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Hometown Auto Retailers Announces Second Quarter 2005 Results

WATERBURY, Conn.--Aug. 1, 20052, 2005--Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc. (OTCBB:HCAR) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005.

Hometown reported revenues of $65.3 million in the second quarter of 2005 versus revenues of $68.7 million for the same period in 2004, a decrease of $3.4 million or 4.9 percent. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2005 decreased $268,000 or 2.8 percent to $9.4 million versus gross profit of $9.6 million in same period in 2004.

Net income for the second quarter of 2005 was $834,000, generating basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.13 versus net income of $233,000 and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for the same period in 2004. Results for the second quarter of 2005 include earnings of $0.05 per share from a gain on the transfer of the Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealership resulting from the settlement of certain litigation matters.

Hometown reported revenues of $127.1 million for the first half of 2005 versus revenues of $134.6 million for the same period in 2004, a decrease of $7.5 million or 5.6 percent. Gross profit for the first half of 2005 decreased $482,000 or 2.5 percent to $18.7 million versus gross profit of $19.2 million in same period in 2004.

Net income for the first half of 2005 was $1.1 million, generating basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.16 versus net income of $335,000 and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.05 for the same period in 2004. Results for the first half of 2005 include earnings of $0.05 per share from a gain on the transfer of the Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealership resulting from the settlement of certain litigation matters.

Hometown's operating results reflect the closing of a used vehicles outlet in August 2004. Also, during the fourth quarter of 2004, Hometown announced that it had agreed in principal to resolve certain litigation matters, which resulted in the transfer of the Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealership during the second quarter of 2005. Closing the used vehicles outlets and transferring the Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealership both contributed to decreases in sales and gross profit from 2004 to 2005, as well as a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating results of all other dealerships on a same store basis, follows.

On a same store basis, revenues increased $4.7 million or 8.4 percent to $60.5 million in the second quarter of 2005 from $55.8 million for the same period in 2004. Same store gross profit increased $387,000 or 4.6 percent to $8.8 million for the second quarter of 2005 from $8.4 million for the same period in 2004.

On a same store basis, revenues increased $4.3 million or 3.9 percent to $115.2 million in the first half of 2005 from $110.9 million for the same period in 2004. Same store gross profit increased $434,000 or 2.6 percent to $17.1 million for the first half of 2005 from $16.6 million for the same period in 2004.

"We are pleased again to report a higher net profit for the second quarter and first six months of 2005 versus 2004," said Corey Shaker, Hometown president and chief executive officer. "On a same store basis, sales and gross profits increased while we managed to decrease same store SG&A. In addition, our team has done an excellent job of reducing inventories that will inevitably reduce carrying costs into the future. I am proud to say we have been looking very hard at the basics of our business and will continue to do so into the future. We are trying to maximize every transaction at the dealership level while maintaining a competitive position in our marketplace."

Hometown sold 3,243 vehicles during the second quarter of 2005, 125 less than it sold in the same period in 2004 or a decrease of 3.7 percent. Hometown sold 6,110 vehicles during the first half of 2005, 572 less than it sold in the same period in 2004 or a decrease of 8.6 percent. Total vehicles sold (by category) are shown in the table below.

Year-Over-Year Comparison    For the three months   For the six months
                                ended June 30,        ended June 30,
                                 2004      2004       2004      2004
                               --------  --------   --------  --------
New vehicle                      1,540     1,655      2,977     3,151
Used vehicle - retail              757       781      1,494     1,696
Used vehicle - wholesale           946       932      1,639     1,835
                               --------  --------   --------  --------
Total units sold                 3,243     3,368      6,110     6,682
                               ========  ========   ========  ========

On a same store basis, Hometown sold 3,099 vehicles during the second quarter of 2005, 142 more than it sold in the same period in 2004 or an increase of 4.8 percent. On a same store basis, Hometown sold 5,761 vehicles during the first half of 2005, 174 less than it sold in the same period in 2004 or a decrease of 2.9 percent. Total vehicles sold (by category) on a same store basis are shown in the table below.

Same Store Basis Comparison   For the three months  For the six months
                                    ended June 30,    ended June 30,
                                   2004      2004       2004     2004
                                 --------  --------   -------  -------
New vehicle                        1,437     1,369      2,732   2,638
Used vehicle - retail                751       701      1,449   1,535
Used vehicle - wholesale             911       887      1,580   1,762
                                 --------  --------   ------   -------
Total units sold                   3,099     2,957      5,761   5,935
                                 ========  ========   =======  =======

Sales of new vehicles decreased $4.2 million or 9.4 percent to $40.6 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $44.8 million in 2004. Used vehicle sales increased $1.1 million or 7.0 percent to $16.9 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $15.8 million in 2004. Parts and service revenues for the second quarter of 2005 decreased $246,000 or 4.0 percent to $5.9 million versus $6.2 million in 2004. Other revenues (net) decreased $196,000 or 9.8 percent to $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $2.0 million for the same period in 2004.

