SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.1
THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” or the “Supplemental Agreement”) is
dated October 6, 2009 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Autocar, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (“Autocar”) and Balqon Corporation, a
California corporation (“Balqon”).
R E C I T
A L S
WHEREAS,
Autocar manufactures, assembles and sells chassis for low-cab-over-engine
heavy-duty vehicles (the “Chassis”);
WHEREAS,
Balqon designs, develops and distributes heavy-duty electric and hybrid drive
systems for industrial and commercial applications;
WHEREAS,
Balqon will install zero-emission heavy-duty electric drive systems and
batteries (the “Drive System”) into the Chassis for heavy-duty class 7 and
class 8 electric trucks (the “Trucks”);
WHEREAS,
Autocar and Balqon will market and promote the sale of the Trucks, which will
then be ordered and purchased by Balqon or end-users through an authorized
Autocar dealer (the “Dealer”); and
WHEREAS,
certain aspects of the relationship of the parties and the design, assembly,
marketing and sale of the Trucks are governed by that certain Converter
Agreement dated June 9, 2009 entered into by the parties (the “Converter
Agreement”); and
WHEREAS,
the parties desire to supplement certain aspects of the relationship
contemplated by the Converter Agreement by agreeing to the supplemental matters
hereinafter set forth.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals set forth above, which are hereby
incorporated into this Agreement, the mutual covenants and agreements set forth
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.
|
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF THE TRUCKS
|
|
1.1.
|
Sales
Leads. Autocar and Balqon and their respective sales
outlets will develop and appropriately direct sales leads among the
companies and such sales outlets. The parties will use their
best efforts to combine and coordinate sales facilities and to train each
others’ sales forces in the operation and sale or lease of the other
party’s products, thereby expanding both parties’ sales
networks.
|
|
1.2.
|
Funding. Autocar
and Balqon will work together in good faith and use commercially
reasonable efforts to identify and pursue all government tax incentives,
public and private grants and initiatives and other sources of funding
available for the research, development and sale of the
Trucks.
|
1
|
1.3.
|
Orders for the
Trucks. All orders for the Trucks (the “Orders”) will be
placed through a Dealer. Autocar and Balqon will work together
in good faith to assist the Dealer with placing the Orders on behalf of
Balqon. All Orders will be subject to the Dealer’s standard
terms and conditions. The specifications for the Chassis (including
excluded items) will be as determined by both Autocar and
Balqon.
|
|
1.4.
|
Pricing of the
Chassis. Prices and destination charges applicable to
Balqon’s purchase of Chassis during the first contract year shall be at
prices negotiated by Autocar and Balqon. For each contract year
thereafter, the price may be adjusted to reflect Autocar’s standard model
year pricing, provided that the price for Chassis may be increased or
decreased (i) to reflect increases in Autocar’s cost of materials as
indicated by Autocar’s standard Temporary Inflation Adjustment (TIA),
copies of which will be made available upon request, or (ii) based upon
changes (additions or deletions) to the Chassis specification requested by
Balqon.
|
|
1.5.
|
Installation
of the Drive System. Autocar will ship the Chassis to
Balqon for installation of the Drive
Systems.
|
1.5.1. Receipt
and Inspection of the Chassis. Upon receipt of the
Chassis, Balqon will inspect the Chassis for damage or shortage and will
take custody of and execute a proper carrier’s receipt for the
Chassis. Damage sustained in transit will be repaired, at
Autocar’s discretion and authorization, either (a) by Balqon at
Balqon’s expense, (b) by Autocar’s on-site technician(s) at Autocar’s
cost, or (c) by the Dealer in accordance with the Autocar Service
Policies and Procedures then in effect for the Dealer and Autocar (the
“Dealer P&P”). The parties will provide reasonable
assistance to each other in connection with claims against the carrier to
recover costs to repair and other
damages.
|
||
1.5.2. Installation. Balqon
will install the Drive System in the Chassis upon receipt of the Chassis,
in accordance with any specific written instructions provided by Autocar
for the installation (the “Installation
Instructions”).
|
||
|
1.6.
