Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

x		Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

o		Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from        to       

Commission File number 000-28368

ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VI, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California		94-3207229
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)		(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)

600 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94108-2733
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (415) 989-8800

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Limited Partnership Units

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).Yes o No x

The number of Limited Partnership Units outstanding as of October 31, 2011 was 12,478,676.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
Index

Part I. Financial Information			3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
Balance Sheets, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010			3
Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010			4
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the year ended December 31, 2010 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011			5
Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010			6
Notes to the Financial Statements			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			13
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			16
Part II. Other Information			17
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			17
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			17
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			17
Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]			17
Item 5. Other Information			17
Item 6. Exhibits			17

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
BALANCE SHEETS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND DECEMBER 31, 2010
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

		September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,587			$	446
Accounts receivable			159				183
Prepaid expenses and other assets			4				4
Investments in equipment and leases, net of accumulated depreciation of $20,987 at September 30, 2011 and $20,773 at December 31, 2010			3,799				4,410
Total assets		$	5,549			$	5,043
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
General Partner		$	18			$	49
Lessees and other			93				132
Unearned operating lease income			15				33
Total liabilities			126				214
Commitments and contingencies
Partners’ capital:
General Partner			—				—
Limited Partners			5,423				4,829
Total Partners’ capital			5,423				4,829
Total liabilities and Partners’ capital		$	5,549			$	5,043

See accompanying notes.

3

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010
(in thousands except units and per unit data)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Revenues:
Leasing activities:
Operating leases		$	602			$	775			$	1,883			$	2,029
Direct financing leases			—				2				—				11
Gain on sales of assets			22				36				59				83
Other revenue			1				1				1				3
Total revenues			625				814				1,943				2,126
Expenses:
Depreciation of operating lease assets			161				237				532				693
Cost reimbursements to General Partner			61				74				188				228
Railcar maintenance			136				100				356				421
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner			17				19				52				74
Taxes on income and franchise fees			1				(3	)			3				—
Other management fees			31				30				87				94
Professional fees			3				5				22				42
Outside services			17				12				42				50
Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts			(1	)			—				—				—
Other			10				25				67				93
Total operating expenses			436				499				1,349				1,695
Net income		$	189			$	315			$	594			$	431
Net income:
General Partner		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	6
Limited Partners			189				315				594				425
		$	189			$	315			$	594			$	431
Net income per Limited Liability Partnership Unit		$	0.02			$	0.02			$	0.05			$	0.03
Weighted average number of Units outstanding			12,478,676				12,478,676				12,478,676				12,478,676

See accompanying notes.

4

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
(in thousands except units and per unit data)
(Unaudited)

		Limited Partners								General Partner				Total
		Units				Amount
Balance December 31, 2009			12,478,676			$	6,247			$	—			$	6,247
Distributions to Limited Partners ($0.15 per Unit)			—				(1,872	)			—				(1,872	)
Distributions to General Partner			—				—				(19	)			(19	)
Net income			—				454				19				473
Balance December 31, 2010			12,478,676				4,829				—				4,829
Net income			—				594				—				594
Balance September 30, 2011			12,478,676			$	5,423			$	—			$	5,423

See accompanying notes.

5

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010

(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Operating activities:
Net income		$	189			$	315			$	594			$	431
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of operating lease assets			161				237				532				693
Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts			(1	)			—				—				—
Gain on sales of assets			(22	)			(36	)			(59	)			(83	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			48				9				24				(71	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(3	)			(5	)			—				—
Accounts payable, General Partner			(4	)			(12	)			(31	)			(18	)
Accounts payable, other			3				(191	)			(39	)			(192	)
Unearned operating lease income			(4	)			26				(18	)			19
Net cash provided by operating activities			367				343				1,003				779
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of assets			45				97				138				256
Principal payments received on direct financing leases			—				14				—				40
Improvements to lease equipment			—				(45	)			—				(45	)
Net cash provided by investing activities			45				66				138				251
Financing activities:
Distributions to Limited Partners			—				—				—				(624	)
Distributions to General Partner			—				—				—				(6	)
Net cash used in financing activities			—				—				—				(630	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			412				409				1,141				400
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			1,175				970				446				979
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	1,587			$	1,379			$	1,587			$	1,379
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for taxes		$	—			$	1			$	6			$	8

See accompanying notes.

