``Born On the Fourth of July'', American Tire Distributors Emerges With Clarified Mission for Serving Independent Dealers

    CHARLOTTE, N.C.--July 4, 2002--Heafner Tire Group officially became American Tire Distributors today, appropriately launching the company's new name, logo and commitment to independent tire dealers on the day America celebrates its own independence.
    "Our goal is to be the independent tire dealer's first choice for tires, wheels and related products and services," said Richard P. "Dick" Johnson, president and CEO of American Tire Distributors. "We're building this company - and earning our dealers' loyalty with the industry's most powerful combination of price, brand selection, nearby warehousing, rapid delivery and retail consulting services."
    The new name complements the company's mission of building, acquiring and operating America's most complete and best-managed network of coast-to-coast distribution centers, creating a purchasing and warehousing powerhouse that puts independent dealers on equal footing with much larger competitors.
    "We've taken a long, hard look at what we do best and the value that we can provide to the independent owner-operators," said Johnson. "We've focused our business to serve those needs to help dealers remain competitive in a changing marketplace. Our job is to help independent tire dealers, not compete with them."
    The name change from Heafner Tire Group to American Tire Distributors follows a two-year period during which the company reorganized, discontinued its venture into retailing and strengthened its balance sheet. The name change was announced in April at the company's semi-annual gathering of general managers from across the United States. The company's board of directors approved the new name April 4.
    American Tire Distributors is one of the nation's premier independent suppliers of tires to the replacement tire market, operating 62 distribution centers servicing 35 states. The company is focused on helping independent tire dealers compete with larger retailers by offering the most complete, coast-to-coast selection of tires, wheels and related products and value-added services. American Tire Distributors employs more than 2,000 people across its nationwide distribution network.

    To see the American Tire Distributors logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020417/ATDLOGO