Desert Automotive Group Honors John Elway as Las Vegas Declares Jan. 23rd 'Elway Day'

    LAS VEGAS--Jan. 17, 2002--In his first official visit to Las Vegas as spokesman for the Desert Automotive Group, former Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway will be the honored guest at a January 23rd luncheon hosted by the automotive retailer at the Four Seasons Hotel.
    The luncheon will celebrate the two-time Super Bowl champion's recent debut in print, television and radio ads promoting 11 'Desert' automobile dealerships in the Las Vegas area. Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese will present a proclamation from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman declaring January 23rd "John Elway Day" in the city. Special proclamations will also be presented to Elway from Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
    "We're thrilled to have Las Vegas welcome John Elway in such a significant way," said Larry Carter, Vice President Operations, Las Vegas. "Elway is a leader and that's how we see the Desert Automotive Group - as a leader in the field of automotive sales and service."
    Joining Elway at the luncheon will be Michael E. Maroone, President and Chief Operating Officer of AutoNation, Inc., the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company that is America's largest retailer of new and used automobiles, and owner and operator of the Desert stores. Elway also serves as the spokesman for AutoNation's "John Elway" dealerships in Denver. City Councilman Michael J. McDonald will present a "Key to the City" to Maroone during the luncheon.
    The January 23rd luncheon will include a reception, remarks from Maroone and a video presentation honoring Elway. Both men are available for media interviews.

    About Desert Automotive Group

    An investment group that included current President Larry Carter founded the Desert Automotive Group in 1973. Starting with Desert GMC on West Tropicana (now the site of Budget Suites), the Desert group grew to become four dealerships before being acquired in 1997 by Republic Industries, Inc., which does business today as AutoNation, Inc.
    Desert dealerships in Las Vegas include: Desert Buick GMC on West Sahara, Desert Lincoln Mercury on West Sahara, Desert Pontiac GMC-Buick in the Valley Auto Mall, Desert Honda on East Sahara, Desert Chrysler Jeep on Boulder Highway, Desert Volkswagen/Audi on North Decatur Boulevard, Desert Dodge on West Sahara, Desert Toyota on West Sahara, Desert Nissan on West Sahara, Desert BMW of Las Vegas on Decatur at Sahara and Desert BMW of Henderson in the Valley Auto Mall.

    About AutoNation, Inc.

    AutoNation, Inc. is America's largest retailer of new and used automobiles. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company employs 31,000 people and owns and operates 368 new vehicle franchises in 17 states, including 11 Las Vegas dealerships with 17 franchises.
    AutoNation is also the largest retailer of new and used automobiles via the Internet. It's AutoNation.com web site features 100,000 new and used vehicles, including 3,000 vehicles from the Company's Las Vegas-area dealerships.