Smart Choice Automotive Opening its First Used Car Dealership

5 June 1998

         Washington Avenue Lot Expands Store Network To 25 Locations

    TITUSVILLE, Fla., June 5 -- Smart Choice Automotive Group,
Inc. , a leading consolidator of the 'dealer-financed' used car
retailing industry in the Southeastern United States, today announced the
opening of its 25th retail automobile dealership.  The new store is located at
5000 S. Washington Avenue in Titusville, Florida, which is adjacent to the
corporate headquarters of Smart Choice Automotive Group.
   The dealership will have an inventory capacity of approximately 70 cars and
will employ seven persons.  It is the Company's first used car dealership in
the Titusville area.
    "We are excited to continue expanding our dealership network in the
Central Florida area," commented Joe Alvarez, executive vice president and
chief sales officer of  Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. "This location
next to our corporate headquarters will also allow it to function as a
training center as Smart Choice continues its consolidation of the 'dealer-
financed' used car industry.  The Titusville dealership should benefit from
the economic environment in North Brevard County, and we believe that it will
meet or exceed our expectations of selling thirty cars per month."
    "Opening this new dealership illustrates our ability to take advantage of
an improved competitive environment within our industry," stated Gary Smith,
president and chief executive officer of the Company.  "A number of our
competitors have exited the industry during the past few months in response to
more stringent financing terms for subprime lenders.  Smart Choice's strong
financing relationships, as evidenced by our $75 million line with FINOVA
Capital Corporation and our $3.75 million floorplan with Mannheim Automotive
Financial Services, have allowed us to maintain attractive inventory
selections at all of our First Choice Auto Finance dealerships.  We expect to
further leverage these relationships by opening three additional stores in the
next 45 days."
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. operates a network of 25 new and used
car dealerships in the Southeastern United States.  The Company underwrites,
finances and services retail installment contracts generated from the sale of
used cars by its dealerships.  Its Eckler's Industries subsidiary is one of
the world's largest aftermarket suppliers of Corvette parts and accessories.
The Company also provides  insurance services to automobile dealerships and
its loan portfolio customers.
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. is headquartered in Titusville,
Florida and its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "SMCH".

    This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-
looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe", "estimate",
"project", "expect" or similar expressions.  These statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements.  Factors that would cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the
Company's products in the marketplace, competitive factors, dependence upon
third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  By making these forward-
looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these
statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

    For further information, please contact:

        Joseph Mohr, Chief Financial Officer (407) 269-9680
                                    or
        R. Jerry Falkner, CFA, Investor Relations Counsel at (800) 377-9893.