-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, T+J+worgZr9FPLekFCDNIbf3DbuTxCOr1U08rImfH3m3Zq5LE9boBaeuWeE+K6lB u3DO7PB2rNeWxyoo/Lka6g== 0001072613-10-000670.txt : 20100708 0001072613-10-000670.hdr.sgml : 20100708 20100708141127 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001072613-10-000670 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100702 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20100708 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100708 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ZAP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001024628 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOTORCYCLES, BICYCLES & PARTS [3751] IRS NUMBER: 943210624 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32534 FILM NUMBER: 10943871 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 501 FOURTH STREET CITY: SANTA ROSA STATE: CA ZIP: 95401 BUSINESS PHONE: 7075258658 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 501 FOURTH STREET CITY: SANTA ROSA STATE: CA ZIP: 95401 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ZAPWORLD COM DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990715 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ZAP POWER SYSTEMS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970319 8-K 1 form8-k_16858.htm FORM 8K DATED JULY 2, 2010 form8-k_16858.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K


 
CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  July 2, 2010


ZAP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
California
            
0-303000
                      
94-3210624
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
           
Commission File Number
                       
IRS Employer
Identification Number
          
501 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA
                                        
95401
(Address of principal executive offices)
                                        
(Zip Code)

(707) 525-8658
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Former name or former address, if changed since last report:
None
 

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     
o
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-14(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 


 
 
 
 
Section 1 
Registrant’s Business and Operations

 
Section 1.01 
Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.
 
Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd.
 
On July 2, 2010, Zap (the “Company”) entered into an Equity Transfer Agreement for the Purchase and Transfer of Certain Equity Interest in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. (the “Equity Transfer Agreement”) with Jonway Group Co., Ltd. to acquire a 51% interest in Zhejiang Jonway Autombile Co., Ltd., a limited liability company of the People’s Republic of China (“Zhejiang”), for $29,030,000 (the “Acquisition Transaction”). Zhejiang is engaged in the business of, among other things, manufacturing and sales of aut omobile spare parts and UFO brand automobiles.  According to the terms of the Equity Transfer Agreement, following the completion of the Acquisition Transaction, Zhejiang will convert into a Chinese foreign limited liability joint venture company (the “Zhejiang Joint Venture”). The closing of the Acquisition Transaction is conditioned on, among other things, the receipt of certain approvals, registrations and licenses from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Zhejiang Administration of Industry and Commerce, and the local counterparts of these entities and other relevant government authorities (“Governmental Approvals”). [A copy of the Equity Transfer Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.]
 
           According to the terms of the definitive agreements, ZAP has to right to acquire the remaining 49% of Jonway Auto at the same valuation by March 30, 2011 or at a then current valuation after that date.  ZAP intends this transaction to be phase one of a two-phase acquisition, whereby the two companies will combine their complementary expertise, leveraging ZAP’s EV technology and Jonway Auto’s quality ISO 9000 certified mass production capabilities to address the new alternative energy vehicle market. ZAP intends to acquire the remaining 49 percent of Jonway Automobile following completion of the first phase and following final regulatory approval.
 
          The Company has also entered into a Joint Venture Contract with Jonway Group Co., Ltd., Wang Gang and Wang Xiaoying, which shall govern the Zhejiang Joint Venture.  [A copy of the Joint Venture Contract is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.]
 
Section 2 
Financial Information
 
 
Item 2.03 
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
 
The disclosures under Item 1.01 are incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
 
Section 3 
Securities and Trading Markets
 
 
Item 3.02 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
 
The disclosures under Item 1.01 are incorporated in this Item 3.02 by reference.
 
The Chinese Shares were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Section 9 
Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
 
Item 9.01 
Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(d) Exhibits

 
- 2 -

 
 
 
Exhibit 
Description
 
 
10.1 
Equity Transfer Agreement for the Purchase and Transfer of Certain EquityInterest in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd., dated July 2, 2010
 
 
10.2 
Joint Venture Contract, dated July 2, 2010
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 3 -

 
Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ZAP
 
     
     
       
Dated:       July 8, 2010
By:
/s/ Steven M. Schneider  
    Steven M. Schneider  
    Chief Executive Officer  
       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 4 -

 
EX-10.1 2 exh10-1_16858.htm EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT exh10-1_16858.htm
EXHIBIT 10.1
 

 
Equity Transfer Agreement for the Purchase and Transfer
 
of Certain Equity Interest in Zhenjiang Jonway Automobile Co,Ltd
 

 

 

 

 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd.
 

 

 

 
and
 

 

 

 
ZAP



 
 
EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
FOR THE PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF
CERTAIN EQUITY INTEREST IN
ZHEJIANG JONWAY AUTOMOBILE CO., LTD.
 
 
 

 

 

 
July 2, 2010
 
 
 

 

CONTENTS
 
Clause
 
Page
 
1
DEFINITION AND INTERPRETATION
1
 
2
EQUITY TRANSFER
5
 
3
PAYMENT
6
 
4
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
7
 
5
CLOSING
9
 
6
RESTRICTIONS ON THE SELLER
9
 
7
WARRANTIES
10
 
8
RETAINED LIABILITIES AND INDEMNITY
10
 
9
RIGHTS TO TERMINATE
11
 
10
FORCE MAJEURE
12
 
11
EFFECTIVENESS AND VARIATION
13
 
12
COSTS
13
 
13
SEVERABILITY
14
 
14
COUNTERPARTS
14
 
15
LANGUAGE
14
 
16
WAIVERS/EACH PARTY’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
14
 
17
NOTICES
15
 
18
GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
16
 
 
 
 

 
Schedules
 
Schedule 1
Details of the Company
 
Schedule 2
Equity Structure of the Company
 
Schedule 4
Closing Conditions Precedent
 
Schedule 5
Documents to Be Delivered by Seller at Closing
 
Schedule 7
Warranties
 
Schedule 8
Properties
 
Schedule 9
Form Letter of Consent and Undertaking by Other Shareholders
 

 
Exhibits
 
Exhibit 7-4.1
Existing Financial Indebtedness
 
Exhibit 7-D
Existing Encumbrance on Properties
 
 
 

 
EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
 
THIS EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made on July 2, 2010 in Shanghai, PRC
 
By and Between
 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, and with its registered office at Lu Nan Hou Yuan, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC (Seller); and
 
ZAP, a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Clifornia, USA, with its principal office at 501 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA (Purchaser).
 
Whereas
 
(A)  
Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. (the Company), a limited liability company of PRC, is engaged in the business of, among other things, manufacturing and sales of automobile spare parts and UFO brand automobile sales (the Business);
 
(B)  
The Seller owns ninety percent (90%) equity interest of the Company, and the Seller wishes to transfer fifty one percent (51%) equity interest in the Company (the Target Equity) and the Purchaser wishes to purchase the Target Equity pursuant to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement; and
 
(C)  
Upon completion of the Equity Transfer as contemplated in this Agreement, the Company will be converted into a Chinese foreign limited liability joint venture company in which the Purchaser owns fifty one percent (51%) equity interest.
 
It is Agreed as follows:
 
1  
Definition and Interpretation
 
1.1  
In this Agreement, unless this Agreement or the Schedules hereto otherwise stipulate, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
 
Affiliate means, in respect of a Party, any person, company, partnership, trust or other entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with a Party, control for the purpose of this definition being taken to mean direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the voting rights of said entity.
 
Agreement means this Agreement for purchase and transfer of certain equity interest in the Company.
 
Approval Authority means the Ministry of Commerce, other relevant
 
 
1

 
government authorities of the PRC (if required) and their local branches in Zhejiang Province and/or the city of Taizhou (as the case may be).
 
Articles of Association mean the articles of association of the Company effective at the time referred in or inferred from the context where appropriate.
 
Assets are defined in clause 6.1(a) of Schedule 7.
 
Business is defined in Whereas clause (A).
 
Business Day means a day (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) on which banks generally are open in the PRC and California for the transaction of normal banking business.
 
Business License means the business license of the Company effective at the time referred in or inferred from the context where appropriate.
 
CIETAC is defined in clause18.3.
 
Claim means any claim made by the Purchaser for breach by the Seller of any Warranty, undertaking, agreement, covenant or obligation of the Seller to be observed or performed under this Agreement or any claim made by the Purchaser in relation to the Retained Liabilities or the Seller’s failure after Closing to fulfill any post-Closing undertaking in accordance with clause 4.3.
 
Closing means completion of the Equity Transfer in accordance with clause 5.
 
Closing Conditions Precedent means the conditions specified in Schedule 4.
 
Closing Date means the date on which Closing occurs.
 
Company is defined in Whereas clause (A).
 
Compensation Reduction is defined in clause 3.2.
 
Competing Business means a business which directly or indirectly competes in any way with the business of the Company or the group of companies to which the Purchaser belongs in the Non-Compete Territory.
 
Confidential Information means information supplied by any Party orally, in writing or in any other form to the other Party whether before or after the date of this Agreement in connection with the Equity Transfer as well as all documents and other information which contain or reflect or are generated from the information supplied by one Party to the other Party.
 
Costs means liabilities, losses, damages, costs (including legal costs) and expenses (including taxation), in each case of any nature whatsoever.
 
Dispute is defined in clause 18.2.
 
 
2

 
Encumbrance means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, assignment, hypothecation, priority, security interest, option, warrant, title retention, preferential right, trust arrangement, security agreement or arrangement, or other third party claims or rights (including rights of pre-emption) of any nature whatsoever, as provided for, recognized and/or enforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction.
 
Environmental Laws means any and all applicable local, provincial and national laws, statutes, treaties, directives, decisions, judgments, awards, regulations, decrees, rules, codes of practice, guidance, orders, directions, consents, authorizations, permits and similar requirements, approvals and standards of the PRC concerning environmental, health or safety matters as of the date hereof.
 
Equity Transfer is defined in clause 2.1.1.
 
Evaluator means Shanghai Yin Xin Hui Ye Appraisal Co., Ltd.
 
Event of Force Majeure is defined in clause 10.
 
Financial Indebtedness means the financial indebtedness of the Company, including trade debts, long term and short term bank loans, any loan provided by the Seller, any Other Shareholder or any Affiliates of the Seller or Other Shareholders, notes payable, letters of credit, bank guarantees, overdue taxes and any other credit facilities (including short term credit facilities extended by banks in the ordinary and usual course of business and any and all remaining lease payments to be made) together with any Encumbrance associated with such credit facilities.
 
Hazardous Substances means (i) any pollutant, contaminant, industrial waste, business waste, designated waste or hazardous chemical, (ii) substances which are toxic, ignitable, reactive, or corrosive, or (iii) any substances which are regulated by any Environmental Law.
 
Intellectual Property Rights means patents, trade marks, service marks, trade names, internet domain names, rights in designs, copyright (including rights in computer software and databases), rights in know-how and other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including applications for the grant of any such rights and all rights or forms of protection having equivalent or similar effect anywhere in the PRC.
 
Last Evaluation means the evaluation report with respect to the Company prepared by the Evaluator showing the amount of net assets of the Company as of the Last Evaluation Date.
 
Last Evaluation Date means March 31, 2010.
 
Liability Retention Period is defined in clause 8.1.
 
 
3

 
Non-Compete Territory means anywhere in the PRC.
 
Other Shareholders refer to the shareholders of the Company as of the date of this Agreement other than the Seller, including Mr. WANG Gang and Ms. WANG Xiaoying, whose equity interest in the Company is summarized in Schedule 2; each an Other Shareholder.
 
Parties refer to the Seller and the Purchaser collectively, and each of them a Party individually.
 
PRC means the People’s Republic of China, which for the purposes of this Agreement excludes the Chinese territories Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
 
Properties mean certain real estate property owned, leased or otherwise used by the Company, and listed in Schedule 8.
 
Purchaser means ZAP.
 
Renminbi and RMB means the legal currency of the PRC.
 
Retained Liability is defined in clause 8.1.
 
SAIC means the Zhejiang Administration of Industry and Commerce, and/or its local counterpart in the city of Taizhou.
 
Seller means Jonway Group Co., Ltd.
 
Target Equity is defined in Whereas clause (B).
 
Tax or Taxation means all forms of taxation and statutory, governmental, central, provincial, local governmental or municipal impositions, duties, contributions and levies by whatever name called whether in the PRC, or elsewhere, any interest on any such amounts and any penalties, fines or charges imposed in relation to such amounts.
 
Three Merged Companies mean the three companies merged into the Company by way of absorption prior to the date of this Agreement, namely Zhejiang Jonway Motorcycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Sanmen Li Te Screw Machinary Co., Ltd., and Sanmen Shen Ke Automobile Industry Co., Ltd.
 
Total Price means the amount payable by the Purchaser to the Seller hereunder for the Equity Transfer, the sum of which shall be the amount defined in clause 2.1.2.
 
US means the United States of America.
 
USD means the legal currency of the US.
 
Warranties means the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 7 and
 
 
4

 
Warranty means each or any of the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 7.
 
1.2  
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
 
 
(a)  
references to persons shall include individuals, bodies corporate (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations and partnerships;
 
 
(b)  
the headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement;
 
 
(c)  
references to one gender include all genders;
 
 
(d)  
any reference to an enactment or statutory provision is a reference to it as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, modified, consolidated or re-enacted;
 
 
(e)  
any statement qualified by the expression to the best knowledge of the Seller or so far as the Seller is aware or any similar expression shall be deemed to include an additional statement that it has been made after due and careful enquiry; and
 
 
(f)  
any reference to a document in the agreed form is to the form of the relevant document agreed between the Parties and for the purpose of identification initialed by each of them or on their behalf (in each case with such amendments as may be agreed by or on behalf of the Parties).
 
1.3  
Interpretation
 
 
(a) 
Words and expressions used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set out in clause 1.1, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
 
(b) 
The Schedules and Exhibits comprise schedules and exhibits to this Agreement and form part of this Agreement.
 
 
(c) 
The expressions the Seller, the Company and the Purchaser and references to any other person in this Agreement shall, where the context permits, include their respective successors, transferees and permitted assigns and any persons deriving title under them.
 
2  
Equity Transfer
 
2.1  
Equity Transfer
 
2.1.1  
Subject to the terms and conditions hereunder, the Seller agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Seller, the Target Equity, which represents fifty one percent (51%) of the total equity interest in the Company, having effect as of the Closing (the Equity Transfer).  The
 
 
5

 
 
Target Equity shall be transferred to the Purchaser free from any Encumbrance, together with all rights attaching to them.
 
2.1.2  
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, the payment terms set forth in clause 3 below), as the consideration for the Equity Transfer, the total price for the Equity Transfer shall be USD29,030,000 (the Total Price).
 
2.2  
Equity Ratio as of Closing
 
As the result of the Equity Transfer, the Purchaser will own fifty one percent (51%) of the equity interest in the Company, having effect as of the Closing, and the equity ratio of the Seller shall be adjusted accordingly.  As a result of the Equity Transfer, the equity ratio of the Parties and Other Shareholders of the Company as of Closing shall be as those provided in Part B of Schedule 2.
 
3  
Payment
 
3.1  
Payment Schedule
 
The Total Price shall be paid in three installments as follows:
 
 
(a)  
Installment One: the Purchaser shall instruct its bank to make a payment of USD10,000,000) of the Total Price, to the designated bank account of the Seller within ten (10) Business Days after the date on which the Approval Authority issues a certificate of approval to the Company reflecting the Equity Transfer;
 
 
(b)  
Installment Two: within ninety (90) days after the date on which the SAIC issues a new Business License to the Company reflecting the Equity Transfer, provided that all Closing Conditions Precedent have been fulfilled or waived, the Purchaser shall instruct its bank to make a payment of remaining amount of the Total Price, i.e., USD19,030,000 to the designated bank account of the Seller.
 