6

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Organization and partnership matters:

ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VI, L.P. (the “Partnership”) was formed under the laws of the State of California on June 29, 1994 for the purpose of engaging in the sale of limited liability investment units and acquiring equipment to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities, primarily in the United States. The Partnership may continue until December 31, 2015. The General Partner of the Partnership is ATEL Financial Services, LLC (“AFS”). Prior to converting to a limited liability company structure, AFS was formerly known as ATEL Financial Corporation.

The Partnership conducted a public offering of 12,500,000 Limited Partnership Units (“Units”), at a price of $10 per Unit. Upon the sale of the minimum amount of Units of $1.2 million and the receipt of the proceeds thereof on January 3, 1995, the Partnership commenced operations in its primary business (acquiring equipment to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities). On November 23, 1996, subscriptions for 12,500,000 ($125 million) Limited Partnership Units had been received, in addition to the Initial Limited Partners’ Units, and the offering terminated. As of September 30, 2011, 12,478,676 Units were issued and outstanding.

The Partnership’s principal objectives have been to invest in a diversified portfolio of equipment that (i) preserves, protects and returns the Partnership’s invested capital; (ii) generates regular distributions to the partners of cash from operations and cash from sales or refinancing, with any balance remaining after certain minimum distributions to be used to purchase additional equipment during the reinvestment period (“Reinvestment Period”) (defined as six full years following the year the offering was terminated), which ended December 31, 2002 and (iii) provides additional distributions following the Reinvestment Period and until all equipment has been sold. The Partnership is governed by its Limited Partnership Agreement (“Partnership Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, AFS receives compensation for services rendered and reimbursements for costs incurred on behalf of the Partnership (Note 5). The Partnership is required to maintain reasonable cash reserves for working capital, the repurchase of Units and contingencies. The repurchase of Units is solely at the discretion of AFS.

As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership is in the liquidation phase of its life cycle as defined in the Partnership Agreement and is making distributions on an annual basis or at the discretion of the General Partner.

These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after September 30, 2011, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, and adjustments thereto.

7

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Segment reporting:

The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

Certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset, day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed.

The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe. Currently, 100% of the Partnership’s operating revenues are from customers domiciled in North America.

Per Unit data:

Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partners’ Units outstanding during the period.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 clarifies guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession to a borrower and a creditor’s evaluation of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments in this update are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. As a result of applying these amendments, an entity may identify receivables that are newly considered impaired. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, an entity should apply the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. In addition, an entity should disclose the information required by Accounting Standards Codification paragraphs 310-10-50-33 through 50-34, which was deferred by ASU 2011-01, for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The amendments in this update were adopted by the Partnership on July 1, 2011, and for purposes of measuring impairment, were applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. The Partnership evaluated the guidance included in 2011-02 and has determined that it does not result in any new troubled debt restructurings that should be reported.

In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20.” ASU 2011-01 temporarily delays the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Update 2010-20 for public entities. The delay is intended to allow the Board time to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for public entities and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated. The guidance became effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

3. Provision for credit losses:

The Partnership had no allowance for credit losses at both September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

8

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. Provision for credit losses: - (continued)

As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership had no investment in financing receivables. Such net investment in financing receivables was nominal at December 31, 2010.

