MERCEDES-BENZ TRUST LEASING LLC, as Seller, and MERCEDES-BENZ AUTO LEASE TRUST 2023-A, as Purchaser

MERCEDES-BENZ TRUST LEASING LLC,

as Seller,

 

and

 

MERCEDES-BENZ AUTO LEASE TRUST 2023-A,

as Purchaser

 

---

 

Dated as of May 1, 2023

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

This SECOND-TIER SALE AGREEMENT, dated as of May 1, 2023 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), is between MERCEDES-BENZ TRUST LEASING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as seller (the “Seller”), and MERCEDES-BENZ AUTO LEASE TRUST 2023-A, a Delaware statutory trust, as purchaser (the “Purchaser” or the “Issuer”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2023 (the “Titling Trust Agreement”), among Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC (“MBFS USA”), as titling trust administrator, Mercedes-Benz Trust Holdings LLC, as initial beneficiary, and BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware, Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Titling Trust”), was created to hold title to leases, vehicles and certain related assets (the “Titling Trust Assets”);

 

WHEREAS, MBFS USA, as lender (in such capacity, the “Lender”) and as servicer (in such capacity, the “Servicer”), the Titling Trust (as successor to Daimler Trust), Collateral Title Co. (formerly known (prior to February 1, 2023) as Daimler Title Co.), as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as administrative agent, have entered into a Second Amended and Restated Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2023 (the “Basic Collateral Agency Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lender will make advances to the Titling Trust from time to time that the Titling Trust will use to acquire Titling Trust Assets;

 

WHEREAS, the parties to the Basic Collateral Agency Agreement have entered into the 2023-A Exchange Note Supplement, dated as of May 1, 2023 (the “2023-A Exchange Note Supplement”), pursuant to which an exchange note, having an aggregate initial outstanding principal balance of $1,503,766,116.61, bearing a fixed interest rate of 5.25% per annum and a stated maturity date of February 15, 2029 (the “2023-A Exchange Note”), was issued and delivered to the Lender;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the 2023-A Exchange Note Supplement, MBFS USA and the Titling Trust have also specified certain leases and vehicles to be allocated to a reference pool with respect to the 2023-A Exchange Note;

 

WHEREAS, MBFS USA has sold the 2023-A Exchange Note to the Seller pursuant to a First-Tier Sale Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer was formed pursuant to a trust agreement, dated as of September 23, 2021, as amended and restated as of May 1, 2023, between the Seller and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as owner trustee; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Seller will assign the 2023-A Exchange Note and certain related property and rights to the Purchaser.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

USAGE, DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.  Capitalized Terms; Rules of Usage.  Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Appendix 1 to the 2023-A Servicing Supplement or, if not defined therein, in Appendix A to the Basic Collateral Agency Agreement.  Appendix 1 also contains rules as to usage applicable to this Agreement.  Except as otherwise specified herein or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below for all purposes of this Agreement:

 

“2023-A Servicing Supplement” means the 2023-A Servicing Supplement, dated as of May 1, 2023, to the Basic Servicing Agreement, among MBFS USA, as servicer and lender, Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Trust, as titling trust, and Collateral Title Co., as collateral agent.

 

“Basic Servicing Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2023, among MBFS USA, as lender and as servicer, the Titling Trust and the Collateral Agent.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

SALE OF THE SECOND-TIER ASSETS

 

Section 2.01.  Sale of the Second-Tier Assets.

 

(a)          Effective as of the 2023-A Closing Date, the Seller sells, transfers, assigns and otherwise conveys to the Purchaser, without recourse, all right, title and interest of the Seller, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in, to and under the 2023-A Exchange Note and all of the Seller’s rights under the 2023-A Basic Documents, including all monies paid thereon and all monies due thereon after the 2023-A Cutoff Date (collectively, the “Second-Tier Assets”).