3.2  
Compensation Reduction
 
Notwithstanding the provisions under clause 3.1 above, if any payment is due by the Seller to the Purchaser under or in respect of any Claim by the Purchaser (including, without limitation, any payment pursuant to any indemnity contained in this Agreement), the payment shall so far as possible be treated as a reduction in the Total Price and be deducted from the payment of any installment of the Total Price as applicable (Compensation Reduction).  The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing in this section shall prevent the Purchaser from seeking any other remedies available to it under this Agreement or applicable law to satisfy any Claim.
 
3.3  
Other Payment Terms
 
 
6

 
3.3.1  
The Purchaser shall pay bank and other charges incurred in connection with making any payment under this Agreement to the Seller.  The Seller shall pay their own bank and other charges incurred in connection with receiving any payment from the Purchaser.
 
3.3.2  
Subject to other provisions in this clause 3, all payments of the Total Price to the designated bank account of the Seller shall constitute good receipt by the Seller of all sums due from the Purchaser and a complete discharge of the Purchaser’ payment obligations to the Seller for the Equity Transfer under this Agreement.
 
3.3.3  
If the Purchaser fails to instruct its bank to make any of the payments in accordance with this clause 3, it shall pay for each calendar day delayed a penalty calculated at zero point zero two percent (0.02%) of the outstanding amount and, where applicable, such penalty shall be paid to the Seller together with the relevant principal amount (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be calculated on a compounded interest basis).
 
4  
Conditions Precedent
 
4.1  
The Closing is conditional upon the Closing Conditions Precedent set out in Schedule 4 respectively being fulfilled.
 
4.2  
The Seller and the Purchaser shall use their reasonable endeavors to co-operate to enable the Closing Conditions Precedent to be fulfilled as soon as practicable.  If the Closing Conditions Precedent have not been fulfilled within nine (9) months after the date of this Agreement as confirmed in writing by the Purchaser, this Agreement may be terminated by the Purchaser with immediate effect by giving a written notice to the Seller.
 
4.3  
Notwithstanding Clause 4.2 above, the Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to waive the Closing Conditions Precedent either in whole or in part or to require any of such Closing Conditions Precedent be fulfilled by the Seller after the Closing.  Where the Purchaser has required that any Closing Condition Precedent be fulfilled after the Closing, such Closing Condition Precedent shall automatically become a post-Closing undertaking and the Seller shall fulfil such post-Closing undertaking as soon as practically possible after the Closing but in no event later than sixty (60) Business Days after the Closing.
 
4.4  
Pending Closing, the Seller shall ensure that:
 
 
(a)  
except to the extent that the Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing, the Company shall conduct its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course (including the collection of its accounts receivable) in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted, to pay the debts and taxes of the Company when due (subject to Purchaser’s review and consent to the filing of any tax return), to pay or perform other obligations when due,
 
 
7

 
 
 
manage its working capital (including the timing of payment of accounts payable, collection of accounts receivable and the management of its inventory) in the ordinary course of business (and thereby maintain its normal accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory days outstanding metrics) and, to the extent consistent with such business, to preserve intact the present business organizations of the Company, use commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of the present officers and employees of the Company and preserve the relationships of the Company with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, and others having business dealings with them, all with the goal of preserving the goodwill and ongoing businesses of the Company at the Closing Date, and the Company shall take all reasonable steps to preserve and p rotect its Assets;
 
 
(b)  
the Purchaser’s representatives shall be allowed, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, access to the books and records of the Company (including, without limitation, all statutory books, minute books, leases, contracts, supplier lists and customer lists) together with the right to take copies;
 
 
(c)  
the Company shall not do, allow or procure any act or omission which would constitute or give rise to a breach of any Warranty if the Warranties were to be repeated on or at any time before Closing by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing;
 
 
(d)  
prompt disclosure is made to the Purchaser of all relevant information which comes to the notice of the Seller in relation to any fact or matter (whether existing on or before the date of this Agreement or arising afterwards) which may constitute a breach of any Warranty if the Warranties were to be repeated on or at any time before Closing by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing;
 
 
(e)  
no registered capital shall be allotted or issued, or agreed to be allotted or issued, or otherwise adjusted, by the Company;
 
 
(f)  
no dividend or other distribution shall be announced or made by the Company; and
 
 
(g)  
the Company shall not make or agree to make any capital expenditure exceeding RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) without prior written consent from the Purchaser.
 
4.5  
The obligations under this Agreement of the Purchaser to make payments of the Total Price shall be conditional upon satisfaction of the Closing Conditions Precedent, unless otherwise stipulated in this Agreement or the Purchaser has waived relevant Closing Conditions Precedent.
 
 
8

 
5  
Closing
 
5.1  
The Equity Transfer shall be completed on such date (the Closing Date) as may be agreed between the Seller and the Purchaser following the fulfillment or waiver of all the Closing Conditions Precedent.
 
5.2  
At the Closing, the Seller shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the new board of directors of the Company each of the documents listed in Schedule 5, failing which the Purchaser shall be under no obligation to confirm that all of the Closing Conditions Precedent have been fulfilled or waived in accordance with clause 5.1 above.
 
6  
Restrictions on the Seller
 
6.1  
Except with the Purchaser’s prior written consent, the Seller shall not, and the Seller shall procure to the extent that it is legally able that none of its Affiliates will (whether alone or jointly with another and whether directly or indirectly), carry on or be engaged or interested economically or otherwise in any manner whatsoever in any Competing Business, for a period starting from the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or employee of the Company (whichever occurs later).
 
6.2  
Except with the Purchaser’s prior written consent, the Seller shall not, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates will not, for a period starting from the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or employee of the Company (whichever occurs later), directly or indirectly, solicit or endeavor to entice away from the Company any person, firm or company who or which is or has been a customer, supplier, agent, trader, distributor or client of or in the habit of dealing with the Company.
 
6.3  
The Seller shall not, and the Seller shall procure that none of its Affiliates will, within a period starting from the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or employee of the Company (whichever occurs later), directly or indirectly, solicit or endeavor to entice away from the Company, offer employment to or employ, or offer or conclude any contract for services with, any person who is employed by the Company in skilled or managerial work.
 
6.4  
Except so far as may be required by law and in the circumstances only after prior consultation with the Purchaser, the Seller shall not, and the Seller shall jointly and severally procure that none of its Affiliates will, at any time disclose to any person or use to the detriment of the Company any trade secret or other Confidential Information which it holds in relation to the Business or the Company or its affairs.
 
6.5  
The Seller acknowledges and agrees that each of clauses 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 above constitutes an entirely separate and independent restriction and that the
 
 
9

 
 
extent and application of each restriction are no greater than is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interests of the Purchaser, but that, if any such restriction shall be adjudged by any court or authority of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable but would be valid if part of the wording thereof were to be deleted and/or the period thereof were to be reduced and/or the area dealt with thereby were to be reduced, said restriction shall apply within the jurisdiction of that court or competent authority with such modifications as are necessary to make it valid and effective.
 
7  
Warranties
 
7.1  
The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser the Warranties as set out in Schedule 7, and acknowledges that the Purchaser has entered into this Agreement in reliance upon the Warranties.
 
7.2  
Each of the Warranties shall be construed as a separate Warranty and (save as expressly provided to the contrary) shall not be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other Warranty or any other term of this Agreement.
 
7.3  
The Warranties shall be deemed to be repeated immediately before the Closing with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.
 
7.4  
The Seller undertakes to notify the Purchaser in writing promptly if it becomes aware of any circumstance arising after the date of this Agreement which would cause any Warranty to become untrue or inaccurate or misleading in any respect which is material to the financial or trading position of the Company.
 
7.5  
The Seller hereby agrees and undertakes to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, damages, deficiencies, judgments, actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations, assessments, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Purchaser resulting or arising from or relating to any breach of any Warranty, representation, agreement or covenant by the Seller as contained in this Agreement arising or caused prior to or on the Closing Date.
 
8  
Retained Liabilities and Indemnity
 
8.1  
The Seller shall retain all civil, criminal and other liabilities and obligations relating to the Company, and the business and operation of the Company prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any environmental, health or safety liabilities, accounts payable, trade liabilities, taxes, customs duties, contract breaches, warranty and employee claims (claims relating to compensation for service years for the employees who will not be terminated excluded), subject to the representations and warranties to be given by the Seller relating to the correctness of Company’s balance sheet which remain unaffected, arising from actions, events or conditions that occurred on or prior to the Closing
 
 
10

 
 
Date (the Retained Liabilities), for a period of three (3) years starting from the Closing Date (the Liabilities Retention Period), save to the extent the Compensation Reduction deducted from the Total Price as under clause 3.2 above.  However, the Liabilities Retention Period for environmental and tax liabilities shall be five (5) years starting from the Closing Date.
 
8.2  
For the avoidance of doubt, without limiting the generality of clause 8.1 above, the Seller shall continue to assume all liabilities arising from or relating to:
 
 
(a)  
Taxes of any kind payable by the Company, including, without limitation, value-added taxes or related penalties or interest, payable with respect to any transactions undertaken, sales made or income earned prior to the Closing;
 
 
(b)  
Financial Indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, including, without limitation, any obligation of repayment or reimbursement or any guarantee of indebtedness for money borrowed, including any debt owed to any of the previous or current shareholders of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or any third party and any factored receivables, except for those expressly disclosed in Exhibit 7-4.1 hereof;
 
 
(c)  
Any amounts owed or claimed to be owed to any employee of the Company arising from any period ending at or prior to the Closing or arising from any termination of employment prior to the Closing, including pensions, health care benefits, severance pay and similar benefits;
 
 
(d)  
Amounts owed or claimed to be owed to any employee of the Company arising from the Equity Transfer; and
 
 
(e)  
Any and all liabilities and obligations of the Three Merged Companies assumed by the Company.
 
8.3  
During the Liabilities Retention Period, the Seller shall indemnify the Purchaser for the Retained Liabilities and any damages, losses and/or costs suffered/incurred by the Purchaser, if any, in relation thereto, including, without limitation, any and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees) that arise out of any litigation, arbitration or administrative action (whether currently in progress, pending, threatened or may occur in the future) relating to the Retained Liabilities.
 
9  
Rights to Terminate
 
9.1  
In addition to the Purchaser’s rights to terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 4.2 above, the Purchaser may by written notice given to the Seller at any time prior to the Closing terminate this Agreement (other than clauses 1, 9.2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18) if any fact, matter or event (whether existing or occurring on or before the date of this Agreement or arising or occurring
 
 
11

 
 
afterwards) comes to the notice of the Purchaser at any time prior to Closing which:
 
 
(f)  
constitutes a material breach by the Seller of this Agreement;
 
 
(g)  
would constitute a material breach of any Warranty if the Warranties were repeated on or at any time before Closing by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing; or
 
 
(h)  
affects or is reasonably likely to affect in a materially adverse manner the business or financial position of the Company (except to the extent the Company is affected by the Equity Transfer).
 
9.2  
If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with clause 4.2 or clause 9.1 above:
 
 
(a)  
without prejudice to clauses 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) below, neither Party shall have any claim of any nature whatsoever against the other Party under this Agreement (save in respect of any rights and liabilities of the Parties which have accrued prior to termination);
 
 
(b)  
the Seller and the Purchaser shall, as the case may be, execute all the necessary documents to ensure that the equity ownership in respect of the Company as set out in Schedule 2 are restored as soon as practically possible, the costs, expenses and taxes arising out of which restoration and transfer-back shall be borne by the Seller; and
 
 
(c)  
if any installment payment of the Total Price has been made by the Purchaser to the Seller, such payment shall be refunded in full within five (5) Business Days after the termination of this Agreement to the Purchaser by the Seller.
 
10  
Force Majeure
 
10.1  
If an Event of Force Majeure occurs, no Party shall be responsible for any damage, increased costs or loss which the other Party may sustain by reason of such failure or delay (subject to the time period limitations set out in this clause 10), and such failure or delay shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement.
 
10.2  
An Event of Force Majeure means an event that any of the Parties could not have foreseen at the time of the conclusion of this Agreement, and could not have been able to avoid and overcome the occurrence and consequences thereof.  Events of Force Majeure shall include among other things, but without limitation, earthquake, typhoon, flood, or other acts of nature, fire, explosion, embargo, strikes, riots, war, or epidemic, or a significant decline in the financial or credit markets or a significant deterioration in economic conditions in the United States of America, the PRC or elsewhere.
 
 
12

 
10.3  
Should any of the Parties be prevented from performing its obligations under this Agreement by an Event of Force Majeure, the prevented Party shall notify the other Party without delay pursuant to clause 17 below, and within ten (10) Business Days of the event provide detailed information about and notarized documents evidencing the event, explaining the reasons for its inability to perform, or for its delay in the performance of, all or part of this Agreement.  The Party claiming force majeure shall take appropriate means to minimize or remove the effects of force majeure and, within the shortest possible time, attempt to resume performance of the obligations delayed or prevented by the Event of Force Majeure.
 
10.4  
Any suspension of performance of part of this Agreement and the related delay period due to an Event of Force Majeure shall be limited to that part of this Agreement and period for which the Party or Parties affected is or are prevented from performing its or their obligations hereunder.  However, should an Event of Force Majeure or the effects of an Event of Force Majeure result in a material delay of any or all of the Parties from performing part or all of its or their obligations hereunder, or if such Event of Force Majeure materially affects the viability of the Equity Transfer, then the Parties shall, through friendly consultations, decide whether to terminate this Agreement or to alter the manner in which the obligations of this Agreement should continue to be performed.
 
11  
Effectiveness and Variation
 
11.1  
This Agreement shall come into force when it is signed by the Parties and has been approved by the Approval Authority.
 
11.2  
No variation of this Agreement (or of any of the documents referred to in this Agreement) shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the Parties to it.  The expression “variation” shall include any variation, supplement, deletion or replacement however effected.
 
11.3  
Unless expressly agreed, no variation shall constitute a general waiver of any provisions of this Agreement, nor shall it affect any rights, obligations or liabilities under or pursuant to this Agreement which have already accrued up to the date of variation, and the rights and obligations of the Parties under or pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, except and only to the extent that they are so varied.
 
12  
Costs
 
12.1  
Subject to clause 12.2 below, each of the Parties shall pay its own Costs incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and implementation of this Agreement.
 
12.2  
Unless otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Seller shall bear all stamp or other documentary or transaction duties and any other transfer or
 
 
13

 
 
capital gains taxes arising as a result or in consequence of this Agreement or of its implementation.
 
13  
Severability
 
13.1  
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, then such provision shall (so far as it is invalid or unenforceable) be given no effect and shall be deemed not to be included in this Agreement but without invalidating any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.  The Parties shall then use all reasonable endeavors to replace the invalid or unenforceable provisions by a valid and enforceable substitute provision the effect of which is as close as possible to the intended effect of the invalid or unenforceable provision.
 
14  
Counterparts
 
14.1  
This Agreement shall be executed in ten (10) or more originals.  Each Party shall keep one (1) original.  The remaining originals shall be submitted to the relevant approval and registration authorities as required.
 
15  
Language
 
15.1  
This Agreement shall be written in both English and Chinese.  In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
 
16  
Waivers/Each Party’s Rights and Remedies
 
16.1  
No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right or remedy provided by law under or pursuant to this Agreement shall impair such right or remedy or operate or be construed as a waiver or variation of it or preclude its exercise at any subsequent time and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise of it or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
 
16.2  
The rights and remedies of any Party under or pursuant to this Agreement are cumulative, may be exercised as often as the Party considers appropriate and are in addition to its rights and remedies under general law.
 
