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Republic Industries' President Comments On Nissan Legal Challenge

9 April 1998

Republic Industries' President Comments On Nissan Legal Challenge

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 9 -- Responding to a press
release earlier today from Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. concerning Nissan's
decision to file an action against Republic Industries, Inc. ,
Republic President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Steven R. Berrard made the
following statement:
    "Today's action by Nissan is a cynical effort to achieve in a press
release what it cannot achieve in the courtroom. Nissan withdrew its action in
Florida and simultaneously filed an action in California in a transparent
attempt to divert attention from its defeat in Florida. Nissan's action today
in California is similar to a complaint that was dismissed last year by a
California federal court.
    "We stand by our belief, and the belief of 23 former state attorneys
general, that Nissan dealers, and all other dealers in America, have the right
to sell their franchise to any qualified buyer, such as Republic Industries.
We believe that Nissan too will eventually accept that state laws are
unambiguous on this point. In the meantime, Republic looks forward to closing
on the three Nissan dealerships in Florida and to executing our consumer-
friendly automotive retail strategy."

SOURCE  Republic Industries, Inc.