SC 13D/A 1 a21-7154_1sc13da.htm SC 13D/A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 20)*

AutoNation, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01

(Title of Class of Securities)

05329W102

(CUSIP Number)

Jenny Zhou, Esq.

2365 Carillon Point

Kirkland, WA 98033

(425) 889-7900

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)

February 16, 2021

(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.o

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)		o
		(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) o
	6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization State of Washington

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With			7.		Sole Voting Power 18,431,162 (1)

			8.		Shared Voting Power -0-

			9.		Sole Dispositive Power 18,431,162 (1)

			10.		Shared Dispositive Power -0-
	11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 18,431,162 (1)
	12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) o
	13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 22.4% (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 82,232,776 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 12, 2021, as reported on the Issuer’s Form 10-K filed on February 16, 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)		o
		(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) o
	6.	Citizenship or Place of Organization United States of America

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With			7.		Sole Voting Power 18,431,162 (1)

			8.		Shared Voting Power -0-

			9.		Sole Dispositive Power 18,431,162 (1)

			10.		Shared Dispositive Power -0-
	11.	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 18,431,162 (1)
	12.	Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) o
	13.	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 22.4% (2)
	14.	Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN

(2) Based on 82,232,776 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 12, 2021, as reported on the Issuer’s Form 10-K filed on February 16, 2021.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This Amendment No. 20 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 (the “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; and May 17, 2019, relating to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Issuer”). As disclosed in a prior amendment, the Trust and Melinda French Gates are no longer reporting persons hereunder.

This Amendment is being filed due to an increase in the percentage of the Reporting Persons’ ownership resulting from a decrease in the Issuer’s outstanding shares of Common Stock, and not due to any recent acquisitions by Cascade.

Item 2. Identity and Background

(b)-(c) The business address and principal occupation of Mr. Gates disclosed in the Schedule 13D previously filed by the Reporting Persons are replaced as follows: Mr. Gates, a natural person, is a Co-Trustee of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His principal office and principal place of business is 500 Fifth Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109.

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 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 shares 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.

(d) None.

(e) Not applicable.

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: February 18, 2021		CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.(1)

		By	*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger(2)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact for Michael Larson, Business Manager


		WILLIAM H. GATES III(1)

		By	*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger(3)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact


	*By:	/s/ Alan Heuberger
		Alan Heuberger

(1) This Amendment is being filed jointly by the Reporting Persons pursuant to the Joint Filing Agreement dated February 5, 2009, and included with the signature page to the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D filed with respect to the Issuer on February 5, 2009, SEC File No. 005-40342, and incorporated by reference herein.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

SEC Form SC 13D/A filed