Autochina Intl (PINK:AUTC)

SHIJIAZHUANG, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoChina International Limited (“AutoChina” or the “Company”) (AUTCF.PK), China’s largest commercial vehicle sales, servicing, leasing, and support network, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a one-time special cash dividend in the amount of $0.25 per share. The total amount of cash distributed in the dividend is expected to be approximately $5.9 million. The cash dividend will be paid on or around February 15, 2012, to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 8, 2012.

Mr. Yong Hui Li, Chairman and CEO of AutoChina, stated, “We are pleased to declare the Company’s first dividend. Though the past year has been challenging on a corporate level, AutoChina remains committed to our employees, customers, and shareholders. We continue to focus on methods to further evolve our business, and feel that we can expand our business opportunities while returning capital to the loyal shareholders who have continued to stand by the Company. We appreciate and are sincerely grateful for their faith in AutoChina over the past year.”

Company Announces Three-for-Two Stock Split in the Form of a Stock Dividend

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a three-for-two stock split to be effected in the form of a stock dividend after the completion of the aforementioned special cash dividend. The stock dividend will be payable on February 16, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 8, 2012. Fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole share, and no cash will be payable in lieu thereof. Upon completion of the stock split, the number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock will be approximately 35.3 million shares.