third parties for similar goods or services to ascertain whether such transactions with affiliates are on terms that are no less favorable to us than are otherwise available from such unaffiliated third parties. If a transaction with an affiliated third party were found to be on terms less favorable to us than with an unaffiliated third party, we would not engage in such transaction.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with the Sponsor, our officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with the Sponsor, our officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent accounting firm, or independent investment banking firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement. Our initial shareholders and Chardan and their permitted transferees can demand, after we consummates our initial business combination, that we register the Founder Shares, the Private Placement Units and underlying securities, the shares underlying the warrants underlying the unit purchase option being issued to the underwriters of the IPO, and any securities issued upon conversion of working capital loans, pursuant to such agreement. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights on registration statements filed after the Company’s consummation of our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chardan may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years after July 24, 2018 and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion.
Zhongchai Holding Related Person Transactions
As of June 30, 2020, Zhongchai Holding owed approximately $109,414 to Zhuhai Hengzhong Industrial Investment Fund (Limited Partnership), a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang, which amount reflects certain fees paid by Zhuhai Hengzhong Industrial Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) on behalf of Zhongchai Holding.
Zhongchai Holding incurred a receivable from Zhongchai Equity Holder in connection with the transfer of Hengyu’s 16.23% ownership in Sinomachinery Group Limited to Zhongchai Equity Holder in June 2017, the balance of which was $1,359,628 and $1,339,654 respectively, as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, with variance due to change in the USD/RMB exchange rate.
As of December 31, 2019, Zhongchai Holding owed approximately $1,773,365 to Sinomachinery Holding Limited, a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang, which amount reflects an overpayment made to Zhongchai Holding for a certain purchase order in December 2011. The balance was $ 1,775,869 as of June 30, 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, Zhongchai Holding purchased materials in the aggregate amount of approximately $0.8 million from Zhejiang Zhonggong Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang. $13,262 and $0 remained unpaid and due as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, with variance due to an immaterial USD/RMB exchange rate fluctuation.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, Zhongchai Holding purchased materials and equipment in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.0 million, and during the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately $1.4 million, from Zhejiang Zhonggong Machinery Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang. $207,177 and $366,585 remained unpaid and due as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, Zhongchai Holding provided services and sold goods in the aggregate amount of approximately $610,000 to Cenntro Smart Manufacturing Tech. Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang, with $1,981 and $353 remained unpaid and due as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
In March 2011, Zhejiang Kangchen Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Peter Zuguang Wang, made a loan to Zhongchai Holding in the principal amount of approximately $65,000, without interest. $64,505 and $64,505 remained unpaid and due as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
PROPOSAL NO. 2 — RATIFICTION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTRED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee has selected BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP (“BDO”) to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020 and selected WWC Corporation (“WWC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, effective November 16, 2020.
We are asking our shareholders to ratify the appointment of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020 and the appointment of WWC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. In the event our shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the audit committee may reconsider this appointment.
We have been advised by BDO and WWC that neither of the firms nor any of their respective associates had any relationship during the last fiscal year with our company other than the usual relationship that exists between independent registered public accountant firms and their clients. Representatives of BDO and WWC are not expected to attend the Meeting in person and therefore are not expected to be available to respond to any questions. As a result, representatives of BDO and WWC will not make a statement at the Meeting.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table represents fees for professional audit services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and fees billed for other services rendered in each year.
Types of Fees
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Audit fees(1)
|
|
$
|
379,303
|
|
$
|
70,410
|
Audit-related fees(2)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Tax fees(3)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
All other fees(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Totals
|
|
$
|
379,303
|
|
$
|
70,410
|
Policies and Procedures Relating to Approval of Services by our Independent Registered Public Accountants
The audit committee is solely responsible for the approval in advance of all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firms (including the fees and other terms thereof), subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services provided by Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act, which services are subsequently approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit. None of the fees listed above are for services rendered pursuant to such de minimis exceptions.
The audit committee of our Board has established its pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to which the audit committee approved the foregoing audit, tax and non-audit services provided by BDO in 2019. Consistent with the audit committee’s responsibility for engaging our independent auditors, all audit and permitted non-audit services require pre-approval by the audit committee. The full audit committee approves proposed services and fee estimates for these services. One or more independent directors serving on the audit committee may be delegated by the full audit committee to pre-approve any audit and non-audit services. Any such delegation shall be presented to the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. Pursuant to these procedures, the audit committee approved the foregoing audit services provided by BDO.
