AutoNation Celebrates Sale of 5 Millionth Vehicle

America's Most Admired Automotive Company Makes Retail History

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 28 -- AutoNation, Inc. , America's largest automotive retailer, is celebrating the sale of its five millionth vehicle, an unprecedented achievement in automotive retail sales history. In the eight years since the company's first sale, it has grown to become the nation's largest network of new and used vehicle dealerships, with more than 358 new vehicle franchises at 281 individual locations across 17 states.

"This milestone affirms our position as America's first choice for new and used vehicles," said Michael E. Maroone, AutoNation's president and chief operating officer. "The fact that we were able to attain it in less than a decade is a testimony to our associates' commitment to delivering a superior buying and ownership experience to each and every customer."

The company recognized George Thalassites' purchase of a new Chevy Trailblazer from Maroone Auto Plaza in Pembroke Pines, Florida, as the landmark transaction. The vehicle was sold by Tom Davis, a 28-year veteran of the dealership. Mr. Thalassites has been a teacher in the Dade County School District for the last twenty years. AutoNation recognized the five-million- and-first vehicle sale as Herbert May's purchase of a new Chevy Colorado from AutoNation Chevrolet in Clearwater, Florida. The vechicle was sold by Mark Boyd. Mr. May is a retired United States Marine.

Remarkably, the sales come in conjunction with AutoNation being named America's Most Admired Company in the automotive retailer category for the fourth consecutive year by FORTUNE magazine. AutoNation is part of a select group of companies, including Microsoft, Wal-Mart and Berkshire Hathaway, that have been tops in their category for four years in a row.

"This award is especially satisfying," said Maroone, "because it's offered based on the assessment of our peers. We're being judged by the people who know our business better than anyone -- other automotive retailers -- so it's a powerful indication that we have been able to put in place the systems and strategies to keep us at the forefront of our industry."

In addition to being named Most Admired, AutoNation is also ranked 97th on FORTUNE magazine's list of America's 500 largest corporations. More information is available online at http://www.autonation.com/ , where consumers can also find approximately 100,000 vehicles for sale.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, Inc., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is America's largest automotive retailer. Ranked No. 97 on the 2004 FORTUNE 500 and a component of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index, AutoNation employs approximately 28,000 people and owns and operates 358 new vehicle franchises in 17 states. For additional information, please visit http://corp.autonation.com/ or http://www.autonation.com/ , where more than 100,000 vehicles are available for sale.