16.3  
The rights and remedies of each Party under this Agreement shall not be affected, and the other Party’s liabilities under this Agreement shall not be released, discharged or impaired, by (i) Closing, (ii) any investigation made into the affairs of the Company or any knowledge held or gained of any such affairs by or on behalf of the Party, (iii) the expiry of any limitation period prescribed by law, or (iv) any event or matter whatsoever, other than a specific and duly authorized written waiver or release by the Party.
 
 
14

 
17  
Notices
 
17.1  
Any notice or other communication to be given by one Party to the other Party under, or in connection with, this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the Party giving it.  It shall be served by sending it by fax to the number set out in clause 17.2 below, or delivering it by hand, or sending it by courier service, to the address set out in clause 17.2 below and in each case marked for the attention of the relevant Party set out in clause 17.2 below (or as otherwise notified from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this clause 17).  Any notice so served by hand, fax or courier service shall be deemed to have been duly given:
 
 
(a)  
in the case of delivery by hand, when delivered;
 
 
(b)  
in the case of fax, at the time of transmission; and
 
 
(c)  
if sent by courier service, on the fourth (4th) Business Day from the date of posting
 
provided that in each case where delivery by hand or by fax occurs after 5pm on a Business Day or on a day which is not a Business Day, service shall be deemed to occur at 9am on the next following Business Day.
 
References to time in this clause 17 are to local time in the country of the addressee.
 
17.2  
The addresses and fax numbers of the parties for the purpose of clause 17.1 above are as follows:
 
The Seller:
 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd.
 
 
Address:
Fax: 
Attention: 
Lu Nan Hou Yuan, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, the PRC
+86 576 8255 5888
Wang Huaiyi
 
The Purchaser:

ZAP
 
 
Address:
Fax:
Attention: 
501 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA
+1 707 525 8692
Steven Schneider

 
15

 
 
17.3  
A Party may notify the other Party to this Agreement of a change to its name, relevant addressee, address or fax number for the purposes of this clause 17, provided that, such notice shall only be effective on:
 
 
(a)  
the date specified in the notice as the date on which the change is to take place; or
 
 
(b)  
if no date is specified or the date specified is less than five (5) Business Days after the date on which notice is given, the date following five (5) Business Days after notice of any change has been given.
 
17.4  
In proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope containing such notice was properly addressed and delivered either to the address shown thereon or into the custody of the postal authorities as a document sent by courier service, or that the facsimile transmission was made after obtaining in person or by telephone appropriate evidence of the capacity of the addressee to receive the same, as the case may be.
 
18  
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
 
18.1  
This Agreement and the relationship between the Parties shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the PRC.
 
18.2  
Any dispute, controversy or claim (a Dispute) arising out of or in relation to this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be resolved through friendly consultations between the Parties.  If no resolution is reached within twenty-two (22) Business Days from the date of notification by the Purchaser to the Seller or by the Seller to the Purchaser that a Dispute has arisen, then such Dispute shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with clause 18.3 below.
 
18.3  
If a Dispute is referred to arbitration pursuant to clause 18.2 above, the Parties agree that they shall seek to resolve the Dispute in accordance with this clause 18.3 before pursuing any other remedies available to them:
 
 
(a)  
The Parties shall submit the Dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Shanghai Branch (CIETAC) to be arbitrated according to its rules and regulations.

 
(b)  
The arbitral tribunal shall be three (3) arbitrators.  The Purchaser shall appoint one (1) arbitrator, and the Seller shall appoint one (1) arbitrator.  The two arbitrators shall be selected within thirty (30) days after giving or receiving of the request for arbitration.  The presiding arbitrator shall be appointed by the two Party-appointed arbitrators, provided that such presiding arbitrator shall not be a national or resident of the PRC or the US.  If either of the Purchaser (on one hand) or the Seller (on the other hand)

 
16

 
 
 
fail to appoint their respective Party-appointed arbitrator within thirty (30) days after the date of commencement of the arbitration, the chairman of CIETAC shall make the appointment.

 
(c)  
The arbitration tribunal shall apply the arbitration rules of CIETAC in effect on the date of the signing of this Agreement.  However, if such rules are in conflict with the provisions of the previous paragraph of this clause, including the provisions for appointing arbitrators, the provisions of this clause shall prevail.

 
(d)  
The arbitral award shall be final and binding on the parties to the arbitration proceedings.  Such parties shall execute and perform the award.  The Parties further hereby expressly agree to waive any right they may have under applicable law to any form of appeal against any arbitral award or of recourse to any court of law or other judicial authority wherever situated.

 
(e)  
The losing Party shall bear the costs of the arbitration, unless the arbitral tribunal determines otherwise.

 

 
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
 
 
17

 
(Signature Page)
 

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been signed on behalf of the Parties the day and year first before written.
 

 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd. (Seal)
 
   
ZAP
 
By:           /s/ Alex Wang
   
By:           /s/ Priscilla Lu
Name: Alex Wang
   
Name:                      Priscilla Lu
Title:  Authorized Representative
   
Title:           Authorized Representative
       
     
By:   /s/ Steven Schneider
     
Name:                      Steven Schneider
     
Title:           Authorized Representative

 
 
 
 
18

 
SCHEDULE 1
Details of The Company

1.Name:
Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd.
浙江永源汽车有限公司
   
2.Date of Incorporation:
April 28, 2004
   
3.Registered  Address:
Port Industrial Park, Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County, Zhejiang Province, PRC
   
4.Class of Company:
A limited liability company
   
5.Legal Representative:
Mr. WANG Gang
   
6.Registered Capital:
RMB eighty million (RMB80,000,000)
   
7.Accounting Period:
January 1 – December 31
   
8.Tax Residence:
the PRC
   
9.Subsidiary:
None
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 2
Equity Structure of the Company

Part A-1: Equity Structure of the Company as of the Date Hereof
 
Shareholders
Shareholding Ratio
Amount of Registered Capital Represented
Seller
90% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB72,000,000
WANG Gang
8% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB6,4000,000
WANG Xiaoying
2% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB1,600,000

Part A-2: Target Equity to be Transferred by Seller under Equity Transfer
 
Shareholder
Shareholding Ratio
Amount of Registered Capital Represented
Seller
51% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB40,800,000

Part B: Equity Structure as of Closing (after Equity Transfer)
 
Shareholders
Shareholding Ratio
Amount of Registered Capital Represented
Purchaser
51% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB40,800,000
Seller
39% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB31,200,000
WANG Gang
8% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB6,400,000
WANG Xiaoying
2% of the equity interest in the Company
RMB1,600,000

 
 

 
SCHEDULE 4
Closing Conditions Precedent

Subject to the conditions that the documents to be provided by the Purchaser meet the requirements of the Approval Authority and SAIC, the following matters shall be concluded or obtained on or before Closing:
 
Pre-Closing Corporate Matters
 
1.  
The Company has merged by way of absorption of the Three Merged Companies, and registered the same with SAIC, and has discharged all outstanding liabilities and obligations of the Three Merged Companies without adversely affecting the financial position of the Company.
 
2.  
The Company has obtained all licenses and approvals required for carrying on the Business.
 
3.  
Each Warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement (A) shall have been true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and (B) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date, and (C) the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with each covenant and obligation under this Agreement required to be performed and complied with by the Company prior to or as of the Closing.
 
4.  
There shall not have occurred any condition, circumstance, change, event, inaccuracy, violation or effect that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the business, assets (whether tangible or intangible), liabilities, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise), capitalization or results of operations of the Company, taken as a whole.
 
5.  
The Company shall not have any Financial Indebtedness other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and those listed under Exhibit 7-4.1.
 
6.  
The Company’s equity structure as provided under Part A-1 of Schedule 2 is registered with SAIC and all of the registered capital represented thereunder has been fully paid up and verified by a registered PRC accounting firm.
 
Equity Transfer
 
7.  
The Other Shareholders have signed and delivered the written Letter of Consent and Undertaking in the form attached as Schedule 9 hereto.
 
8.  
The General Shareholders’ Meeting and Board of Directors of the Company has each duly authorized the execution of this Agreement and approved the Equity Transfer hereunder.
 
 
 

 
9.  
The General Shareholders’ Meeting and Board of Directors of the Seller has each duly authorized the execution of this Agreement and approved the Equity Transfer hereunder.
 
10.  
The Approval Authority has:
 
 
(a)
approved this Agreement in its present form;
 
 
(b)
approved the Joint Venture Contract for and the Restated and Amended Articles of Association of the post-Closing Company; and
 
 
(c)
issued relevant approval documents and an Approval Certificate to the Company and/or the Purchaser which characterizes the post-transfer Company as a limited liability company with the Purchaser being its fifty one percent (51%) shareholder.
 
11.  
SAIC has:
 
 
(a)
registered this Agreement in its present form;
 
 
(b)
registered the Joint Venture Contract for and the Restated and Amended Articles of Association of the post-Closing Company; and
 
 
(c)
issued a new Business License to the post-Closing Company containing the business scope substantially the same as that of the Business.
 
Properties
 
12.  
The Company has completed the official acceptance and registration for all of the workshops, office buildings and other improvements constructed on the pieces of land listed under Schedule 8.
 
13.  
The Company has obtained land use right certificates and real estate ownership certificate(s) for all Properties as listed under Schedule 8.
 
Insurance Coverage
 
14.  
The Company has been properly covered by at the very least
 
 
(i)
property insurance covering the land, buildings and other facilities of the Company, carrying a coverage of no less than RMB196,800,000; and
 
 
(ii)
third party liability insurance carrying a coverage of no less than RMB6,100,000.
 
 
 
All of such insurance policies shall be valid for at least six (6) months after the Closing Date, and shall be fully paid for.
 
 
 

 
Environmental
 
15.  
The Company has obtained the pollutant discharge permit and has its facility for prevention and control of pollution examined and accepted by relevant environmental protection authority.
 
Third Party Consent
 
16.  
The Company has notified in writing and obtained written consent from any and all third parties under contracts or otherwise, in particular, the relevant parties of the Credit Cooperation Agreements it entered into with certain distributors and banks of this Equity Transfer as required thereunder.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 5
Documents to be Delivered by Seller
at Closing

 
The Seller shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the new board of directors of the Company at the Closing:
 
1.
The executed original versions (or copies where the Purchaser have agreed that copies are acceptable) of all of the agreements, resolutions, certificates, licenses, approvals and documents referred to in Schedule 4 and all other documents relying on which the Purchaser has determined that the Closing Conditions Precedent set out in Schedule 4 have been fulfilled.
 
2.
All of the Company’s records, chops, registers, minute books, files, approvals, permits, licenses, certificates and other statutory books of the Company.
 
3.
Written confirmation as to the respective bank balances of the Company as at the close of business on the last Business Day prior to Closing.
 
4.
An acknowledgement in the agreed form from the Seller to the effect that, other than such loans and debts disclosed in Exhibit 7-4.1, there are no Financial Indebtedness owed by the Company at the Closing and there are no Encumbrance on the Target Equity or the Assets other than those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 SCHEDULE 7
Warranties
 

PART A: GENERAL
 
1  
Information
 
Information provided by the Seller
 
1.1  
The information provided to the Purchaser during the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement (including the information listed in all of the Schedules) was provided by the Seller in good faith and, to the best knowledge of the Seller, is complete, true, accurate and not misleading.
 
1.2  
Save for the facts and matters likely to affect to a similar extent generally all companies carrying on similar businesses in the PRC, there are no other facts or matters which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial or trading position or prospects of the Company, or on the willingness of the Purchaser to acquire the Target Equity on the terms, including the Total Price, set out in this Agreement.
 
2  
The Seller and The Company
 
2.1 
Authorizations
 
(a)
The Seller and the Company have obtained, as appropriate, all corporate authorizations and all other applicable governmental, statutory, regulatory or other consents, licenses, waivers or exemptions required to empower each of them to enter into and to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
 
(b)
Except for written consents or approvals from:
 
 
(i)
the General Shareholders’ Meetings and/or the Boards of Directors of the Company,
 
 
(ii)
the General Shareholders’ Meetings and/or the Boards of Directors of the Seller, and
 
 
(iii)
the Approval Authority and SAIC,
 
no approval of the Equity Transfer is required from other individual, company, entity or governmental authority pursuant to the law or regulation of the PRC or pursuant to the terms of the agreement or arrangement to which the Seller or the Company is a party.
 
 
 

 
2.2 
The Company and the Equity Interest
 
(a)
All of the equity interest in the Company is fully-paid and verified by a licensed PRC accounting firm and the Seller is the registered legal and beneficial owners of the percentage of equity interest set opposite its name in Schedule 2, free from all Encumbrances.
 
(b)
The information in respect of the Company set out in Schedule 1 is true and accurate.
 
3  
Financial Matters
 
3.1 
Evaluation
 
The Last Evaluation gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the Last Evaluation Date, and is prepared in all material respects in accordance with evaluation standards and general financial principles stipulated by PRC law.
 
3.2 
Position since the Last Evaluation Date
 
(a)
Since the Last Evaluation Date there has been no material adverse change in the financial or trading position or in the prospects of the Company and no event, fact or matter has occurred which is likely to give rise to any such change.
 
(b)
Since the Last Evaluation Date:
 
 
(i)
the Business has been carried on in the ordinary and usual course and the Company has not made or agreed to make any payment other than routine payments in the ordinary and usual course of trading;
 
 
(ii)
no dividend or other distribution has been declared, paid or made by the Company;
 
 
(iii)
there has been no new Financial Indebtedness or material change in the working capital requirements of the Company other than those disclosed in Exhibit 7-4.1 and those payables incurred during normal business operation that are consistent with past practices;
 
 
(iv)
all transactions between the Company and the Seller (and its Affiliates) have been on arm’s length terms;
 
 
(v)
no contract, liability or commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) has been entered into by the Company, which is of a long term or unusual nature or which involved or could involve an obligation of a material nature or magnitude;
 
 
(vi)
except for the Equity Transfer, the Company has not (whether in the
 
 
 

 
 
 
ordinary and usual course of business or otherwise) acquired or disposed of, or agreed to acquire or dispose of, any of the Business, or any part of the Company or the Assets;
 
 
(vii)
no debtor has been released by the Company on terms that it pays less than the book value of its debt and no debt owing to the Company has been deferred, subordinated or written off or has been proved to any extent irrecoverable;
 
 
(viii)
no change has been made in terms of employment, including pension fund commitments, by the Company (other than those required by law) which could increase the total staff costs of the Company;
 
 
(ix)
there has been no unusual increase or decrease in the level of the stock and/or work in progress of the Company;
 
 
(x)
there has been no material increase or decrease in the average collection or payment periods for the debtors and creditors respectively for the Company;
 
 
(xi)
the Company has not repaid any borrowing or indebtedness in advance of its stated maturity;
 
 
(xii)
no resolution of the Company has been passed whether in general meeting or otherwise (other than resolutions relating to the routine business of annual general meetings or relating to the approval of the Equity Transfer);
 
 
(xiii)
the Business has not been affected by any abnormal factor not affecting to a similar extent generally all companies carrying on similar businesses in the PRC;
 
 
(xiv)
the Company has not entered into a mortgage, guarantee or any other form of security document (other than those listed in Exhibit 7-D);
 
 
(xv)
no mortgage, charge or any other security interest has been created, granted or has arisen in respect of the Business or the Assets (other than those listed in Exhibit 7-D);
 
 
(xvi)
no third party has entered into a mortgage, guarantee or any other form of security document in favor of the Company; and
 
 
(xvii)
the Company has not made or agreed to make any capital expenditure exceeding RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) without express prior written consent from the Purchaser.
 
 
 

 
3.3 
Working Capital
 
After repaying bank and other financial facilities (if any), the Company has sufficient working capital available to it as at Closing to enable it to continue to carry on its business in its present form and at its present level of turnover and for the purpose of performing in accordance with their terms all orders, projects and other obligations and discharging all liabilities which ought properly to be discharged.
 
