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AutoNation

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AutoNation, Inc.
File:AutoNation logo.gif
Company typePublic (NYSE: AN)
IndustryCar dealership
Founded1996 (as Republic)
April 6, 1999 (as AutoNation)
HeadquartersFort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Revenue$19.4 Billion

AutoNation is a chain of auto dealerships founded by entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizinga, also founder of Blockbuster and Waste Management. The company, founded in 1996, is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.


Company operations

AutoNation, Inc. is the largest automotive retailer in the United States. AutoNation has 272 dealerships nationwide, and employs approximately 27,000 employees. Autonation sells 37 different manufacturer brands nationwide. AutoNation outsells every other automotive retailer in the U.S. and is ranked #115 on the 2006 Fortune 500. The company has a significant internet presence, offering its entire inventory for online searching.

Total company revenue is as follows:

  • 59% New Vehicles ($11.5 billion in 2005)
  • 23% Used Vehicles ($4.4 billion in 2005)
  • 14% Parts and Service ($2.2 billion in 2005)
  • 3% Financing and Insurance ($615 million in 2005)

AutoNation brands

Instead of supporting a national mark, AutoNation has developed a unique brand name for its dealerships in each market.

These include the following:

History

From its founding in 1996 until 1999, AutoNation operated a series of used car megastores under the AutoNation USA brand, designed in the image of rival CarMax. Competition and market forces drove the company to shutter its AutoNation USA stores and instead focus on conventional dealerships with unique brand names in each market.

The company was formerly known as Republic Industries, Inc., and changed its name to AutoNation in 1999. The company's first Chief Executive Officer was Steve Berrard, who resigned from the company in July 1999.

In October 24, 2005, the AutoNation building in downtown Fort Lauderdale suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Wilma.

Controversies

In 2007, an activist goup named Stop! AutoNation" sent individual dealerships letters threatening a boycott for alleged discrimination against customers and employees.

Notes

  1. ^ Fortune 500: Autozone, CNN, April 17, 2006.
  2. ^ Bradsher, Keith, "Republic's Huizenga Wants to Dominate the Market", The New York Times, pp. D1, March 6, 1997.
  3. Gallagher, Richard S. (2002). The Soul of an Organization: Understanding the Values that Drive Successful Corporate Cultures. Kaplan Business. pp. pp. 113. ISBN 0-7931-5780-3. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  4. White, Joseph B., "One Billion Cars", The Wall Street Journal, pp. R1, April 17, 2006.
  5. Tucci, Christopher L. (2001). Internet Business Models and Strategies: Text and Cases. McGraw-Hill. pp. pp. 270. ISBN 0-07-239724-1. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. "AutoNation benches Elway's name," Denver Post, December 1, 2006,
  7. "Autonation Chief Executive Agrees to Step Down", The New York Times, July 1, 1999.
  8. Hoag, Christina, and Danner, Patrick, "Creatively coping with chaos: South Florida's hurricane-worn companies are making do to keep going despite a lack of offices", The Miami Herald, October 27, 2005.

Further reading

External links

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