16
Vote Required
Proposal No. 2 (the ratification of the appointment by the audit committee of BDO to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020, and the appointment of WWC to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, effective November 16, 2020) will be approved if a majority of the total votes properly cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting by the holders of Ordinary Shares vote “FOR” the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the result of the vote.
Unless marked to the contrary, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy card will be voted “FOR” ratification of the appointment of BDO as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020 and the appointment of WWC as the independent registered public accounting form of the Company for the remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, effective November 16, 2020.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote all of your shares “FOR” the ratification of BDO as independent registered public accounting firm for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020 and the ratification of WWC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, effective November 16, 2020, as described in this Proposal No. 2.
Audit Committee Report
The primary purpose of the audit committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee our financial reporting activities. The audit committee is responsible for reviewing with both our independent registered public accounting firm and management, our accounting and reporting principles, policies and practices, as well as our accounting, financial and operating controls and staff. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management, and has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB” ) in Rule 3200T. Additionally, the audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm, as required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. Based upon such review and discussion, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for filing with the SEC.
Min Zhang
Everett Xiaolin Wang
Hong Liang Lu
The information contained in this proxy statement with respect to the audit committee’s report above and the independence of the members of the audit committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act” ), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference in such filing.
17
PROPOSAL NO. 3 — APPROVAL OF 2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board has declared advisable, adopted and is submitting for shareholder approval, the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means for directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors to acquire and maintain an interest in the Company, which interest may be measured by reference to the value of our Ordinary Shares.
If approved by the Company’s shareholders, the Plan will be effective as of the date that the Board approves the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Proposal No. 3 shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex A. The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan.
Description of the Plan
Administration. Our Compensation Committee will administer the Plan. The Compensation Committee will have the authority to determine the terms and conditions of any agreements evidencing any Awards granted under the Plan and to adopt, alter and repeal rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan. Our Compensation Committee will have full discretion to administer and interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as it deems necessary or advisable.
Eligibility. Current or prospective employees, directors, officers, advisors or consultants of the Company or its affiliates are eligible to participate in the Plan. Our Compensation Committee has the sole and complete authority to determine who will be granted an award under the Plan, however, it may delegate such authority to one or more officers of the Company under the circumstances set forth in the Plan.
Number of Shares Authorized. The Plan provides for an aggregate of One Million (1,000,000) ordinary shares to be available for awards. If an award is forfeited, the ordinary shares subject to such award will again be made available for future grant. Ordinary shares that are withheld to satisfy the Participant’s tax withholding obligation will not be available for re-grant under the Plan.
Each ordinary share underlying an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Bonus Awards will reduce the number of ordinary shares available for issuance under the Plan by one share.
If there is any change in our corporate capitalization, the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion may make substitutions or adjustments to the number of shares reserved for issuance under our Plan, the number of shares covered by awards then outstanding under our Plan, the limitations on awards under our Plan, the exercise price of outstanding options and such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine appropriate.
The Plan will have a term of ten (10) years and no further awards may be granted under the Plan after that date.
Awards Available for Grant. Our Compensation Committee may grant awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards, or any combination of the foregoing.
Restricted Stock. Our Compensation Committee will be authorized to award Restricted Stock under the Plan. Our Compensation Committee will determine the terms of such Restricted Stock awards. Restricted Stock are ordinary shares that generally are non-transferable and subject to other restrictions determined by our Compensation Committee for a specified period. Unless our Compensation Committee determines otherwise or specifies otherwise in an Award agreement, if the participant terminates employment or services during the restricted period, then any unvested Restricted Stock is forfeited.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Our Compensation Committee will be authorized to award Restricted Stock Unit awards. Our Compensation Committee will determine the terms of such Restricted Stock Units. Unless our Compensation Committee determines otherwise or specifies otherwise in an Award agreement, if the participant terminates employment or services during the period of time over which all or a portion of the units are to be earned, then any unvested units will be forfeited.