3.4 
Accounting and other Records
 
(a) 
The statutory books, books of account and other records of the Company:
 
 
(i)
are up-to-date and have been maintained in accordance with all applicable laws and generally accepted accounting practices stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC on a proper and consistent basis;
 
 
(ii)
comprise complete and accurate records of all information required to be recorded therein; and
 
 
(iii)
are in the possession or under the control of the Company together with all documents of title and executed copies of all existing agreements to which the Company is a party.
 
(b)
All accounts, documents and returns required by law to be delivered or made by the Company to any governmental authority have been duly and correctly delivered or made.
 
4  
Debt Position
 
4.1  
The Company is clean and free from any Financial Indebtedness except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-4.1 and those payables incurred during normal business operation that are consistent with past practices.
 
4.2  
Any and all of the Company’s Financial Indebtedness to the Seller and/or its Affiliates which may have existed prior to the date of this Agreement has been fully discharged, waived or cancelled with no further liabilities or obligations to any person or government authority on the part of the Company except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-4.1.
 
5  
Regulatory Matters
 
5.1 
Licenses
 
(a)
The Company has obtained all licenses, permissions, authorizations and consents required for carrying on the Business, in particular the PRC Automobile Spare Parts Manufacturing Qualification and PRC Brand Automobile Sales Qualification.
 
 
 

 
(b)
The licenses, permissions, authorizations and consents referred to in paragraph (a) are in full force and effect (except as specifically provided therein) or not non-renewable or subject to any unusual or onerous conditions and have been complied with in all respects.
 
(c)
There are no circumstances which indicate that any of the licenses, permissions, authorizations or consents referred to in paragraph (a) will or are likely to be revoked or not renewed, in whole or in part, in the ordinary course of events (whether as a result of the Equity Transfer or any event prior to the Closing).
 
5.2 
Compliance with Laws
 
(a)
The Company is not or has not been the subject of any investigation (which is likely to give rise to a sanction) or sanction by any authority in relation to conducting its business and corporate affairs in a manner contrary to its Business License and Articles of Association and all applicable laws and regulations of the PRC, and there are no facts, to the best of the Seller’s knowledge, likely to cause such investigation or sanction to be instituted.
 
(b)
To the best of the Seller’s knowledge, the Company is not in default of any order, decree or judgment of any court or any governmental authority.
 
6  
Assets
 
6.1 
Ownership
 
(a)
For the purpose of this Agreement, the Assets mean assets of the Company of the following natures:
 
 
(i)
cash, cash accounts and monetary instruments;
 
 
(ii)
Properties as listed in Schedule 8;
 
 
(iii)
machinery, equipment and other movable assets listed in the Last Evaluation; and
 
 
(iv)
all goodwill.
 
(b)
Each of the Assets (other than the Assets sold in the ordinary course of the business) is the absolute property of the Company and, other than those shown in Exhibit 7-D, those Assets are not the subject of any Encumbrance.
 
6.2 
Possession
 
All of the Assets owned by the Company, or in respect of which the Company has a right of use, are in the possession or under the control of the Company.
 
 
 

 
6.3 
Adequacy of Assets
 
(a)
The Assets, facilities and services to which the Company has a contractual right include all rights, properties, assets, facilities and services necessary or desirable to carry on the Business in the manner in which they have been or are currently carried on.
 
(b)
The Company does not depend in any material respect upon the use of assets owned by, or facilities or services provided by the Seller.
 
7
Intellectual Property Rights and Information Technology
 
7.1 
Registered Rights
 
(a)
The Intellectual Property Rights that are owned by the Company are duly registered with the relevant government authorities by the Company to the extent required or allowed under PRC law.
 
(b)
No act has been done or omitted to be done and no event has occurred or is likely to occur which may render any of such Intellectual Property Rights subject to revocation, compulsory license, cancellation or amendment or may prevent the grant or registration of a valid Intellectual Property Right pursuant to a pending application.
 
7.2 
License
 
(a)
None of the Intellectual Property Rights has been or is licensed by the Company to any third party.
 
(b)
None of the Intellectual Property Rights has been or is licensed by any third party to the Company, except for the trademark of  “image” which is owned by the Seller and for which the Seller herby irrevocably grants a free, unconditional and perpetual license to the Company for its use.
 
7.3 
Confidential Information
 
(a)
Where information of a confidential nature has been developed or acquired by the Company for the purposes of the Business in the three (3) year period prior to the date of this Agreement, such information (except insofar as it has fallen into the public domain through no fault of the Company) has been kept strictly confidential and has not been disclosed otherwise than subject to an obligation of confidentiality and limited use being imposed on the person to whom the information was disclosed.  The Seller is not aware of any breach of such confidentiality obligations by any third party that could have an adverse impact on the Business.
 
(b)
None of the operations of the Business involves any unauthorized use of
 
 
 

 
 
confidential information disclosed in circumstances which might entitle a third party to make a claim against the Business or the Company.
 
(c)
Except for agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, the Company is not subject to any obligation which restricts the free use or disclosure of confidential information used in the Business.
 
7.4 
Records and Software
 
(a)
All the accounting records and systems (including, without limitation, computerized accounting systems) of the Company are recorded, stored, maintained or operated or otherwise held by the Company and are not wholly or partly dependent on any facilities or systems which are not under the exclusive ownership or control of the Company.
 
(b)
The Company is licensed to use all software necessary to enable them to continue to use their computerized records for the foreseeable future in the same manner in which they have been used prior to the date of this Agreement and do not share any user rights in respect of such software with any other person.
 
7.5 
No Infringement by the Company
 
(a)
Other than the fact that the Company uses some computer software copies that are not properly licensed, the Company did not and does not infringe, and is not likely to infringe, the Intellectual Property Rights of a third party.
 
(b)
No claim has been made by a third party which alleges that the Business infringed, infringes, or is likely to infringe, the Intellectual Property Rights of a third party or which otherwise disputes the right of the Company to use the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company.  The Seller is not aware of any circumstances likely to give rise to a claim, unless otherwise disclosed herein.
 
7.6 
No Infringement by Third Parties
 
(a)
No third party has infringed, is infringing, or is likely to infringe, the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company.
 
(b)
No claim has been made by the Company which alleges that a third party has infringed, is infringing, or is likely to infringe, the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company or which otherwise disputes the right of a third party to use the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the third party.  The Seller is not aware of any circumstances likely to give rise to such a claim.
 
(c)
The Company has not acquiesced in the unauthorized use by a third party of the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company.
 
(d)
There have been no acts or omissions which would prejudice the rights of the Purchaser to enforce the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the
 
 
 

 
 
Company after the Equity Transfer.  In particular, transactions relating to such Intellectual Property Rights have been registered promptly, and within applicable time limits.
 
7.7 
Adequacy of Intellectual Property Rights
 
The Company owns, or has license to, all Intellectual Property Rights which are required to carry on the Business as they have been or are presently carried on.
 
7.8 
Encumbrances
 
The Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company are not subject to any Encumbrance.
 
7.9 
Restrictions on Use
 
(a)
There are no agreements or arrangements which restrict the disclosure, use or assignment by the Company of the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company.
 
(b)
The Company is not under any obligation to pay a royalty, license fee or other consideration, or to obtain approval or consent, for use of the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company.
 
7.10 
Loss of Intellectual Property Rights
 
The Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company will not be lost, or rendered liable to termination, by virtue of the Equity Transfer or the performance of this Agreement.
 
8  
Contractual Matters
 
8.1 
Material Contract
 
The relevant contracts executed by and among the Seller, the Company and Zhejiang Feidie Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. are valid, effective and enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, has not been terminated, suspended, breached, disputed or threatened to do so by any party to such contract and has not been challenged, declared void or nullified in any respect by any governmental authority.
 
8.2 
Defaults
 
(a)
The Company is not in default under any agreement to which it is a party and there are no circumstances likely to give rise to any such default.
 
(b)
No party with whom the Company has entered into any agreement or arrangement is in default under such agreement or arrangement and there are no circumstances
 
 
 

 
 
likely to give rise to any such default.
 
Litigation and Investigations
 
9.1 
Litigation
 
(a)
The Company is not a plaintiff, claimant, respondent or defendant in or otherwise a party to any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings involving an amount exceeding RMB one million (RMB1,000,000) which are in progress or threatened or pending by or against or concerning the Company or any of the Assets, the Business or the Properties.
 
(b)
No governmental or official investigation or inquiry concerning the Company is in progress or pending.
 
(c)
The Seller is not aware of any circumstances which are likely to give rise to any such proceeding, investigation or inquiry as is referred to in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
 
9.2 
Defective Products
 
The Company has not manufactured, sold or supplied any product or service which is or was or, to the best knowledge of the Seller, will become in any material respect faulty, defective or dangerous or which does not comply in any material respect with any warranties or representations expressly or impliedly made by the Company or with all applicable laws, regulations, standards and requirements in circumstances where the liability of the Company is not fully covered by product liability insurance and will or is likely to exceed any provision or reserve for product liability claims included in the latest audit report of the Company.
 
10  
Directors and Employees
 
10.1 
Employees
 
(a)
The Seller has provided the Purchaser with complete and accurate lists of all management staff and all other employees of the Company and with complete and accurate information on the remuneration payable and other principal benefits which the Company is bound to provide.
 
(b)
Except as agreed to in writing by the Purchaser, the Company has not entered into any arrangements regarding any future variation in any contract of employment in respect of any of its directors and employees or any agreement imposing an obligation on the Company to increase the basis and/or rates of remuneration and/or the provision of other benefits in kind to or on behalf of any of its directors or employees at any future date.
 
(c)
To the best knowledge of the Seller, no senior officers or employees of the
 
 
 

 
 
Company has any relationship of employment with any other entity or individual.
 
(d)
There are no restrictions on termination of employment of any of the employees of the Company other than the restrictions listed in the standard labor contract of the Company and those under PRC law.
 
(e)
The Company has made all required contributions to statutory social insurance funds (including pension, unemployment insurance, and medical funds) and housing funds pursuant to relevant PRC national and local regulations for all of their employees currently registered with the local labor administration authorities, and no liability on the part of the Company has arisen or is expected to arise in this regard.
 
(f)
The Company has no retirement, housing or welfare benefit scheme for its employees which subjects it to any responsibilities or liabilities in excess of what is required under relevant PRC national and local laws and regulations.
 
(g)
All of the benefits of the current retirement, housing and welfare schemes of the Company will remain with the relevant employees of the Company after the Closing Date.
 
(h)
The Company has signed employment contract in writing with each of its employees, and no liability on the part of the Company has arisen or is expected to arise in this regard.
 
10.2 
Compliance
 
The Company has in relation to each of their employees (and so far as relevant to each of their former employees) complied in all material respects with all statutes, regulations, codes of conduct, collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment, orders and awards relevant to their conditions of service or to the relations between them and their employees (or former employees, as the case may be).  To the best of the Seller’s knowledge, the Company is not subject to any threatened or pending penalty in relation to any employee or former employee.
 
10.3 
Disputes
 
(a)
All disputes between the Company and its current or former employees (or any trade union or other body representing all or any of such employees) have been settled or otherwise solved with no further liabilities of the Company and there are no present circumstances which are likely to give rise to any such dispute.
 
(b)
To the best knowledge of the Seller, there are no enquiries or investigations affecting the Company (and none pending or threatened) by the PRC labor administration authorities.
 
 
 

 
10.4 
Incentive Schemes
 
The Company has not in existence (or is proposing to introduce) any share incentive scheme, share option scheme or profit sharing, commission or other incentive scheme for all or any of its directors or employees.
 
10.5 
Payments on Termination
 
(a)
No outstanding liability has been incurred by the Company for breach of any contract of employment or for services or redundancy payments, protective awards, compensation for wrongful dismissal or unfair dismissal or for failure to comply with any order for the reinstatement or re-engagement of any employee or for any other liability accruing from the termination of any contract of employment or for services.
 
(b)
No gratuitous payment has been made or benefit given (or promised to be made or given) by the Company in connection with the actual or proposed termination or suspension of employment, or variation of any contract of employment, of any present or former director or employee of the Company.
 
11  
Insolvency
 
11.1  
No order has been made, petition presented or meeting convened for the purpose of considering a resolution for the winding up of the Company or for the appointment of any liquidation committee.  No petition has been presented for an administration order to be made in relation to the Company, and no liquidation committee has been appointed in respect of the whole or any part of any of the Properties, the Assets, and/or the Business.
 
11.2  
No composition in satisfaction of the debts of the Company, or scheme of arrangement of its affairs, or compromise or arrangement between the Company and its creditors or any class of its creditors, has been proposed, sanctioned or approved.
 
11.3  
Neither the Seller nor the Company has been a party to any transaction with any third party or parties which, if any such third party goes into liquidation or an administration order or a bankruptcy order is made in relation to it or him, is likely to constitute (in whole or in part) a part of a general assignment of debts.
 
12  
Funds
 
The Company has made all required contributions to the statutory funds pursuant to relevant PRC national and local regulations.
 
 
 

 
PART B: 
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY WARRANTIES
 
The Company has completed all environmental formalities with respect to the planning and construction of the buildings as listed in Schedule 8 Properties.  The Company’s facility for prevention and control of pollution as required for carrying on its Business has been examined and approved by relevant PRC environmental authorities.  The Company has obtained an officially issued and valid Pollutant Discharge Permit and has paid all pollutant discharge fee in full as required by law.
 
There are no present or past actions or activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation, any use, storage, release, spill, or disposal of any Hazardous Substances, or exposure of any persons to any condition, that have or could form the basis of any assertion of any claim under Environmental Laws against the Company or the Seller.
 
The Company has taken care of, paid the legally required compensation to and settled with all employees and former employees who have suffered work related injury or health problems and there are no present circumstances which are likely to give rise to any such dispute.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
PART C: 
TAX WARRANTIES
 
Interpretation
 
1.  
In this part, references to tax, taxation and tax liabilities shall include references to customs duties and, as appropriate, customs duty liabilities.
 
Tax Liabilities
 
2.  
All tax liabilities, whether actual, deferred, contingent or disputed, of the Company (including each of its predecessors, if any, and the Three Merged Companies), in respect of any period(s) ending before or on the Last Evaluation Date and the period after the Last Evaluation Date, whether incurred as principal, agent or trustee, have been paid unless otherwise disclosed herein.
 
3.  
Since the Last Evaluation Date:
 
 
(a)  
The Company has not been involved in any transaction which has given or may give rise to a liability to taxation on the Company other than enterprise income tax, value added tax and business tax on normal trading income of the Company arising from transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
 
 
(b)  
The Company has not made a payment which will not be deductible for tax purposes, either in computing the profits of the Company or in computing the tax chargeable on the Company.
 
Compliance with Tax Laws
 
4.  
The Company (including each of its predecessors, if any, and the Three Merged Companies) has duly filed all returns, given all notices and supplied all other information required to be supplied to any tax authority, and all such returns, notices and information were complete and accurate when filed, given or supplied and do not reveal any transactions which may lead to any dispute with a tax authority.
 
5.  
The Company (including each of its predecessors, if any, and the Three Merged Companies) has kept and retained all records and documents appropriate or required by applicable tax laws and regulations in the PRC and any other jurisdiction in which they operate or for the purpose of evidencing compliance with such tax laws and regulations.
 
6.  
The Company is not the subject of any investigation (which is likely to give rise to a sanction) or sanction by any tax authority (whether in the PRC or any other jurisdiction in which it operates) and there are no facts, to the best knowledge of the Seller, likely to cause such investigation or sanction to be instituted.
 
 
 

 
Payments Related to Taxation
 
7.  
The Company (including each of its predecessors, if any, and the Three Merged Companies) has no outstanding liability to pay, and there are no circumstances by reason of which it is likely to become liable to pay, any penalty, fine, surcharge or interest in relation to taxation.
 
