AutoNation To Open Nissan Dealership In Houston

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 19, 2004 -- AutoNation, Inc. , America's largest automotive retailer, today announced that it has been awarded a new Nissan dealership in the Houston, Texas metropolitan market. Construction on the new facility at 25550 Kingsland Boulevard in Katy, Texas has begun with an anticipated opening in April 2004. The dealership will operate as Champion Nissan and will become the 13th member of AutoNation's Champion brand in the Houston area.

"We're very pleased to add a Nissan dealership to the Champion family of dealerships in Houston," said Michael E. Maroone, AutoNation's president and chief operating officer. "Nissan is a dynamic and growing brand, and their great product selection complements the strong brands that we already represent in the market. Nissan has introduced 6 exciting new vehicles over the previous 12 months, including the all new Titan full-size pickup truck, Armada, Murano and the 350Z. It's AutoNation's goal to provide our customers the broadest selection of quality vehicles possible, and this strengthens our position as provider of choice for customers across the region."

The new location showroom will be approximately 12,300-square-feet with a 14,600-square-foot service facility and a 4,800-square-foot parts department on an eight-acre parcel. It will accommodate 665 new and used vehicles and offer repairs and maintenance from 26 service bays. The company estimates that it will staff 75 employees. Harold McLarty, a 5-year AutoNation employee, has been named general manager, and was formerly a UVD (used vehicle director) and auction manager.

AutoNation owns and operates a total of 16 dealerships in greater Houston, representing such brands as Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Hyundai, Isuzu, Lincoln Mercury, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Scion and Toyota. In addition to new vehicles, AutoNation also offers used vehicles from each of its dealerships as well as parts, service and finance and insurance products.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, Inc., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is America's largest automotive retailer. Ranked #93 on the Fortune 500, AutoNation employs approximately 28,000 people at 372 new vehicle franchises in 18 states. Additional information is available at www.autonation.com, where consumers can find approximately 100,000 vehicles available for sale.