America's Most Admired Automotive Company Makes Retail History
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AutoNation, Inc.
(NYSE: AN), America's largest automotive retailer, is celebrating the sale of
its five millionth vehicle, an unprecedented achievement in automotive retail
sales history. In the eight years since the company's first sale, it has
grown to become the nation's largest network of new and used vehicle
dealerships, with more than 358 new vehicle franchises at 281 individual
locations across 17 states.
"This milestone affirms our position as America's first choice for new and
used vehicles," said Michael E. Maroone, AutoNation's president and chief
operating officer. "The fact that we were able to attain it in less than a
decade is a testimony to our associates' commitment to delivering a superior
buying and ownership experience to each and every customer."
The company recognized George Thalassites' purchase of a new Chevy
Trailblazer from Maroone Auto Plaza in Pembroke Pines, Florida, as the
landmark transaction. The vehicle was sold by Tom Davis, a 28-year veteran of
the dealership. Mr. Thalassites has been a teacher in the Dade County School
District for the last twenty years. AutoNation recognized the five-million-
and-first vehicle sale as Herbert May's purchase of a new Chevy Colorado from
AutoNation Chevrolet in Clearwater, Florida. The vechicle was sold by Mark
Boyd. Mr. May is a retired United States Marine.
Remarkably, the sales come in conjunction with AutoNation being named
America's Most Admired Company in the automotive retailer category for the
fourth consecutive year by FORTUNE magazine. AutoNation is part of a select
group of companies, including Microsoft, Wal-Mart and Berkshire Hathaway, that
have been tops in their category for four years in a row.
"This award is especially satisfying," said Maroone, "because it's offered
based on the assessment of our peers. We're being judged by the people who
know our business better than anyone -- other automotive retailers -- so it's
a powerful indication that we have been able to put in place the systems and
strategies to keep us at the forefront of our industry."
In addition to being named Most Admired, AutoNation is also ranked 97th on
FORTUNE magazine's list of America's 500 largest corporations. More
information is available online at http://www.autonation.com , where consumers
can also find approximately 100,000 vehicles for sale.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, Inc., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is America's
largest automotive retailer. Ranked No. 97 on the 2004 FORTUNE 500 and a
component of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index, AutoNation employs
approximately 28,000 people and owns and operates 358 new vehicle franchises
in 17 states. For additional information, please visit
http://corp.AutoNation.com or http://www.AutoNation.com , where more than
100,000 vehicles are available for sale.
SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.
-0- 02/28/2005
/CONTACT: Marc Cannon, AutoNation, Inc., +1-954-769-3146, or
[email protected]/
/Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001017/AUTONATIONLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] /
/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/750525.html /
/Web site: http://corp.autonation.com
http://www.autonation.com /
(AN)
CO: AutoNation, Inc.
ST: Florida
IN: AUT REA
SU:
MR-DS
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2844 02/28/2005 10:09 EST http://www.prnewswire.com