UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Commission File Number 000-20202 MICHIGAN 38-1999511 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 25505 W. TWELVE MILE ROAD, SUITE 3000 48034-8339 SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN (Zip Code) (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Registrant's telephone number, including area code): (248) 353-2700 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: / / Written Communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR230.425) / / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) / / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) / / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS. On September 10, 2004, Credit Acceptance Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing the preliminary results of its modified Dutch auction tender offer, which expired at 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2004. The Company commenced the tender offer on August 11, 2004 to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price between $14.00 to $20.00 per share. The press release, dated September 10, 2004, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press Release dated September 10, 2004 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ Douglas W. Busk ------------------------ Douglas W. Busk Treasurer September 13, 2004 INDEX OF EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION 99.1 Press Release dated September 10, 2004