AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS INC

Transcription

1 AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS INC FORM S-1/A (Securities Registration Statement) Filed 1/28/1999 Address ONE DAUCH DRIVE DETROIT, Michigan Telephone CIK Industry Auto & Truck Parts Sector Consumer Cyclical Fiscal Year 12/31

2 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 27, 1999 REGISTRATION NO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C AMENDMENT NO. 9 TO FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE (STATE OR OTHER (PRIMARY STANDARD (I.R.S. EMPLOYER JURISDICTION OF INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) INCORPORATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) 1840 HOLBROOK AVENUE DETROIT, MICHIGAN (313) (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) PATRICK S. LANCASTER AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC HOLBROOK AVENUE DETROIT, MICHIGAN (313) (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) Copies of all correspondence to: WILSON S. NEELY MICHAEL A. CAMPBELL SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT MAYER, BROWN & PLATT 425 LEXINGTON AVENUE 190 SOUTH LASALLE STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (212) (312) APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. / / If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the

3 Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / / THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

4 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The following table sets forth the fees and expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereunder. Except for the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee, all amounts are estimates. SEC registration fee... $ 42,237 NASD filing fee... 14,990 NYSE filing fee ,600 Accounting fees and expenses ,000 Legal fees and expenses ,000 Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees)... 5,000 Printing and engraving expenses ,000 Transfer agent's and registrar's fees and expenses... 20,000 Miscellaneous Expenses... 29, Total... $1,850, ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Law") authorizes the Registrant to indemnify the officers and directors of the Company, under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions and limitations as stated therein, against all expenses and liabilities incurred by or imposed upon them as a result of actions, suits and proceedings, civil or criminal, brought against them as such officers and directors if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Reference is hereby made to Article VI of the Registrant's By-laws, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.02, which provides for indemnification of officers and directors of the Registrant to the full extent authorized by Section 145 of the Delaware Law. Section 7 of Article VI of the Bylaws authorizes the Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee, trustee or agent of the Registrant or its subsidiaries against any liability asserted against or incurred by them in such capacity or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such officer, director, employee, trustee or agent against such liability under the provisions of such Article or Delaware law. The Registrant maintains a directors' and officers' insurance policy which insures the officers and directors of the Registrant from any claim arising out of an alleged wrongful act by such persons in their respective capacities as officers and directors of the Registrant. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware Law permits corporations to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty of care as a director. Reference is made to Article Sixth of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.01, which limits a director's liability in accordance with such Section. Reference is made to Section 6 of the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibit 1.01 and 1.02, respectively, for information concerning indemnification arrangements among the Registrant and the Underwriters. ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company issued 72,039,645, 5,870,160 and 5,144,280 shares of Common Stock to Jupiter, Richard E. Dauch and Morton E. Harris, respectively, in a one-for-one exchange for AAM, Inc. common stock held by each of the above pursuant to a private placement. In addition, the Company II-1

5 privately issued 94,680 shares of Common Stock to Michael D. Alexander pursuant to a Management Common Stock Subscription Agreement. Mr. Alexander purchased his shares in October 1997 for approximately $400,000. The Company issued 71,010 shares of Common Stock to Gary J. Witosky pursuant to Mr. Witosky's exercise of options under a Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement. Mr. Witosky exercised his options in March 1998 for approximately $302,600. Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the stock split. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) Exhibits The following exhibits are filed herewith unless otherwise indicated. EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement Form of International Purchase Agreement Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 22, 1999, between the Company and American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. ("AAM, Inc.") Certificate of Incorporation of the Company Bylaws of the Company * Specimen Stock Certificate Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered * Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 18, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and General Motors Corporation ("GM"), and all amendments thereto +* Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM *10.02(a) -- Amendment No. 1 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(b) -- Amendment No. 2 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 7, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(c) -- Letter of Intent dated February 21, 1996, by G.M.T.G., GMT-800 PGM Worldwide Purchasing ("G.M.T.G") (re: front & rear axles) +*10.02(d) -- Letter of Intent dated February 21, 1996, by G.M.T.G. (re: front & rear propeller shafts) +*10.02(e) -- Letter Agreement dated June 25, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(f) -- Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding, dated September 2, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM *10.02(g) -- MOU Extension Agreement, dated September 22, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +* GMCL Purchase Order Agreement dated February 17, 1994 by and between AAM, Inc. and General Motors of Canada Limited ("GMCL") +* AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement dated February 17, 1994 ("AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement") by and between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(a) -- Amending Agreement dated as of September 5, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(b) -- Amending Agreement dated as of October 7, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(c) -- Amendment No. 1 to AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement dated February 17, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL +* Agreement dated February 17, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.05(a) -- Letter dated December 13, 1996, by AAM, Inc. * Lease dated September 30, 1994, by and between AAM, Inc., as lessee, and First Industrial, L.P., as lessor (Technical Center) * American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Replacement Plan * The Amended and Restated American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Management Stock Option Plan II-2

