Asbury Automotive Group Reports Third Quarter Financial Results

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:01am EDT

Third Quarter Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations of $0.29, Up 38% from a
Year Ago







DULUTH, Ga., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
(NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the
U.S., today reported strengthening financial results for the third quarter
ended September 30, 2009.  

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter was $9.5 million, or
$0.29 per diluted share, up 38% from $6.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share,
in the corresponding period last year.  Non-core items, as disclosed in the
attached tables, reduced earnings by $0.02 per diluted share in the third
quarter of 2009 and by $0.03 per diluted share in last year's third quarter. 
Net income for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $7.4 million, or $0.22 per
diluted share, compared with $5.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, a year
ago. 

Third quarter 2009 revenues totaled $983 million, compared to $1.1 billion a
year ago, driven primarily by lower new vehicle sales.  This 12% drop in
revenues was more than offset by Asbury's rapid response in aligning its cost
structure and new vehicle inventory to the current sales pace, resulting in a
38% increase in earnings per diluted share from continuing operations.

For the first nine months of 2009, income from continuing operations was $16.7
million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared with $27.3 million, or $0.85 per
diluted share, in the corresponding period last year.  Non-core items, as
disclosed in the attached tables, reduced earnings by $0.05 per diluted share
in the first nine months of 2009, and by $0.08 per diluted share in the
nine-month period a year ago. 

"We are pleased to report earnings increases for the third quarter -- both
year-over-year and sequentially -- reflecting what we believe are the
temporary benefits of the government's 'Cash for Clunkers' program, as well as
the Company's capitalizing on the dramatic expense reductions we've achieved
over the past year," said Charles R. Oglesby, Asbury's President and CEO. 
"Cash for Clunkers clearly boosted new vehicle sales while reducing our new
light vehicle inventories to the lowest levels in the Company's history --
only 46 days' sales as of September 30th.  The tighter supplies helped
strengthen our new vehicle gross margins and reduced our floor plan interest
expense."

Craig T. Monaghan, Asbury's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
said, "Over the past year, we have moved aggressively to better align our
expense structure with an extremely challenging automotive retail environment.
 We have relocated Asbury's headquarters from New York to Georgia, reduced our
corporate staff, eliminated an entire layer of regional management teams, and
implemented sweeping store-level productivity initiatives.  In total, these
programs, together with our variable cost structure, have delivered over $100
million in SG&A expense reductions over the past twelve months.  In addition,
we continue to make good progress on a number of ongoing investments in our
infrastructure that we expect will drive further cost savings and productivity
improvements in the near future."

The Company's financial position continues to improve, with total available
liquidity on September 30th of approximately $205 million, including $34
million of cash and credit facility borrowing availability of $171 million. 
Over the last twelve months, Asbury has paid down $75 million of its non-floor
plan debt, which represents a 12% reduction, and has no significant debt
maturities scheduled until 2012. 

Mr. Oglesby said, "We are pleased that the Board of Directors has reaffirmed
its authorization for the Company to repurchase outstanding debt securities
and expanded the authorization, which currently stands at $30 million, to
include purchases of properties that we are currently leasing.  Based on the
Company's improved financial position as of September 30, 2009, we believe
that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations and capitalize on
opportunities to enhance investor returns."

Mr. Oglesby concluded, "With the restructuring and efficiency gains we have
achieved, we believe we have the operational and financial flexibility to
remain solidly profitable even if the industry sales environment does not
improve significantly in the near term.  We are now better positioned than
ever before to leverage our strong dealership portfolio and streamlined
organizational structure as auto sales begin to recover."

Asbury will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results this
morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  The call will be simulcast live on the
Internet and can be accessed by logging onto http://www.asburyauto.com or
http://www.ccbn.com.  In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible
to the public by calling (800) 817-8874 (domestic), or (719) 325-2430
(international); passcode - 5748513.  Callers should dial in approximately 5
to 10 minutes before the call begins.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, a
suburb of Atlanta, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. 
Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic
acquisitions, Asbury currently operates 81 retail auto stores, encompassing
106 franchises for the sale and servicing of 37 different brands of American,
European and Asian automobiles.  Asbury 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" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking
statements are statements other than historical facts, and may include
statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections
regarding Asbury's financial position, liquidity, results of operations,
market position and dealership portfolio, the benefits of its restructuring
program and other initiatives and future business strategy.  These statements
are based on management's current expectations and beliefs 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, Asbury's
relationships with, and financial stability of, vehicle manufacturers and
other suppliers, risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness (including
available borrowing capacity, interest rate exposure, and compliance with its
financial covenants), Asbury's relationship with, and the financial stability
of, its lenders and lessors, risks related to competition in the automotive
retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and
locally, governmental regulations, legislation and Asbury's ability to execute
its restructuring programs and other initiatives and other operational
strategies, Asbury's ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio,
and Asbury's ability to stay within its targeted range for capital
expenditures.  There can be no guarantees that Asbury's plans for future
operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be
commercially successful.  

