Rush Enterprises, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results

SAN ANTONIO, April 17, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Rush Enterprises, Inc.
(Nasdaq:RUSHA) (Nasdaq:RUSHB), which operates the largest network of heavy-duty
and medium-duty truck dealerships in North America and a John Deere construction
equipment dealership in Houston, Texas, today announced results for the first
quarter ended March 31, 2008.

In the first quarter, the Company's gross revenues totaled $403.9 million, a
24.0% decrease from gross revenues of $531.3 million reported for the first
quarter ended March 31, 2007. Net income for the quarter was $9.7 million, or
$0.25 per diluted share, compared with net income of $13.0 million, or $0.34 per
diluted share, in the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

The Company's truck segment recorded revenues of $376.7 million in the first
quarter of 2008, compared to $505.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. The
Company delivered 1,266 new heavy-duty trucks, 972 new medium-duty trucks and
900 used trucks during the first quarter of 2007, compared to 2,030 new
heavy-duty trucks, 1,439 new medium-duty trucks and 1,077 used trucks in the
first quarter of 2007. Parts, service and body shop sales revenue was $109.4
million in the first quarter of 2008, compared to $109.9 million in the first
quarter of 2007.

The Company's construction equipment segment recorded revenues of $22.4 million
in the first quarter of 2008, compared to $21.5 million in the first quarter of
2007. New and used construction equipment sales revenue increased 1.2% to $16.9
million in the first quarter of 2008 from $16.7 million in the first quarter of
2007. Construction equipment parts, service and body shop sales increased 15.6%
to $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $4.5 million in the first
quarter of 2007.

Marvin Rush, Chairman of Rush Enterprises, Inc., said, "As expected, the impact
of the Class 8 and medium-duty truck market downturn has continued through the
first quarter of 2008. We believe that the current freight environment, record
high fuel prices and tightening credit will cause both Class 8 and medium-duty
truck deliveries to remain soft throughout the remainder of 2008," he continued.

"However, the flexibility in our expense structure and our strategy of focusing
on the less cyclical areas of the business have once again softened the impact
of this weak truck sales market. While U.S. Class 8 retail sales were down 38%
in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007, our pretax
earnings declined only 25% for the same time period."

Rusty Rush, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We took actions in the
first quarter to reduce overhead expenses to a level more appropriate to serve
the current market. Our solid performance in this extremely challenging
environment is due to the diligent efforts of employees throughout our
organization to manage costs, while remaining focused on growth opportunities
and continuing to provide outstanding levels of customer service," he continued.

"Despite the significant decline in Class 8 and medium-duty truck deliveries,
parts, service and body shop sales remained relatively constant in the first
quarter of 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007. More importantly, our
management of expenses contributed to a healthy absorption rate of 104.9%,
compared to 101.7% in the first quarter of 2007, and puts us in a good position
to reach our strategic goal of an annual absorption rate of 105% for 2008,"
Rusty Rush continued.

"Recent downward adjustments to the industry forecast have validated our prior
prediction that 2008 U. S. Class 8 truck deliveries are expected to be
approximately 140,000 units, a 10% decline from the already depressed 2007 Class
8 truck market. Currently, the industry is forecasting retail sales of
medium-duty trucks in the U.S. to be down approximately 12% in 2008 compared to
2007; however, we believe sales of medium-duty trucks in the U.S. will decline
approximately 20-25% in 2008. Based on current economic and industry conditions,
we do not expect truck sales to recover until early 2009. However, we continue
to believe that 2009 will be a strong year for Class 8 truck deliveries, given
replacement cycles of vehicles purchased in 2004 to 2006 and the impending 2010
emissions regulations," Rusty Rush explained.

"No doubt, 2008 is shaping up to be a tough operating environment. But, I remain
confident that our people, our experience and our strategy will continue to
deliver strong financial results," Rusty Rush concluded.

Conference Call Information

Rush Enterprises will host its quarterly conference call to discuss earnings for
the first quarter on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11a.m. EDT/ 10 a.m. CDT. The call
can be heard live by dialing 877-627-6544 (US) or 719-325-4937 (International)
or via the Internet at http://investor.rushenterprises.com/events.cfm.