Stock Bonus Awards. Our Compensation Committee will be authorized to grant awards of unrestricted ordinary shares or other awards denominated in ordinary shares, either alone or in tandem with other awards, under such terms and conditions as our Compensation Committee may determine.
18
Transferability. Each award may be exercised during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the participant’s guardian or legal representative and may not be otherwise transferred or encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Our Compensation Committee, however, may permit awards to be transferred to family members, a trust for the benefit of such family members, a partnership or limited liability company whose partners or shareholders are the participant and his or her family members or anyone else approved by it.
Change in Control. Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award agreement or as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, in the event of a Change in Control, all outstanding equity awards issued under the Plan will become fully vested and performance compensation awards will vest, as determined by our Compensation Committee, based on the level of attainment of the specified performance goals.
The ordinary shares underlying this Plan as of October 28, 2020, had an aggregate market value of $2,130,000 on the Nasdaq.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the grant and exercise and vesting of awards under the Plan and the disposition of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such awards and is intended to reflect the current provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder. This summary is not intended to be a complete statement of applicable law, nor does it address foreign, state, local and payroll tax considerations. Moreover, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular participant may differ from those described herein by reason of, among other things, the particular circumstances of such participant. This discussion is not intended to be specific income tax advice on which we or any participant will rely.
Tax Withholding. Ordinary income recognized on vesting of restricted stock, and settlement of restricted stock units is subject to income and employment tax wage withholding, unless the participant is a non-employee director or consultant. The Compensation Committee may allow a participant to satisfy his or her tax withholding requirements under federal and state tax laws in connection with the exercise or receipt of an award by payment in cash, withholding from the participant’s other compensation, electing to have shares withheld, and/or delivering to us already-owned shares of our common stock.
Restricted Stock. The federal income tax consequences of restricted stock awards will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each award, including, in particular, the nature of any restrictions imposed with respect to the awards. In general, if restricted stock is granted subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (for example, conditioned upon the future performance of substantial services by the participant) and is nontransferable, a participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of an award of restricted stock unless the participant otherwise elects to be taxed at the time of grant pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. On the date an award of restricted stock becomes transferable or is no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”, the participant will recognize taxable compensation equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on that date over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any, unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. If the participant made an election under Section 83(b), the participant will recognize taxable compensation at the time of grant equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. (Special rules apply to the receipt and disposition of restricted shares received by officers and directors who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act). The company will be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized by the participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to executives designated in those Sections.
Restricted Stock Units. A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of a restricted stock unit award. Rather, upon the delivery of shares or cash pursuant to a restricted stock unit award, the participant will have ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the number of shares (or the amount of cash) the participant actually receives with respect to the award. Appreciation in value of the shares after the settlement date will be treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain, and depreciation in value will be treated as short-term or long-term capital loss, depending on how long the shares have been held. Long-term capital gains may be eligible for reduced rates if the participant has satisfied applicable holding period requirements. The company will be able to deduct the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but the deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
19
Stock Bonus Awards. A participant will have taxable compensation equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date the ordinary shares subject to the award are transferred to the participant over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. The company will be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized by the participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.
Section 409A. A participant receiving an award that is subject to, but fails to comply with, the deferred compensation requirements of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) may be subject to a penalty tax of 20% of the income from such award plus interest charges, in addition to ordinary income tax. Failure to comply with Section 409A also may result in an acceleration of the timing of income taxation of such awards. Awards granted under the 2020 Plan are intended to be exempt from or to comply with the rules of Section 409A.
Section 162(m) Limitation. In general, Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder deny a publicly held corporation a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year per person to its principal executive officer and other officers. The Plan is intended to satisfy an exception with respect to grants of options to covered employees. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, certain compensation was exempt from this $1 million limitation on deductibility if such compensation qualified as “performance-based compensation.” However, effective for tax years commencing after December 31, 2017, the performance-based compensation exemption was eliminated and the limitation on deductibility was expanded to include all named executive officers. As a result, the Company’s tax deductions for grants under the 2020 Plan may be limited or eliminated as a result of the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Vote Required
Proposal No. 3 (the ratification and approval of the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan) will be approved if a majority of the total votes properly cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting by the holders of ordinary shares vote “FOR” the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the result of the vote.