8.  
All relevant fees, duty and penalties payable (if any) with respect to the capital of the Company has been paid.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
PART D: PROPERTY WARRANTIES
 
1.  
Interpretation
 
1.1
The information of the Properties as of the date of this Agreement is described in Schedule 8.
 
2.  
General
 
2.1
The Properties comprise all the land and buildings controlled, occupied or used by the Company or in relation to which the Company has any right, interest or liability (including, without limitation, leasehold interests, granted land use rights and building ownership rights in respect of real property and buildings used, occupied, owned or leased by the Company in connection with the Business).
 
2.2
The information with respect to the Properties as of the date of this Agreement set out in Schedule 8 is true, complete and accurate.
 
3.  
Possession and Ownership
 
3.1
After the Equity Transfer, the Company will continue to be in possession of the whole of each of the Properties and no other person is or will be actually or conditionally entitled to possession, occupation, use or control of any of the Properties, except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 
3.2
After the Equity Transfer, the Company will continue to be the sole legal and beneficial owner of land use rights and/or building ownership rights connected to the Properties free from any Encumbrance, except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 
3.3
Any Land Use Rights Grant/Transfer Contracts for the Properties, and Land Use Rights Certificates and Building Ownership Certificates owned by the Company, as the case may be, are all in the possession or under control of the Company.
 
3.4
No person or governmental authority has or claims any security interest, lien, option, or right of pre-emption in or over any of the Properties or any relevant documents, except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 
3.5
No Property is affected by a subsisting contract for sale or other disposition of interest in it (with the exception of the documents for the purpose of the Equity Transfer).
 
4.  
Contractual Rights
 
4.1
Each Property benefits from all legally enforceable contractual rights (if any) necessary or appropriate for the continued use, enjoyment and maintenance of such Property by the Company.
 
 
 

 
5.  
Outgoings
 
5.1
The Properties are not subject to the payment of any outgoings nor is the Company actually or contingently liable to pay any sums in relation to any Property other than the usual rates and taxes, rental payments and land use rights grant fee payments or payments otherwise provided for under any law.
 
5.2
There is no outstanding liability for any rental payments, land grant fee payments, taxes or other outgoings in respect of any of the Properties.
 
6.  
Disputes
 
6.1
There are no current, contingent or anticipated notices, actions, disputes, complaints, liabilities, claims or demands relating to or in respect of the Properties, their ownership or use.
 
7.  
Planning Matters
 
7.1
The Properties and all uses of, and developments on, the Properties comply with all Planning Regulations.
 
7.2
All Planning Regulations and all Permissions affecting any of the Properties have been complied with and there is no reason why the same should not continue to be complied with.
 
7.3
No Permission affecting any of the Properties contains (expressly or impliedly) any unusual or onerous conditions or obligations.
 
7.4
All Permissions relating to any Property not yet implemented in whole are capable of implementation by the Company without the need for any further applications, registrations, notifications, payments or Permissions.
 
7.5
In this paragraph 7, the following words and expressions have the following meanings:
 
Permission means any Planning Permits, Construction Permits, Quality Inspection Certificates, or any planning permission, approval or other equivalent consent, authorization or license given or deemed to be given pursuant to planning regulations and includes all conditions attached to it.
 
Planning Regulations means all regulations intended to control or regulate the construction, demolition, alteration or use of land or buildings or to preserve or protect the national heritage and any orders, by-laws or regulations made or granted under any of them, including the relevant Land Use Conditions under State-Owned Land Use Rights Grant/Transfer Contracts for each of the Properties in which the Company holds granted land use rights.
 
8.  
State of Properties
 
 
 

 
8.1
The buildings and other structures on, under or over the Properties are in good and substantial repair and condition and fit for the purposes for which they are presently used and there is no material defect (whether latent, inherent or otherwise) in the construction or condition of any of such buildings or other structures.
 
9.  
Leasehold Properties
 
9.1
None of the Properties are leased to, or occupied by, any third parties, except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 
10.  
Lease Obligations
 
10.1
The Company is not, nor is alleged to be, in breach of any obligation created pursuant to any of the Properties controlled, occupied or used by the Company pursuant to a lease contract.
 
11.  
Encumbrances
 
11.1
The Company has not created any Encumbrances on the Properties, except for those disclosed in Exhibit 7-D.
 
12.  
Due Diligence
 
12.1
The Seller has provided true and complete copies of all leases, contracts, agreements, Land Use Rights Certificates, Building Ownership Certificates, Land Use Rights Grant/Transfer Contracts, Land Use Conditions, and documents and other information relevant to, as the case may be, the Company’s interest in or use of any of the Properties or their value.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 8
Properties

 

8-1 Land

No.
Land Use Right Certificate No.
Type
Purpose
Land Area (square meters)
Expiration Date
Location
1
San Guo Yong (2008) No. 00352
Granted
Industrial
72,499
November 30, 2055
Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County
2
San Guo Yong (2010) No. 00898
Granted
Industrial
70,535
June 9, 2056
Shangpeng Plant, Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County
3
San Guo Yong (2010) No. 00738
Granted
Industrial
84,718
June 9, 2056
Port Industrial Park, Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County
4
San Guo Yong (2010) No. 00899
Granted
Industrial
18,431
July 9, 2056
Shangpeng Plant, Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County


 
 

 
8-2 Buildings

No.
Area(㎡)
Purpose
Address
Remarks
1
10,800
Welding Plant
Datang Industrial Park, Sanmen County
Building ownership certificate to be obtained
2
10,800
Punching Plant
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
3
10,800
Painting Plant
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
4
11,700
General Assembly Plant
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
5
3,000
Dining Hall
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
6
7,480
Four Dormitory Buildings
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
7
2,592
Coating Plant
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
8
10,857
Parts Warehouse
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
9
5,547
Plant No. 6
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above
10
10,857
Plant No. 7
Datang Industrial Park
Same as above

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 9
 
Form of Letter of Consent and Undertaking by Other Shareholders
 

 
To: ZAP

I, ___________, the undersigned and a shareholder of Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) holding [____%] of the Company’s equity interest, hereby

(1)  
consent to the Equity Transfer Agreement signed by and between Jonway Group Co., Ltd. as the Seller, and ZAP as the Purchaser on July 2, 2010 in Shanghai, China (the “Equity Transfer Agreement”), pursuant to which the Seller will sell and transfer to the Purchaser fifty one percent (51%) equity interest in the Company (the “Target Equity”), and
 
(2)  
waive my right of first refusal and any other preemptive rights with respect to the Target Equity in accordance with any applicable law or the Articles of Association of the Company.

This letter shall become effective upon the date of execution, and remain valid throughout the term of the Equity Transfer Agreement regardless whether or not the Equity Transfer Agreement can be successfully approved and/or registered with relevant government authorities.

I agree that the interpretation and performance of this Letter shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China, and any related dispute shall be resolved in accordance with clause 18 of the Equity Transfer Agreement.



[WANG Gang / WANG Xiaoying]
Signature:
Date: ________, 2010

 
 
 

 
Exhibit 7-4.1
 
Existing Financial Indebtedness
 
(as of May 31, 2010)
 

Lender
Amount (RMB ,000)
Due Date
Remarks
Suppliers
172,416
In three months
Accounts Payable
Sales Agent / Service Provider
57,420
In three months
Prepaid sales revenue for whole cars and spare parts
Shareholder
32,766
Three months
Loan from Seller
Employee
681
One month
Salary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Exhibit 7-D
Existing Encumbrance on Properties

 
Contract Title / Arrangement
Pledgee
Collateral Properties
Expiration Date
Remarks
Pledge
Lu Qiao Sub-Branch, Agricultural Bank of China
Land: 70,535 square meters
April 7, 2013
Securing the loan of RMB23.27 million for the benefit of Seller or its subsidiaries
Pledge
Taizhou Branch, China Merchants Bank
Land: 84,718 square meters
March 11, 2011
Securing the loan of RMB21 million for the benefit of Seller or its subsidiaries
Pledge
Lu Qiao Sub-Branch, Agricultural Bank of China
Land: 18,431 square meters
April 7, 2013
Securing the loan of RMB6.08 million for the benefit of Seller or its subsidiaries
Pledge
Lu Qiao Sub-Branch, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Land: 72,499 square meters
December 31, 2011
Securing the loan of RMB15 million for the benefit of Seller or its subsidiaries


EX-10.2 3 exh10-2_16858.htm JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT exh10-2_16858.htm
EXHIBIT 10.2
 
 
 
Joint Venture Contract
 
 
 

 
Joint Venture Contract
 



 
for
 
ZHEJIANG JONWAY AUTOMOBILE CO., LTD.

 
 
among
 

 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd.
 
WANG Gang
 
WANG Xiaoying
 

 
and
 
ZAP
 

 
July 2, 2010
 
 
 
 

 
CONTENTS
                                                                                                                              
Clause   Page
     
Article 1
Definitions
1
     
Article 2
Parties
3
     
Article 3
The Company
4
     
Article 4
Business Scope
5
     
Article 5
Total Amount of Investment and Registered Capital
5
     
Article 6
Responsibilities of Each Party
8
     
Article 7
Land Use
10
     
Article 8
Marketing and Sales of Products
10
     
Article 9
Board of Directors and Supervisors
11
     
Article 10
Operation and Management Organization
14
     
Article 11
Labor Management
17
     
Article 12
Preferential Status of the Company
18
     
Article 13
Taxes, Finance, Audit and Distribution of Profit
18
     
Article 14
Insurance
20
     
Article 15
Representations and Warranties
21
     
Article 16
Non-Competition
22
     
Article 17
Confidentiality
22
     
Article 18
Term and Survival
23
     
Article 19
Breach and Penalties for Breach
23
     
Article 20
Termination and Dissolution
24
     
Article 21
Liquidation
25
     
Article 22
Force Majeure
26
     
Article 23
Applicable Law
27
     
Article 24
Settlement of Disputes
27
     
Article 25
Language
28
     
Article 26             
Effectiveness, Amendment, and Miscellaneous
28
 
 
 

 
JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT
 

This Joint Venture Contract (this Contract) is made on July 2, 2010 in Shanghai, the PRC
 
By and Among
 
(1)  
Jonway Group Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, with its registered office at Lu Nan Hou Yuan, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC, and with its legal representative being WANG Huaiyi (a national of the PRC and holding the position of Executive Director) (Party A);
 
(2)  
WANG Gang, a PRC citizen whose ID number is 331004198209230333 with his domicile at 20 Min Ri Hua Yuan,  Luqiao Block, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC (Party B);
 
(3)  
WANG Xiaoying, a PRC citizen whose ID number is 331004198511020046 with her domicile at 7 Wang Jing Wan Garden, Luqiao Block, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC (Party C); and
 
(4)  
ZAP, a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of California, USA, with its principal office at 501 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA, and with its legal representative being Steven Schneider (a national of the US and holding the position of Chief Executive Officer) (Party D or ZAP)
 
(each a Party and collectively the Parties).
 
In accordance with the Equity Joint Venture Law, the Equity Joint Venture Regulations, the Company Law and applicable laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, the Parties, adhering to the principles of equality and mutual benefit, agree after friendly consultations to jointly own and operate the Company as a limited liability Sino-foreign equity joint venture company in Sanmen County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, the PRC, and hereby enter into this Contract.
 
Article 1                      Definitions
 
1.1  
In this Contract, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
 
Affiliate means, in respect of a Party, any person, company, partnership, trust or other entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with a Party, control for the purpose of this definition being taken to mean direct or indirect ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights of said entity.
 
 
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Approval Authority means the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant Governmental Authority (if required) of the PRC, and their local branches in Zhejiang Province and/or the city of Taizhou (as the case may be).
 
Articles of Association means the restated and amended Articles of Association of the Company dated the date hereof.
 
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
Breaching Party is defined in Article 19.1.
 
Business means the business intended to be carried on by the Company, as described in Article 4.
 
Chinese Shareholders mean Party A, Party B and Party C collectively, and each of them a Chinese Shareholder.
 
CIETAC is defined in Article 24.2.
 
Closing Date means the Closing Date defined in the Equity Transfer Agreement.
 
Company means the limited liability company, Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. (“浙江永源汽车有限公司” in Chinese), which will be operated pursuant to this Contract.
 
Company Law means the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China.
 
Company Term is defined in Article 18.1.
 
Competing Business means a business which directly or indirectly competes in any way with the business of the Company or ZAP in the Non-Compete Territory.
 
Confidential Information is defined in Article 17.1.
 
Contract means this Joint Venture Contract.
 
Dispute is defined in Article 24.1.
 
Encumbrance means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, assignment, hypothecation, priority, security interest, option, warrant, title retention, preferential right, trust arrangement, security agreement or arrangement, right of set off or other third party claims or rights (including rights of pre-emption) of any nature whatsoever, as provided for, recognized and/or enforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction.
 
Equity Joint Venture Law means the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Equity Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment.
 
 
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Equity Joint Venture Regulations means the Implementing Regulations of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Equity Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment.
 
Equity Transfer is defined in the Equity Transfer Agreement.
 
Equity Transfer Agreement means an agreement for the transfer of certain equity interest in the Company, by and between Party A and ZAP of the even date herewith.
 
Establishment Date is defined in Article 3.1.
 
Event of Force Majeure is defined in Article 22.1.
 
Liquidation Committee is defined in Article 21.1.1.
 
Non-Compete Territory means anywhere in the PRC.
 
Parties or Shareholders means Party A, Party B, Party C and Party D to this Contract, as defined in Article 2, collectively, and each of them as a Party or a Shareholder.
 
Performing Party is defined in Article 19.1.
 
PRC means the People’s Republic of China, which for the purposes of this Agreement excludes the Chinese territories Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
 
Properties are defined in the Equity Transfer Agreement.
 
RMB means Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC.
 
SAIC means Zhejiang Administration of Industry and Commerce, or its local counterpart in the city of Taizhou.
 
1.2 
The expressions the “Parties” shall where the context permits and unless not otherwise provided to the contrary, include their respective successors, transferees and permitted assigns and any persons deriving title under them.
 
Article 2                      Parties
 
2.1  
Party A
 
Party A to this Contract is: Jonway Group Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, with its registered office at Lu Nan Hou Yuan, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC, and with its legal representative being WANG Huaiyi (a national of the PRC and holding the position of Executive Director).
 
 
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2.2  
Party B
 
Party B to this Contract is: WANG Gang, a PRC citizen whose ID number is 331004198209230333 with his domicile at 20 Min Ri Hua Yuan, Luqiao Block, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC.
 
2.3  
Party C
 
Party C to this Contract is: WANG Xiaoying, a PRC citizen whose ID number is 331004198511020046 with her domicile at 7 Wang Jing Wan Garden, Luqiao Block, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC.
 
2.4  
Party D
 
Party E to this Contract is: ZAP, a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of California, USA, with its principal office at 501 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA, and with its legal representative being Steven Schneider (a national of the US and holding the position of Chief Executive Officer).
 
Article 3                      The Company
 
3.1  
Establishment of the Company
 
The Parties agree that the Company shall be established pursuant to the terms of this Contract on the date that the Company is issued its new business license from SAIC (the Establishment Date).
 
The name of the Company shall be “Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd.” (“浙江永源汽车有限公司” in Chinese).
 
The legal address of the Company shall be Port Industrial Park, Datang Village, Jiantiao Town, Sanmen County, Zhejiang Province, PRC.
 
3.2  
Limited Liability Company
 
The Company shall be a limited liability company.  Each Party’s liability shall be limited to the amount of the Company’s registered capital subscribed by such Party pursuant to this Contract, and no Party shall have any other liability to the Company or to any third party jointly or severally.  The Parties shall share the profits and, subject to the above, bear the risks and losses in accordance with the ratio of their respective equity holding in the Company from time to time.
 