On a same store basis, sales of new vehicles increased $2.2 million or 6.4 percent to $36.7 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $34.5 million in 2004. Same store sales of used vehicles increased $2.2 million or 15.4 percent to $16.5 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $14.3 million in 2004. Same store parts and service revenues increased $305,000 or 6.0 percent to $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $5.1 million in 2003. Same store other revenues (net) decreased $61,000 or 3.2 percent to $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2005 versus $1.9 million for the same period in 2004.

Sales of new vehicles decreased $7.2 million or 8.4 percent to $78.7 million for the first half of 2005 versus $85.9 million in 2004. Used vehicle sales decreased $209,000 or 0.6 percent to $32.5 million for the first half of 2005 versus $32.7 million in 2004. Parts and service revenues for the first half of 2005 decreased $49,000 or 0.4 percent to slightly less than $12.1 million from slightly more than $12.1 million in 2004. Other revenues (net) decreased $65,000 or 1.7 percent to $3.8 million for the first half of 2005 versus $3.9 million for the same period in 2004.

On a same store basis, sales of new vehicles increased $2.1 million or 3.1 percent to $69.6 million for the first half of 2005 versus $67.5 million in 2004. Same store sales of used vehicles increased $1.5 million or 5.0 percent to $31.3 million for the first half of 2005 versus $29.8 million in 2004. Same store parts and service revenues increased $484,000 or 4.8 percent to $10.6 million for the first half of 2005 versus $10.1 million in 2003. Same store other revenues (net) increased $145,000 or 4.0 percent to $3.7 million for the first half of 2005 versus $3.6 million for the same period in 2004.

About Hometown

Hometown Auto Retailers (www.htauto.com) sells new and used cars and light trucks, provides maintenance and repair services, sells replacement parts and provides related financing, insurance and service contracts through eight franchised dealerships located in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. The company's dealerships offer nine American and Asian automotive brands, including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, and Toyota.

                     HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
            UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                        For the Three Months     For the Six Months
                           Ended June 30,          Ended June 30,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2005        2004        2005        2004
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Revenues
   New vehicle sales   $   40,645  $   44,776  $   78,670  $   85,891
   Used vehicle sales      16,921      15,780      32,481      32,690
   Parts and service
    sales                   5,909       6,155      12,065      12,114
   Other, net               1,815       2,011       3,840       3,905
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

      Total revenues       65,290      68,722     127,056     134,600

Cost of sales
   New vehicle             37,911      41,960      73,503      80,315
   Used vehicle            15,368      14,318      29,371      29,562
   Parts and service        2,648       2,813       5,513       5,572
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

      Total cost of
       sales               55,927      59,091     108,387     115,449
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

      Gross profit          9,363       9,631      18,669      19,151

Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses                   7,699       8,493      15,708      17,141
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Income from
       operations           1,664       1,138       2,961       2,010

   Interest income             59          37         129          81
   Interest (expense)        (924)       (857)     (1,844)     (1,631)
   Other income               589           1         591           3
   Other (expense)              -           -           -          (4)
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Pre-tax income              1,388         319       1,837         459
      Provision for
       income taxes           554          86         735         124
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Net income             $      834  $      233  $    1,102  $      335
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Earnings per share,
 basic                 $     0.13  $     0.03  $     0.16  $     0.05
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Earnings per share,
 diluted               $     0.13  $     0.03  $     0.16  $     0.05
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========


Weighted average shares
 outstanding, basic     6,449,389   7,191,588   6,766,185   7,183,347
Weighted average shares
 outstanding, diluted   6,584,446   7,324,514   6,895,987   7,397,886



                     HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
            (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                               June 30,   December 31,
                          ASSETS                  2005         2004
                                              (Unaudited)  (Restated)
                                              ----------- ------------

Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $   5,050    $   6,101
   Accounts receivable, net                        5,467        5,081
   Inventories, net                               32,013       43,440
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets       1,011          634
   Deferred and prepaid income taxes               1,464        1,464
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total current assets                         45,005       56,720

Property and equipment, net                       13,264       13,854
Other assets                                       2,955        3,649
                                                ---------    ---------

     Total assets                              $  61,224    $  74,223
                                                =========    =========

          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
   Floor plan notes payable - trade            $   8,440    $  17,382
   Floor plan notes payable - non-trade           21,907       25,092
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses           4,784        5,106
   Current maturities of long-term debt and
    capital lease obligations                      5,400        5,505
   Deferred revenue                                  562          735
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total current liabilities                    41,093       53,820

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations       8,302        8,621
Long-term deferred income taxes                      123          123
Other long-term liabilities and deferred
 revenue                                             714          726
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total liabilities                            50,232       63,290

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity
   Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000
    shares authorized, no shares issued and
    outstanding                                        -            -
   Common stock, Class A, $.001 par value,
    12,000,000 shares authorized, 3,870,137 
    shares issued and outstanding                      4            4
   Common stock, Class B, $.001 par value,
    3,760,000 shares authorized, 2,579,252 and 
    3,519,252 shares issued, respectively              2            3
   Additional paid-in capital                     28,975       30,017
   Accumulated deficit                           (17,989)     (19,091)
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total stockholders' equity                   10,992       10,933
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total liabilities and stockholders'
      equity                                   $  61,224    $  74,223
                                                =========    =========