Unless marked to the contrary, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy card will be voted “FOR” ratification of the Plan.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote all of your shares “FOR” the ratification and approval of the Plan as described in this Proposal No. 3.
20
OTHER MATTERS
Our Board knows of no other matter to be presented at the Meeting. If any additional matter should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on any such matters.
OTHER INFORMATION
Deadline for Submission of Shareholder Proposals for 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
For any proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for submission to the shareholders at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, it must be submitted in writing and comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Such proposals must be received by the Company at its offices at 11-F, Building #12, Sunking Plaza, Gaojiao Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, no later than May 29, 2020.
If we are not notified of a shareholder proposal a reasonable time prior to the time we send our proxy statement for our 2020 annual meeting, then our Board will have discretionary authority to vote on the shareholder proposal, even though the shareholder proposal is not discussed in the proxy statement. In order to curtail any controversy as to the date on which a shareholder proposal was received by us, it is suggested that shareholder proposals be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested, and be addressed to Greenland Technologies Holding Corporation, 11-F, Building #12, Sunking Plaza, Gaojiao Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding, the foregoing shall not affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act nor grant any shareholder a right to have any nominee included in our proxy statement.
Director Attendance
The Board did not hold meetings in 2019. Each director standing for election in 2020 is expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders, either in person or telephonically, absent cause. All of our directors attended the annual meeting last year, in person or telephonically.
Proxy Solicitation
The solicitation of proxies is made on behalf of the Board and we will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. The transfer agent and registrar for our Ordinary Shares, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as a part of its regular services and for no additional compensation other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, has been engaged to assist in the proxy solicitation. Proxies may be solicited through the mail and through telephonic or telegraphic communications to, or by meetings with, shareholders or their representatives by our directors, officers and other employees who will receive no additional compensation therefor. We may also retain a proxy solicitation firm to assist us in obtaining proxies by mail, facsimile or email from record and beneficial holders of shares for the Meeting. If we retain a proxy solicitation firm, we expect to pay such firm reasonable and customary compensation for its services, including out-of-pocket expenses.
We request persons such as brokers, nominees and fiduciaries holding stock in their names for others, or holding stock for others who have the right to give voting instructions, to forward proxy material to their principals and to request authority for the execution of the proxy. We will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses.
Annual Report
The Annual Report is being sent with this Proxy Statement to each shareholder and is available at www.proxyvote.com as well as on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Annual Report contains our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The Annual Report, however, is not to be regarded as part of the proxy soliciting material.
21
Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households
Only one copy of this proxy statement and one copy of our Annual Report are being delivered to multiple registered shareholders who share an address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. A separate form of proxy and a separate notice of the Meeting are being included for each account at the shared address. Registered shareholders who share an address and would like to receive a separate copy of our Annual Report and/or a separate copy of this proxy statement, or have questions regarding the householding process, may contact the Company’s transfer agent: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, by calling (212) 509-4000, or by forwarding a written request addressed to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State St, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Promptly upon request, a separate copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and/or a separate copy of this proxy Statement will be sent. By contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, registered shareholders sharing an address can also (i) notify the Company that the registered shareholders wish to receive separate annual reports to shareholders, proxy statements and/or Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, In the future or (ii) request delivery of a single copy of annual reports to shareholders and proxy statements in the future if registered shareholders at the shared address are receiving multiple copies.
Many brokers, brokerage firms, broker/dealers, banks and other holders of record have also instituted “householding” (delivery of one copy of materials to multiple shareholders who share an address). If your family has one or more “street name” accounts under which you beneficially own ordinary shares, you may have received householding information from your broker, brokerage firm, broker/dealer, bank or other nominee in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this proxy statement or our Annual Report or wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute householding.
Where You Can Find Additional Information
Accompanying this proxy statement is a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Such Report constitutes the Company’s Annual Report to its Shareholders for purposes of Rule 14a-3 under the Exchange Act. Such Report includes the Company’s audited financial statements for the 2019 fiscal year and certain other financial information, which is incorporated by reference herein. The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders who have questions in regard to any aspect of the matters discussed in this proxy statement should contact Jing Jin, our Chief Financial Officer, at 11-F, Building #12, Sunking Plaza, Gaojiao Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, or by telephone on (86) 010-53607082.