|
Assumption of Warranty
Obligations. If Balqon alters the Chassis in any way (a) not in
accordance with the Installation Instructions, or (b) not otherwise
authorized in writing by Autocar, including but not limited to cutting,
welding, stretching, disconnecting, shrinking or otherwise altering the
Chassis’ wheelbase, suspension, frame rails, driveline, axle or electrical
system, then Autocar’s warranty will no longer cover any portion of the
Chassis that has been so altered, and Balqon assumes warranty coverage of
any such portion of the Chassis that has been so
altered. Balqon will be responsible for the cost of any repairs
that may be required on the altered portion of the Chassis or on any
portion of the Chassis affected by the alterations, which repairs would
otherwise have been covered by Autocar’s warranty, and will reimburse
Autocar for any costs incurred or warranty claims paid for such
repairs.
|
2
|
1.7.
|
Certification and
Pre-Delivery Inspection. Completion by Autocar or the
Dealer of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Certification of the
completed Truck (the “Certification”) or the final inspection of the Truck
upon completion of the installation of the Drive System (the “Pre-Delivery
Inspection”) will not be construed as a waiver by Autocar, nor will it
limit Autocar’s right to assert any contractual, legal or equitable
remedy, or relieve Balqon of its warranty or other responsibilities under
this Agreement. Balqon will promptly perform any adjustments,
repairs or replacements necessary to remedy any problems with the Drive
Systems or their installation which are discovered during the
Certification or the Pre-Delivery
Inspection.
|
|
1.8.
|
Delivery of the
Truck. After completion of the Certification, the
Pre-Delivery Inspection and any necessary repairs and re-inspection,
Balqon will tender the Truck, along with the information needed to prepare
the documentation to transfer title to the Truck to the end-user on
the scheduled date (the “Delivery”). Balqon will ensure that
all product information intended for the end-user is contained in the
Truck prior to the shipment.
|
|
1.9.
|
Sale of the Trucks and
Lease of the Drive System to End-Users. Balqon will sell
the Trucks to the end-users and register and prepare the paperwork for the
Trucks as required by law and as appropriate for the
end-user. Autocar, Balqon and the Dealer will negotiate a
reasonable fee for the Dealer’s services with regard to the sale of the
Trucks.
|
2.
|
QUALITY,
SERVICE , WARRANTY AND SERVICE
PARTS
|
|
2.1.
|
Quality. Autocar’s
reputation may be affected by the quality, performance, reliability and
durability of the Drive Systems and Balqon’s conduct in the
marketplace. If Autocar reasonably determines that during
the term of this Agreement the Drive Systems or the Trucks in the field
demonstrate such poor quality, performance, reliability or durability that
Autocar’s reputation is or may be harmed, then Autocar shall provide
Balqon with written notice of the quality, performance, reliability and/or
durability issue and shall cooperate and provide reasonable assistance to
Balqon in connection with Balqon’s efforts to take corrective action to
resolve the issue and Autocar may suspend delivery of additional Chassis
to Balqon during such period. In the event such breach, failure
or condition continues unremedied for 60 days after notice to Balqon
describing such breach, failure or condition in reasonable detail, Autocar
may terminate this Agreement and the Converter Agreement; provided, however, that
if such breach, failure or condition is not capable of being cured within
said 60-day period, than Balqon shall have such additional time as may be
necessary to cure such breach, failure or condition, if, within such
60-day period, Balqon has commenced and is diligently pursuing the
remedies necessary to cure such breach, failure or condition, in which
event neither this Agreement nor the Converter Agreement shall be
terminated while such remedies are being diligently
pursued.
|
|
2.2.
|
Service of the
Trucks. The Chassis portion of the Trucks will be
serviced by Autocar’s network of service facilities in accordance with the
Dealer P&P. The Drive Systems will be serviced by Balqon
and its dealer service facilities in accordance with Balqon’s policies and
procedures. The parties will use their best efforts to combine
and coordinate service facilities and to train, certify or place
technicians at each others’ service facilities in the maintenance and
repair of the other party’s products, thereby expanding both parties’
service networks.
|
3
|
2.3.
|
Warranty of the
Chassis. The Chassis will be covered by Autocar’s
standard Limited Warranty (which will exclude coverage of the Drive
Systems) and applicable pass-through warranties. Warranty
claims regarding the Chassis submitted by Autocar’s service facilities and
authorized Balqon service facilities, if any, will be processed and paid
in accordance with the
Dealer P&P.
|
|
2.4.
|
Service
Parts. Service Parts for the Chassis portion of the
Trucks will be provided by Autocar or Autocar’s network of service
facilities in accordance with the Dealer P&P. Service Parts
for the Drive Systems will be provided by Balqon and its service
facilities.
|
|
2.5.
