FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal judge in Los
Angeles today affirmed Republic Industries, Inc.'s (NYSE: RII) right to
acquire Nissan Motor vehicle franchises in the U.S., rejecting arguments by
the auto maker that Republic's ability to do so had been limited by an alleged
oral agreement.
In 1997 in a federal court in Los Angeles, Nissan Motor Corp. alleged that
it had a binding oral agreement between it and Republic that limited the auto
retailer's ability to acquire Nissan franchises on a national and regional
basis.
The judge's ruling affirms Republic Industries' right to pursue the
acquisition of other Nissan franchises as allowed under franchise laws
available today on a state-by-state basis. To date, Republic Industries owns
the rights to 19 Nissan and 6 Infiniti franchises in nine states.
Republic Industries, Inc. is the world's largest automotive retailer, with
more than 380 new vehicle franchises in 20 states and 43 AutoNation USA used
vehicle megastores in 13 states. Republic also owns and operates National
Car Rental Systems, Inc., Alamo Rent A Car, Inc. and CarTemps USA.
Additionally, the Company owns 63.9 percent of Republic Services, Inc.
(NYSE: RSG), one of the leading providers of non-hazardous waste collection
and disposal services in the United States.,/p>
SOURCE Republic Industries, Inc.