6 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION * Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated October 30, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and Dauch * Indemnification Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM * Employment Agreement, dated November 6, 1997, by and between the Company and Dauch *10.11(a) -- Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 1997, between AAM Acquisition, Inc. and Dauch * Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of September 19, 1997, among AAM, Inc., the Company, Jupiter Capital Corporation ("Jupiter"), Richard E. Dauch ("Dauch"), Morton E. Harris ("Harris") and AAM Acquisition, Inc. * Stockholders' Agreement, dated as October 29, 1997, among Blackstone Capital Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P., Blackstone Offshore Capital Partners II L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership II L.P., Jupiter, Dauch, Harris and American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. *10.13(a) -- Disposition Agreement, dated as of December 10, 1998, between American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. and Dauch * Monitoring Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, between the Company and Blackstone Management Partners L.P. * Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, AAM, Inc., the lenders named therein, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as fronting bank *10.15(a) -- Amendment No. 1, Waiver and Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1998, to the Credit Agreement 10.15(b) -- Amendment No. 2, Waiver and Agreement, dated as of January 11, 1999, to the Credit Agreement. * AAM Master Trust Pooling Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, among AAM Receivables Corp.("AAM Receivables"), the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee *10.16(a) -- AAM Master Trust Series 1997-A Supplement to Pooling Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997 ("Series 1997-A Supplement"), among AAM Receivables, the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee *10.16(b) -- Amendment No. 1 to Series 1997-A Supplement, dated July 17, 1998 *10.16(c) -- Amendment No. 2 to Series 1997-A Supplement, dated September 30, 1998 * Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, between AAM Receivables, as purchaser, and the Company, as Seller and Servicer * Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, among AAM Receivables, the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee * Agreement for Information Technology Services, dated March 1, 1998, between AAM, Inc. and Electronic Data Systems Corporation Stock Incentive Plan * Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated October 29, 1997, between the Company and Gary J. Witosky +*10.22(a) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-325 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(b) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-330 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(c) -- Lifetime Program Contract for New M-SUV Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(d) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-400 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(e) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-800 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc Senior Secured Promissory Note dated August 14, 1998, made by Dauch in favor of AAM, Inc. +* Nomination Letter, dated August 8, 1998 between Isuzu/GM Joint Purchasing Team and AAM, Inc. *16 -- Letter re: Change in Certifying Accountants II-3

7 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION *21 -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (contained in Exhibit 5.01) * Consent of Ernst & Young LLP * Power of Attorney *27 -- Financial Data Schedules (For SEC use only) * Previously filed + Certain portions of the identified Exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the Commission based upon a request for confidential treatment. (b) Financial Statement Schedules: Schedule II--American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc.--Allowance for Doubtful Accounts ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the Offerings of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide International Manager thereof. II-4

8 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, on the 27th day of January, AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC. BY: /S/ PATRICK S. LANCASTER TITLE: SECRETARY Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 27th day of January, SIGNATURE TITLE DATE *Richard E. Dauch Chairman of the Board of Directors; January 27, President and Chief Executive Officer Richard E. Dauch *Gary J. Witosky Vice President--Finance and Chief Financial January 27, Officer Gary J. Witosky *Robert A. Krause Treasurer January 27, Robert A. Krause *B. G. Mathis Director; Executive Vice President and Chief January 27, Administrative Officer B. G. Mathis *Glenn H. Hutchins Director January 27, Glenn H. Hutchins *Bret D. Pearlman Director January 27, Bret D. Pearlman *David A. Stockman Director January 27, David A. Stockman *By: /s/ Patrick S. Lancaster Patrick S. Lancaster Attorney-in-Fact II-5

