants
and/or Warrant Shares outstanding at such time and not previously sold pursuant
to this Section 5 shall request that the Company file, under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "ACT"), a registration statement under the Act covering not less
than 50% of the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of the
Warrants, and not so previously sold, the Company will (i) promptly notify each
Holder of the Warrants and each holder of Warrant Shares not so previously sold
that such registration statement will be filed and that the Warrant Shares which
are then held, and/or may be acquired upon exercise of the Warrants by the
Holder and such Holders will be included in such post-effective amendment or
registration statement at the Holder's and such Holders' request, (ii) cause
such post-effective amendment or registration statement to cover all Warrant
Shares which it has been so requested to include, (iii) use its best efforts to
cause such post-effective amendment or registration statement to become
effective as soon as practicable and (iv) take all other action necessary under
any Federal or state law or regulation of any governmental authority to permit
all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include in such
post-effective amendment or registration statement to be sold or otherwise
disposed of, and will maintain such compliance with each such Federal and state
law and regulation of any governmental authority for the period necessary for
such Holders to effect the proposed sale or other disposition. The Company shall
be required to effect a registration or qualification pursuant to this
Subsection 5(a) on one occasion only.

                           (b) The Company agrees that if, at any time and from
time to time during the period commencing on __________ ___, 1997 and ending on
__________ ___, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company shall authorize the
filing of a registration statement (any such registration statement being
hereinafter called a "SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION STATEMENT") under the Act
(otherwise than pursuant to Subsection 5(a) hereof, or other than a registration
statement on Form S-8 or other form which does not include substantially the
same information as would be required in a form for the general registration of
securities) in connection with the proposed offer of any of its securities by it
or any of its stockholders, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Holder and
each of the Holders, if any, of other Warrants and/or Warrant Shares not
previously sold pursuant to this Section 5 that such Subsequent Registration
Statement will be filed and that the Warrant Shares which are then held, and/or
which may be acquired upon the exercise of the Warrants, by the Holder and such
Holders, will, at the Holder's and such Holders' request, be included in such
Subsequent Registration Statement or, if the undertaking made by the Company in
the Original Registration Statement or the rules, regulations and releases of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same may from time to time be in
effect, so require, in a post-effective amendment to the Original Registration
Statement, (ii) upon the written request of a Holder made within 20 days after
the giving of such notice by the Company, include in the securities covered by
such Subsequent Registration Statement or post-effective amendment all Warrant
Shares which it has been so requested to include, (iii) use its best efforts to
cause


                                        5
   6
such Subsequent Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to become
effective as soon as practicable and (iv) take all other action necessary under
any Federal or state law or regulation of any governmental authority to permit
all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include in such Subsequent
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to be sold or otherwise
disposed of, and will maintain such compliance with each such Federal and state
law and regulation of any governmental authority for the period necessary for
the Holder and such Holders to effect the proposed sale or other disposition.

                           (c) Whenever the Company is required pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 5 to include Warrant Shares in a registration
statement or a post-effective amendment to a registration statement, the Company
shall (i) furnish each Holder of any such Warrant Shares and each underwriter of
such Warrant Shares with such copies of the prospectus, including the
preliminary prospectus, conforming to the Act (and such other documents as each
such Holder or each such underwriter may reasonably request) in order to
facilitate the sale or distribution of the Warrant Shares, (ii) use its best
efforts to register or qualify such Warrant Shares under the blue sky laws (to
the extent applicable) of such jurisdiction or laws (to the extent applicable)
of such jurisdiction or jurisdictions as the Holders of any such Warrant Shares
and each underwriter of Warrant Shares being sold by such Holders shall
reasonably request and (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable such Holders and such underwriters to
consummate the sale or distribution in such jurisdiction or jurisdictions in
which such Holders shall have reasonably requested that the Warrant Shares be
sold.

                           (d) The Company shall pay all expenses incurred in
connection with any registration statement or other action pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 5, other than underwriting discounts and applicable
transfer taxes relating to the Warrant Shares.

                           (e) The Company will indemnify, and, if such
indemnity is unavailable, will agree to just and equitable contribution to, the
Holders of Warrant Shares which are included in each Subsequent Registration
Statement and post-effective amendment to the Original Registration Statement
referred to in Subsections 5(a) and 5(b), and the underwriters of such Warrant
Shares, substantially to the same extent as the Company has indemnified, and
agreed to just and equitable contribution to, the underwriters (the
"UNDERWRITERS") of its public offering of Common Stock pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement, and such Holders will indemnify, and agree to just and
equitable contribution to, the Company (and the underwriters, if applicable)
with respect to information furnished by them in writing to the Company for
inclusion therein substantially to the same extent as the Underwriters have
indemnified, and agreed to just and equitable contribution to, the Company.

                  6. LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY. This Warrant may not be sold,
transferred, assigned or hypothecated by the Holder (a) except in compliance
with the provisions of the Act and any applicable state securities laws, and (b)
until the first anniversary hereof except (i) to any successor firm or
corporation of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. or Principal Financial Securities,
Inc., (ii) to any of the officers of Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc. or


                                        6
   7
Principal Financial Securities, Inc., or of any such successor firm or (iii) in
the case of an individual, pursuant to such individual's last will and testament
or the laws of descent and distribution, and is so transferable only upon the
books of the Company which it shall cause to be maintained for the purpose. The
Company may treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as he or it appears on
the Company's books at any time as the Holder for all purposes. The Company
shall permit any Holder of a Warrant or his or its duly authorized attorney,
upon written request during ordinary business hours, to inspect and copy or make
extracts from its books showing the registered holders of Warrants. All Warrants
issued upon the transfer or assignment of this Warrant will be dated the same
date as this Warrant, and all rights of the Holder thereof shall be identical to
those of the Holder.

