Rush Enterprises, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and Adopts Stock Repurchase...

Rush Enterprises, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and Adopts Stock
Repurchase Program

SAN ANTONIO, July 23, 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 second
quarter ended June 30, 2008, and their intention to repurchase shares of the
Company's common stock.

Second Quarter Results

In the second quarter, the Company's gross revenues totaled $454.7 million, a
12.5% decrease from gross revenues of $519.4 million reported for the second
quarter ended June 30, 2007. Net income for the quarter was $6.1 million, or
$0.16 per diluted share, compared with net income of $13.0 million, or $0.34 per
diluted share, in the quarter ended June 30, 2007. These results included a $5.4
million write-down of used truck inventory in the second quarter of 2008, which
reduced earnings by $.08 per share.

The Company's truck segment recorded revenues of $425.2 million in the second
quarter of 2008, compared to $488.0 million in the second quarter of 2007. The
Company delivered 1,665 new heavy-duty trucks, 979 new medium-duty trucks and
795 used trucks during the second quarter of 2008, compared to 1,869 new
heavy-duty trucks, 1,324 new medium-duty trucks and 984 used trucks during the
second quarter of 2007. Parts, service and body shop sales remained flat at
$111.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $112.0 million in the
second quarter of 2007.

The Company's construction equipment segment recorded revenues of $24.7 million
in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $26.3 million in the second quarter
of 2007. New and used construction equipment unit sales revenue decreased 8.4%
to $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $20.7 million in the second
quarter of 2007. Construction equipment parts and service sales increased 2.6%
to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $5.3 million in the second
quarter of 2007.

In making the announcement, W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of Rush Enterprises, Inc.,
said "As expected, Class 8 and medium-duty new and used truck markets remained
weak through the second quarter. We expect truck sales to remain slow through
the remainder of 2008. We continue to believe, however, that replacement cycles
of vehicles purchased between 2004 and 2006 combined with impending 2010
emissions regulations will create increased demand for Class 8 and medium-duty
trucks in 2009."

W.M. "Rusty" Rush, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rush Enterprises,
Inc., said "As expected given the current freight environment, record fuel
prices, tightening credit and overall challenging general economic conditions
throughout the country, our second quarter Class 8 and medium-duty truck sales
are down as compared to the same time period in 2007."

"Used truck revenues were down 25.7% in the second quarter as compared to the
second quarter of last year. Demand for used trucks has rapidly declined in the
second quarter and valuations of used trucks have decreased approximately 15% to
20% since April. We have adjusted our used truck inventory values to better
reflect these market conditions, which resulted in a reduction of earnings of
$.08 per share," said Rusty Rush.

"Despite overall soft Class 8 and medium-duty new and used truck sales in 2008,
parts, service and body shop sales remained flat as compared to the second
quarter of 2007. However, gross margins from these operations were down slightly
from the prior year. This resulted in an absorption rate of 105.4% in the second
quarter of 2008 compared to 109.0% in the second quarter of 2007. Our overall
absorption rate for the first six months of 2008 was 105.1% compared to 105.4%
for the same period of 2007. Our ability to maintain our absorption rate was
primarily due to actions taken early in 2008 to reduce overhead expense to a
level more reflective of anticipated declining business conditions. Our people
have worked extremely hard during the first half of this year to contain
spending without compromising customer service. These expense reduction efforts
will continue as we do what is required to operate efficiently in a weak truck
sales environment," Rusty Rush continued.

"We remain committed to our strategy to diversify our earnings base, expand our
geographic network and focus on less cyclical niche markets and aftermarket
business. We are confident our strategy and the continued efforts of our people
will sustain our performance for the remainder of the year and beyond," Rusty
Rush concluded.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing
the Company to repurchase, from time to time, up to an aggregate of $20,000,000
of its shares of Class A common stock, $.01 par value per share, and/or Class B
common stock, $.01 par value per share. W. Marvin Rush, Chairman of the Board,
stated, "We believe that the purchase of our common stock represents an
attractive opportunity to benefit the long-term interests of the Company and its
shareholders. Implementation of the stock repurchase program will also give the
Company flexibility to issue additional equity securities in the future while
complying with the ownership requirements in the dealership agreements with the
various manufacturers it represents. Our dealership agreements with Peterbilt
require certain members of the Rush family and certain executives of the Company
to own, collectively, at least 30% of the aggregate voting power of the
Company's stock."