22
Annex A
GREENLAND TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING CORPORATION
2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Greenland Technologies Holding Corporation 2020 Equity Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below) may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, managers, employees, consultants and advisors (and prospective directors, officers, managers, employees, consultants and advisors) of the Company and its Affiliates can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, which may (but need not) be measured by reference to the value of Ordinary Shares (as defined below), thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its Affiliates and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.
2. Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable throughout this Plan:
(a) “Affiliate” means (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest as determined by the Committee in its discretion. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b) “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Stock Bonus Award granted under this Plan.
(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) “Business Combination” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”
(e) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by federal law or executive order to be closed.
(f) “Cause” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement or similar document or policy between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement, document or policy (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), (A) a continuing material breach or material default (including, without limitation, any material dereliction of duty) by Participant of any agreement between the Participant and the Company, except for any such breach or default which is caused by the physical disability of the Participant (as determined by a neutral physician), or a continuing failure by the Participant to follow the direction of a duly authorized representative of the Company; (B) gross negligence, willful misfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty by the Participant; (C) the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of the Company or its Affiliate’s assets or any felony or other crime of dishonesty in connection with the Participant’s duties; (D) conviction of the Participant of a felony or any other crime that would materially and adversely affect: (i) the business reputation of the Company or (ii) the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Company, or (E) failure by a Participant to follow the lawful directions of a superior officer or the Board. Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.
(g) “Change in Control” shall, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise or contains a different definition of “Change in Control,” be deemed to occur upon:
(i) An acquisition (whether directly from the Company or otherwise) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has ownership of more than two thirds (2/3) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities.
Annex A-1
(ii) The individuals who constitute the members of the Board at the relevant time cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least forty percent (40%) of the members of the Board; or
(iii) The consummation of any of the following events:
(A) A merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) above would be the result;
(B) A liquidation or dissolution of or appointment of a receiver, rehabilitator, conservator or similar person for, or the filing by a third party of an involuntary bankruptcy against, the Company; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the occurrence of an event described in this subsection (B) shall not permit the settlement of Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan; or
(C) An agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a subsidiary of the Company).
(h) “Closing Price” means (A) during such time as the Ordinary Shares are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the closing price of the Ordinary Shares as reported by an established stock exchange or automated quotation system on the day for which such value is to be determined, or, if no sale of the Ordinary Shares shall have been made on any such stock exchange or automated quotation system that day, on the next preceding day on which there was a sale of such Ordinary Shares, or (B) during any such time as the Ordinary Shares are not listed upon an established stock exchange or automated quotation system, the mean between dealer “bid” and “ask” prices of the Ordinary Shares in the over-the-counter market on the day for which such value is to be determined, as reported by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or (C) during any such time as the Ordinary Shares cannot be valued pursuant to (A) or (B) above, the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee considering all relevant information including, by example and not by limitation, the services of an independent appraiser.
(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. References in this Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.
(j) “Committee” means a committee of at least two people as the Board may appoint to administer this Plan or, if no such committee has been appointed by the Board, the Board. Unless altered by an action of the Board, the Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k) “Company” means Greenland Technologies Holding Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company, together with its successors and assigns.
(l) “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.
(m) “Disability” means a “permanent and total” disability incurred by a Participant while in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate. For this purpose, a permanent and total disability shall mean that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.
(n) “Effective Date” means the date when the Plan is adopted by the Board.
(o) “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(p) “Eligible Person” means any (i) individual employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) consultant or advisor to the Company or an Affiliate, provided that if the Securities Act applies such persons must be eligible to be offered securities registrable on Form S-8 under the Securities Act; or (iv) prospective employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who have
Annex A-2
accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Affiliates (and would satisfy the provisions of clauses (i) through (iii) above once he or she begins employment with or begins providing services to the Company or its Affiliates).
(q) “Exchange Act” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control,” and any reference in this Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(r) “Fair Market Value”, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with all applicable laws, rules regulations and standards, means, on a given date, (i) if the Ordinary Shares (A) are listed on a national securities exchange or (B) are not listed on a national securities exchange, but is quoted by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (www.otcmarkets.com) or any successor or alternative recognized over-the-counter market or another inter-dealer quotation system, on a last sale basis, the average selling price of the Ordinary Shares reported on such national securities exchange or other inter-dealer quotation system, determined as the arithmetic mean of such selling prices over the thirty (30)-Business Day period preceding the Date of Grant, weighted based on the volume of trading of such Ordinary Shares on each trading day during such period; or (ii) if the Ordinary Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares.