4. Investment in equipment and leases, net:

The Partnership’s investments in equipment and leases consists of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2010				Reclassifications & Additions/ Dispositions				Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases				Balance September 30, 2011
Net investment in operating leases		$	4,390			$	(69	)		$	(528	)		$	3,793
Net investment in direct financing leases			20				(20	)			—				—
Assets held for sale or lease, net			—				10				(4	)			6
Total		$	4,410			$	(79	)		$	(532	)		$	3,799

Impairment of investments in leases and assets held for sale or lease:

Management periodically reviews the carrying values of its assets on leases and assets held for lease or sale. No assets were identified as impaired during management’s review for the respective three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

The Partnership utilizes a straight-line depreciation method over the term of the equipment lease for equipment in all of the categories currently in its portfolio of lease transactions. Depreciation expense on the Partnership’s equipment totaled $161 thousand and $237 thousand for the respective three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and was $532 thousand and $693 thousand for the respective nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

All of the equipment on leases was acquired in the years 1995 through 1997.

Net investment in operating leases:

Property on operating leases consists of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2010				Additions				Reclassifications or Dispositions				Balance September 30, 2011
Transportation, rail		$	24,679			$	—			$	(397	)		$	24,282
Transportation, other			285				—				10				295
Material handling			199				—				—				199
			25,163				—				(387	)			24,776
Less accumulated depreciation			(20,773	)			(528	)			318				(20,983	)
Total		$	4,390			$	(528	)		$	(69	)		$	3,793

The average estimated residual value for assets on operating leases was 14% and 15% of the assets’ original cost at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

9

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. Investment in equipment and leases, net: - (continued)

The Partnership earns revenues from certain lease assets based on utilization of such assets. Such contingent rentals and the associated expenses are recorded when earned and/or incurred. The revenues associated with these rentals are included as a component of Operating Lease Revenues, and totaled $126 thousand and $124 thousand for the respective three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and $358 thousand and $424 thousand for the respective nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

At September 30, 2011, the aggregate amounts of future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

		Operating Leases
Three months ending December 31, 2011		$	338
Year ending December 31, 2012			372
2013			123
2014			35
		$	868

Net investment in direct financing leases:

The Partnership’s remaining direct financing lease terminated during the second half of 2010. However, at December 31, 2010, the Partnership retained a $20 thousand residual position in the equipment underlying the terminated direct financing lease. During the first quarter of 2011, such equipment was re-leased under short-term operating leases. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had no remaining investments in direct financing leases.

5. Related party transactions:

The terms of the Partnership Agreement provide that AFS and/or affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees for equipment acquisition, management and resale and for management of the Partnership.

The Partnership Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred by AFS in providing administrative services to the Partnership. Administrative services provided include Partnership accounting, investor relations, legal counsel and lease and equipment documentation. AFS is not reimbursed for services whereby it is entitled to receive a separate fee as compensation for such services, such as acquisition and disposition of equipment. The Partnership is contingently liable for certain future costs to be incurred by AFS to manage the administrative services provided to the Partnership.

Each of ATEL Leasing Corporation (“ALC”) and AFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATEL Capital Group and performs services for the Partnership. Acquisition services, equipment management, lease administration and asset disposition services are performed by ALC; investor relations, communications and general administrative services are performed by AFS.

Cost reimbursements to the General Partner are based on its costs incurred in performing administrative services for the Partnership. These costs are allocated to each managed entity based on certain criteria such as managed assets, number of investors or contributed capital based upon the type of cost incurred.

Incentive management fees are computed as 4% of distributions of cash from operations, as defined in the Partnership Agreement. Equipment management fees are computed as 3.5% of gross revenues from operating leases, as defined in the Partnership Agreement plus 2% of gross revenues from full payout leases, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

10

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

5. Related party transactions: - (continued)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, AFS and/or affiliates earned fees and commissions, and billed for reimbursements, pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement, as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Cost reimbursements to General Partner		$	61			$	74			$	188			$	228
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner			17				19				52				74
		$	78			$	93			$	240			$	302

6. Guarantees:

The Partnership enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Partnership’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Partnership has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

The General Partner knows of no facts or circumstances that would make the Partnership’s contractual commitments outside standard mutual covenants applicable to commercial transactions between businesses. Accordingly, the Partnership believes that these indemnification obligations are made in the ordinary course of business as part of standard commercial and industry practice, and that any potential liability under the Partnership’s similar commitments is remote. Should any such indemnification obligation become payable, the Partnership would separately record and/or disclose such liability in accordance with GAAP.