                  7. LOSS, ETC., OF WARRANT. Upon receipt of evidence
satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
this Warrant, and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company, if lost,
stolen or destroyed, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if
mutilated, the Company shall execute and deliver to the holder a new Warrant of
like date, tenor and denomination.

                  8. WARRANT HOLDER NOT SHAREHOLDER. Except as otherwise
provided herein, this Warrant does not confer upon the Holder any right to vote
or to consent to or receive notice as a stockholder of the Company, as such, in
respect of any matters whatsoever, or any other rights or liabilities as a
stockholder, prior to the exercise hereof.

                  9. COMMUNICATION. No notice or other communication under this
Warrant shall be effective unless, but any notice or other communication shall
be effective and shall be deemed to have been given if, the same is in writing
and is mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to:

                           (a) the Company at 8810 I.H.-10 East, San Antonio,
                  Texas 78219 or such other address as the Company has
                  designated in writing to the Holder, or

                           (b) the Holder at Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., 540
                  Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022 or such other address
                  as the Holder has designated in writing to the Company.

                  10. HEADINGS. The headings of this Warrant have been inserted
as a matter of convenience and shall not affect the construction hereof.

                  11. APPLICABLE LAW. This Warrant shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York without giving
effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.


                            [Signature Page Follows]


                                        7
   8
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Rush Enterprises, Inc. has caused this
Warrant to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer and its corporate seal to be
hereunto affixed and attested by its Secretary this _____ day of
_______________, 1996.

                                       RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                             W. Marvin Rush, President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:



- ---------------------------

  --------------------,
         Secretary

[Corporate Seal]

                                       8
   9
                                   ASSIGNMENT

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto _________________________ the foregoing Warrant and
all rights evidenced thereby, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint
_________________________, attorney, to transfer said Warrant on the books of
_________________________.

Dated:                                    Signature:
      --------------------------------              ----------------------------
                                              
                                                  Address:
                                                          ----------------------


                               PARTIAL ASSIGNMENT

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________ hereby assigns
and transfers unto _________________________ the right to purchase
_______________ shares of the Common Stock of Rush Enterprises, Inc. covered by
the foregoing Warrant, and a proportionate part of said Warrant and the rights
evidenced thereby, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint
_________________________, attorney, to transfer that part of said Warrant on
the books of Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Dated:                                    Signature:
      --------------------------------              ----------------------------
                                              
                                                  Address:
                                                          ----------------------


                                        9
   10
                                SUBSCRIPTION FORM

                  The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the
right of purchase represented by the within Warrant for, and to purchase
thereunder, _______________ shares of Common Stock, as provided for in Section
1, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full in the form of
cash or a certified or official bank check in the amount of $_______________.

                  Please issue a certificate or certificates for such Common
Stock in the name of, and pay any cash for any fractional share to:

                                Name
                                    --------------------------------------------

                                (Please Print Name, Address and Social Security
                                No.)

                                Address
                                       -----------------------------------------

                                       -----------------------------------------

                               Social
                                     -------------------------------------------
                               Security Number

                               Signature
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    

                                NOTE:             The above signature should
                                                  correspond exactly with the
                                                  name on the first page of this
                                                  Warrant or with the name of
                                                  the assignee appearing in the
                                                  assignment form below.

                  And if said number of shares shall not be all the shares
purchasable under the within Warrant, a new Warrant is to be issued in the name
of said undersigned for the balance remaining of the shares purchasable
thereunder.


                                       10







   1
                    [FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. Letterhead]


May 13, 1996


Rush Enterprises, Inc.
8810 I.H. 10 East
San Antonio, Texas 78219

Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel for Rush Enterprises, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of 2,875,000 shares
of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value ("Common Stock"), and related
purchase rights pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated April 8, 1996, between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, trustee (the
"Rights"), to be offered upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the Registration Statement, as
amended at the time it becomes effective, being herein referred to as the
"Registration Statement") relating thereto filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

        In connection therewith, we have examined originals or copies certified
or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the articles of incorporation of
the Company, the by-laws of the Company, the corporate proceedings with respect
to the offering of shares of Common Stock and the Rights and such other
documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the
expression of the opinions contained herein.

        We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all records,
certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all records, certificates and other instruments
submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the originals
of those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as copies
and the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all records,
certificates and other instruments that we have examined.

        Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations
as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock and the Rights proposed to be issued have been duly and validly
authorized for issuance and,
   2
Rush Enterprises, Inc.
May 13, 1996
Page 2

when issued, delivered, sold and paid for in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Statement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. 

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement. In
giving this consent we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder. 

                                Very truly yours,

                                
                                /s/ Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our reports
(and to all references to our firm) included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement.



                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


                                        /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

San Antonio, Texas
May 9, 1996
   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated May 26, 1995, in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration 
Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-03346) and related Prospectus of Rush Enterprises, 
Inc. for the registration of its common stock and its purchase rights.

                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP



                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
May 9, 1996
 

5 The Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the combined Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 and the combined Statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 3-MOS DEC-31-1995 MAR-31-1995 1,760 0 16,550 (276) 41,437 60,112 24,033 (4,349) 82,883 60,603 17,484 0 0 44 8,352 82,883 79,876 79,876 65,093 0 12,359 0 973 1,451 0 1,451 0 0 0 1,451 0 0