(s) “Immediate Family Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12(b) of this Plan.
(t) “Indemnifiable Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of this Plan.
(u) “Intellectual Property Products” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12(c) of this Plan.
(v) “Mature Shares” means Ordinary Shares owned by a Participant that are not subject to any pledge or security interest and that have been either previously acquired by the Participant on the open market or meet such other requirements, if any, as the Committee may determine are necessary in order to avoid an accounting earnings charge on account of the use of such shares to pay the Exercise Price or satisfy a withholding obligation of the Participant.
(w) “Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares with no par value of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such ordinary shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).
(x) “Outstanding Company Voting Securities” means the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the company entitled to vote.
(y) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in this Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan.
(z) “Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12(b) of this Plan.
(aa) “Person” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”
(bb) “Plan” means this Greenland Technologies Holding Corporation 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.
(cc) “Retirement” means the fulfillment of each of the following conditions: (i) the Participant is good standing with the Company as determined by the Committee; (ii) the voluntary termination by a Participant of such Participant’s employment or service to the Company and (iii) that at the time of such voluntary termination, the sum of: (1) the Participant’s age (calculated to the nearest month, with any resulting fraction of a year being calculated as the number of months in the year divided by 12) and (2) the Participant’s years of employment or service with the Company (calculated to the nearest month, with any resulting fraction of a year being calculated as the number of months in the year divided by 12) equals at least 62 (provided that, in any case, the foregoing shall only be applicable if, at the time of Retirement, the Participant shall be at least 55 years of age and shall have been employed by or served with the Company for no less than 5 years).
(dd) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.
Annex A-3
(ee) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Ordinary Shares, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 7 of this Plan.
(ff) “Restricted Stock” means Ordinary Shares, subject to certain specified restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 7 of this Plan.
(gg) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in this Plan to any section of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other official interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(hh) “Stock Bonus Award” means an Award granted under Section 8 of this Plan.
(ii) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Outstanding Company Voting Securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or shareholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(ii) any partnership or limited liability company (or any comparable foreign entity) (a) the sole general partner or managing member (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners or managing members (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
(jj) “Substitute Award” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e).
(kk) “Treasury Regulations” means any regulations, whether proposed, temporary or final, promulgated by the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Code, and any successor provisions.
3. Effective Date; Duration. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised or paid (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted unless contingent on shareholder approval) unless and until this Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months after the Effective Date. The expiration date of this Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of this Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.
4. Administration.
(a) The Committee shall administer this Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under this Plan) or necessary to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he takes any action with respect to an Award under this Plan, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under this Plan. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Whether a quorum is present shall be determined based on the Committee’s charter as approved by the Board.
(b) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by this Plan and its charter, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Ordinary Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and
Annex A-4
the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, settle any controversy regarding, correct any defect in and/or complete any omission in this Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, this Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules, conditions and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of this Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of this Plan.
(c) The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Committee herein, and that may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons (i) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) who are, or who are reasonably expected to be, “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to this Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to this Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any shareholder of the Company.
(e) No member of the Board, the Committee, delegate of the Committee or any employee, advisor or agent of the Company or the Board or the Committee (each such person, an “Indemnifiable Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (and the Company shall pay or reimburse on demand for) any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under this Plan or any Award agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, provided, that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts or omissions of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold them harmless.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer this Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under this Plan.
5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to this Plan; Limitations.
(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and/or Stock Bonus Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.
(b) Subject to Section 3 and Section 9 of this Plan, the Committee is authorized to deliver under this Plan an aggregate of One Million (1,000,000) Ordinary Shares. Each Ordinary Share underlying an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock Bonus Awards will reduce the number of Ordinary Shares available for issuance under this Plan by one share.
Annex A-5
(c) Ordinary Shares underlying Awards under this Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, expire unexercised, or are settled in cash shall be available again for Awards under this Plan at the same ratio at which they were previously granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares that are used or withheld to satisfy tax obligations of the Participant shall not be available again for Awards under the Plan..
(d) Ordinary Shares delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing.