|
Recalls and Service
Programs. If for any reason the Drive Systems are
recalled (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) or Autocar takes any
action with regard to the Drive Systems which, in its reasonable
discretion, is necessary or advisable to prevent or mitigate any risk to
human health, property damage or damage to the business or reputation of
Autocar, and such recall or other action relates to the Drive Systems or
results from, in whole or in part, Balqon’s performance of (or failure to
properly perform) its duties and obligations under this Agreement, Balqon
will bear and reimburse Autocar for all costs and expenses relating to
such action, including but not limited to the costs and expenses of
notifying customers, customer refunds, cost of returning parts, handling
expenses and costs of replacement (regardless of where procured) and
reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, however, that
in no event shall Balqon be responsible for any incidental or
consequential damages incurred by Autocar. Balqon will
collaborate with Autocar in the writing and production of required
training materials, technical service bulletins and recall and other
notices relating to the Drive
Systems.
|
3.
|
TERM
AND TERMINATION
|
|
3.1.
|
Term and
Renewal. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term
of this Agreement shall be co-terminus with the Converter Agreement and
Section 4.1 of the Converter Agreement is incorporated herein in its
entirety.
|
|
3.2.
|
Breach with Right to
Cure. During the term of this Agreement (and any renewal
thereof) if either party breaches or fails to perform its obligations
under this Agreement, and such breach or failure continues unremedied for
30 days after notice to the defaulting party describing such breach or
failure in reasonable detail, the non-defaulting party may terminate this
Agreement, unless such breach or failure cannot reasonably be cured within
a 30-day period, in which case the non-defaulting party may not terminate
so long as the defaulting party has promptly commenced and diligently
pursued a remedy of such breach to the non-defaulting party’s reasonable
satisfaction.
|
|
3.3.
|
Insolvency. Either
party may immediately terminate this Agreement at any time in the event of
the occurrence of any of the following events (each, an “Insolvency
Event”): (a) insolvency of the other party; (b) filing of a
voluntary petition in bankruptcy by the other party; (c) filing of any
involuntary petition in bankruptcy against the other party;
(d) appointment of a receiver or trustee for the other party; or (e)
execution of an assignment for the benefit of creditors by the other
party, provided that any such petition, appointment or assignment is not
vacated or nullified within 30 days of such event. In the event
of an Insolvency Event with regard to Balqon, Balqon will, to the greatest
extent possible, protect Autocar’s interests and continue to comply with
all obligations under this Agreement. If at any time Balqon or
a trustee or receiver on behalf of Balqon determines that Balqon will not
continue to comply with all obligations under this Agreement due an
Insolvency Event, Balqon will immediately notify Autocar of
same.
|
4
4.
|
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
The parties agree that the rights, title and interest in and to any
invention, innovation, design, idea, application, process or improvement
(collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), related to or arising
directly or indirectly out of the work performed under this Agreement or
out of the technology of a party, shall be owned as
follows.
|
|
4.1.
|
Autocar Intellectual
Property. If the Intellectual Property arises out of the
technology of Autocar prior to or separate from the work performed by
Autocar under this Agreement or relates solely to the Chassis, then
Autocar shall continue to have all rights, title and interest in and to
that Intellectual Property. Autocar will not integrate any
design change in the Drive Systems or utilize any of Autocar’s
Intellectual Property in the Drive Systems without the prior written
consent of Balqon.
|
|
4.2.
|
Balqon Intellectual
Property. If the Intellectual Property arises out of the
technology of Balqon prior to or separate from the work performed by
Balqon under this Agreement or relates solely to the Drive System, then
Balqon shall continue to have all rights, title and interest in and to
that Intellectual Property. Balqon will not integrate any design change in
the Chassis or utilize any of Balqon’s Intellectual Property in the
Chassis without the prior written consent of
Autocar.
|
5.
|
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
|
5.1.
|
Remedies. The
rights and remedies reserved to the parties in this Agreement will be
cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies provided at
law or in equity. All representations, warranties, rights,
powers and remedies of the parties will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
|
|
5.2.
|
Damages. Except
as specifically set forth in this Agreement, neither party will be liable
for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages
that may in any way be related to this
agreement.
|
|
5.3.
