Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Announces a Proposed Private Placement of $200 Million in Senior Subordinated Notes.

Business Editors

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2002

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) today announced that it proposes to offer $200 million principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 in a private placement.

Asbury intends to use the net proceeds of the issuance to repay indebtedness under its credit facility.

The notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act. Unless so registered, the notes may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. Asbury operates through nine geographically concentrated, individually branded "platforms". These platforms operate 91 retail auto stores, encompassing 127 franchises for the sale and servicing of 36 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. The company offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements relating to plans regarding the company's financial position, results of operations and business strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market factors and general economic conditions. There can be no guarantees the company's plans will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.