9 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NO Form of U.S. Purchase Agreement Form of International Purchase Agreement Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 22, 1999, between the Company and American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. ("AAM, Inc.") Certificate of Incorporation of the Company Bylaws of the Company * Specimen Stock Certificate Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered * Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 18, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and General Motors Corporation ("GM"), and all amendments thereto +* Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM *10.02(a) -- Amendment No. 1 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(b) -- Amendment No. 2 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 7, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(c) -- Letter of Intent dated February 21, 1996, by G.M.T.G., GMT-800 PGM Worldwide Purchasing ("G.M.T.G") (re: front & rear axles) +*10.02(d) -- Letter of Intent dated February 21, 1996, by G.M.T.G. (re: front & rear propeller shafts) +*10.02(e) -- Letter Agreement dated June 25, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.02(f) -- Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding, dated September 2, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM *10.02(g) -- MOU Extension Agreement, dated September 22, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +* GMCL Purchase Order Agreement dated February 17, 1994 by and between AAM, Inc. and General Motors of Canada Limited ("GMCL") +* AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement dated February 17, 1994 ("AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement") by and between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(a) -- Amending Agreement dated as of September 5, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(b) -- Amending Agreement dated as of October 7, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL *10.04(c) -- Amendment No. 1 to AAM/GMCL Supply Agreement dated February 17, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GMCL +* Agreement dated February 17, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM +*10.05(a) -- Letter dated December 13, 1996, by AAM, Inc. * Lease dated September 30, 1994, by and between AAM, Inc., as lessee, and First Industrial, L.P., as lessor (Technical Center) * American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Replacement Plan * The Amended and Restated American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Management Stock Option Plan * Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated October 30, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and Dauch * Indemnification Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM * Employment Agreement, dated November 6, 1997, by and between the Company and Dauch *10.11(a) -- Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 1997, between AAM Acquisition, Inc. and Dauch * Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of September 19, 1997, among AAM, Inc., the Company, Jupiter Capital Corporation ("Jupiter"), Richard E. Dauch ("Dauch"), Morton E. Harris ("Harris") and AAM Acquisition, Inc.

10 EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NO * Stockholders' Agreement, dated as October 29, 1997, among Blackstone Capital Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P., Blackstone Offshore Capital Partners II L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership II L.P., Jupiter, Dauch, Harris and American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. *10.13(a) -- Disposition Agreement, dated as of December 10, 1998, between American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. and Dauch * Monitoring Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, between the Company and Blackstone Management Partners L.P. * Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, AAM, Inc., the lenders named therein, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as fronting bank *10.15(a) -- Amendment No. 1, Waiver and Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1998, to the Credit Agreement 10.15(b) -- Amendment No. 2, Waiver and Agreement, dated as of January 11, 1999, to the Credit Agreement * AAM Master Trust Pooling Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, among AAM Receivables Corp.("AAM Receivables"), the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee *10.16(a) -- AAM Master Trust Series 1997-A Supplement to Pooling Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997 ("Series 1997-A Supplement"), among AAM Receivables, the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee *10.16(b) -- Amendment No. 1 to Series 1997-A Supplement, dated as of July 17, 1998 *10.16(c) -- Amendment No. 2 to Series 1997-A Supplement, dated as of September 30, 1998 * Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, between AAM Receivables, as purchaser, and the Company, as Seller and Servicer * Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, among AAM Receivables, the Company, as Servicer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee * Agreement for Information Technology Services, dated March 1, 1998, between AAM, Inc. and Electronic Data Systems Corporation Stock Incentive Plan * Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated October 29, 1997, between the Company and Gary J. Witosky +*10.22(a) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-325 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(b) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-330 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(c) -- Lifetime Program Contract for New M-SUV Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(d) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-400 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc. +*10.22(e) -- Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-800 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc Senior Secured Promissory Note dated August 14, 1998, made by Dauch in favor of AAM, Inc. +* Nomination Letter, dated August 8, 1998, between Isuzu/GM Joint Purchasing Team and AAM, Inc. *16 -- Letter re: Change in Certifying Accountants *21 -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (contained in Exhibit 5.01) * Consent of Ernst & Young LLP * Power of Attorney *27 -- Financial Data Schedules (For SEC use only) * Previously filed + Certain portions of the identified Exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the Commission based upon a request for confidential treatment.

11 FORM OF AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC. (a Delaware corporation) 5,600,000 Shares of Common Stock U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT Dated: January, 1999

12 Table of Contents U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT...1 SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties...4 (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements...4 (ii) Independent Accountants...5 (iii) Financial Statements...5 (iv) No Material Adverse Change in Business...6 (v) Good Standing of the Company...6 (vi) Good Standing of Subsidiaries...6 (vii) Capitalization...7 (viii) Authorization of Agreement...7 (ix) Authorization and Description of Securities...7 (x) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts...8 (xi) Absence of Labor Dispute...8 (xii) Absence of Proceedings...9 (xiii) Accuracy of Exhibits...9 (xiv) Possession of Intellectual Property...9 (xv) Absence of Further Requirements...10 (xvi) Possession of Licenses and Permits...10 (xvii) Title to Property...10 (xviii) Compliance with Cuba Act...11 (xix) Investment Company Act...11 (xx) Environmental Laws...11 (xxi) Registration Rights...12 (xxii) Taxes...12 (xxiii) Maintenance of Adequate Insurance...12 (xxiv) Merger...12 SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to U.S. Underwriters; Closing...13 (a) Initial U.S. Securities...13 (b) U.S. Option Securities...13 (c) Payment...14 (d) Denominations; Registration...15 SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company...15 (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests...15 (b) Filing of Amendments i-

13 (c) Delivery of Registration Statements...16 (d) Delivery of Prospectuses...16 (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws...16 (f) Blue Sky Qualifications...17 (g) Rule (h) Use of Proceeds...17 (i) Listing...17 (j) Restriction on Sale of Securities...17 (k) Reporting Requirements...18 (l) Compliance with Rule (m) Compliance with NASD Rules...18 SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses...19 (a) Expenses...19 (b) Termination of Agreement...19 SECTION 5. Conditions of U.S. Underwriters' Obligations...19 (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement...20 (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company...20 (c) Opinion of Counsel for the U.S. Underwriters...20 (d) Officers' Certificate...21 (e) Accountants' Comfort Letter...21 (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter...21 (g) Approval of Listing...21 (h) No Objection...21 (i) Lock-up Agreements...21 (j) Purchase of Initial International Securities...22 (k) Conditions to Purchase of U.S. Option Securities...22 (i) Officers' Certificate...22 (ii) Opinion of Counsel for Company...22 (iii) Opinion of Counsel for the U.S. Underwriters...22 (iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter...22 (l) Additional Documents...23 (m) Termination of Agreement...23 SECTION 6. Indemnification...23 (a) Indemnification of U.S. Underwriters...23 (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers...24 (c) Actions against Parties; Notification ii-

14 (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse...25 (e) Indemnification for Reserved Securities...26 SECTION 7. Contribution...26 SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery...28 SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement...28 (a) Termination; General...28 (b) Liabilities...28 SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the U.S. Underwriters...29 SECTION 11. Default by the Company...29 SECTION 12. Notices...30 SECTION 13. Parties...30 SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME...30 SECTION 15. Effect of Headings...30 SCHEDULES Schedule A - List of Underwriters...Sch A-1 Schedule B - Pricing Information...Sch B-1 Schedule C - List of Persons Subject to Lock-up...Sch C-1 EXHIBITS Exhibit A - Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel...A-1 Exhibit B - Form of Lock-up Letter...B-1 ANNEXES Annex A - Form of Comfort Letter...A-1 -iii-

15 AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC. (a Delaware corporation) 5,600,000 Shares of Common Stock (Par Value $0.01 Per Share) U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT January, 1999 MERRILL LYNCH & CO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED as Representatives of the several U.S. Underwriters c/o Merrill Lynch & Co. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated North Tower World Financial Center New York, New York Ladies and Gentlemen: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and each of the other U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the "U.S. Underwriters", which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and PaineWebber Incorporated are acting as representatives (in such 1

16 capacity, the "U.S. Representatives"), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company and the purchase by the U.S. Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") set forth in Schedule A hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company to the U.S. Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 840,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The aforesaid 5,600,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Initial U.S. Securities") to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and all or any part of the 840,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the "U.S. Option Securities") are hereinafter called, collectively, the "U.S. Securities". It is understood that the Company is concurrently entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the "International Purchase Agreement") providing for the offering by the Company of an aggregate of 1,400,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Initial International Securities") through arrangements with certain underwriters outside the United States and Canada (the "International Managers") for whom Merrill Lynch International, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and PaineWebber International (U.K.) Ltd. are acting as lead managers (the "Lead Managers") and the grant by the Company to the International Managers, acting severally and not jointly, of an option to purchase all or any part of the International Managers' pro rata portion of up to 210,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over allotments, if any (the "International Option Securities" and, together with the U.S. Option Securities, the "Option Securities"). The Initial International Securities and the International Option Securities are hereinafter called the "International Securities." It is understood that (a) the Company is not obligated to sell, and the U.S. Underwriters are not obligated to purchase, any Initial U.S. Securities unless all of the Initial International Securities are contemporaneously purchased by the International Managers, and (b) the Company is not obligated to sell, and the International Managers are not obligated to purchase, any Initial International Securities unless all of the Initial U.S. Securities are contemporaneously purchased by the U.S. Underwriters. 2

17 The U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers are hereinafter collectively called the "Underwriters," the Initial U.S. Securities and the Initial International Securities are hereinafter collectively called the "Initial Securities," and the U.S. Securities, and the International Securities are hereinafter collectively called the "Securities." The Underwriters will concurrently enter into an Intersyndicate Agreement of even date herewith (the "Intersyndicate Agreement") providing for the coordination of certain transactions among the Underwriters under the direction of Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (in such capacity, the "Global Coordinator"). The Company understands that the U.S. Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the U.S. Securities as soon as the U.S. Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered. The Company and the Underwriters agree that up to 700,000 shares of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters (the "Reserved Securities") shall be reserved for sale by the Underwriters to certain eligible employees and persons having business relationships with the Company, as part of the distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. To the extent that such Reserved Securities are not orally confirmed for purchase by such eligible employees and persons having business relationships with the Company by the first business day after the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Securities may be offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (No ) covering the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses. Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will either (i) prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A ("Rule 430A") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations") and 3

18 paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule 424(b)") of the 1933 Act Regulations or (ii) if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a "Term Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 424(b). Two forms of prospectuses are to be used in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities: one relating to the U.S. Securities (the "Form of U.S. Prospectus") and one relating to the International Securities (the "Form of International Prospectus"). The Form of International Prospectus is identical to the Form of U.S. Prospectus, except for the front cover and back cover pages and the information under the caption "Underwriting". The information included in such prospectus or in such Term Sheet, as the case may be, that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective (a) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A Information" or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is referred to as "Rule 434 Information." The Form of U.S. Prospectus and Form of International Prospectus used before such registration statement became effective, and any prospectus that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information or the Rule 434 Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a "preliminary prospectus." Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and schedules thereto at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, as applicable, is herein called the "Registration Statement." Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement," and after such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final Form of U.S. Prospectus and the final Form of International Prospectus in the forms first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities are herein called the "U.S. Prospectus" and the "International Prospectus" respectively, and collectively the "Prospectuses." If Rule 434 is relied on, the terms "U.S. Prospectus" and "International Prospectus" shall refer to the preliminary U.S. Prospectus dated January 8, 1999 and preliminary International Prospectus dated January 8, 1999, respectively, each together with the applicable Term Sheet, and all references in this Agreement to the date of the Prospectuses shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to 4

19 the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus, the International Prospectus or any Term Sheet or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR"). SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to each U.S. Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each U.S. Underwriter, as follows: (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Each of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any U.S. Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither of the Prospectuses nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectuses or any amendments or supplements were issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any U.S. Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If Rule 434 is used, the Company will comply with the 5

20 requirements of Rule 434 and the Prospectuses shall not be "materially different", as such term is used in Rule 434, from the prospectuses included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective. The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the U.S. Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any U.S. Underwriter through the U.S. Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the U.S. Prospectus. Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectuses filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and each of the Prospectuses delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. (ii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedule included in the Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations. (iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, together with the related schedule and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the respective statement of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedule included in the Registration Statement presents fairly in all material 6

21 respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectuses present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial statement and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein, have been prepared and presented in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. (iv) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole), whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect"), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole), and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock. (v) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectuses and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and under the International Purchase Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. 7

22 (vi) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each "significant subsidiary" of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (each a "Subsidiary" and, collectively, the "Subsidiaries") has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectuses and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Subsidiary. The only Subsidiaries of the Company are the Subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement. (vii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectuses in the column entitled "Historical" under the caption "Capitalization" (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement or the International Purchase Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectuses or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Prospectuses). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. (viii) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. 8

23 (ix) Authorization and Description of Securities. The Securities to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and to the International Managers pursuant to the International Purchase Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, respectively, against payment of the consideration set forth herein and therein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectuses and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. (x) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or in default, or, to the Company's knowledge, alleged by any other party to be in default, in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments") except for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectuses under the caption "Use of Proceeds" and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of 9

24 the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any subsidiary or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or operations. As used herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any subsidiary. (xi) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any subsidiary's principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, in either case, may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (xii) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the International Purchase Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation 10