 

(b)          The Purchaser accepts the sales, transfers, assignments and conveyances made pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and sells, transfers, assigns and otherwise conveys to the Seller, without recourse, all right, title and interest of the Purchaser, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in, to and under the Notes and Certificate and the rights to distributions under Section 8.03 of the Indenture, as payment for the 2023-A Exchange Note.  The Second-Tier Assets will become the property and rights of the Purchaser.

 

Section 2.02.  Closing; Further Assignments.

 

(a)          The sale, transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Second-Tier Assets will take place on the 2023-A Closing Date.

 

(b)          The Seller acknowledges that the Issuer will, pursuant to the Indenture, assign and pledge the Second-Tier Assets and certain other property and rights to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the 2023-A Secured Parties and the Noteholders.  The Seller consents to such assignment and pledge.

 

(c)          The sale, transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Second-Tier Assets pursuant to this Agreement is without recourse, and the Seller does not guarantee collection of the Second-Tier Assets or any Collateral Asset included in the 2023-A Reference Pool.

 

Section 2.03.  Intent; Savings Clause.  It is the intention of the parties hereto that (i) the sale pursuant to Section 2.01 constitute an absolute sale of the Second-Tier Assets, including all monies paid thereon and all monies due thereon on or after the 2023-A Cutoff Date, conveying good title to the Second-Tier Assets free and clear of any Lien other than Permitted Liens, from the Seller to the Purchaser and (ii) the Second-Tier Assets not be a part of the Seller’s estate in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of the Seller.  If, notwithstanding the intention of the parties hereto, such sale is deemed to be a pledge in connection with a financing or is otherwise deemed not to be a sale, the Seller grants, and the parties intend that the Seller grants, to the Purchaser a security interest in the Second-Tier Assets and the performance by the Seller of the obligation by the Seller to pay to the Purchaser all amounts received with respect to the 2023-A Exchange Note, and in such event, this Agreement will constitute a security agreement under Applicable Law and the Purchaser will have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party and creditor under the UCC.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 3.01.  Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser.  The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Seller as of the 2023-A Closing Date:

 

(a)          Organization and Good Standing; Qualification.  The Purchaser has been duly organized and is validly existing as a statutory trust duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with the power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its activities as such properties are currently owned or leased and such activities are currently conducted.

 

(b)          Due Qualification.  The Purchaser is duly qualified to do business as a foreign statutory trust in good standing, and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its activities requires such qualification, license or approval, unless the failure to obtain such qualifications, licenses or approvals would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(c)          Power and Authority; Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Binding Obligation.  The Purchaser has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable principles.

 

(d)          No Violation.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by, and the fulfillment of the terms of, this Agreement will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its limited liability company agreement, any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, guarantee, lease financing agreement or similar agreement or instrument under which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the Purchaser’s properties pursuant to the terms of any such agreement or instrument (other than Permitted Liens or Liens contemplated by the 2023-A Basic Documents to which the Purchaser is a party), (iii) violate the certificate of trust of the Purchaser or the Trust Agreement of the Purchaser or (iv) violate or contravene any law or, to the Purchaser’s knowledge, any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Purchaser of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Purchaser or its properties, the failure to comply with which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(e)          No Proceedings.  There are no proceedings pending, or, to the Purchaser’s knowledge, threatened, and to the Purchaser’s knowledge there are no investigations pending or threatened, against or affecting the Purchaser or its property before any Governmental Authority (i) asserting the invalidity or unenforceability of the 2023-A Exchange Note, the Notes or this Agreement, (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f)          No Material Default.  The Purchaser is not in material default under any agreement, contract, instrument, or indenture of any nature whatsoever to which it is bound, which default would have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(g)          No Consent.  No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any Governmental Authority is required under federal or state law for the execution, delivery, and performance by the Purchaser, or compliance by it with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or if required has been obtained or can be obtained prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.02.  Representations and Warranties of the Seller.  The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser as of the 2023-A Closing Date:

 

(a)          Organization and Good Standing; Qualification.  The Seller has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with the power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its activities as such properties are currently owned or leased and such activities are currently conducted.