7. Partners’ capital:

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 12,478,676 Units were issued and outstanding. The Partnership was authorized to issue up to 12,500,000 Units, in addition to the 50 Units issued to the Initial Limited Partners, as defined.

The Partnership has the right, exercisable at the General Partner’s discretion, but not the obligation, to repurchase Units of a Unitholder who ceases to be a U.S. Citizen, for a price equal to 100% of the holder’s capital account. The Partnership is otherwise permitted, but not required, to repurchase Units upon a holder’s request. The repurchase of Fund Units is made in accordance with Section 13 of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership. The repurchase would be at the discretion of the General Partner on terms it determines to be appropriate under given circumstances, in the event that the General Partner deems such repurchase to be in the best interest of the Partnership; provided, the Partnership is never required to repurchase any Units. Upon the repurchase of any Units by the Fund, the tendered Units are cancelled. Units repurchased in prior periods were repurchased at amounts representing the original investment less cumulative distributions made to the Unitholder with respect to the Units. All Units repurchased during a quarter are deemed to be repurchased effective the last day of the preceding quarter, and are not deemed to be outstanding during, or entitled to allocations of net income, net loss or distributions for the quarter in which such repurchase occurs.

As defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, the Partnership’s Net Income, Net Losses, and Tax Credits are to be allocated 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to AFS. The Limited Partnership Agreement allows the Partnership to make an allocation of income to AFS in order to maintain the capital account of AFS at zero. In accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement, additional allocations of income were made to AFS for the year ended December 31, 2010. The amounts allocated were determined so as to bring AFS’s ending capital account balance to zero at the end of the year.

As defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, available Cash from Operations and Cash from Sales and Refinancing are to be distributed as follows:

11

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

7. Partners’ capital: - (continued)

Cash from Operations

Cash from Operations is distributed 95% to the Limited Partners, 1% to AFS and 4% to an affiliate of AFS as an Incentive Management Fee.

Cash from Sales and Refinancing

First, 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to AFS until each Limited Partner has received Aggregate Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested Capital, as defined, plus a 10% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital; and

Thereafter, 95% to the Limited Partners, 1% to AFS and 4% to an affiliate of AFS as an Incentive Management Fee.

Distributions to the Limited Partners were as follows (in thousands except units and per unit data):

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Distributions		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	624
Weighted average number of Units outstanding			12,478,676				12,478,676				12,478,676				12,478,676
Weighted average distributions per Unit		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	0.05

12

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Statements contained in this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” (“MD&A”) and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, which are not historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In particular, the economic recession and changes in general economic conditions, including, fluctuations in demand for equipment, lease rates, and interest rates, may result in delays in leasing, re-leasing, and disposition of equipment, and reduced returns on invested capital. The Partnership’s performance is subject to risks relating to lessee defaults and the creditworthiness of its lessees. The Partnership’s performance is also subject to risks relating to the value of its equipment at the end of its leases, which may be affected by the condition of the equipment, technological obsolescence and the markets for new and used equipment at the end of lease terms. Investors are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

Overview

ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VI, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a California partnership that was formed in June 1994 for the purpose of engaging in the sale of limited liability investment units and acquiring equipment to generate revenues from equipment leasing and sales activities, primarily in the United States. The General Partner of the Partnership is ATEL Financial Services, LLC (“AFS”), a California limited liability company.

The Partnership conducted a public offering of 12,500,000 Limited Partnership Units (“Units”), at a price of $10 per Unit. The offering was terminated in November 1996. During early 1997, the Partnership completed its initial acquisition stage with the investment of the net proceeds from the public offering of Units. Subsequently, throughout the reinvestment period (“Reinvestment Period”) (defined as six full years following the year the offering was terminated), the Partnership reinvested cash flow in excess of certain amounts required to be distributed to the Limited Partners and/or utilized its credit facilities to acquire additional equipment.