These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements
are and will be discussed in Asbury's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission from time to time, including its most recent annual report on Form
10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  We undertake
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In millions, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)


                                         For the             For the
                                    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,       September 30,
                                    ------------------   -----------------
                                       2009     2008      2009      2008
                                    ---------  -------  --------  --------
      REVENUES:
          New vehicle                  $560.5   $673.4  $1,495.4  $2,077.6
          Used vehicle                  243.4    248.8     679.8     825.1
          Parts and service             152.8    165.3     467.3     495.3
          Finance and insurance, net     26.3     31.9      68.9     104.2
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

              Total revenues            983.0  1,119.4   2,711.4   3,502.2

      COST OF SALES:
          New vehicle                   520.4    626.5   1,395.2   1,936.7
          Used vehicle                  224.0    228.0     621.6     753.1
          Parts and service              75.9     82.2     236.2     244.8
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

              Total cost of sales       820.3    936.7   2,253.0   2,934.6
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

      GROSS PROFIT                      162.7    182.7     458.4     567.6

      OPERATING EXPENSES:
          Selling, general and
           administrative               129.4    147.3     374.0     453.1
          Depreciation and amortization   5.6      6.0      17.3      16.3
          Other operating (income)
           expense, net                  (0.2)    (0.1)     (1.0)      1.6
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

              Income from operations     27.9     29.5      68.1      96.6

      OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
          Floor plan interest expense    (4.2)    (6.9)    (13.6)    (22.5)
          Other interest expense         (9.4)   (10.8)    (28.0)    (28.9)
          Convertible debt discount
           amortization                  (0.5)    (0.8)     (1.4)     (2.4)
          Interest income                   -      0.1       0.1       1.4
          Loss on extinguishment of
           long-term debt                   -     (1.7)        -      (1.7)
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

              Total other expense,
               net                      (14.1)   (20.1)    (42.9)    (54.1)
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

              Income before income
               taxes                     13.8      9.4      25.2      42.5

      INCOME TAX EXPENSE                  4.3      2.5       8.5      15.2
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

      INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS   9.5      6.9      16.7      27.3

      DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of
       tax                               (2.1)    (1.4)     (3.5)     (1.3)
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

      NET INCOME                         $7.4     $5.5     $13.2     $26.0
                                     ======== ========  ========  ========

      EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
          BASIC -
             Continuing operations      $0.30    $0.22     $0.52     $0.86
             Discontinued operations    (0.07)   (0.05)    (0.11)    (0.04)
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

                  Net income            $0.23    $0.17     $0.41     $0.82
                                     ======== ========  ========  ========


          DILUTED -
             Continuing operations      $0.29    $0.21     $0.51     $0.85
             Discontinued operations    (0.07)   (0.04)    (0.11)    (0.05)
                                     -------- --------  --------  --------

                  Net income            $0.22    $0.17     $0.40     $0.80
                                     ======== ========  ========  ========


      WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
       OUTSTANDING:
          Basic                          32.0     31.7      31.9      31.8
                                     ======== ========  ========  ========

          Diluted                        33.1     32.1      33.0      32.3
                                     ======== ========  ========  ========



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    SELECTED DATA
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)

                                   As Reported for the
                                   Three Months Ended
                                      September 30,
                                   ------------------- Increase
                                     2009      2008   (Decrease)  % Change
                                   --------  --------- ---------  --------

     REVENUE:
         New light vehicles          $527.6    $622.2   $(94.6)    (15)%
         New heavy trucks              32.9      51.2    (18.3)    (36)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total new vehicle        560.5     673.4   (112.9)    (17)%
         Used retail                  192.6     189.5      3.1       2 %
         Used wholesale                50.8      59.3     (8.5)    (14)%
                                   --------  ---------
             Total used vehicle       243.4     248.8     (5.4)     (2)%
         Parts and service            152.8     165.3    (12.5)     (8)%
         Finance and insurance, net    26.3      31.9     (5.6)    (18)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total revenue           $983.0  $1,119.4  $(136.4)    (12)%
                                   ========  =========