 

(b)          Due Qualification.  The Seller is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability company in good standing, and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its activities requires such qualification, license or approval, unless the failure to obtain such qualifications, licenses or approvals would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(c)          Power and Authority; Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Binding Obligation.  The Seller has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Seller and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable principles.

 

(d)          No Violation.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by, and the fulfillment of the terms of, this Agreement will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its limited liability company agreement, any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, guarantee, lease financing agreement or similar agreement or instrument under which the Seller is a party or by which the Seller is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the Seller’s properties pursuant to the terms of any such agreement or instrument (other than Permitted Liens or Liens contemplated by the 2023-A Basic Documents), (iii) violate the certificate of formation of the Seller or the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Seller or (iv) violate or contravene any law or, to the Seller’s knowledge, any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Seller of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Seller or its properties, the failure to comply with which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(e)          No Proceedings.  There are no proceedings pending, or, to the Seller’s knowledge, threatened, and to the Seller’s knowledge there are no investigations pending or threatened, against or affecting the Seller or its property before any Governmental Authority (i) asserting the invalidity or unenforceability of the 2023-A Exchange Note, the Notes or this Agreement, (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Seller to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f)          Ownership and Transfer of 2023-A Exchange Note.  Immediately preceding its sale of the 2023-A Exchange Note to the Purchaser, the Seller was the owner of the 2023-A Exchange Note, free and clear of any claim, and after such sale of the 2023-A Exchange Note to the Purchaser, the Purchaser shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits of a holder of the 2023-A Exchange Note under the Basic Collateral Agency Agreement and the 2023-A Exchange Note Supplement.

 

(g)          No Material Default.  The Seller is not in material default under any agreement, contract, instrument, or indenture of any nature whatsoever to which it is bound, which default would have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(h)          No Consent.  No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required under federal or State law for the execution, delivery, and performance by the Seller, or compliance by it with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or if required has been obtained or can be obtained prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

(i)          Ability to Perform.  The Seller does not have any reason or cause to believe that it cannot perform each and every covenant of such party contained in this Agreement.

 

(j)          Solvency; Fair Value.  Both before and after giving effect to the sale, transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Second-Tier Assets pursuant to this Agreement, the Seller is solvent and the transfer of the 2023-A Exchange Note pursuant hereto is not being made with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud the creditors of the Seller or any affiliate thereof.  The Seller is receiving from the Purchaser reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer of 2023-A Exchange Note.

 

(k)          Perfection Representations.  The Seller makes the representations and warranties set forth on Exhibit A.

 

Section 3.03.  Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties set forth in this Article shall survive the closing under Section 2.02 and the pledge of the Second-Tier Assets by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Indenture.  Upon discovery by the Seller, the Purchaser or the Indenture Trustee of a breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties, the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the others.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

CONDITIONS

 

Section 4.01.  Conditions to Obligation of the Purchaser.  The obligation of the Purchaser to accept the Second-Tier Assets as set forth in Section 2.01 is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)          Representations and Warranties True.  The representations and warranties of the Seller contained in Section 3.02 will be true and correct on the 2023-A Closing Date, and the Seller will have performed on or prior to the 2023-A Closing Date all obligations to be performed by the Seller under this Agreement on or prior to the 2023-A Closing Date.

 

(b)          Delivery of 2023-A Exchange Note.  The Seller has delivered to the Purchaser the 2023-A Exchange Note, registered in the name of “Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust 2023-A” or its assignee or endorsed in blank by an effective endorsement.

 

(c)          Documents to be Delivered by the Seller.  On the 2023-A Closing Date, the Seller will deliver such other documents as the Purchaser may reasonably request.

 

(d)          Other Transactions.  The transactions contemplated by the Basic Collateral Agency Agreement, the 2023-A Exchange Note Supplement, the First-Tier Sale Agreement and the Indenture will be consummated on or prior to the 2023-A Closing Date.