3.3  
Legal Person Status
 
The Company shall be an enterprise legal person under the laws of the PRC.
 
 
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3.4  
Compliance with PRC Law
 
The activities of the Company shall be governed and protected by the relevant published laws, regulations, decrees and rules of the PRC.
 
3.5  
The Company shall also comply with the policies and principles that may be adopted by ZAP from time to time, in particular the reporting requirements imposed by ZAP.
 
Article 4                      Business Scope
 
4.1 
The Company’s business scope shall be: Manufacturing and sales of automobile spare parts; sales of UFO brand cars.
 
4.2 
The business of the Company shall be conducted in the best interests of the Company in accordance with the general principles of the then current business and operation plans approved from time to time.
 
Article 5                      Total Amount of Investment and Registered Capital
 
5.1  
Total Amount of Investment
 
The total amount of investment of the Company shall be Renminbi two hundred million (RMB200,000,000).
 
5.2  
Registered Capital and Contribution Ratios
 
The registered capital of the Company shall be Renminbi eighty million (RMB80,000,000), of which:
 
(a)  
Party A’s capital contribution accounts for 39% of the Company’s registered capital;
 
(b)  
Party B’s capital contribution accounts for 8% of the Company’s registered capital;
 
(c)  
Party C’s capital contribution accounts for 2% of the Company’s registered capital; and
 
(d)  
Party D’s capital contribution accounts for 51% of the Company’s registered capital.
 
Upon completion of the Equity Transfer, all Parties have made their respective contributions to the Company’s registered capital in full.
 
The Company shall issue an investment certificate to each Party, which shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, confirming the amount contributed and equity ratio held by such Party in the Company.
 
 
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5.3  
Additional Financing
 
The Company may borrow additional funds it requires (beyond its registered capital).  No Party shall be obligated to lend funds to the Company or guarantee loans to the Company from third parties or financial institutions.  Subject to approval requirements set forth in Article 9.3 below, the Board shall determine whether the Company should obtain additional funds through mortgage, indebtedness or a capital increase.
 
5.4  
Increase or Decrease of Registered Capital
 
The Company may increase or decrease the amount of its registered capital with a resolution adopted by the Board pursuant to Article 9.3 below and the approval of the Approval Authority.  In the event the Parties deem that there is a need to increase the total amount of investment or the registered capital of the Company in excess of those stated in Articles 5.1 and 5.2 above, and so agree in writing, and any Party is either unwilling or unable for whatever reason to contribute to such capital increases, each of the other Parties, in its discretion, in addition to its own subscription to such capital increase, may but shall not be obligated to subscribe to the unsubscribed portion of such capital increase on a pro rata basis, provided that all Parties’ equity holdings in the Company shall be adjusted accordingly after such capital increase has been subscribed.  In such case, the other Parties shall decide, within thirty (30) days after any Party has defaulted in making its contribution to the capital increase, whether they are willing to subscribe to the unsubscribed portion, on a pro rata basis.
 
If any of the other Parties decides not to participate in such subscription, it shall notify the other Parties in writing within such thirty (30) day period.  The rest of the Parties then may subscribe to the unsubscribed portion, on a pro rata basis, in light of their respective equity ratio in the Company.  If none of the Parties decides to subscribe to the unsubscribed portion, the capital increase shall be reduced by the unsubscribed portion.
 
5.5  
Transfer of Equity Interest
 
5.5.1  
Subject to Articles 5.5.5, 5.6 and 5.7 below, when a Party (the Transferring Party) wishes to assign, sell or otherwise dispose of any or all of its equity interest in the Company (hereinafter a Transfer), it shall notify the other Parties in writing of (i) its wish to make the Transfer, (ii) the interest it wishes to transfer, (iii) the terms and conditions of the Transfer and (iv) the identity of the proposed transferee (the Transfer Notice).  The other Parties shall each have a pre-emptive right to purchase such interest in its entirety on the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice on a pro rata basi s in accordance with their respective equity interests in the Company.
 
5.5.2  
The other Party/Parties who has(ve) a right to purchase such interest shall notify the Transferring Party within thirty (30) days of actual delivery of the Transfer Notice whether it/they will purchase the whole of the interest to be transferred.  If none of the other Parties notifies the Transferring Party within such thirty (30) day period that it will purchase such interest, all of the other Parties shall be deemed to have agreed to the Transfer to the proposed transferee specified in the Transfer Notice, and the Transferring Party may assign, sell or otherwise dispose of such interest to such proposed transferee, on the terms and conditions set out in the Transfer Notice.
 
 
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5.5.3  
If only a part of the other Parties notify the Transferring Party within such thirty (30) day period that they will exercise their pre-emptive rights to purchase, such Parties shall have another thirty (30) day period to notify the Transferring Party whether they will purchase the interest covered by the Transfer in its entirety on a pro rata basis in light of their respective equity ratio in the Company.
 
5.5.4  
If none of the other Parties exercise its pre-emptive right to purchase such interest in its entirety on the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice within either of the thirty (30) day periods under Article 5.5.2 or Article 5.5.3 above, the Transferring Party may complete the Transfer on the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice, and shall provide the other Parties with a duplicate of the executed written agreement with the transferee within fourteen (14) days of the execution of the agreement.
 
5.5.5  
The transferee(s) shall be bound by all the terms of this Contract and shall, except where the context hereof requires otherwise, acquire relevant rights and obligations of the Transferring Party under this Contract.
 
5.6  
Transfer of Equity Interest to an Affiliate of ZAP
 
The provisions of Article 5.5 above notwithstanding, ZAP may freely assign its equity interest in the Company, in whole or in part, to any of its own Affiliates, and the Chinese Shareholders hereby unconditionally agree to such assignment.  When assigning to an Affiliate, ZAP must notify the Board and the other Parties in writing of such assignment and specify the name and the legal address of the Affiliate, as well as the name, position, nationality and address of the legal representative of the Affiliate.  The other Parties agree to vote in favour of such assignment at a Board meeting.  Such assignment shall be reported to the Approval Authority for approval and filed with SAIC for registration.
 
5.7  
Transfer of Equity Interest by Chinese Shareholders
 
The provisions of Article 5.5 above notwithstanding, any of the Chinese Shareholders may freely assign its equity interest in the Company, in whole or in part, to any of other Chinese Shareholders, and the other Parties hereby unconditionally agree to such assignment.  When assigning to other Chinese Shareholder(s), the transferring Chinese Shareholder must notify the Board and the other Parties in writing of such assignment and specify the identity of the transferee Chinese Shareholder.  The other Parties agree to vote in favour of such assignment at a Board meeting.  Such assignment shall be reported to the Approval Authority for approval and filed with SAIC for registration.
 
 
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Article 6                      Responsibilities of Each Party
 
6.1  
Responsibilities of the Chinese Shareholders
 
 
In addition to their other responsibilities under this Contract, upon the request of the Company, the Chinese Shareholders shall:
 
(a)  
assist with:
 
(i)  
submitting applications for approval of this Contract to the Approval Authority and any other government authority whose approval is required;
 
(ii)  
registering the Company with the SAIC;
 
(iii)  
obtaining the Company’s new business license; and
 
(iv)  
registering the Company with the relevant authorities including tax, customs and foreign exchange authorities;
 
(b)  
assist the Company in submitting the Equity Transfer Agreement, the Articles of Association of the Company and other related ancillary documents to and obtaining the necessary approval or registration from the relevant government authorities (if required under the PRC law);
 
(c)  
 assist the Company to obtain from the relevant branch of State Administration of Foreign Exchange a foreign exchange registration certificate and other approvals necessary to establish RMB bank account(s) and foreign exchange bank account(s) and any other related matters, including providing assistance to enable the Company to obtain SAFE approval (if required) as necessary to pay its foreign currency obligations to any relevant party;
 
(d)  
assist the Company in handling customs declaration procedures (including obtaining all relevant import and export licenses) for imported materials, machinery, equipment, supplies, and related documentation, and exported products, and in arranging for the inland transportation of imports to the Company; in dealing with PRC tax questions; and in applying for other government approvals required for the operation of the Company in the PRC;
 
(e)  
assist the Company in obtaining, sourcing, purchasing or leasing within the PRC adequate supplies of materials, local equipment, articles for office use, means of transportation, communication facilities, etc. including, if requested by the Company, leveraging combined purchasing power of the Parties to reduce the cost of such supplies to the Company and each of the Parties;
 
(f)  
assist the Company in contracting for and obtaining the fundamental facilities, services and utilities required by the Company, such as water, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, etc., conforming to the specifications and conditions as required for carrying on the Business by the Company, on a continuous uninterrupted basis, in quantities sufficient to meet the Company’s full operational requirements and in line with the practice in other comparable industrial joint ventures in Zhejiang Province, at the lowest possible cost in RMB;
 
 
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(g)  
assist expatriate personnel of ZAP and the Company in handling the necessary procedures for entry visas, work permits and traveling arrangements, and to assist in arranging appropriate housing acceptable to ZAP for expatriate employees of the Company, and hotel accommodations for foreign personnel on temporary assignment to the Company;
 
(h)  
assist the Company in applying for and obtaining all possible tax reductions and exemptions and all other relevant investment incentives, privileges and preferences available to the Company under PRC law;
 
(i)  
if requested to do so, assist the Company in marketing the Company’s products in the PRC;
 
(j)  
generally assist the Company in its relations with government authorities and PRC domestic companies, including the existing customers; and
 
(k)  
handle such other matters as are entrusted to it by the Company.
 
6.2  
Responsibilities of ZAP
 
 
In addition to its other responsibilities under this Contract, upon the request of the Company, ZAP shall use their best efforts to:
 
(a)  
assist the Company in purchasing or leasing other machinery, equipment, supplies, office appliances, means of transportation, communications facilities and other materials required by the Company from outside the PRC;
 
(b)  
assist the Company in recruiting expatriate management and technical personnel, when necessary;
 
(c)  
assist the Company in formulating standards for recruiting, evaluating and promoting staff and workers;
 
(d)  
assist the Company in arranging foreign visas and accommodations for personnel and directors of the Company traveling abroad on Company business.
 
 
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6.3  
Except as provided otherwise above, each Party shall bear the expenses incurred by it in rendering the assistance to the Company under this Article 6, provided that the Parties shall not be required to bear any of the cost that should be borne by the Company.
 
Article 7                      Land Use
 
7.1  
Right to Use the Properties
 
 
The Company has obtained relevant land use rights certificates and has the right to use the buildings with respect to the Properties it currently occupies.
 
 
The land use rights granted to the Company includes the right to pass through adjacent property to the nearest public roads to enable the Company fully and freely to access the Properties and to conduct thereon the activities contemplated by this Contract.
 
7.2  
Supply of Utilities and Telecommunications Facilities
 
 
Each Party shall use its best efforts to assist the Company to obtain sufficient utilities (including power and telecommunications facilities) at the lowest possible price from the local utilities bureau, power supply bureau and telecommunications bureau and other relevant departments.
 
7.3  
Environmental
 
7.3.1  
The Company shall conform to requirements under PRC environmental laws and ZAP’s safety and environmental guidelines in relation to the Properties.
 
7.3.2  
The cost of obtaining environmental permits and maintaining environmental compliance, as well as environmental liabilities incurred at the Properties shall be borne by the Company.
 
Article 8                      Marketing and Sales of Products
 
8.1  
Marketing Policy
 
8.1.1  
The Company shall endeavor to market and sell its products within and outside of the PRC market.  The Company shall establish a marketing strategy which shall be included in the business plans, to be approved by the Board, for sales in the PRC.  The marketing strategy shall govern sales activities and policies of the Company.
 
8.1.2  
ZAP shall have the right to introduce new products into the Company, as long as it is permitted under PRC law and the production of such new products does not have an adverse impact on the Company’s then existing production capacity.
 
 
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8.2  
Branch Offices
 
 
If the Board deems necessary, the Company may establish branch organizations within the PRC to promote the sale of its products, and to provide information and post-sales services to customers of the Company with respect to its products.
 
Article 9                      Board of Directors and Supervisors
 
9.1  
Use of powers
 
 
The Board of Directors shall be the highest authority of the Company.  The Board shall be established on the date the Company is registered and issued its business license by SAIC.
 
9.2  
Composition of the Board
 
9.2.1  
The Board shall consist of five (5) directors (including the one (1) Chairman and one (1) Vice Chairman), two (2) of them shall be appointed jointly by the Chinese Shareholders and three (3) by ZAP.  Each director (including the Chairman) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years and may serve consecutive terms if reappointed by the originally appointing Party.  If and when the equity ratio jointly held by the Chinese Shareholders and by ZAP is subject to change, the composition of the Board shall be adjusted to reflect such change.
 
9.2.2  
The Chairman shall be appointed by ZAP.  The Vice Chairman shall be appointed by the Chinese Shareholders.
 
9.2.3  
A Party may, at any time, remove any director it is authorized to appoint by giving written notice to the Company with a copy of such notice to the other Parties.  If a seat on the Board is vacated by the retirement, removal, resignation, illness, disability or death of a director, the Party that originally appointed such director may appoint a successor to serve out such director’s term.
 
9.3  
Decisions of the Board
 
9.3.1  
The Board shall decide all major issues concerning the Company.  Decisions of the Board involving the following matters shall require unanimous approval of all directors present at a meeting (in person or by proxy):
 
(a)  
amendments to the Articles of Association;
 
(b)  
early termination and dissolution of the Company;
 
(c)  
increase or decrease of the Company’s registered capital;
 
(d)  
the merger of the Company with any other economic organization, or division of the Company;  and
 
 
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(e)  
change of the form of the Company.
 
9.3.2  
Except as provided under Article 9.3.1 of this Contract, all other matters that require Board approval shall be adopted by a simple majority of the Board.
 
9.3.3  
If the Board cannot agree on the annual plan, business plan or operation plan for any given year within thirty (30) days after it has been presented to the Board, due to whatever reasons, the annual plan, business plan or operation plan for the preceding year shall apply for the current year until a new one has been approved by the Board.
 
9.4  
Chairman
 
 
The Chairman of the Board shall be the legal representative of the Company, but the Chairman may not unilaterally take any action binding on the Board or on the Company without the prior authorization of the Board.  The Chairman shall call and preside over meetings of the Board.  Whenever the Chairman is unable to perform his/her responsibilities for any reason, the Vice Chairman shall act on his/her behalf; if the Vice Chairman is also unable to perform his/her responsibilities, the Chairman shall appoint another director to temporarily act on his/her behalf.
 
 
In addition to his/her other rights under this Contract, the Chairman shall have the right to know at all reasonable time the activities and performance of the Company with respect to purchasing, production, investment, maintenance, environment, marketing and sales, human resources, administration and finances.  The Chairman shall exercise the right to know in a manner that does not interfere with or undermine the General Manager’s ability and authority to carry out his/her duties.
 
9.5  
Meetings of the Board
 
9.5.1  
The Board shall convene at least one (1) meeting every year.  The Parties plan to have several Board meetings each year.  The meetings shall be called and presided over by the Chairman of the Board.  At the first Board meeting of every year, the Board shall establish a schedule of the Board meetings for that year.  If the Chairman is unable to call and preside over Board meetings and does not appoint another director to temporarily perform his/her responsibilities in accordance with Article 9.4 above, a director nominated by ZAP shall have the right to call and preside over Board meetings.  Such meetings shall in principle be held at the place where the Company is located, and may also be held at such other places within or outside the PRC as the Board unanimously decides.  Participation in a meeting by conference telephone or similar telecommunications equipment shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
9.5.2  
A Board meeting requires a quorum of four (4) Board directors.  Should any director be unable to attend a meeting of the Board, he may authorize another person to act as his/her representative by written proxy to attend such meeting on his/her behalf.  Such representative shall vote in the place of such director.  If no representative is appointed by the absent director to attend a meeting of the Board, the absent director shall be deemed to have waived his/her right to vote in such meeting unless such absence is caused by an Event of Force Majeure.
 