The Partnership may continue until December 31, 2015. Pursuant to the guidelines of the Limited Partnership Agreement (“Partnership Agreement”), the Partnership began to liquidate its assets and distribute the proceeds thereof after the end of the Reinvestment Period which ended in December 2002.

As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership remains in its liquidation phase. Accordingly, assets that mature will be returned to inventory and most likely will be subsequently sold, which will result in decreasing revenue as earning assets decrease. The Partnership continues to generally make distributions on an annual basis or at the discretion of the General Partner.

Results of Operations

The three months ended September 30, 2011 versus the three months ended September 30, 2010

The Partnership had net income of $189 thousand and $315 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The results for the third quarter of 2011 reflect a decrease in total revenues offset, in part, by a decrease in total expenses when compared to the prior year period.

Revenues

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $189 thousand, or 23%, as compared to the prior year period largely due to a $173 thousand decrease in operating lease revenues.

The decrease in operating lease revenues was largely due to the impact of a third quarter 2010 adjustment resulting from the resolution of an item previously held in suspense and continued run-off and disposition of lease assets. These were partially offset by the impact of revenues from new operating leases which resulted from the renewal of an expired direct financing lease, and the re-leasing of certain off-lease assets subsequent to September 30, 2010.

13

Expenses

Total expenses for the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $63 thousand, or 13%, as compared to the prior year period. The net reduction in expenses was primarily due to decreases in depreciation expense, other expense, and costs reimbursed to AFS offset, in part, by an increase in railcar maintenance costs.

Depreciation expense decreased by $76 thousand mainly as a result of continued run-off and disposition of lease assets. Other expense declined by $15 thousand largely due to lower printing, postage and photocopying costs; and, costs reimbursed to AFS decreased by $13 thousand primarily as a result of lower administrative costs allocated to the Fund to better align costs with the Partnership’s declining operations.

Partially offsetting the aforementioned decreases in expenses was a $36 thousand increase in railcar maintenance expense as the prior year amount included a partial reversal of the then existing accruals in order to reflect lower actual cost.

The nine months ended September 30, 2011 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2010

The Partnership had net income of $594 thousand and $431 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The results for the first nine months of 2011 reflect a decrease in total operating expenses partially offset by a decrease in total revenues when compared to the prior year period.

Revenues

Total revenues for the first nine months of 2011 decreased by $183 thousand, or 9%, as compared to the prior year period largely due to a $146 thousand decrease in operating lease revenues and a $24 thousand decline in gain on sales of assets.

The decrease in operating lease revenues was largely due to the impact of a third quarter 2010 adjustment resulting from the resolution of an item previously held in suspense, a period over period decline in contingent rents, and continued run-off and disposition of lease assets. These were partially offset by the impact of revenues from new operating leases which resulted from the renewal of an expired direct financing lease, and the re-leasing of certain off-lease assets subsequent to September 30, 2010.

Gain on sales of assets declined primarily due to the lower volume and the change in the mix of assets sold during the first nine months of 2011.

Expenses

Total expenses for the first nine months of 2011 decreased by $346 thousand, or 20%, as compared to the prior year period. The net reduction in expenses was primarily due to decreases in the following expenses: depreciation, railcar maintenance expense, costs reimbursed to AFS, other expense and management fees paid to AFS.

Depreciation expense decreased by $161 thousand largely due to continued run-off and disposition of lease assets. Likewise, railcar maintenance costs declined by $65 thousand primarily as a result of the continued decline in the number of railcars owned by the Partnership, consistent with a Fund in liquidation. Costs reimbursed to AFS decreased by $40 thousand primarily as a result of lower administrative costs allocated to the Fund to better align costs with the Partnership’s declining operations; and, other expense declined by $26 thousand largely as a result of lower postage, storage, printing and photocopying costs. Moreover, management fees paid to AFS declined by $22 thousand primarily due to the absence of distributions of cash from operations paid to investors during the current year period, which impacted the calculation of management fees, coupled with the continued decline in managed assets and related rents.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.6 million and $446 thousand, respectively. The liquidity of the Partnership varies, increasing to the extent cash flows from leases and proceeds from lease asset sales exceed expenses and decreasing as distributions are made to the partners and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.

