Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AutoNation, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All of our automotive dealership subsidiaries are indirectly wholly owned by the parent company, AutoNation, Inc. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. We periodically evaluate estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements and make changes on a prospective basis when adjustments are necessary. The critical accounting estimates made in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include certain assumptions related to goodwill, other intangible assets, and accruals for chargebacks against revenue recognized from the sale of finance and insurance products. Other significant accounting estimates include certain assumptions related to long-lived assets, assets held for sale, accruals related to self-insurance programs, certain legal proceedings, and estimated tax liabilities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less as of the date of purchase to be cash equivalents unless the investments are legally or contractually restricted for more than three months. Under our cash management system, outstanding checks that are in excess of the cash balances at certain banks are included in Accounts Payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and changes in these amounts are reflected in operating cash flows in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of new and used vehicles held for sale, valued at the lower of cost or market using the specific identification method. Cost includes acquisition, reconditioning, dealer installed accessories, and transportation expenses. Our new vehicle inventory costs are generally reduced by manufacturer holdbacks (percentage of either the manufacturer’s suggested retail price or invoice price of a new vehicle that the manufacturer repays to the dealer), incentives, floorplan assistance, and non-reimbursement-based manufacturer advertising assistance. Parts, accessories, and other inventory are valued at the lower of acquisition cost (first-in, first-out) or market.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, we capitalize interest on borrowings during the active construction period of capital projects. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the assets and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leased property meeting certain criteria is capitalized and the present value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability and included in current and/or long-term debt based on the lease term. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in Other Income, Net (within Operating Income) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information about our property and equipment.

Depreciation is recorded over the estimated useful lives of the assets involved using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements and capitalized lease assets are amortized to depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of the asset or the respective lease term used in determining lease classification, whichever is shorter. The range of estimated useful lives is as follows:

Buildings and improvements 5 to 40 years

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 3 to 10 years

We continually evaluate property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life or whether the remaining balance should be evaluated for possible impairment. Such events or changes may include a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a particular market, a current expectation that more-likely-than-not a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life, or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future losses. We use an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the property and equipment in assessing whether an asset has been impaired. We measure impairment losses based upon the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value.

When property and equipment is identified as held for sale, we reclassify the held for sale assets to Other Current Assets and cease recording depreciation. We measure each long-lived asset or disposal group at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and recognize a loss for any initial adjustment of the long-lived asset’s or disposal group’s carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell in the period the “held for sale” criteria are met. Such valuations include estimations of fair values and incremental direct costs to transact a sale. The fair value measurements for our long-lived assets held for sale were based on Level 3 inputs, which considered information obtained from third-party real estate valuation sources, or, in certain cases, pending agreements to sell the related assets. We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds the asset group’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset group becomes its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated over the remaining useful life of that asset.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net

Goodwill consists of the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Additionally, other intangible assets are separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, regardless of our intent to do so.

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers. We generally expect our franchise agreements to survive for the foreseeable future and, when the agreements do not have indefinite terms, anticipate routine renewals of the agreements without substantial cost. The contractual terms of our franchise agreements provide for various durations, ranging from one year to no expiration date, and in certain cases, manufacturers have undertaken to renew such franchises upon expiration so long as the dealership is in compliance with the terms of the agreement. However, in general, the states in which we operate have automotive dealership franchise laws that provide that, notwithstanding the terms of any franchise agreement, it is unlawful for a manufacturer to terminate or not renew a franchise unless “good cause” exists. It is generally difficult, outside of bankruptcy, for a manufacturer to terminate or not renew a franchise under these franchise laws, which were designed to protect dealers. In addition, in our experience and historically in the automotive retail industry, dealership franchise agreements are rarely involuntarily terminated or not renewed by the manufacturer outside of bankruptcy. Accordingly, we believe that our franchise agreements will contribute to cash flows for the foreseeable future and have indefinite lives. Other intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to thirty years.

We do not amortize goodwill or franchise rights assets. Goodwill and franchise rights are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

In 2017, we granted stock-based awards in the form of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”). In 2016 and 2015, we granted stock-based awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock, and RSUs. Restricted stock awards, which are considered nonvested share awards as defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and RSUs are issued from our treasury stock. Compensation cost for restricted stock awards and RSUs is based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted under all plans are non-qualified. Upon exercise of stock options, shares of common stock are issued from our treasury stock. We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine compensation expense associated with our stock options.