 

Section 4.02.  Conditions to Obligation of the Seller.  The obligation of the Seller to sell the 2023-A Exchange Note to the Purchaser as set forth in Section 2.01 is subject to each representation and warranty of the Purchaser as set forth in Section 3.01 being true and correct on the 2023-A Closing Date, and each obligation to be performed by the Purchaser under this Agreement on or prior to the 2023-A Closing Date having been performed on or prior to the 2023-A Closing Date.

 

Section 4.03.  Deemed Satisfaction of Conditions.  Upon the transfer of the Second-Tier Assets to, and the acceptance of the Second-Tier Assets by the Purchaser, all of the conditions set forth in this Article will be deemed to have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

COVENANTS OF THE SELLER

 

Section 5.01.  Protection of Right, Title and Interest to the Second-Tier Assets.

 

(a)          Within ten days after the 2023-A Closing Date, the Seller, as debtor, will record and file, at its own expense, an initial financing statement in each jurisdiction in which such financing statement is required by Applicable Law, naming the Seller, as debtor, and the Purchaser, as secured party, in such manner as is necessary, under the laws of each such jurisdiction, to perfect the sale, transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Second-Tier Assets to the Purchaser (to the extent that such sale, transfer, assignment and conveyance may be perfected by such filing).  The Seller will deliver to the Purchaser file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any such document filed promptly upon such document becoming available following such filing.

 

(b)          The Seller will authorize and file such financing statements and cause to be authorized and filed such continuation statements, all in such manner and in such places as may be required by law fully to preserve, maintain and protect the interest of the Purchaser in the Second-Tier Assets and in the proceeds thereof.  The Seller will deliver to the Purchaser file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any such document filed promptly upon such document becoming available following such filing.

 

(c)          The Seller authorizes the Purchaser to file any financing or continuation statements, and amendments to such statements, in all jurisdictions and with all filing offices as the Purchaser may determine, in its sole discretion, are necessary or advisable fully to preserve, maintain and protect the interest of the Purchaser in the Second-Tier Assets and the proceeds thereof.  Such financing and continuation statements may describe the Second-Tier Assets in any manner as the Purchaser may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the Purchaser’s interest in the Second-Tier Assets.  The Purchaser will deliver to the Seller file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any such document filed promptly upon such document becoming available following such filing.

 

(d)          The Seller agrees to do and perform any and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments required or reasonably requested by the Purchaser or by the Owner Trustee or the Indenture Trustee to more fully effect the purposes of this Agreement, including the execution of any financing statements or continuation statements relating to the Second-Tier Assets for filing under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

(e)          The Seller will give the Purchaser at least 30 days’ prior notice of any change in its jurisdiction of organization and will promptly file (and hereby authorizes the Purchaser and any assignee of the Purchaser hereunder to file) all amendments of any previously filed financing or continuation statement and any new financing statements as may be necessary to continue the perfection of the Purchaser’s interest in the Second-Tier Assets.  The Seller will cause the Servicer to maintain its jurisdiction of organization (for purpose of Section 9-307 of the UCC) in only one state within the United States.

 

(f)          The Seller will not change its name, form of organization or corporate structure in any manner that would or could make any financing statement or continuation statement filed by the Seller in accordance with Section 5.01(a) seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9-506 of the UCC, unless it has given the Purchaser at least 30 days’ prior notice thereof and promptly files appropriate amendments to all previously filed financing statements or continuation statements.

 

Section 5.02.  Other Liens or Interests.  Except for the sales, transfers, assignments and conveyances under this Agreement, the Seller will not sell, contribute, pledge, assign, transfer or allow to be issued any Second-Tier Asset to any other Person, or grant, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any interest therein, and the Seller will defend the right, title, and interest of the Purchaser in, to and under the Second-Tier Assets against all claims of third parties claiming through or under the Seller.  However, the Seller’s obligations under this Section with respect to the 2023-A Exchange Note will terminate upon the payment in full of the 2023-A Exchange Note pursuant to the Basic Collateral Agency Agreement and the 2023-A Exchange Note Supplement.

