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Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. Announces Appointment

15 October 1998

Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Thomas Koujales as Senior Vice President Purchasing and Reconditioning for First Choice Auto Finance 
    TITUSVILLE, Fla., Oct. 15 -- Smart Choice Automotive Group,
Inc. , a leading consolidator in the "dealer-financed" used car
retailing industry in the Southeastern United States, today announced the
appointment of Thomas Koujales, "Tommy Kay," as senior vice president,
purchasing and reconditioning for First Choice Auto Finance.
    Gary R. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Smart Choice,
stated, "Tommy is a tremendous addition to our Senior Management Team.  His
expertise and leadership in the automobile industry is well known and will
provide invaluable experience to our First Choice operations."
    Mr. Kay has had management positions in both the new car and used car
industry.  For the last 21 years he has owned T. Kay Auto Sales, Inc. in
Miami.  He has been heavily involved with the Florida Independent Automobile
Dealers Association (FIADA) since 1989.  He has held several offices,
Legislative Chair, Senior Vice President, Regional Vice President, President
and Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Kay presently chairs the Past Presidents
Committee.
    FIADA has honored Mr. Kay as Dealer of the Month and Man of the Year.  He
also received the President's Award and the Quality Dealer Award.
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. operates a network of used car stores
in Florida.  The Company underwrites, finances and services retail installment
contracts generated from the sale of used cars by its stores.  Its Eckler's
subsidiary is one of the world's largest aftermarket suppliers of Corvette
parts and accessories.
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. is headquartered in Titusville,
Florida and its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "SMCH".
    This press release includes statements that may constitute
"forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe,"
"estimate," "project," "expect" or similar expressions.  These statements are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements inherently involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements.  Factors that would cause or contribute
to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of
the Company's products in the marketplace, competitive factors, receivables
portfolio risks, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed
in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-59375) and
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  By making
these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to
update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this
release.