|
Non-Assignment. This
Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior consent of
the other party, except that either party may, without the other party’s
consent but with prior notice to the other party, assign any or all of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (i) in connection with a sale
of all or substantially all of the assets or equity interests of such
party or (ii) to a subsidiary, sister company or other affiliate of
such party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Balqon shall not
assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to an Autocar
Competitor (as hereinafter defined), or engage in any other transaction
the result of which is that Balqon is directly or indirectly controlled by
an Autocar Competitor without Autocar’s prior written
consent. For the purposes hereof, an “Autocar Competitor” shall
mean any original equipment manufacturer or any other person or entity (or
any affiliate thereof) that, directly or indirectly, competes with Autocar
in the refuse or yard tractor
industry.
|
5
|
5.4.
|
Notice of Sale or
Relocation. Balqon will promptly, or as soon after such
action is not prohibited by a Confidentiality Agreement between Balqon and
any other party, give Autocar notice of any material negotiations between
Balqon and any other party with regard to a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or equity, merger or similar transaction involving
Balqon, and will keep Autocar informed as to the status and timetable
thereof.
|
|
5.5.
|
Amendment and
Waiver. This Agreement may be amended only by a written
document executed by both parties hereto. No waiver of any
rights of a party under this Agreement will be effective unless in writing
and executed by the party granting the
waiver.
|
|
5.6.
|
Governing Law,
Jurisdiction, Venue, Dispute Resolution and Attorneys’
Fees. This Agreement will be construed according to the
laws of the State of Illinois without regard to its conflicts of laws
provisions. All actions or proceedings in any way, manner or
respect arising out of or related to this Agreement will be litigated only
in state or federal courts, as appropriate, located in Chicago,
Illinois. Each party hereby consents and submits to
jurisdiction in the State of Illinois and waives any right to transfer the
venue of any such action or proceeding. Prior to initiating any
cause of action, the parties will promptly attempt in good faith to
resolve any controversy, claim or dispute of any nature arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination, enforceability,
interpretation or validity of this Agreement (each, a “Dispute”) by
negotiating between executives or managers who have authority to settle
the Dispute. The prevailing party in any litigation over a
Dispute will be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all
costs and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’
fees and costs incurred by such party in connection with such
litigation.
|
|
5.7.
|
Survival. The
following sections will survive the termination of this
Agreement: 1.6, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 4 and
5.
|
|
5.8.
|
Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Converter
Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between Autocar and Balqon
with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all
prior oral or written representations and agreements as well as any
drafts, purchase orders, sales confirmations, invoices or other
communications issued prior to the Effective Date. No terms or
conditions contained in any purchase orders, sales confirmations, invoices
or other communications which are contrary with those contained in this
Agreement will have effect, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement
will govern, unless otherwise specifically agreed to in writing, and then
only to the extent of the terms specifically identified, and signed by the
person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party or a more senior
officer of such party. In the event of a conflict between the terms of
this Agreement and the terms of the Converter Agreement, the terms of the
Converter Agreement shall govern and control. Terms not defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Converter
Agreement.
|
6
|
5.9.
|
Binding
Effect. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective representatives,
successors and permitted assigns.
|
5.10. | Notices, Approvals and Consents. All notices, approvals and consents to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given as of the date of receipt via personal delivery, facsimile, courier service, or Certified U.S. Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Notices must be given using the following contact information, which may be amended from time to time by written notice to the other party: |
If
to Autocar:
|
Autocar,
LLC
|
|
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
||
Attn: Vice President, Business Development
|
||
Fax: (000)
000-0000
|
||
|
with a copy to: |
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx & Xxxx Chartered
|
000
X. XxXxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
||
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
||
Attn: Xxxxx
X. Xxxx, Esq.
|
||
Fax: (000)
000-0000
|
||
If
to Balqon:
|
Balqon
Corporation
|
|
0000
000xx
Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Attn: President
|
||
Fax: (000)
000-0000
|
||
|
with a copy to: | Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP |
|
000 Xxxxx Xxxx., 00xx Xxxxx | |
|
Xxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | |
|
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq. | |
|
Fax: (000) 000-0000 |
|
5.11.
|
Headings. The
section or paragraph headings or titles herein are for convenience of
reference only and will not be deemed a part of this
Agreement.
|
5.12. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in multiple counterparts and by facsimile, each of which will be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together will constitute a
single
instrument.
|
[Signature page
follows.]
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Supplemental Agreement as of the
date set forth above.
AUTOCAR,
LLC,
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
||||
|
By: /s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
|
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Vice
President
|
BALQON
CORPORATION,
a
Nevada corporation
|
||||
|
By: /s/
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|||
|
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
8