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Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. (Formerly Eckler Industries, Inc.) Names Joe Alvarez Executive Vice President

28 April 1997

Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. (Formerly Eckler Industries, Inc.) Names Joe Alvarez Executive Vice President

       Alvarez also to be President of its Automotive Sales Subsidiary

    TITUSVILLE, Fla., April 28 -- Smart Choice Automotive Group,
Inc. , formerly known as Eckler Industries, Inc., announced
today the appointment of Joe Alvarez, as executive vice president of the
company and president of its automotive sales subsidiary.  Mr. Alvarez will be
responsible for Smart Choice's new and used car dealerships.
    Mr. Alvarez, a Tampa native, joins Smart Choice with more than 20 years of
management experience in the automobile industry.  He was general manager for
Lokey Auto Group, a Nissan/Oldsmobile new car dealership located in St.
Petersburg, Florida.
    Gary R. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Smart Choice,
stated, "We expect the commitment and experience of Joe Alvarez coupled with
his track record of managing profitable new and used car dealerships to
significantly enhance our automobile sales efforts."
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. consolidates new and used car
dealerships and finance companies.  Smart Choice owns nine used car centers
and has contracted to buy two new car dealerships.  Smart Choice operates in
the following Florida markets:  West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa and St.
Petersburg.  In addition, the Company has acquired three automobile finance
companies which service approximately 5,000 customers and have approximately
$35 million in receivables.
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. also operates insurance and dealers
consulting divisions as well as Eckler Industries, one of the nation's leaders
in Corvette parts and accessories with more than 95,000 customers.

SOURCE  Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc.