Asbury Autogroup Announces Two Acquisitions -- Asbury Expands its presence in Jackson, MS, Jacksonville, FL --

    STAMFORD, Conn.--Nov. 6, 2001--Asbury Autogroup, one of the largest dealership groups in the United States, today announced the acquisitions of Tom Wimberley Auto World Lincoln Mercury and Chrysler Jeep dealership in Jackson, MS and Kelly Pontiac-GMC in Jacksonville, FL. The Jackson dealership will be part of Asbury Automotive Group's Gray-Daniels Auto Family operation and the Jacksonville dealership will join Asbury Automotive Group's Coggin Automotive Group.
    "We are pleased to be expanding our presence in these high growth and opportunistic markets," said Thomas R. Gibson, Co-Founder, Chairman and acting CEO of Asbury. "These franchises compliment our existing product offerings in both Mississippi and Jacksonville, FL."

    Jackson, MS

    "We are excited to expand our presence in the Jackson market through the acquisition of Tom Wimberley Auto World," said Bobby Gray, CEO of Asbury's Jackson operation. "This acquisition broadens our brand and service offerings with the addition of a large body shop, and also provides us with a luxury vehicle line presence."
    Tom Wimberley Auto World joins other Asbury companies in Jackson, MS, which have been recently re-branded under the Gray-Daniels Auto Family banner. They were previously known as: Gray-Daniels Ford, Mark Escude Daewoo, Mark Escude Nissan North, Mark Escude Nissan South, Mark Escude Toyota, Mark Escude Mitsubishi and Metro Mazda-Hyundai-Suzuki-Isuzu.

    Jacksonville, FL

    "The acquisition reestablishes a Coggin Automotive Group presence in the Orange Park area of Jacksonville," said Luther Coggin, Chairman and CEO of Asbury's Coggin Automotive Group. "We look forward to developing our customer base in Orange Park and further expanding in the area as opportunities become available, so that we can continue to offer our customers a broad range of products at the best possible prices."
    The Coggin Pontiac- GMC of Orange Park dealership joins other Asbury companies in Northern Florida, which have been recently re-branded under the Coggin Automotive Group banner. They were previously known as: Coggin Pontiac, GMC, Coggin Kia, Coggin Honda of Jacksonville, Coggin Nissan of Regency, Coggin Nissan of the Avenues, Buddy Hutchinson Chevrolet, Buddy Hutchinson Toyota, Deland Lincoln-Mercury, Deland Ford, Deland Honda, Coggin Honda of Orlando, Starling Pontiac, GMC, Buick, Starling Chevrolet, Coggin Motor Mall (Honda, Mercedes-Benz & BMW), and Buddy Hutchinson Imports (Honda, Mazda).

    About Asbury Autogroup

    Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. is comprised of nine regional automotive groups located in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and Texas. The company operates 132 automotive retail franchises and sells, finances and services a diverse range of foreign and domestic automobile brands.