     GROSS PROFIT
         New light vehicles           $38.9     $44.9    $(6.0)    (13)%
         New heavy trucks               1.2       2.0     (0.8)    (40)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total new                 40.1      46.9     (6.8)    (14)%
         Used retail                   21.0      22.1     (1.1)     (5)%
         Used wholesale                (1.6)     (1.3)    (0.3)    (23)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total used vehicle        19.4      20.8     (1.4)     (7)%
         Parts and service             76.9      83.1     (6.2)     (7)%
         Finance and insurance, net    26.3      31.9     (5.6)    (18)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total gross profit      $162.7    $182.7   $(20.0)    (11)%
                                   ========  =========


     VEHICLES SOLD:
         New light retail vehicles   18,305    20,466   (2,161)    (11)%
         New fleet vehicles             245       633     (388)    (61)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total light vehicles    18,550    21,099   (2,549)    (12)%
         New heavy trucks               542       798     (256)    (32)%
                                   --------  ---------

             Total new vehicle       19,092    21,897   (2,805)    (13)%
                                   ========  =========


         Used retail units           10,513    10,954     (441)     (4)%
                                   ========  =========


     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles         $28,442   $29,490  $(1,048)     (4)%
         New heavy trucks            60,701    64,160   (3,459)     (5)%
         Used retail                 18,320    17,300    1,020       6 %

     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles          $2,097    $2,128     $(31)     (1)%
         New heavy trucks             2,214     2,506     (292)    (12)%
         Used retail                  1,998     2,018      (20)     (1)%
         Finance and insurance, net     888       971      (83)     (9)%

     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
         New light vehicles             7.4 %     7.2 %    0.2 %     3 %
         New heavy trucks               3.6 %     3.9 %   (0.3)%    (8)%
         Used retail                   10.9 %    11.7 %   (0.8)%    (7)%
         Parts and service             50.3 %    50.3 %      - %     - %
                                   --------  ---------

             Total                     16.6 %    16.3 %    0.3 %     2 %
                                   ========  =========


                                 As Reported for the
                                  Three Months Ended
                                     September 30,
                                 ---------------------  Increase
                                    2009       2008    (Decrease)  % Change
                                 ----------  ---------  ---------  --------

      REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
          New light vehicles          53.7 %    55.6 %
          New heavy trucks             3.3 %     4.6 %
          Used retail                 19.6 %    16.9 %
          Used wholesale               5.2 %     5.3 %
          Parts and service           15.5 %    14.8 %
          Finance and insurance,
           Net                         2.7 %     2.8 %
                                 ----------  ---------

              Total revenue          100.0 %   100.0 %
                                 =========== =========

      GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
          New light vehicles          23.9 %    24.6 %
          New heavy trucks             0.7 %     1.1 %
          Used retail                 12.9 %    12.0 %
          Used wholesale              (1.0)%    (0.7)%
          Parts and service           47.3 %    45.5 %
          Finance and
           insurance, net             16.2 %    17.5 %
                                 ----------  ---------

              Total gross profit     100.0 %   100.0 %
                                 =========== =========


      SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE
       OF GROSS PROFIT                79.5 %    80.6 %   (1.1)      (1)%
                                 =========== =========



                                   Same Store for the
                                   Three Months Ended
                                     September 30,
                                   ------------------ Increase
                                    2009      2008   (Decrease)  % Change
                                   --------  -------- ---------  --------
    REVENUE:
         New light vehicles         $527.6    $622.2   $(94.6)     (15)%
         New heavy trucks             32.9      51.2    (18.3)     (36)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total new vehicle       560.5     673.4   (112.9)     (17)%
         Used retail                 192.6     189.5      3.1        2 %
         Used wholesale               50.8      59.3     (8.5)     (14)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total used vehicle      243.4     248.8     (5.4)      (2)%
         Parts and service           152.8     165.3    (12.5)      (8)%
         Finance and insurance, net   26.3      31.9     (5.6)     (18)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total revenue          $983.0  $1,119.4  $(136.4)     (12)%
                                   ========  ========