(e) Subject to compliance with Section 1.409A-3(f) of the Treasury Regulations, Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under this Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). The number of Ordinary Shares underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares available for Awards under this Plan.
6. Eligibility. Participation shall be limited to Eligible Persons who have entered into an Award agreement or who have received written notification from the Committee, or from a person designated by the Committee, that they have been selected to participate in this Plan.
7. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Generally. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each such grant shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
(b) Restricted Accounts; Escrow or Similar Arrangement. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, a book entry in a restricted account shall be established in the Participant’s name at the Company’s transfer agent and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than held in such restricted account pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate share power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank share power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void ab initio. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7 and the applicable Award agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to such Restricted Stock, including without limitation the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends, if applicable. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any share certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a shareholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.
(c) Vesting; Acceleration of Lapse of Restrictions. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement: (i) the Restricted Period shall lapse with respect to 100% of the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units after six months of the Date of Grant; and (ii) the unvested portion of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate and be forfeited upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the applicable Award.
(d) Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. (i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable certificate shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, the share certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock that have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in Ordinary Shares having a Closing Price equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends (except as otherwise set forth by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement).
Annex A-6
(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, one Ordinary Share for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion and subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, elect to (i) pay cash or part cash and part Ordinary Share in lieu of delivering only Ordinary Shares in respect of such Restricted Stock Units or (ii) defer the delivery of Ordinary Shares (or cash or part Ordinary Shares and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such delivery would result in a violation of applicable law until such time as is no longer the case. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering Ordinary Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Closing Price of the Ordinary Shares as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld.
8. Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee may issue unrestricted Ordinary Shares, or other Awards denominated in Ordinary Shares, under this Plan to Eligible Persons, either alone or in tandem with other awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Stock Bonus Award granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Stock Bonus Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
9. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events. In the event of (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) that affects the Ordinary Shares, or (b) unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments that are equitable, including without limitation any or all of the following:
(i) adjusting any or all of (A) the number of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under this Plan (including, without limitation, adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 5 of this Plan) and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, the number of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate;
(ii) providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; and
provided, however, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) or ASC Topic 718, or any successor thereto), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustments under this Section 9 shall be made in a manner that does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.
10. Effect of Change in Control. Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award agreement or as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, in the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, with respect to all or any portion of a particular outstanding Award or Awards, the Restricted Period may expire as of a time prior to the Change in Control.
Annex A-7
To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the preceding sentence shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control transactions with respect to the Ordinary Shares subject to their Awards. In the event no action is taken by the Committee to allow for the changes set forth above, then no changes to the Award shall be effected.
11. Amendments and Termination.
(a) Amendment and Termination of this Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate this Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, that (i) no amendment to the definition of Eligible Employee in Section 2, Section 5(i) or Section 11(b) (to the extent required by the proviso in such Section 11(b)) shall be made without shareholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to this Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Ordinary Shares may be listed or quoted or to prevent the Company from being denied a tax deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code); and, provided, further, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the prior written consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(b) Amendment of Award Agreements. The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; and, provided, further, that without shareholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 9 of this Plan, the Committee may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the shareholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted.
12. General.
(a) Award Agreements. Each Award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)) and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, Disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. The Company’s failure to specify any term of any Award in any particular Award agreement shall not invalidate such term, provided such terms was duly adopted by the Board or the Committee.
(b) Nontransferability; Trading Restrictions.
(i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or an Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards to be transferred by a Participant, with or without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award agreement to preserve the purposes of this Plan, to: (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act (collectively, the “Immediate Family Members”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or shareholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) any other transferee as may be approved either (I) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (II) as provided in the applicable Award agreement (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B) (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”);
Annex A-8
provided, that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of this Plan.
(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in this Plan, or in any applicable Award agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under this Plan or otherwise; and (C) the consequences of the termination of the Participant’s employment by, or services to, the Company or an Affiliate under the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant.
(iv) The Committee shall have the right, either on an Award-by-Award basis or as a matter of policy for all Awards or one or more classes of Awards, to condition the delivery of vested Ordinary Shares received in connection with such Award on the Participant’s agreement to such restrictions as the Committee may determine.
(c) Tax Withholding.
