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Rankin Automotive Group Completes Two Asset Purchase Transactions

12 March 1999

Rankin Automotive Group Completes Two Asset Purchase Transactions

    ALEXANDRIA, La., March 12 -- Rankin Automotive Group, Inc.
("Company") today announced closing on two of the previously
announced asset purchases including US. Parts Corporation (US Parts) of
Houston, Texas and Automotive & Industrial Supply Co., Inc. (A&I) of
Shreveport, Louisiana.  The Allied Distributing, Inc. (Allied) of Houston,
Texas closing is planned for month end, as this transaction is subject to
certain closing conditions.
    Chicago based Heller Financial, Inc. is leading the syndicate financing
these transactions.
    The Company expects the combined businesses to have a positive impact on
earnings and earnings per share during Fiscal 2000, which began
February 26, 1999.  Pro forma results will be included in the Company's
8K filing.
    Some of the information in this press release constitutes forward-looking
information based on current information and expectations of the Company that
involve a number of uncertainties.  Among the factors that could materially
affect the validity of the forward-looking information are the following:
changes in current industry trends, changes in competitive factors, changes in
the economic environment in which the Company has its operations, and other
factors which would generally affect the operations of the Company.