The primary source of liquidity for the Partnership has been its cash flow from leasing activities. As the initial lease terms have expired, the Partnership ventured to re-lease or sell the equipment. Future liquidity will depend on the Partnership’s success in remarketing or selling the equipment as it comes off rental.

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In a normal economy, if inflation in the general economy becomes significant, it may affect the Partnership in as much as the residual (resale) values of the Partnership’s leased assets may increase as the costs of similar assets increase. However, the Partnership’s revenues from existing leases would not increase as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without adjustment for inflation. In addition, if interest rates increase significantly under such circumstances, the lease rates that the Partnership can obtain on future leases will be expected to increase as the cost of capital is a significant factor in the pricing of lease financing. Leases already in place, for the most part, would not be affected by changes in interest rates.

The Partnership currently believes it has available adequate reserves to meet its immediate cash requirements and those of the next twelve months, but in the event those reserves were found to be inadequate, the Partnership would likely be in a position to borrow against its current portfolio to meet such requirements. AFS envisions no such requirements for operating purposes.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth summary cash flow data (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities		$	367			$	343			$	1,003			$	779
Investing activities			45				66				138				251
Financing activities			—				—				—				(630	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		$	412			$	409			$	1,141			$	400

The three months ended September 30, 2011 versus the three months ended September 30, 2010

During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Partnership’s primary source of liquidity was cash flow from its portfolio of operating lease contracts and proceeds from sales of lease assets. During the same periods, cash was primarily used to pay invoices related to General Partner fees and expenses, and other payables.

The nine months ended September 30, 2011 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2010

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Partnership’s primary source of liquidity was cash flow from its portfolio of operating lease contracts and proceeds from sales of lease assets. During the same periods, cash was primarily used to pay invoices related to General Partner fees and expenses, and other payables. In addition, during the prior year period, cash was used to pay distributions to both the Limited Partners and the General Partner totaling $624 thousand and $6 thousand, respectively. As the Fund is in its liquidation phase, any future financing activity is anticipated to only include distributions to Partners.

Distributions

The Partnership commenced periodic distributions, based on cash flows from operations, beginning with the month of January 1995. During its liquidation phase, the rates and frequency of periodic distributions paid by the Fund are solely at the discretion of the General Partner.

Commitments and Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Commitments and Contingencies

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had no commitments to purchase lease assets and pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership will no longer purchase any new lease assets.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

None.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the financial statements, Summary of significant accounting policies, as set forth in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements (Unaudited).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, the Partnership evaluates its estimates, which are based upon historical experiences, market trends and financial forecasts, and upon various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and at that certain point in time. Actual results may differ, significantly at times, from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Partnership’s critical accounting policies are described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. There have been no material changes to the Partnership’s critical accounting policies since December 31, 2010.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

The Partnership’s General Partner’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (“Management”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures, Management concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

The Partnership does not control the financial reporting process, and is solely dependent on the Management of the General Partner, which is responsible for providing the Partnership with financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The General Partner’s disclosure controls and procedures, as it is applicable to the Partnership, were effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Changes in internal control

There were no changes in the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Partnership, during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Partnership.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

In the ordinary course of conducting business, there may be certain claims, suits, and complaints filed against the Partnership. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters, if any, will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved].

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Documents filed as a part of this report:

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable, and therefore have been omitted.

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a) Certification of Dean L. Cash
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a) Certification of Paritosh K. Choksi
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 of Dean L. Cash
32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 of Paritosh K. Choksi

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 14, 2011

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI, L.P.
(Registrant)

		By: ATEL Financial Services, LLC General Partner of Registrant

By: /s/ Dean L. Cash Dean L. Cash, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)
By: /s/ Paritosh K. Choksi Paritosh K. Choksi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)
By: /s/ Samuel Schussler Samuel Schussler, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)

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