     GROSS PROFIT
         New light vehicles          $38.9     $44.9    $(6.0)     (13)%
         New heavy trucks              1.2       2.0     (0.8)     (40)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total new                40.1      46.9     (6.8)     (14)%
         Used retail                  21.0      22.1     (1.1)      (5)%
         Used wholesale               (1.6)     (1.3)    (0.3)     (23)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total used vehicle       19.4      20.8     (1.4)      (7)%
         Parts and service            76.9      83.1     (6.2)      (7)%
         Finance and insurance, net   26.3      31.9     (5.6)     (18)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total gross profit     $162.7    $182.7   $(20.0)     (11)%
                                   ========  ========


     VEHICLES SOLD:
         New light retail vehicles  18,305    20,466   (2,161)     (11)%
         New fleet vehicles            245       633     (388)     (61)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total light vehicles   18,550    21,099   (2,549)     (12)%
         New heavy trucks              542       798     (256)     (32)%
                                   --------  --------

             Total new vehicle      19,092    21,897   (2,805)     (13)%
                                   ========  ========

         Used retail units          10,513    10,954     (441)      (4)%
                                   ========  ========



                                     Same Store for the
                                     Three Months Ended
                                        September 30,
                                     ------------------ Increase
                                        2009     2008  (Decrease)  % Change
                                     --------   ------- ---------  --------
     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles           $28,442   $29,490  $(1,048)      (4)%
         New heavy trucks              60,701    64,160   (3,459)      (5)%
         Used retail                   18,320    17,300    1,020        6 %

     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles            $2,097    $2,128     $(31)      (1)%
         New heavy trucks               2,214     2,506     (292)     (12)%
         Used retail                    1,998     2,018      (20)      (1)%
         Finance and insurance, net       888       971      (83)      (9)%

     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
         New light vehicles               7.4 %     7.2 %     0.2 %     3 %
         New heavy trucks                 3.6 %     3.9 %    (0.3)%    (8)%
         Used retail                     10.9 %    11.7 %    (0.8)%    (7)%
         Parts and service               50.3 %    50.3 %       - %     - %
                                     --------   -------

             Total                       16.6 %    16.3 %     0.3 %     2 %
                                     --------   -------


     REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
         New light vehicles              53.7 %    55.6 %
         New heavy trucks                 3.3 %     4.6 %
         Used retail                     19.6 %    16.9 %
         Used wholesale                   5.2 %     5.3 %
         Parts and service               15.5 %    14.8 %
         Finance and insurance, net       2.7 %     2.8 %
                                     --------   -------

             Total revenue              100.0 %   100.0 %
                                     ========   =======

         Gross profit mix percentages:
         New light vehicles              23.9 %    24.6 %
         New heavy trucks                 0.7 %     1.1 %
         Used retail                     12.9 %    12.0 %
         Used wholesale                 (1.0) %    (0.7)%
         Parts and service               47.3 %    45.5 %
         Finance and insurance, net      16.2 %    17.5 %
                                     --------   -------

             Total gross profit         100.0 %   100.0 %
                                     ========   =======


     SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE
      OF GROSS PROFIT                    79.5 %    80.6 %    (1.1)     (1 %)
                                     ========   =======


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    SELECTED DATA
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)

                                    As Reported for the
                                     Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,
                                    ------------------- Increase
                                      2009      2008   (Decrease)  % Change
                                    --------  --------- ---------  --------
      REVENUE:
          New light vehicles        $1,391.4  $1,942.2   $(550.8)    (28)%
          New heavy trucks             104.0     135.4     (31.4)    (23)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total new vehicle      1,495.4   2,077.6    (582.2)    (28)%
          Used retail                  547.5     634.5     (87.0)    (14)%
          Used wholesale               132.3     190.6     (58.3)    (31)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total used vehicle       679.8     825.1    (145.3)    (18)%
          Parts and service            467.3     495.3     (28.0)     (6)%
          Finance and insurance, net    68.9     104.2     (35.3)    (34)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total revenue         $2,711.4  $3,502.2   $(790.8)    (23)%
                                    ========  =========


      GROSS PROFIT
          New light vehicles           $96.0    $135.2    $(39.2)    (29)%
          New heavy trucks               4.2       5.7      (1.5)    (26)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total new                100.2     140.9     (40.7)    (29)%
          Used retail                   59.9      73.9     (14.0)    (19)%
          Used wholesale                (1.7)     (1.9)      0.2      11 %
                                    --------  ---------