 
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9.5.3  
Upon fifteen (15) days prior written request of two (2) or more of the directors specifying the matters to be discussed, the Chairman of the Board shall convene an interim meeting of the Board at a convenient location within the PRC.
 
9.5.4  
In lieu of a meeting of the Board, the Board may adopt a written resolution.  Such a resolution is adopted if sent to all members of the Board and affirmatively signed by all of the members of the Board.
 
9.5.5  
Board meetings shall be conducted in Chinese and English with a translator present to carry out translation, to the extent necessary.  Minutes of all meetings of the Board and resolutions adopted in lieu of a meeting, in both Chinese and English, shall be kept in the minute book of the Company at the Company’s legal address.
 
9.5.6  
Board meetings may only be held if a fifteen (15) day prior notice has been sent to the members of the Board by the Chairman.  The notice shall specify the time and venue of the meeting, as well as the suggested agenda.
 
9.6  
Office of Supervisor
 
9.6.1  
The Company shall have two (2) Supervisors who shall be responsible for the overall supervision of the Company.  ZAP shall appoint one (1) Supervisor and the Chinese Shareholders shall jointly appoint one (1) Supervisor, each for a term of three (3) years, and may serve consecutive terms.
 
9.6.2  
The Supervisors have the following responsibilities:
 
(a)  
inspect the finances of the Company;
 
(b)  
supervise the performance of duties by directors and senior management personnel and propose to remove a director or senior management personnel who violates the provision of the laws and administrative regulations and the articles of association of the Company or the resolutions of the Board;
 
(c)  
require a director or senior management personnel who acts against the interests of the Company to make correction;
 
(d)  
file a lawsuit against a director or senior management personnel in accordance with the provisions of Article 152 of the Company Law;
 
(e)  
attend meetings of the board of directors and query resolutions of the board of directors or give suggestions.
 
 
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(f)  
conduct investigation upon discovering irregularities in the business operations and may appoint an accounting firm etc to assist in the investigation if necessary; such expenses shall be borne by the Company; and
 
(g)  
other duties and powers stipulated in the Articles of Association of the Company.
 
Article 10                   Operation and Management Organization
 
10.1  
Management System
 
10.1.1  
The Company shall adopt a management system under which the General Manager shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Company.  The General Manager shall be jointly nominated by the Chinese Shareholders, and be appointed and dismissed by the Board of Directors, each time with a three (3) year term.
 
 
The Chief Financial Officer shall be nominated by ZAP, and be appointed and dismissed by the Board of Directors, each time with a three (3) year term.  Other senior management other than the General Manager and the Chief Financial Officer shall be nominated by the General Manager, and appointed and dismissed by the Board of Directors (or by the General Manager upon Board of Directors’ authorization) for three (3) years or such other length of years as they deem appropriate.
 
10.1.2  
The General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and other senior management may serve consecutive terms upon reappointment.  The General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and other senior management shall use their best efforts to serve the Company.
 
10.1.3  
The General Manager and Chief Financial Officer shall report to the Board directly.  Other senior management shall report to the General Manager.
 
10.2  
Responsibilities of Managers
 
10.2.1  
The General Manager shall carry out the various resolutions of the Board, and in accordance therewith, organize and direct the operation and sales of the Company as well as the day-to-day operation and management work of the Company.  The General Manager shall have the authority to exercise other responsibilities, powers and duties authorized by the Board or, as applicable, the Shareholders.  The specific powers and authority of the General Manager are set out in Article 10.6 of this Contract.
 
10.2.2  
In addition to the legal representative of the Company, only the General Manager, or a representative of the Company authorized in writing by the Board, shall have the authority to sign commercial contracts on behalf of the Company, and each Party shall use its best efforts to prevent all other persons from signing such contracts on behalf of, or otherwise entering into obligations binding upon, the Company without the prior authorization of the Board; provided that any material contracts shall always be subject to approval of the same by the Board.
 
 
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10.2.3  
Unless otherwise decided by the Board, the following matters shall require the consent and co-signing of both the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer:
 
(a)  
material contracts with amount over Renminbi five million yuan (RMB5,000,000) or equivalent in foreign currencies;
 
(b)  
creation of any mortgage, charge, encumbrance or other security interest of any nature in respect of all or any material part of the Company’s property or assets, including mortgage, guarantee provided to a third party;
 
(c)  
execution of technology license or transfer agreement, under which a fee will be charged against the Company or the Company is the licensor or transferor;
 
(d)  
introduction of any new products into the Company, when such introduction of new products would have an adverse impact on the Company’s then existing production capacity; and
 
(e)  
other matters that require the consent and co-signing of both the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer delegated by the Board from time to time.
 
10.3  
Annual Plan, Business Plan, Operation Plan and Quarterly and Monthly Reports
 
The General Manager, with the assistance of the Chief Financial Officer, shall prepare and submit to the Board proposed annual plan, business plan and operation plan in November each year for the subsequent year.
 
In addition to the above plans, the General Manager, with the assistance of the Chief Financial Officer, shall prepare and submit to the Board and the Shareholders, on a monthly and quarterly basis:
 
(a)  
business reports on the activities and prospects of the Company which shall be prepared in accordance with ZAP’s reporting practices and instructions; and
 
(b)  
unaudited financial reports of the Company prepared in accordance with the International GAAP and PRC GAAP (including the balance sheet, statement of profit and loss, statement of changes in financial position and statement of cash flow), showing the performance of the Company, as compared to the annual plan approved by the Board. Such monthly and quarterly financial reports shall be prepared in accordance with ZAP’s reporting practices and instructions.
 
 
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10.4  
No Concurrent Posts
 
10.4.1  
Without the approval of the Board in writing, the General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and other senior management may not be engaged concurrently with any other economic organization.
 
10.4.2  
No employee of the Company, including the General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and any other senior management of the Company, may concurrently be engaged in any business that could be or become directly or indirectly in competition with the Company or ZAP, or otherwise be concurrently employed by any other business concern.
 
10.5  
Neglect of Duty
 
In the event of corruption or serious breach or neglect of duty on the part of the General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer or any of the senior management appointed and dismissed by the Board, the Board shall have the power to dismiss him/her at any time.  The General Manager shall have the authority to immediately dismiss any other subordinate at his/her discretion.
 
10.6  
Responsibilities and Powers of the General Manager
 
Within the scope of authority stipulated by the Board, the General Manager shall have the following responsibilities and powers:
 
(a)  
to implement this Contract, the Articles of Association, as well as the resolutions adopted by the Board or, as applicable, by the Shareholders;
 
(b)  
to comply at all times with ZAP’s business principles and policies prevailing from time to time;
 
(c)  
to organize and manage the daily operation of the Company and to submit monthly, quarterly and annual management reports to the Board and the Shareholders;
 
(d)  
to submit written reports prepared by the Chief Financial Officer to the Board and the Shareholders on the income and expenditures of the Company, together with suggestions for improvement;
 
(e)  
to submit annual business, marketing and finance plans and budgets to the Board for discussion and approval;
 
(f)  
to propose an organizational structure suitable for the needs of the Company’s business, to formulate the rules and regulations of operation and management of the Company and the division of labor and responsibilities and functions of various departments, and to implement such systems after approval of the same by the Board or, as applicable, the Shareholders;
 
 
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(g)  
to employ and dismiss the Company’s staff and workers (not including the Chief Financial Officer and any other senior management appointed by the Board), and to determine rewards, punishments, promotions and the salaries for such staff and workers, subject to the approval of the Board or, as applicable, the Shareholders;
 
(h)  
to be responsible for the formulation of personnel training programs and the organization of the implementation of such programs following their examination and approval by the Board;
 
(i)  
subject to restriction set forth herein and in the Articles of Association, to be responsible for external relations and represent the Company in signing commercial documents with third parties and other corporate documents;
 
(j)  
to ensure that the policies of the Company are known and followed by all employees of the Company; and
 
(k)  
to handle other matters within the authority delegated by the Board.
 
Article 11                   Labor Management
 
11.1  
Labor Plans
 
The General Manager shall formulate plans regarding the recruitment, employment, dismissal, resignation, wages, labor protection, welfare benefits, and labor discipline of the Company’s staff and workers in accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations, for review and approval by the Board.
 
11.2  
Recruiting and Hiring
 
The Company shall recruit its staff and workers in the open market.  All candidates for employment with the Company (other than the General Manager and the Chief Financial Officer), including those recommended by any Party, shall be interviewed by the General Manager or persons appointed by the General Manager.  Staff and workers shall be employed for a probationary period of up to six (6) months in accordance with the relevant labor laws and regulations of the PRC, and only after successful completion of the probationary period shall be formally employed by the Company.
 
11.3  
Wages and Other Compensation of Local Personnel
 
11.3.1  
The compensation of the Company’s local personnel, including annual increases and bonuses, shall be decided by the Board further to the recommendations of the General Manager based on such personnel’s ability and skills.  The Board shall decide any annual increases.
 
11.3.2  
The Company shall not be liable for any payments, such as wages, bonuses and accrued retirement and other benefits, to employees for the period prior to their employment by the Company.
 
 
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11.4  
Disciplinary Action
 
In accordance with the guidelines set out by the Board, the General Manager shall have the right to take disciplinary action against staff and workers by giving warnings, recording demerits or reducing salaries or wages.  Staff and workers who commit serious offences, who consistently fail to follow the Company’s policies set out in the Employee Handbook (including ethics policies), who prove to be incompetent or unsuited for the work to be performed by them, or who are redundant, may be dismissed by the General Manager.
 
Article 12                   Preferential Status of the Company
 
The Company and the Parties shall do their utmost individually and jointly when necessary and possible to ensure the most preferential treatment that can be obtained for the Company pursuant to the laws and regulations of the PRC.
 
Article 13                   Taxes, Finance, Audit and Distribution of Profit
 
13.1  
Company Income Taxes
 
The Company shall pay taxes in accordance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations.
 
13.2  
Individual Income Tax
 
The Company shall withhold and turn-over to the relevant authorities individual income tax according to the Individual Income Tax Law of the PRC or other laws and regulations of the PRC as applicable.
 
13.3  
Accounting System
 
13.3.1  
The Company shall adopt accrual basis of accounting and the debit and credit method for bookkeeping, and shall prepare complete, accurate and appropriate financial and accounting books and records satisfactory to the Parties and in accordance with the Enterprise Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China and relevant financial systems.
 
13.3.2  
The Company will also follow ZAP’s accounting and reporting principles and instructions.
 
13.3.3  
RMB shall be used as the unit of account by the Company in its financial accounting.  Cash, bank deposits, foreign currency loans as well as creditors’ rights, debts, income and expenses, etc., which are denominated in currencies different from the unit of account shall be recorded in the currency of actual receipt and payment.  Treatment of exchange gains and losses arising from exchange rate differences shall accord with the accounting treatment for foreign currency transactions announced by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and other relevant PRC authorities.
 
 
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13.3.4  
The accounting system and procedures, and tax returns for the Company shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the PRC by the Company’s management.
 
13.3.5  
The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each calendar year.  The first financial year of the Company shall begin on the date of issuance of the business license of Company and end on December 31 of the same calendar year.  The last financial year of the Company shall begin on January 1 of the calendar year in which the Company is terminated and end on the date of the said termination.  All important financial and accounting records and statements shall require the signature and approval of the Chief Financial Officer and, as applicable, the Board of Directors.
 
13.3.6  
At the end of each fiscal year, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer shall prepare such information as shall be necessary for the preparation of any tax returns and statements as may be requested by any of the Shareholders.  This shall include furnishing the Shareholders with certified copies of government receipts for income taxes paid within the PRC.
 
13.3.7  
At the end of each fiscal year or any part thereof, subject to the approval of the Board, the Company shall allocate their respective net income/loss for any applicable period to each Party in accordance with its equity shareholding ratio applicable in such period.  Any future dividend distribution shall be adjusted in accordance with such allocated accumulative share of net income/loss.
 
13.4  
Bank Accounts
 
The Company shall separately open and maintain RMB account(s) and foreign exchange account(s) at such banks as are authorized to accept RMB and/or foreign exchange deposits in the PRC.  If necessary, the Company may also, in pursuance of operational needs and in accordance with relevant regulations, open foreign exchange accounts with financial institutions outside the PRC.
 
13.5  
Audit
 
13.5.1  
The Board shall engage a major internationally recognised accounting firm registered in PRC (at the choice of ZAP) to be its auditor and to examine and verify the financial accounting of the Company, which engagement shall be approved by the Board on a simple majority basis.  The results of the auditor’s examination shall be reported to the Board, the General Manager and the Shareholders.  The Company shall submit to the Parties and to each director the audited annual accounts within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year, together with the audit report of the independent auditor.
 
 
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13.5.2  
If it deems it necessary, any Party may send an auditor at its own expense from the PRC or another country to audit the financial accounting books of the Company.  If, however, the results of any such audit are significantly different from that conducted by such auditor and are accepted by the Board, the expense for such audit shall be borne by the Company.  Such independent auditor shall keep confidential all documents audited by it.  The Company shall permit such auditor to have access to the books and records of the Company and will provide the necessary office space and facilities to enable such examination to be carried out effectively.  The results of such audit shall be reported to the Board, the General Manager, the Company’s accountant registered in the PRC and the Shareholders.
 
13.6  
Contributions to the Legal Funds
 
The Company shall set aside from its after tax profits the reserve fund, the enterprise development fund and the bonus and welfare fund for staff and workers as required by law.  At the first Board meeting following a year in which the Company has after-tax profit, the Board shall discuss and decide the amount to be set aside for each of the three funds.  The Board shall consider the Company’s business situation in making this decision.
 
13.7  
Distribution of Profits and Dividend Policy
 
Distribution plan of any after-tax profits shall be proposed by the General Manager to the Board for decision.  The Board shall approve by resolving a distribution plan in accordance with Article 9.3 above.  The after-tax profits of the Company shall be distributed to the Parties in accordance with their respective equity ratio in the Company.
 
13.8  
Accounts between the Parties
 
Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties or unless otherwise stated in this Contract, paymentsbetween the Company and each Party shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the date an invoice is issued.  Set-off shall be allowed if the party to whom payment is owed, is in default of any payment obligations to the party obligated to make such payment.
 
Article 14                   Insurance
 
14.1  
General
 
Various types of insurance of the Company shall be purchased from insurance companies permitted by the PRC law.
 
14.2  
Types of Coverage
 
The exact types of coverage, the value and the term of insurance shall be discussed and decided at a meeting of the Board in accordance with the recommendation of the General Manager based on the practice of ZAP and legal requirements in the PRC.
 
 
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Article 15                   Representations and Warranties
 
15.1  
Representations and Warranties of ZAP
 
ZAP hereby represents and warrants as follows:
 
(a)  
it is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of California, USA;
 
(b)  
it has full legal right, power and authority to execute this Contract and all contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which it is a party, and to observe and perform its obligations under this Contract and those contracts and documents; and
 
(c)  
it has obtained all consents, approvals, authorizations and taken other actions necessary to validly execute this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which it is a party and to observe and perform its obligations under this Contract and those contracts and documents.
 
