Filing Details

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 24)*

 

AutoNation, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

05329W102

(CUSIP Number)

 

Jacki Badal, Esq. 2365 Carillon Point Kirkland, WA 98033 (425) 889-7900

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.¨

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

CUSIP No.  05329W102
	1.	Names of Reporting Persons Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
	2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
		(a)		¨
		(b)		¨
	3.	SEC Use Only
	4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC
	5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or (e)  ¨
	6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization State of Washington
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With			7.		Sole Voting Power 11,418,754 (1)
			8.		Shared Voting Power -0-
			9.		Sole Dispositive Power 11,418,754 (1)
			10.		Shared Dispositive Power -0-
	11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 11,418,754 (1)
	12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  ¨
	13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 15.9% (2)
	14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) OO

(1)

All shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Issuer”) held by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”), may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III as the sole member of Cascade.

 

(2)

Based on 71,595,447 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 19, 2021, as reported on the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed on July 21, 2021.

 

 

 

CUSIP No.  05329W102
	1.	Names of Reporting Persons William H. Gates III
	2.	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
		(a)		¨
		(b)		¨
	3.	SEC Use Only
	4.	Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC
	5.	Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or (e)  ¨
	6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization United States of America
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With			7.		Sole Voting Power 11,418,754 (1)
			8.		Shared Voting Power -0-
			9.		Sole Dispositive Power 11,418,754 (1)
			10.		Shared Dispositive Power -0-
	11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 11,418,754 (1)
	12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  ¨
	13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 15.9% (2)
	14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN

(1)

All shares of the Common Stock of the Issuer held by Cascade may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III as the sole member of Cascade.

 

(2)

Based on 71,595,447 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 19, 2021, as reported on the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed on July 21, 2021.

 

 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 24 to Schedule 13D (“Amendment”) amends and supplements the Schedule 13D previously filed by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”), William H. Gates III (together with Cascade, the “Reporting Persons”), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, and Melinda French Gates with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2009, as amended February 6, 2009; February 24, 2010; July 23, 2010; August 17, 2010; February 9, 2011; November 4, 2011; November 14, 2011; December 2, 2011; February 17, 2012; March 26, 2012; May 22, 2012; October 30, 2015; February 9, 2016; February 16, 2016; November 1, 2016; November 6, 2017; December 17, 2018; May 8, 2019; May 17, 2019; February 18, 2021; May 4, 2021; July 23, 2021; and August 6, 2021, relating to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Issuer”). The information set forth in response to each separate Item below shall be deemed to be a response to all Items where such information is relevant. Information in the Schedule 13D remains in effect except to the extent that it is amended or superseded by subsequently filed information, including information in this Amendment.

 

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer

 

	(a)	See items 11 and 13 of the cover pages to this Amendment for the aggregate number of Common Stock and percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the Reporting Persons.
	(b)	See items 7 through 10 of the cover pages to this Amendment for the number of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the Reporting Persons as to which there is sole power to vote or to direct the vote, shared power to vote or to direct the vote, and sole or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition.
	(c)	Cascade sold Common Shares for cash in market transactions on the dates and at the weighted-average sale price per share set forth in Exhibit 99.1, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
	(d)	None.
	(e)	Not applicable.

 

Item 7.	Material to be Filed as Exhibits
	Exhibit 99.1 – Transactions from August 7, 2021.

 

  

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date:   October 4, 2021	CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
	By:	*
		Name:	Alan Heuberger (1)
		Title:	Attorney-in-fact for Michael Larson, Business Manager
	WILLIAM H. GATES III
	By:	*
		Name:	Alan Heuberger (2)
		Title:	Attorney-in-fact

 

	*By:	/s/ Alan Heuberger
		Alan Heuberger

 

(1)

Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated October 11, 2013, by and on behalf of Michael Larson, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 9 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund on December 11, 2013, SEC File No. 005-81261, and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(2)

Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Otter Tail Corporation on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638, and incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

We, the signatories of the statement to which this Joint Filing Agreement is attached, hereby agree that such statement is filed, and any amendments thereto filed by any or all of us, will be filed, on behalf of each of us.

 

Date:   October 4, 2021	CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
	By	*
		Name:	Alan Heuberger (1)
		Title:	Attorney-in-fact for Michael Larson, Business Manager
	WILLIAM H. GATES III
	By	*
		Name:	Alan Heuberger (2)
		Title:	Attorney-in-fact

 

	*By:	/s/ Alan Heuberger
		Alan Heuberger

 

(1)

Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated October 11, 2013, by and on behalf of Michael Larson, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 9 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund on December 11, 2013, SEC File No. 005-81261, and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(2)

Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Otter Tail Corporation on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638, and incorporated by reference herein.