 

Section 5.03.  Indemnification.  The Seller will be liable under this Agreement only to the extent of the obligations specifically undertaken by the Seller under this Agreement, and agrees to the following:

 

(a)          The Seller will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser, and its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims and liabilities arising out of, or imposed upon the Purchaser through, the willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith of the Seller in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or by reason of reckless disregard of the Seller’s obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

(b)          Promptly upon receipt by the Purchaser, or any of its officers, directors, employees and agents, of notice of the commencement of any suit, action, claim, proceeding or governmental investigation against it, the Purchaser will, if a claim in respect of such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation is to be made against the Seller under this Section, notify the Seller of the commencement of such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation.  The Seller may participate in and assume the defense and settlement of any such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation at its expense, and no settlement of such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation may be made without the approval of the Seller and the Purchaser, which approvals will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Seller’s obligations under this Section will include reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and expenses of litigation.  After notice from the Seller to the Purchaser of the Seller’s intention to assume the defense of such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, and so long as the Seller so assumes the defense of such suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, the Seller will not be liable for any expenses of counsel to the Purchaser unless there is a conflict between the interests of the Seller and the Purchaser, in which case the Seller will pay for the separate counsel to the Purchaser.

 

(c)          If the Seller makes any indemnity payments pursuant to this Section and the Purchaser thereafter collects any of such amounts from others, the Purchaser will promptly repay such amounts to the Seller, without interest.

 

(d)          The indemnity obligations set forth in Section 5.03(a) will be in addition to any obligation that the Seller may otherwise have and will survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.04.  Reserve Initial Deposit.  On the 2023-A Closing Date, the Seller will deposit, or cause to be deposited, the Reserve Initial Deposit into the 2023-A Reserve Account from the net proceeds of the sale of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 6.01.  Obligations of the Seller.  The obligations of the Seller under this Agreement will not be affected by reason of any invalidity, illegality or irregularity of the 2023-A Exchange Note or any 2023-A Lease or 2023-A Vehicle allocated to the 2023-A Reference Pool.

 

Section 6.02.  Amendment.

 

(a)          This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time by a writing executed by the parties hereto, without the consent of any Securityholder, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or to add, change or eliminate any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that, (i) the Seller shall have delivered to the Indenture Trustee an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer to the effect that such action will not materially adversely affect the interests of any Noteholders or (ii) the Rating Agency Condition shall have been satisfied with respect to such amendment.

 

(b)          Each amendment, supplement or other modification of this Agreement, other than those provided for in Section 6.02(a), requires the consent of the Majority Noteholders (or if the Notes are no longer Outstanding, Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than a majority of the aggregate Certificate Percentage Interests); provided, however, that no such amendment may (i) increase or reduce in any manner the amount of, or accelerate or delay the timing of, or change the allocation or priority of, collections of payments on or in respect of the 2023-A Leases and 2023-A Vehicles or distributions that are required to be made for the benefit of the Securityholders, change the Interest Rate applicable to any Class of Notes or the Required Reserve Amount, without the consent of all holders of Notes then Outstanding or (ii) reduce the percentage of the Note Balance of the Outstanding Notes the consent of the Holders of which is required for any amendment to this Agreement without the consent of the Holders of all Outstanding Notes.

 

(c)          It shall not be necessary for the consent of any Person pursuant to this Section for such Person to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such Person consents to the substance thereof.

 

(d)          Promptly after the execution of any such amendment, the Seller shall furnish written notification of the substance of such amendment to the Owner Trustee, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies.

 

Section 6.03.  Waivers.  No failure or delay on the part of the Seller, the Purchaser or the Indenture Trustee in exercising any power, right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy.

 

Section 6.04.  Costs and Expenses.  The Seller will pay all expenses incidental to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the Seller agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Purchaser in connection with the perfection as against third parties of the Purchaser’s right, title and interest in and to the Second-Tier Assets and the other property and rights sold hereunder and the enforcement of any obligation of the Seller hereunder.