Repurchases will be made at times and in amounts as the Company deems
appropriate and will be made through open market transactions, privately
negotiated transactions and other lawful means. The manner, timing and amount of
any repurchases will be determined by the Company based on an evaluation of
market conditions, stock price and other factors, including those related to the
ownership requirements of its dealership agreements with Peterbilt. The stock
repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued
at any time. While the stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to
acquire any particular amount or class of common stock, the Company anticipates
that it will be repurchasing primarily shares of its Class B common stock.

Conference Call Information

Rush Enterprises will host its quarterly conference call to discuss earnings for
the second quarter of 2008 on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 11 a.m. Eastern time /
10 a.m. Central time. The call can be heard live by dialing 877-397-0291 (U.S.)
or 719-325-4932 (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 October 15, 2008. Listen to the audio
replay until July 30, 2008, by dialing 888-203-1112 (U.S.) or 719-457-0820
(International) and entering the replay pass code 8463515.

About Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Rush Enterprises, Inc. 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. Its operations include a network of over
50 Rush Truck Centers located in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 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

The Rush Enterprises, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3352

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)

June 30, December 31,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Assets (Unaudited)
------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 158,123 $ 187,009
Investments 7,575 --
Accounts receivable, net 52,441 48,781
Inventories 366,466 365,947
Prepaid expenses and other 2,267 1,699
Deferred income taxes, net 8,277 7,028
----------- -----------
Total current assets 595,149 610,464

Property and equipment, net 307,333 299,013

Goodwill, net 141,898 120,582

Other assets, net 1,647 1,532
----------- -----------

Total assets $ 1,046,027 $ 1,031,591
=========== ===========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable $ 285,225 $ 273,653
Current maturities of long-term debt 36,558 33,593
Current maturities of capital lease
obligations 3,935 4,444
Trade accounts payable 33,579 40,452
Accrued expenses 47,075 60,517
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 406,372 412,659

Long-term debt, net of current maturities 161,884 165,352
Capital lease obligations, net of current
maturities 12,189 13,099
Deferred income taxes, net 46,400 40,904

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares
outstanding in 2008 and 2007 -- --
Common stock, par value $.01 per share;
60,000,000 class A shares and 20,000,000
class B shares authorized; 26,222,178
class A shares and 12,279,987 class B
shares outstanding in 2008; 26,070,595
class A shares and 12,265,437 class B
shares outstanding in 2007 385 383
Additional paid-in capital 182,135 178,274
Retained earnings 236,662 220,920
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity 419,182 399,577
----------- -----------

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,046,027 $ 1,031,591
=========== ===========

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
---------------------------------

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- ----------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Revenues:
New and used truck
sales $297,237 $356,504 $548,663 $734,140
Parts and service 120,465 120,502 238,045 237,798
Construction equipment
sales 18,960 20,690 35,899 37,424
Lease and rental 13,376 13,257 26,400 25,322
Finance and insurance 3,193 6,273 6,797 11,777
Other 1,487 2,178 2,772 4,201
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Total revenue 454,718 519,404 858,576 1,050,662

Cost of products sold:
New and used truck
sales 281,305 328,708 512,342 676,600
Parts and service 69,989 69,621 138,629 138,044
Construction equipment
sales 17,192 18,386 32,372 33,382
Lease and rental 11,819 10,964 22,641 21,415
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Total cost of
products sold 380,305 427,679 705,984 869,441
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Gross profit 74,413 91,725 152,592 181,221

Selling, general and
administrative 59,012 62,539 115,957 122,987

Depreciation and
amortization 3,927 3,675 7,802 7,277
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Operating income 11,474 25,511 28,833 50,957

Interest expense, net 1,773 4,533 3,700 9,061

Gain on sale of assets 5 68 54 156
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Income before taxes 9,706 21,046 25,187 42,052

Provision for income
taxes 3,639 7,998 9,445 15,980
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Net income $ 6,067 $ 13,048 $ 15,742 $ 26,072
========== ========== ========== ==========

Earnings per common
share:
Basic $ .16 $ .34 $ .41 $ .69
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted $ .16 $ .34 $ .40 $ .68
========== ========== ========== ==========

Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 38,458 38,029 38,415 37,898
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted 38,971 38,341 38,951 38,207
========== ========== ========== ==========
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CONTACT: Rush Enterprises, Inc., San Antonio
Steven L. Keller
830-626-5226