Press Release Details

Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO, AutoNation to Address Auto Industry Recovery Before Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association

Nov 30, 2011

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson will deliver a bright note of economic news when he delivers the keynote address at the Annual Luncheon of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), scheduled for Wed., Dec. 7, at 11:30 a.m., The Renaissance Mayflower hotel.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20001017/AUTONATIONLOGO )

Jackson's speech, entitled, "The Auto Recovery has Begun," will detail the reasons for a projected upswing in one of America's most critical industries.

Known for his decisive leadership and insightful analysis, Mike Jackson, CEO of the country's largest automotive retailer was recently selected one of Fortune Magazine's 2011 top 50 Businesspersons of the World.  Jackson was also named a 2011 Automotive Industry All Star by Automotive News for the seventh year.

Calling Jackson "a powerful player in the U.S. auto industry," Fortune notes that AutoNation "sells a higher proportion of domestic car brands" than other major retailers. "That was a liability during the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies but is looking like more of an asset as the Big Three automakers recover. The proof: Over the past year, AutoNation's sales and profits rose by 13.3% and 15.9%, respectively."

Jackson, 62, has devoted his career to the auto industry. He has led AutoNation since September, 1999. He has served in key leadership roles at Mercedes-Benz USA, from Executive Vice President to President and, ultimately, CEO.  Mr. Jackson also was the managing partner of Bethesda's Euro Motorcars from 1979 to 1990.

Mr. Jackson is a four-time member of the Automotive News "All-Star Team" of automotive executives and a four-time member of Advertising Age's "Marketing 100." In 2003, he was named "Industry Leader of the Year" by the Automotive Hall of Fame.

WANADA's prestigious annual luncheon draws hundreds of auto dealers from across the metro region and keynotes from such luminaries as James Carville and Mary Matalin, George Will and Knight Kiplinger.

Headquartered in the District of Columbia, WANADA is the new car dealer group in the metropolitan Washington area, one of the most important new car markets in the United States. WANADA's mission is to promote the automobile business and the success of its automobile dealer members and advocate on its behalf before the industry, in the media and in the public policy process at all levels. It does this with large-scale annual events, such as The Washington Auto Show, a premier event known as the "public policy show" on the global auto show circuit.

WANADA trains and develops dealership personnel under the auspices of its educational foundation, Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI). Through The Community Support Foundation, WANADA has been a major supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Greater Washington Boys and Girls Clubs, The Washington Regional Alcohol Program for sober driving and The Greater Washington (Capitol Hill) Soap Box Derby.

To attend, contact Kristina Henry, 202-237-7200.

SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.

CONTACT: Marc Cannon for Mike Jackson, Cannonm@AutoNation.com, +1-954-769-3146 or Barbara Pomerance for WANADA, bp@pomeranceassociates.com