(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, or the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under this Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of Ordinary Shares (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares) owned by the Participant having a fair market value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of Ordinary Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a fair market value equal to such withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability).
(d) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver. No employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or other person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under this Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Company or any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under this Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or any Award agreement. By accepting an Award under this Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under this Plan or any Award agreement, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Company and its Affiliates and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.
(e) International Participants. With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of this Plan or outstanding Awards (or establish a sub-plan) with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, the Company or its Affiliates.
Annex A-9
(f) Designation and Change of Beneficiary. Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under this Plan upon his or her death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation filed with the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate. Upon the occurrence of a Participant’s divorce (as evidenced by a final order or decree of divorce), any spousal designation previously given by such Participant shall automatically terminate.
(g) Termination of Employment/Service. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence nor a transfer from employment or service with the Company to employment or service with an Affiliate (or vice-versa) shall be considered a termination of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate; and (ii) if a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity (or vice-versa), such change in status shall not be considered a termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate.
(h) No Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or any Award agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of Ordinary Shares that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person.
(i) Government and Other Regulations.
(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Ordinary Shares or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any Ordinary Shares pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the Ordinary Shares to be offered or sold under this Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all certificates for Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under this Plan, the applicable Award agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which such shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, and, without limiting the generality of Section 7 of this Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under this Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.
(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of Ordinary Shares from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Ordinary Shares to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Ordinary Shares from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Ordinary Shares to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, unless doing so would violate Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate fair market value of the Ordinary Shares subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or delivered, as applicable), over (B) any amount payable as a condition of delivery of Ordinary Shares. Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof. The Committee shall have the discretion to consider and take action to mitigate the tax consequence to the Participant in cancelling an Award in accordance with this clause.
Annex A-10
(j) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants. If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under this Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(k) Nonexclusivity of this Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of equity-based awards otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
(l) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or other person or entity, on the other hand. No provision of this Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under this Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under this Plan other than as general unsecured creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law.
(m) Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and/or any other information furnished in connection with this Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself.
(n) Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under this Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.
(o) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions.
(p) Severability. If any provision of this Plan or any Award or Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify this Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws in the manner that most closely reflects the original intent of the Award or the Plan, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of this Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of this Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(q) Obligations Binding on Successors. The obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.
(s) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings. The expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in this Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of this Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.
(t) Other Agreements. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may require, as a condition to the grant of and/or the receipt of Ordinary Shares under an Award, that the Participant execute lock-up, shareholder or other agreements, as it may determine in its sole and absolute discretion.
Annex A-11
(u) Section 409A. The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and all Awards granted under this Plan shall be administered, interpreted, and construed in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the Committee exercise its discretion to accelerate the payment or settlement of an Award where such payment or settlement constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code unless, and solely to the extent that, such accelerated payment or settlement is permissible under Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. If a Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Treasury Regulations) at any time during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of his termination of employment, and any Award hereunder subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code is to be satisfied on account of the Participant’s termination of employment, satisfaction of such Award shall be suspended until the date that is six (6) months after the date of such termination of employment.
(v) Payments. Participants shall be required to pay, to the extent required by applicable law, any amounts required to receive Ordinary Shares under any Award made under this Plan.
Annex A-12
GREENLAND TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING CORPORATION 11-F, BUILDING #12, SUNKING PLAZA, GAOJIAO ROAD HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1, 2020. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1, 2020. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. D26510-Z78513 1. Election of Directors To be elected for terms expiring in 2022: For All Withhold 2. Ratify the appointment of BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP for the interim period from January 1, 2020 to November 13, 2020 and the appointment of WWC Corporation as registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. Nominees: 01) Ming Zhao 02) Everett Xiaolin Wang 03) Charles Athle Nelson To be elected for terms expiring in 2021: 04) Frank Shen 3. To authorize and approve the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. All For All Except For Against Abstain GREENLAND TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING CORPORATION To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3: Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. D26511-Z78513 PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GREENLAND TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING CORPORATION The undersigned hereby appoints Raymond Z. Wang and Jing Jin, and each of them, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other side, all the shares of Greenland Technologies Holding Corporation ordinary shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held December 15, 2020 or any adjournment thereof, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting. THIS PROXY CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE CARD IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES UNDER PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSAL 2, AND FOR PROPOSAL 3 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. (Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on the other side)