 

Section 6.05.  Notices.  Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices, requests, demands, consents, waivers or other communications to or from the parties to this Agreement will be in writing, including e‑mail.  Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, any such notice, request, demand, consent or other communication will be delivered or addressed as set forth below or at such other address or e-mail address as any party may designate by notice to the other parties.

 

(i)           In the case of the Seller:

 

Mercedes-Benz Trust Leasing LLC

c/o Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC

▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331

Attention:  ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇

E-mail:  ▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

 

(ii)          In the case of the Purchaser:

 

c/o Wilmington Trust, National Association

▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇

Wilmington, Delaware  19890

Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration

E-mail:  ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Facsimile:  (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇

 

Section 6.06.  Severability.  If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms will be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions and terms of this Agreement and will in no way affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the other covenants, agreements, provisions and terms of this Agreement or of the Second-Tier Assets or the rights of the holders thereof.

 

Section 6.07.  Counterparts; Electronic Signatures.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, and all of which will together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Any signature (including any electronic symbol or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record) hereto or to any other certificate, agreement or document related to this transaction, and any contract formation or record-keeping through electronic means shall have the same legal validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based recordkeeping system to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any similar State law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

Section 6.08.  Successors and Assigns.  All covenants and agreements contained herein will be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, all as provided in this Agreement.  Any request, notice, direction, consent, waiver or other instrument or action by a party to this Agreement will bind the successors and assigns of such party.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no other Person will have any right or obligation under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.09.  No Petition.  Each of the Seller and the Purchaser covenants that for a period of one year and one day (or, if longer, any applicable preference period) after payment in full of all Exchange Notes, Notes and other Securities it will not institute against, or join any Person in instituting against, the Initial Beneficiary, the Titling Trust, the Transferor, the Issuer or the 2023-A Exchange Noteholder any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation Proceedings, or other Proceedings under any Insolvency Law in connection with any obligations relating to the 2023-A Exchange Note, any Notes or any 2023-A Basic Document and agrees that it will not cooperate with or encourage others to institute any such Proceeding.

 

Section 6.10.  Table of Contents and Headings.  The table of contents and the various headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.11.  GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

 

(a)          THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHERWISE APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW), AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.

 

(b)          Each party to this Agreement submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York State Court sitting in New York, New York for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the 2023-A Basic Documents.  Each party to this Agreement irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

Section 6.12.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER 2023-A BASIC DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY SUCH OTHER 2023-A BASIC DOCUMENT.

 

Section 6.13.  Limited Recourse.  The Seller and the Purchaser agree that any claim that the Seller or the Purchaser may seek to enforce against each other is limited to the Second-Tier Assets only and does not represent a claim against the assets of the Seller or the Purchaser as a whole or any assets other than the Second-Tier Assets.

 

Section 6.14.  Subordination.

 

(a)          The Seller and the Purchaser agree that any claim that the Seller or the Purchaser may seek to enforce at any time against any assets of the Seller or the Purchaser other than the Second-Tier Assets will be subordinate to the payment in full of all other claims with respect to such other assets.  However, this Section will not limit, subordinate or otherwise modify any claims against the Seller or the Purchaser with respect to any right to indemnification, commitment to repurchase or other obligation of the Seller or the Purchaser relating to (i) any of the assets related to the Second-Tier Assets, (ii) any related credit enhancement, (iii) any transactions entered into in connection with the 2023-A Exchange Note (or the beneficial interest therein), (iv) any administrative services performed in connection with the 2023-A Exchange Note, (v) any related servicing obligation or (vi) any obligation to any Person acting as trustee, registrar or administrator (including as certificate registrar, owner trustee or indenture trustee).

 

(b)          The Seller agrees that any claim that the Seller may seek to enforce against the Purchaser or any of its assets will be subordinate to the payment in full of the principal of and interest on the Notes.