Certain of our equity-based compensation plans contain provisions that provide for vesting of awards upon retirement. Accordingly, compensation cost for time-based RSUs, restricted stock awards, and stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the stated vesting period or the period until employees become retirement-eligible. Compensation cost for performance-based RSUs is recognized over the requisite service period based on the current expectation that performance goals will be achieved at the stated target level. The amount of compensation cost recognized on performance-based RSUs depends on the relative satisfaction of the performance condition based on performance to date. We account for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue consists of the sales of new and used vehicles, sales of parts and automotive services, commissions for the placement of finance and insurance products, and sales of other products. We recognize revenue (which excludes sales taxes) in the period in which products are sold or services are provided. The automotive services we provide include, but are not limited to, customer-paid repairs and maintenance, as well as repairs and maintenance under manufacturer warranties and extended service contracts. We recognize vehicle and finance and insurance revenue when a sales contract has been executed, the vehicle has been delivered, and payment has been received or financing has been arranged. Revenue on finance and insurance products represents commissions earned by us for the placement of: (i) loans and leases with financial institutions in connection with customer vehicle purchases financed, (ii) vehicle service contracts with third-party providers, and (iii) other vehicle protection products with third-party providers.

We sell and receive a commission, which is recognized upon sale, on the following types of products: extended service contracts, maintenance programs, guaranteed auto protection (known as “GAP,” this protection covers the shortfall between a customer’s loan balance and insurance payoff in the event of a casualty), “tire and wheel” protection, and theft protection products. The products we offer include products that are sold and administered by independent third parties, including the vehicle manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries. Pursuant to our arrangements with these third-party providers, we primarily sell the products on a straight commission basis; however, we may sell the product, recognize commission, and participate in future profit pursuant to retrospective commission arrangements with the issuers of those contracts, which is recognized as earned.

Revenue Recognition, Chargebacks

Certain commissions earned from the sales of finance and insurance products are subject to chargeback should the contracts be terminated prior to their expirations. An estimated liability for chargebacks against revenue recognized from sales of finance and insurance products is recorded in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. Our estimated liability for chargebacks is based primarily on our historical chargeback experience, based on internal cancellation data, as well as cancellation data received from third parties that sell and administer these products, and is influenced by the volume of vehicle sales in recent years, commission levels, product penetration, product mix, and increases or decreases in early termination rates resulting from cancellation of vehicle service contracts and other protection products, defaults, refinancings and payoffs before maturity, and other factors.

Insurance

Under our self-insurance programs, we retain various levels of aggregate loss limits, per claim deductibles, and claims-handling expenses as part of our various insurance programs, including property and casualty, employee medical benefits, automobile, and workers’ compensation. Costs in excess of this retained risk per claim may be insured under various contracts with third-party insurance carriers. We review our claim and loss history on a periodic basis to assist in assessing our future liability. The ultimate costs of these retained insurance risks are estimated by management and by third-party actuarial evaluation of historical claims experience, adjusted for current trends and changes in claims-handling procedures.

Manufacturer Incentives and Other Rebates

We receive various incentives from manufacturers based on achieving certain objectives, such as specified sales volume targets, as well as other objectives, including maintaining standards of a particular vehicle brand, which may include but are not limited to facility image and design requirements, customer satisfaction survey results, and training standards, among others. These incentives are typically based upon units purchased or sold. These manufacturer incentives are recognized as a reduction of new vehicle cost of sales when earned, generally at the time the related vehicles are sold or upon attainment of the particular program goals, whichever is later.

We also receive manufacturer rebates and assistance for holdbacks, floorplan interest, and non-reimbursement-based advertising expenses (described below), which are reflected as a reduction in the carrying value of each vehicle purchased by us. We recognize holdbacks, floorplan interest assistance, non-reimbursement-based advertising rebates, cash incentives, and other rebates received from manufacturers that are tied to specific vehicles as a reduction to cost of sales as the related vehicles are sold.

Advertising

We generally expense the cost of advertising as incurred, net of earned manufacturer reimbursements for specific advertising costs and other discounts.

Advertising, Manufacturer Reimbursement-based Assistance

Manufacturer advertising rebates that are reimbursements of costs associated with specific advertising expenses are earned in accordance with the respective manufacturers’ reimbursement-based advertising assistance programs, which is typically after we have incurred the corresponding advertising expenses, and are reflected as a reduction of advertising expense.

Parts and Service Internal Profit

Our parts and service departments recondition the majority of used vehicles acquired by our used vehicle departments and perform minor preparatory work on new vehicles acquired by our new vehicle departments. The parts and service departments charge the new and used vehicle departments as if they were third parties in order to account for total activity performed by that department. Revenues and costs of sales associated with the internal work performed by our parts and service departments are reflected in our parts and service results in our Consolidated Statements of Income. New and used vehicle revenues and costs of sales are reduced by the amount of the intracompany charge. As a result, the revenues and costs of sales associated with the internal work performed by our parts and service departments are eliminated in consolidation. We also maintain an allowance for internal profit on vehicles that have not been sold.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences between the recognition of revenue and expenses for financial and income tax reporting purposes and between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.

