FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of a financial instrument represents the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision. The assumptions used have a significant effect on the estimated amounts reported.

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value and also establishes the following three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:



Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted market prices in markets that are not active; or model-derived valuations or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

The following methods and assumptions were used by us in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:


•	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, vehicle floorplan payable, accounts payable, other current liabilities, and variable rate debt: The amounts reported in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or the existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates.

•

Fixed rate debt: Our fixed rate debt primarily consists of amounts outstanding under our senior unsecured notes and mortgages. We estimate the fair value of our senior unsecured notes using quoted prices for the identical liability (Level 1). We estimate the fair value of our mortgages using a present value technique based on our current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments (Level 2). A summary of the aggregate carrying values and fair values of our fixed rate debt is as follows:



	June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Carrying value	$	1,018.2	$	1,039.9
Fair value	$	1,121.5	$	1,135.2

Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived asset’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) is reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill for our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury reporting units is tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its fair value.

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of our reporting units under the two-step goodwill impairment test. We completed our qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment as of April 30, 2014 and 2013, and we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. Accordingly, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of goodwill during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which have indefinite lives and are tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of franchise rights impairment to determine whether it was necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. We completed our qualitative assessment of any potential franchise rights impairment as of April 30, 2014. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined that we should perform a quantitative test for franchise rights related to one store, and no impairment charges resulted from this quantitative test. For the remainder of our franchise rights, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our franchise rights were less than their carrying amounts based on our qualitative assessment and we were therefore not required to perform a quantitative test.

The quantitative impairment test for franchise rights requires the comparison of the franchise rights’ estimated fair value to carrying value by store. Fair values of rights under franchise agreements are estimated using Level 3 inputs by discounting expected future cash flows of the store. The forecasted cash flows contain inherent uncertainties, including significant estimates and assumptions related to growth rates, margins, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and cost of capital, for which we utilize certain market participant-based assumptions, using third-party industry projections, economic projections, and other marketplace data we believe to be reasonable. The development of the assumptions used in our annual impairment tests are coordinated by our financial planning and analysis group, and the assumptions are reviewed by management.

We completed our qualitative assessment of franchise rights impairment as of April 30, 2013 and we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our franchise rights were less than their carrying amounts. Accordingly, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of franchise rights during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Long-Lived Assets

The fair value measurement valuation process for our long-lived assets is established by our corporate real estate services group, which reports to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Fair value measurements, which are based on Level 3 inputs, and changes in fair value measurements are reviewed and assessed each quarter for properties classified as held for sale, or when an indicator of impairment exists for properties classified as held and used, by the corporate real estate services group. Our corporate real estate services group utilizes its knowledge of the automotive industry and historical experience in real estate markets and transactions in establishing the valuation process, which is generally based on a combination of the market and replacement cost approaches.

In a market approach, the corporate real estate services group uses transaction prices for comparable properties that have recently been sold. These transaction prices are adjusted for factors related to a specific property. The corporate real estate services group also evaluates changes in local real estate markets, and/or recent market interest or negotiations related to a specific property. In a replacement cost approach, the cost to replace a specific long-lived asset is considered, which is adjusted for depreciation from physical deterioration, as well as functional and economic obsolescence, if present and measurable.

To validate the fair values determined under the valuation process noted above, our corporate real estate services group also obtains independent third-party appraisals for our properties and/or third-party brokers’ opinions of value, which are generally developed using the same valuation approaches described above, and evaluates any recent negotiations or discussions with third-party real estate brokers related to a specific long-lived asset or market.

Long-lived Assets Held and Used in Continuing Operations

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets held and used in continuing operations.

Long-lived Assets Held for Sale in Continuing Operations

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, long-lived assets held for sale in continuing operations with a carrying value of $0.6 million were written down to their fair value of $0.3 million, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $0.3 million. The non-cash impairment charge was included in Other Income, Net (within Operating Income) in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and was reported in the “Corporate and other” category of our segment information. We recorded no impairment charges during the three months ended June 30, 2014.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets held for sale in continuing operations.

Long-lived Assets Held for Sale in Discontinued Operations

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, long-lived assets held for sale in discontinued operations with a carrying value of $7.1 million were written down to their fair value of $6.9 million, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $0.2 million. The non-cash impairment charge was included in Loss from Discontinued Operations in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets held for sale in discontinued operations.

As of June 30, 2014, we had long-lived assets held for sale of $58.2 million in continuing operations and $34.3 million in discontinued operations. Long-lived assets held for sale are included in Other Current Assets in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.