15.2  
Representations and Warranties of each of Chinese Shareholders
 
Each of the Chinese Shareholders hereby represents and warrants as follows:
 
(a)  
Party A is a company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the PRC and each of Party B and Party C is a PRC citizen;
 
(b)  
each of them has full legal capacity, right, power and authority to execute this Contract and all contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which it/he/she is a party, and to observe and perform its/his/her obligations under this Contract and those contracts and documents;
 
(c)  
each of them has obtained all consents and taken other actions necessary to validly execute this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which it/he/she is a party and to observe and perform it/his/her obligations under this Contract and those contracts and documents;
 
(d)  
there is no civil, criminal or administrative judgment, action, suit, demand, claim, hearing, notice of violation, investigation, proceeding, pending or threatened against him/her in the PRC which would reasonably be expected to result in a material debt, fine, penalty or other obligation and would be reasonably deemed by ZAP as having material adverse effect on its/his/her capacity or ability to perform this Contract or any related contracts or documents; and
 
(e)  
should the total fee payable by the Company under the relevant contract executed by and among Party A, the Company and Zhejiang Fiedie Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. increases by more than 10% over the current fee level as of the date of this Contract, such amount in excess over 10% of the current fee level shall be solely borne by the Chinese Shareholders on a joint and several basis and reimbursed by the Chinese Shareholders to the Company if any such excess amount is paid by the Company.
 
 
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Article 16                   Non-Competition
 
16.1  
Except with ZAP’s prior written consent, the Chinese Shareholders shall not, and each of the Chinese Shareholders shall procure to the extent that it is legally able to that none of its Affiliates will, (in each case whether alone or jointly with another and whether directly or indirectly) carry on or be engaged or interested economically or otherwise in any manner whatsoever in any Competing Business, at any time after the Closing Date and for a period of three (3) years following the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or an employee of the Company (whichever occurs later).
 
16.2  
Except with ZAP’s prior written consent, the Chinese Shareholders shall not, and shall procure that each of their Affiliates will not, at any time after the Closing Date and for a period of three (3) years following the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or an employee of the Company (whichever occurs later), directly or indirectly, solicit or endeavour to entice away from the Company any person, firm or company who or which is or has been a customer, supplier, agent, trader, distributor or client of or in the habit of dealing with the Company.
 
16.3  
The Chinese Shareholders shall not, and the Chinese Shareholders shall procure that none of their Affiliates will, at any time after the Closing Date and for a period of three (3) years after the date on which he/she ceases to be a shareholder or an employee of the Company (whichever occurs later), directly or indirectly, solicit or endeavour to entice away from the Company, offer employment to or employ, or offer or conclude any contract for services with, any person who is employed by the Company in skilled or managerial work as of the date hereof.
 
16.4  
Except with the Chinese Shareholders’ prior written consent, ZAP shall not, and shall procure to the extent that it is legally able to that none of its Affiliates will, (in each case whether alone or jointly with another and whether directly or indirectly) carry on or be engaged or interested economically or otherwise in any manner whatsoever in any Competing Business, at any time after the Closing Date and for a period of three (3) years following the date on which ZAP ceases to be a shareholder of the Company.
 
Article 17                   Confidentiality
 
17.1  
Except for disclosure by ZAP to its Affiliates or as required by law or by any stock exchange or governmental or other regulatory or supervisory body or authority of competent jurisdiction to whose rules the Party making the announcement or disclosure is subject, each Party shall maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of, and not disclose to any third party or person, any proprietary, secret or confidential data and information relating to the Company or its business or operations or belonging to any of the other Parties, or disclosed to a Party by any of the other Parties at any time during or for the purpose of negotiation of this Contract or the establishment or operation of the Company (Confidential Information).
 
 
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17.2  
No Party shall use any Confidential Information of any of the other Parties for its own purposes or any purpose other than implementing the Company’s business.
 
17.3  
Each Party shall abide by these obligations of confidentiality and non-use during the entire term of this Contract (including any extension thereof) or so long as the Company continues to exist, and for five (5) years after that.
 
17.4  
The Company shall cause its personnel, agents and subcontractors, and each Party shall cause its Affiliates, having access to Confidential Information (Party Personnel), to be bound by and comply with the obligations set out in this Article 17.  To this effect, an undertaking of secrecy and non-use shall be included in all labor or services contracts signed by relevant Party Personnel.  If any Party Personnel breaches this undertaking, the Parties shall take all actions permitted under PRC law against the Party Personnel and any party that illegally uses the Confidential Information.
 
17.5  
A Party’s obligations under this Article 17 shall continue even if such Party transfers its whole interest in the Company to a third party.
 
Article 18                   Term and Survival
 
18.1  
The term of the operation of the Company (Company Term) shall be thirty (30) years starting from the date on which the new business license of the Company is issued by SAIC.  The effective term of this Contract shall end (i) when ZAP becomes sole owner of the Company, (ii) when the Company Term expires and is not renewed by the Parties, or (iii) upon dissolution of the Company.
 
18.2  
Articles 16, 17, 19.2, 23 and 24 shall survive the termination of this Contract.
 
Article 19                   Breach and Penalties for Breach
 
19.1  
Breach
 
If a Party fails to perform any of its material obligations under this Contract or if any representation or warranty of that Party under this Contract is materially untrue or inaccurate, then that Party (Breaching Party) has breached this Contract.  In this case, a Performing Party (Performing Party) may give the Breaching Party written notice that it has breached this Contract and should remedy such breach within a reasonable time period, which shall not exceed, sixty (60) days of the date of such notice.
 
 
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19.2  
Liability in Case of Breach
 
In the event of a breach of this Contract, the Breaching Party shall be liable to the Performing Party(ies) for damages incurred as a result of such Breaching Party’s breach of contract.
 
Article 20                   Termination and Dissolution
 
20.1  
Events of Termination and Dissolution
 
The Company may be dissolved and this Contract may be terminated if any of the following events occurs:
 
(a)  
the Company is unable to continue operations due to the occurrence of an Event of Force Majeure, as provided in Article 22;
 
(b)  
the Parties unanimously agree in writing to dissolution of the Company; or
 
(c)  
an event of termination otherwise provided hereunder or under PRC law occurs.
 
20.2  
Procedures for Termination
 
20.2.1  
Unless otherwise provided in this Contract, when any event set out in Article 20.1 occurs, any Party may request that a special meeting of the Board be convened to discuss how to deal with such event.  The Chairman shall convene such meeting within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such request.  Each Party shall ensure that the directors appointed by them attend such meeting in person or by proxy.
 
At this special Board meeting, the representatives shall engage in good faith discussion to find a way to continue the Company, taking into account the operations, the current state and future outlook of the market in the PRC and the economic impact that termination and liquidation of the Company would have on each of the Parties.  The directors shall use their reasonable efforts to find a solution acceptable to all Parties to continue the Company.  If after such good faith discussion, the directors are unable to find an acceptable way to continue the Company, then the Board shall vote on one of the following solutions, in a descending order:
 
(a)  
valuation of the assets, and purchase by a Party;
 
(b)  
termination and liquidation of the Company pursuant to Article 21;
 
(c)  
sale of the Company on a going concern basis to a third party or parties at a value to be agreed between the Parties and such third party purchaser(s); or
 
(d)  
another course of action acceptable to the Parties.
 
 
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20.2.2  
If the special meeting of the Board adopts one of the above solutions, the Chairman and the management of the Company shall promptly complete formalities required for the solution chosen.
 
Article 21                   Liquidation
 
21.1  
Appointment of the Liquidation Committee
 
21.1.1  
Upon the Board’s approval of dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article 20.1 or Article 20.2, the Company shall notify the Approval Authority to obtain approval for liquidation of the Company.  Within fifteen (15) days from the date of such approval, the Board shall appoint a Liquidation Committee (Liquidation Committee).
 
21.1.2  
The Liquidation Committee shall be composed of five (5) members appointed by the Board, of which ZAP shall appoint three (3), and the Chinese Shareholders shall jointly nominate two (2).  If and when the equity ratio jointly held by the Chinese Shareholders and by ZAP is subject to change, the composition of the Liquidation Committee shall be adjusted to reflect such change.
 
21.1.3  
Members of the Liquidation Committee may be directors or senior employees of the Company, or other qualified persons such as accountants and lawyers qualified either in the PRC or abroad.
 
21.2  
Principles of Operation of the Liquidation Committee
 
21.2.1  
Within ten (10) days of the appointment of the Liquidation Committee, the Liquidation Committee shall notify in writing the creditors of the Company to report the amounts the Company owes the creditors.  The Liquidation Committee shall also publish announcements of the liquidation in newspapers in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
 
21.2.2  
The Liquidation Committee shall carry out its duties according to applicable law and, in particular, shall:
 
(a)  
conduct an overall inventory of the Company’s and the JVC Group’s property, creditors’ rights and liabilities;
 
(b)  
prepare a balance sheet and property inventory;
 
(c)  
value all the property of the Company at fair market value;
 
(d)  
prepare a liquidation plan;
 
(e)  
apply the assets of the Company to satisfy the costs of the liquidation and the Company’s liabilities; and
 
(f)  
carry out other duties required by relevant laws and regulations.
 
21.2.3  
The priority of the asset distribution shall be in accordance with the PRC law.
 
 
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21.2.4  
The remaining assets of the Company may be distributed to the Parties in accordance with the ratio of their capital contributions; provided, however, that any property to be distributed to the Breaching Party(ies) may be used to pay for the damages sustained by the Performing Party.  The Liquidation Committee shall discuss with and inform the Parties on the distribution of the assets to the Parties.
 
Article 22                   Force Majeure
 
22.1  
General
 
Should any Party be prevented from performing its obligations under this Contract by an Event of Force Majeure (as defined below), the prevented Party shall give the other Parties written notice without delay, and within fifteen (15) days of the event provide detailed information about and documents evidencing the event (including documents from official authorities if applicable), explaining the reasons for its inability to perform, or for its delay in the performance of, all or part of this Contract.
 
An Event of Force Majeure means an event that any of the Parties could not have foreseen at the time of the conclusion of this Contract, and could not have been able to avoid and overcome the occurrence and consequences thereof.  Events of Force Majeure shall include among other things, but without limitation, earthquake, typhoon, flood, or other acts of nature, fire, explosion, embargo, strikes, riots, war, or epidemic, or a significant decline in the financial or credit markets or a significant deterioration in economic conditions in the United States of America, the PRC or elsewhere.
 
22.2  
Excuse and Notification
 
If an Event of Force Majeure occurs, no Party shall be responsible for any damage, increased costs or loss that the other Parties may sustain by reason of its inability to perform or delayed performance, and such inability or delay shall not be deemed a breach of this Contract.  The Party claiming force majeure shall take appropriate means to minimize or remove the effects of force majeure and, within the shortest possible time, attempt to resume the performance affected by the Event of Force Majeure.
 
22.3  
Extended Force Majeure
 
Should an Event of Force Majeure or the effects of an Event of Force Majeure prevent any of the Parties from performing part or all of its or their obligations under this Contract for a period of 120 days or more commencing from the occurrence date of such Event of Force Majeure, then the Parties shall, through consultations and unanimous Shareholders vote, decide whether to terminate this Contract, to exempt the affected Party from part of its or their obligations, in whole or in part, under this Contract, or to delay the performance of such obligations in accordance with the effects of the Event of Force Majeure.
 
 
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Article 23                   Applicable Law
 
This Contract shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the PRC.
 
Article 24                   Settlement of Disputes
 
24.1  
Any dispute, controversy or claim (a Dispute) arising out of or in relation to this Contract, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be resolved through friendly consultations between the Parties.  If no resolution is reached within sixty (60) Business Days from the date of notification by a Party to any of the other Parties that a Dispute has arisen, then such Dispute shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with Article 24.2 below.

24.2  
If a Dispute is referred to arbitration pursuant to Article 24.1 above, the Parties agree that they shall seek to resolve the Dispute in accordance with this Article 24.2 before pursuing any other remedies available to them:

(a)  
The Parties shall submit the Dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Shanghai Branch (CIETAC) to be arbitrated according to its then current rules and regulations.

(b)  
The arbitral tribunal shall be three (3) arbitrators.  ZAP shall appoint one (1) arbitrator, and the Chinese Shareholders shall jointly appoint one (1) arbitrator.  The two arbitrators shall be selected within thirty (30) days after giving or receiving of the request for arbitration.  The presiding arbitrator shall be appointed by the two Party-appointed arbitrators, provided that such presiding arbitrator shall not be a national or resident of the PRC or USA.  If either of ZAP (on one hand) or the Chinese Shareholders (on the other hand) fail to appoint their respective Party-appointed arbitrator within thirty (30) days after the date of commencement of the arbitration, the chairman of CIETAC shall make the appointment.

(c)  
The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in both Chinese and English.

(d)  
The arbitral award shall be final and binding on the parties to the arbitration proceedings.  Such parties shall execute and perform the award.  The Parties expressly confirm that any arbitral award rendered in proceedings conducted pursuant to this Contract shall be rendered in Shanghai.

(e)  
The losing party or parties shall bear the costs of the arbitration, unless the arbitral tribunal determines otherwise.

 
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24.3  
When any dispute occurs and when any dispute is under arbitration, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties shall continue to exercise their remaining respective rights, and fulfill their remaining obligations under this Contract.
 
Article 25                   Language
 
This Contract shall be written in both English and Chinese, in ten (10) or multiple originals each version.  In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.  Each of the Parties shall each keep one (1) original in each language.  The rest of the originals shall be submitted, as required, to the Approval Authority and SAIC.
 
Article 26                   Effectiveness, Amendment, and Miscellaneous
 
26.1  
Headings
 
The headings to Articles are for ease of reference only and shall have no legal effect.
 
26.2  
Approval and Registration
 
 
26.2.1  
This Contract shall be submitted for approval to the Approval Authority and shall come into force beginning from the date on which it is approved by the Approval Authority.
 
 
26.2.2  
If this Contract is not approved within nine (9) months of the date of this Contract, or the Approval Authority requires the Parties to amend this Contract in a manner that is unacceptable or imposes conditions that are unacceptable to any of the Parties, then any Party may terminate the effectiveness of its signature of this Contract by written notice to the other Parties, and upon receipt of such notice this Contract shall be void.
 
 
26.2.3  
This Contract shall be submitted to SAIC for registration.
 
26.3  
Amendment
 
Any amendment of this Contract shall come into force only when a written agreement is signed by the Parties, and approved by the Approval Authority.
 
26.4  
Waiver
 
A Party’s failure to exercise any right, power or interest under this Contract shall not operate as a waiver of it, and any single or partial exercise of any right, power or interest shall not preclude exercise of any other right, power or interest.
 
26.5  
Notices
 
26.5.1  
All notices between the Parties shall be written in Chinese and in English and delivered, either by messenger, fax or courier service, to the following addresses:
 
 
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(a)  
ZAP
 
Address:
501 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 USA
 
Fax: 
+1 707 525 8692
 
Attention: 
Steven Schneider


(b)  
the Chinese Shareholders
 
Address:
Lu Nan Hou Yuan, Lu Qiao District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC
 
Fax: 
+86 576 8255 5888
 
Attention: 
WANG Huaiyi


26.5.2  
Notice shall be deemed delivered:
 
(a)  
in the case of delivery by hand, when delivered;
 
(b)  
in the case of fax, at the time of transmission; ; and
 
(c)  
if sent by courier service, on the fourth (4th) business day from the date of posting.
 
26.5.3  
Any Party may change its address for receiving notices at any time by giving the other Parties written notice of such change pursuant to this Article 26.5.
 
 [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
 
 
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(Signature Page)
 

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Contract is signed in Shanghai, the PRC by the Parties or their duly authorized representatives on the date first written above.
 
Jonway Group Co., Ltd. (Seal)
 
 
ZAP
 
By: /s/ Alex Wang
 
By:           /s/ Priscilla Lu
Name:
 
Name:      Priscilla Lu
Title:      Authorized Representative
 
Title:       Authorized Representative
     
WANG Gang
 
By:           /s/ Steven Schneider
By: /s/ Wang Gang                                
 
Name:     Steven Schneider
   
Title:       Authorized Representative
WANG Xiaoying
   
By:           /s/ Wang Xiaoying
   
     

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
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