Taxes Assessed by Governmental Authorities

Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on revenue transactions are excluded from revenue in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, which contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends, and vested RSU awards. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, noted above, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options and unvested RSU awards.

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets

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 or disposal groups 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 or disposal group’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) are reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification within the statement of cash flows, and accounting for forfeitures. The amendments in this accounting standard update were effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

The new standard requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments to be recognized as income tax benefit or expense, rather than within additional paid-in capital. Furthermore, cash flows related to excess tax benefits are required to be classified as operating activities in the statement of cash flows rather than financing activities. We adopted these amendments effective January 1, 2017, on a prospective basis. In 2017, we recorded $4.3 million of tax deficiencies, which is reflected as a component of the income tax provision on the Consolidated Statement of Income and as cash used in operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. We elected not to adjust the prior year cash flow presentation.

The new standard also eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures when recognizing stock compensation expense during the vesting period. As permitted by the standard, we have elected to account for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. The new standard requires that this change be adopted on a modified retrospective basis, as such, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.2 million (pre-tax) to reduce retained earnings and increase additional paid-in capital as of January 1, 2017.

The new standard also requires the presentation of cash paid to taxing authorities at settlement arising from the withholding of shares from employees be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows, which is where we had previously classified these items. This change, therefore, did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

Simplifying the Goodwill Impairment Test

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the goodwill impairment test. Under the new standard, goodwill impairment should be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, but should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The amendments in this accounting standard update are to be applied prospectively and are effective for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We adopted this standard in connection with our annual goodwill impairment test as of April 30, 2017. The provisions of this accounting standard update did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our annual goodwill impairment testing.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this accounting standard update are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The principles in the standard should be applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. The standard also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In addition, the standard amends the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (for example, sales of real estate) to be consistent with the standard’s guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue). The FASB also subsequently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on principal versus agent guidance, identifying performance obligations, and immaterial goods and services in a contract.

This accounting standard update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We will adopt this accounting standard update effective January 1, 2018. The amendments in this accounting standard update must be applied using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the standard recognized at the date of adoption (which requires additional footnote disclosures). We adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption, with no restatement of comparative periods and a cumulative effect adjustment recognized as of the date of adoption.

As part of our implementation process, we performed an analysis to identify accounting policies that needed to change and additional disclosures that will be required. We have considered factors such as customer contracts with unique revenue recognition considerations, the nature and type of goods and services we offer, the degree to which contracts include multiple performance obligations or variable consideration, and the pattern in which revenue is currently recognized, among other things. We have evaluated all of our revenue streams, and similar performance obligations will result under the new standard as compared with deliverables and separate units of accounting currently identified. As a result, the timing of our revenue recognition for most of our revenue streams will generally remain the same, however we have identified certain revenue streams that will be affected by the new standard.

First, the timing of revenue recognition associated with customer loyalty programs that we offer in certain of our stores will be deferred. We currently accrue the incremental cost of loyalty points awarded under current guidance. Under the new standard, a customer loyalty program that provides a customer with a material right is accounted for as a separate performance obligation with revenue recognized when the loyalty points are redeemed. Second, the timing of revenue recognition for automotive repair and maintenance services will be accelerated, as we have determined these performance obligations are satisfied over time under the new standard. Lastly, a portion of the transaction price related to sales of finance and insurance contracts is considered variable consideration and subject to accelerated recognition under the new standard. The new standard requires an entity to estimate variable consideration and apply the constraint in determining the transaction price. We are finalizing our cumulative effect adjustment and currently expect that all changes to our revenue recognition methods as a result of adopting the new standard will result in a net, after-tax cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 in the range of $9 million to $12 million.

We do not expect a significant impact in the amount or timing of gain or loss recognition related to our periodic sales of real estate. We also have evaluated the changes in controls and processes that are necessary to implement the new standard, and no material changes were required.

Accounting for Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that amends the accounting guidance on leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this accounting standard update effective January 1, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available.

We expect that this standard will have a material effect on our financial statements due to the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for real estate and equipment operating leases. We expect that our leasing activity may increase between now and the adoption date. We expect to elect all of the standard’s available practical expedients on adoption. Consequently, on adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional operating liabilities ranging from $375 million to $475 million, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. We have a significant number of real estate leases, including for land and buildings. The majority of our leases for land are classified as operating leases under current lease accounting guidance. For new leases entered into after adoption, the new lease standard may affect the pattern of expense recognition related to the land component of a new real estate lease, since those land leases may be classified as financing leases under the new standard.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that provides classification guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, for which guidance previously did not exist or was unclear. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. We will adopt this accounting standard update effective January 1, 2018. The provisions of this accounting standard update will not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows.