Current Report Filing (8-k)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 17, 2023

 

 

 

L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands	001-40196	98-1577355
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	File Number)	Identification Number)

 

 

8 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 1
#41-03, Singapore		018960
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

[phone]

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation to the registrant under any of the following provisions: 

 

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

		Trading		Name of each exchange on
Title of each class		Symbol(s)		which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, $0.0001 par value, and one-third of one redeemable warrant		LCAAU		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A Ordinary Shares included as part of the units		LCAA		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrants included as part of the units, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50		LCAAW		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

 

Emerging growth company x 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

As previously disclosed, L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“LCAA”), on January 31, 2023 entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Lotus Technology Inc., an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Lotus Tech”), Lotus Temp Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lotus Tech (“Merger Sub 1”), and Lotus EV Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lotus Tech (“Merger Sub 2”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into LCAA (the “First Merger”), with LCAA surviving the First Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lotus Tech (the surviving entity of the First Merger, “Surviving Entity 1”), and (ii) immediately following the consummation of the First Merger, Surviving Entity 1 will merge with and into Merger Sub 2 (the “Second Merger”, and together with the First Merger, collectively, the “Mergers”), with Merger Sub 2 surviving the Second Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lotus Tech (the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Mergers, collectively, the “Business Combination”), as described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by LCAA with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2023 (the “January 31 Form 8-K”).

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, LCAA, Lotus Tech and certain shareholders of Lotus Tech holding sufficient number, type and classes of the issued and outstanding shares of Lotus Tech to approve the Business Combination entered into a shareholder support agreement (the “Shareholder Support Agreement”) in the form previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the January 31 Form 8-K, pursuant to which, among other things, such shareholders have each agreed not to transfer any Lotus Tech shares held by such shareholder during the interim period and for a period of six months following the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Shareholder Support Agreement.

 

On May 17, 2023, in connection with the proposed Business Combination, LCAA and Lotus Tech entered into lock-up agreements (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”) substantially in the form previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the January 31 Form 8-K with certain shareholders of Lotus Tech that are not parties to the Shareholder Support Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, such shareholders have each agreed that, for a period of six months following the Closing, such shareholders would not transfer certain Lotus Tech shares that such shareholder will hold following the Closing, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement. The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the form of Lock-Up Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This current report (the “Current Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Lotus Tech and LCAA. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Current Report are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “forecast”, “plan”, “seek”, “future”, “propose” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology although not all forward-looking statements contain such terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

 

 

 

 

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by LCAA and its management, and Lotus Tech and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of definitive agreements with respect to the proposed Business Combination between LCAA, Lotus Tech and the other parties thereto; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against LCAA, the combined company or others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (3) the amount of redemption requests made by LCAA public shareholders and the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of LCAA, to obtain financing to complete the Business Combination or to satisfy other conditions to the Closing; (4) changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; (5) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of the Business Combination; (6) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of the Company as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (8) costs related to the Business Combination; (9) risks associated with changes in applicable laws or regulations and the Company’s international operations; (10) the possibility that the Company or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (11) the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; (12) the Company’s ability to maintain agreements or partnerships with its strategic partner Geely and to develop new agreements or partnerships; (13) the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with its existing suppliers and strategic partners, and source new suppliers for its critical components, and to complete building out its supply chain, while effectively managing the risks due to such relationships; (14) the Company’s reliance on its partnerships with vehicle charging networks to provide charging solutions for its vehicles and its strategic partners for servicing its vehicles and their integrated software; (15) the Company’s ability to establish its brand and capture additional market share, and the risks associated with negative press or reputational harm, including from lithium-ion battery cells catching fire or venting smoke; (16) delays in the design, manufacture, launch and financing of the Company’s vehicles and the Company’s reliance on a limited number of vehicle models to generate revenues; (17) the Company’s ability to continuously and rapidly innovate, develop and market new products; (18) risks related to future market adoption of the Company’s offerings; (19) increases in costs, disruption of supply or shortage of materials, in particular for lithium-ion cells or semiconductors; (20) the Company’s reliance on its partners to manufacture vehicles at a high volume, some of which have limited experience in producing electric vehicles, and on the allocation of sufficient production capacity to the Company by its partners in order for the Company to be able to increase its vehicle production capacities; (21) risks related to the Company’s distribution model; (22) the effects of competition and the high barriers to entry in the automotive industry, and the pace and depth of electric vehicle adoption generally on the Company’s future business; (23) changes in regulatory requirements, governmental incentives and fuel and energy prices; (24) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on LCAA, the Company, the Company’s post business combination’s projected results of operations, financial performance or other financial metrics, or on any of the foregoing risks; and (25) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in LCAA’s final prospectus relating to its initial public offering (File No. 333-253334) declared effective by the SEC on March 10, 2021, and other documents filed, or to be filed, with the SEC by LCAA or Lotus Tech, including the Registration/Proxy Statement. There may be additional risks that neither LCAA nor Lotus Tech presently know or that LCAA or Lotus Tech currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

 

Nothing in this Current Report should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved in any specified timeframe, or at all, or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved in any specified timeframe, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this Current Report represent the views of LCAA and Lotus Tech as of the date they are made. While LCAA and Lotus Tech may update these forward-looking statements in the future, LCAA and Lotus Tech specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

 

In connection with the proposed Business Combination, (i) Lotus Tech is expected to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 containing a preliminary proxy statement of LCAA and a preliminary prospectus (the “Registration/Proxy Statement”); and (ii) LCAA will file a definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed Business Combination (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) and will mail the Definitive Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to its shareholders after the Registration/Proxy Statement is declared effective. The Registration/Proxy Statement will contain important information about the proposed Business Combination and the other matters to be voted upon at a meeting of LCAA shareholders to be held to approve the proposed Business Combination. This Current Report does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed Business Combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Business Combination.

 

Before making any voting or other investment decisions, securityholders of LCAA and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the Registration/Proxy Statement and the amendments thereto and the Definitive Proxy Statement and other documents filed in connection with the proposed Business Combination, as these materials will contain important information about LCAA, Lotus Tech and the Business Combination. When available, the Definitive Proxy Statement and other relevant materials for the proposed Business Combination will be mailed to shareholders of LCAA as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration/Proxy Statement, the Definitive Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: LCAA, 8 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 1, #41-03, Singapore 018960, attention: Katie Matarazzo.

 

INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

LCAA and Lotus Tech, and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from LCAA’s shareholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in LCAA is set forth in LCAA’s filings with the SEC (including LCAA’s final prospectus related to its initial public offering (File No. 333-253334) declared effective by the SEC on March 10, 2021), and are available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to LCAA, 8 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 1, #41-03, Singapore 018960, attention: Katie Matarazzo. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants and other persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination will be contained in the Registration/Proxy Statement for the proposed Business Combination when available.

 

No Offer and Non-Solicitation

 

This Current Report is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of LCAA or Lotus Tech, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

No.		Description
10.1		Form of Lock-Up Agreement, by and among L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp, Lotus Technology, Inc. and certain shareholders of Lotus Technology Inc.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: May 17, 2023

 

	L CATTERTON ASIA ACQUISITION CORP
	By:	/s/ Chinta Bhagat
	Name:	Chinta Bhagat
	Title:	Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman