USA TODAY and NADA Name Winner of Dealer Innovation Award

MCLEAN, Va., March 22 -- USA TODAY and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will present the 2004 Dealer Innovation Award today to Jerry Reynolds, owner of Prestige Ford and Prestige Lincoln- Mercury Mazda of Garland, Texas. Reynolds was selected from among four NADA regions as the national winner for the annual USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award conducted in association with NADA.

Each year the USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award recognizes automobile retailers who have used innovative ideas and business practices to better serve their customers, communities and employees. The 2004 Dealer Innovation Award honors dealers who took a leadership role in the development and implementation of consumer automotive finance education programs.

Jerry Reynolds long thought consumers needed a place to turn for education and advice on automotive financing and related issues. In 2001, "The Jerry Reynolds Auto Advice Show" launched on a Dallas radio station and response from consumers was immediate and favorable. The show's slogan is "Straight Talk and Honest Answers about Everything Automotive." Reynolds offers advice and tips on buying new cars, buying vs. leasing, finance issues, the trade-in process, maintenance tips, and more. In addition to the weekly show, Reynolds personally answers more than 250 listener e-mails per week. Listeners praise Reynolds for his honesty and for the service he provides and they say that his show makes them feel more comfortable with automotive dealers and the automotive buying process.

The Dealer Innovation Award will be presented to Reynolds by USA TODAY and NADA at a special awards reception today at the New York International Auto Show.

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co. Inc. .

The National Automobile Dealers Association, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, VA, represents more than 20,000 new car and truck dealers, holding over 43,000 separate franchises, both domestic and international.