For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, the webcast will be available
on our website at the above link until July 15, 2008. Listen to the audio replay
until April 25, 2008 by dialing 888-203-1112 (US) or 719-457-0820
(International) and entering the replay pass code 8598409.

About Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Rush Enterprises, Inc. operates the largest network of heavy-duty truck and
medium-duty dealerships in North America and a John Deere construction equipment
dealership in Houston, Texas. Its operations include a network of over 50 Rush
Truck Centers located in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida,
Georgia, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas. The Company has developed
its Rush Truck Centers and its Rush Equipment Center as "one-stop centers"
where, at one convenient location, its customers can purchase new or used trucks
or construction equipment, purchase insurance products, purchase aftermarket
parts and accessories and have service performed by certified technicians. For
additional information on Rush Enterprises, Inc., please visit
www.rushenterprises.com

Certain statements contained herein, including those concerning current and
projected truck industry and market conditions, sales and delivery forecasts,
the Company's prospects and anticipated results for 2008 and the impact of
diesel emissions standards on the truck market, are "forward-looking" statements
(as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results
may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, general U.S. economic
conditions, economic conditions in the new and used truck and construction
equipment markets, customer relations, relationships with vendors, the interest
rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, product introductions
and acceptance, changes in industry practices, onetime events and other factors
described herein and in filings made by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
---------------------------
(In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Amounts)

March 31, December 31,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Assets (Unaudited)
------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 146,225 $ 187,009
Investments 30,275 --
Accounts receivable, net 57,900 48,781
Inventories 353,817 365,947
Prepaid expenses and other 2,199 1,699
Deferred income taxes, net 6,695 7,028
----------- -----------
Total current assets 597,111 610,464

Property and equipment, net 295,015 299,013

Goodwill, net 120,582 120,582

Other assets, net 1,543 1,532
----------- -----------

Total assets $ 1,014,251 $ 1,031,591
=========== ===========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable $ 287,672 $ 273,653
Current maturities of long-term
debt 36,951 33,593
Current maturities of capital
lease obligations 4,189 4,444
Trade accounts payable 22,984 40,452
Accrued expenses 40,970 60,517
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 392,766 412,659

Long-term debt, net of current
maturities 156,453 165,352
Capital lease obligations, net of
current maturities 11,968 13,099
Deferred income taxes, net 41,882 40,904

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01
per share; 1,000,000 shares
authorized; 0 shares outstanding
in 2007 and 2006 -- --
Common stock, par value $.01 per
share; 40,000,000 class A shares
and 10,000,000 class B shares
authorized; 26,137,946 class A
shares and 12,272,937 class B
shares outstanding in 2008;
26,070,595 class A shares and
12,265,437 class B shares
outstanding in 2007 384 383
Additional paid-in capital 180,203 178,274
Retained earnings 230,595 220,920
----------- -----------

Total shareholders' equity 411,182 399,577
----------- -----------

Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 1,014,251 $ 1,031,591
=========== ===========

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
-------------------------------------
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended
March 31,
-----------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------

Revenues:
New and used truck sales $251,426 $377,636
Parts and service 117,580 117,296
Construction equipment sales 16,939 16,734
Lease and rental 13,024 12,065
Finance and insurance 3,604 5,504
Other 1,285 2,023
-------- --------

Total revenue 403,858 531,258

Cost of products sold:
New and used truck sales 231,037 347,892
Parts and service 68,640 68,423
Construction equipment sales 15,180 14,996
Lease and rental 10,822 10,451
-------- --------
Total cost of products sold 325,679 441,762
-------- --------

Gross profit 78,179 89,496

Selling, general and administrative 56,945 60,448

Depreciation and amortization 3,875 3,602
-------- --------

Operating income 17,359 25,446

Interest expense, net 1,927 4,528

Gain on sale of assets 49 88
-------- --------

Income before taxes 15,481 21,006

Provision for income taxes 5,806 7,982
-------- --------

Net income $ 9,675 $ 13,024
======== ========

Earnings per share:
Earnings per common
share - Basic $ .25 $ .34
======== ========
Earnings per common
share - Diluted $ .25 $ .34
======== ========

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 38,373 37,766
======== ========
Diluted 38,989 38,020
======== ========
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CONTACT: Rush Enterprises Inc.
Steven L. Keller
830-626-5226