 

(c)          The parties to this Agreement intend that this Section constitutes an enforceable subordination agreement under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Section 6.15.  Issuer Obligation.  It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that (i) this Agreement is executed and delivered by the Owner Trustee, not individually or personally but solely as Owner Trustee, in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred and vested in it, (ii) each of the representations, undertakings and agreements herein made on the part of the Issuer is made and intended not as personal representations, undertakings and agreements by the Owner Trustee but is made and intended for the purpose of binding only the Issuer, (iii) nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating any liability on the Owner Trustee, individually or personally, to perform any covenant either expressed or implied contained herein, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and by any Person claiming by, through or under the parties hereto, (iv) the Owner Trustee has not verified and has made no investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of any representations and warranties made by the Issuer in this Agreement and (v) under no circumstances shall the Owner Trustee be personally liable for the payment of any indebtedness or expenses of the Issuer or be liable for the breach or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or covenant made or undertaken by the Issuer under this Agreement or any other related documents.

 

Section 6.16.  Each Exchange Note Separate; Assignees of Exchange Note.  Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees (and each holder or pledgee of the 2023-A Exchange Note, by virtue of its acceptance of such Exchange Note or pledge thereof acknowledges and agrees) that (i) the Specified Interest is a separate series of the Titling Trust as provided in Section 3806(b)(2) of Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., (ii) the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to (a) the 2023-A Exchange Note or the related 2023-A Reference Pool shall be enforceable against such 2023-A Reference Pool only and not against any other Reference Pool or the Revolving Facility Pool and (b) any other Exchange Note, any other Reference Pool, or the Revolving Facility Pool shall be enforceable against such other Exchange Note, other Reference Pools, or the Revolving Facility Pool only, as applicable, and not against the 2023-A Exchange Note or any 2023-A Lease or 2023-A Vehicle included in the 2023-A Reference Pool, (iii) except to the extent required by law, the leases and the related leased vehicles included in the Revolving Facility Pool or leases and the related leased vehicles included in any other Reference Pool with respect to any other Exchange Note (other than the 2023-A Exchange Note transferred hereunder which is related to the 2023-A Reference Pool) shall not be subject to the claims, debts, liabilities, expenses or obligations arising from or with respect to the 2023-A Exchange Note in respect of such claim, (iv) no creditor or holder of a claim relating to (a) the 2023-A Exchange Note or the related 2023-A Reference Pool shall be entitled to maintain any action against or recover any assets allocated to any other Reference Pool, the Revolving Facility Pool or any other Exchange Note or the assets allocated thereto (except to the extent of amounts available to such Persons on a fully subordinated basis) and (b) any other Reference Pool, the Revolving Facility Pool or any other Exchange Note other than the 2023-A Exchange Note related to the 2023-A Reference Pool shall be entitled to maintain any action against or recover any assets allocated to the 2023-A Reference Pool and (v) any purchaser, assignee or pledgee of an interest in the 2023-A Reference Pool or, the 2023-A Exchange Note, must, prior to or contemporaneously with the grant of any such assignment, pledge or security interest, (a) give to the Titling Trust a non-petition covenant substantially similar to that set forth in Section 11.10 of the Titling Trust Agreement and (b) execute an agreement for the benefit of each holder, assignee or pledgee from time to time of any other Exchange Note to release all claims to the assets of the Titling Trust allocated to the Revolving Facility Pool and each other Reference Pool and, in the event that such release is not given effect, to fully subordinate all claims it may be deemed to have against the assets of the Titling Trust allocated to the Revolving Facility Pool and each other Reference Pool.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second-Tier Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXHIBIT A

 

PERFECTION REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

In addition to the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Second-Tier Sale Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2023 (the “Second-Tier Sale Agreement”), between Mercedes-Benz Trust Leasing LLC, as seller (the “Seller”), and Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust 2023-A, as purchaser (the “Purchaser”), the Seller hereby further represents, warrants and covenants to the Purchaser as follows on the 2023-A Closing Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Second-Tier Sale Agreement.

 

---