              Total used vehicle        58.2      72.0     (13.8)    (19)%
          Parts and service            231.1     250.5     (19.4)     (8)%
          Finance and insurance, net    68.9     104.2     (35.3)    (34)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total gross profit      $458.4    $567.6   $(109.2)    (19)%
                                    ========  =========


      VEHICLES SOLD:
          New light retail vehicles   46,645    63,944   (17,299)    (27)%
          New fleet vehicles           1,445     2,651    (1,206)    (45)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total light vehicles    48,090    66,595   (18,505)    (28)%
          New heavy trucks             1,634     2,103      (469)    (22)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total new vehicle       49,724    68,698   (18,974)    (28)%
                                    ========  =========


          Used retail units           30,446    35,988    (5,542)    (15)%
                                    ========  =========


      REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
          New light vehicles         $28,933   $29,164     $(231)     (1)%
          New heavy trucks            63,647    64,384      (737)     (1)%
          Used retail                 17,983    17,631       352       2 %

      GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
          New light vehicles          $1,996    $2,030      $(34)     (2)%
          New heavy trucks             2,570     2,710      (140)     (5)%
          Used retail                  1,967     2,053       (86)     (4)%
          Finance and insurance, net     859       995      (136)    (14)%

      GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
          New light vehicles             6.9 %     7.0 %    (0.1)%    (1)%
          New heavy trucks               4.0 %     4.2 %    (0.2)%    (5)%
          Used retail                   10.9 %    11.6 %    (0.7)%    (6)%
          Parts and service             49.5 %    50.6 %    (1.1)%    (2)%
                                    --------  ---------

              Total                     16.9 %    16.2 %     0.7%      4 %
                                    ========  =========


                                   As Reported for the
                                    Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,
                                   ------------------- Increase
                                     2009      2008   (Decrease)  % Change
                                   ---------  -------- ---------  --------

     REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
         New light vehicles            51.3 %    55.5 %
         New heavy trucks               3.8 %     3.9 %
         Used retail                   20.3 %    18.1 %
         Used wholesale                 4.9 %     5.4 %
         Parts and service             17.2 %    14.1 %
         Finance and insurance, net     2.5 %     3.0 %
                                   ---------  --------

             Total revenue            100.0 %   100.0 %
                                   =========  ========

     GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
         New light vehicles            20.9 %    23.8 %
         New heavy trucks               0.9 %     1.0 %
         Used retail                   13.2 %    13.0 %
         Used wholesale                (0.4)%    (0.3)%
         Parts and service             50.4 %    44.1 %
         Finance and insurance, net    15.0 %    18.4 %
                                   ---------  --------

             Total gross profit       100.0 %   100.0 %
                                   =========  ========

     SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE
      OF GROSS PROFIT                  81.6 %    79.8 %     1.8      2 %
                                   =========  ========



                                   Same Store for the
                                    Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,
                                   ------------------  Increase
                                     2009      2008   (Decrease)  % Change
                                   --------  --------  ---------  --------

      REVENUE:
          New light vehicles       $1,385.4  $1,942.2   $(556.8)   (29)%
          New heavy trucks            104.0     135.4     (31.4)   (23)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total new vehicle     1,489.4   2,077.6    (588.2)   (28)%
          Used retail                 545.5     634.5     (89.0)   (14)%
          Used wholesale              131.6     190.6     (59.0)   (31)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total used vehicle      677.1     825.1    (148.0)   (18)%
          Parts and service           465.0     495.3     (30.3)    (6)%
          Finance and insurance, net   68.6     104.2     (35.6)   (34)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total revenue        $2,700.1  $3,502.2   $(802.1)   (23)%
                                   ========  ========


      GROSS PROFIT
          New light vehicles          $95.6    $135.2    $(39.6)   (29)%
          New heavy trucks              4.2       5.7      (1.5)   (26)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total new                99.8     140.9     (41.1)   (29)%
          Used retail                  59.8      73.9     (14.1)   (19)%
          Used wholesale               (1.7)     (1.9)      0.2     11 %
                                   --------  --------

              Total used vehicle       58.1      72.0     (13.9)   (19)%
          Parts and service           230.0     250.5     (20.5)    (8)%
          Finance and insurance, net   68.6     104.2     (35.6)   (34)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total gross profit     $456.5    $567.6   $(111.1)   (20)%
                                   ========  ========


      VEHICLES SOLD:
          New light retail vehicles  46,394    63,944   (17,550)   (27)%
          New fleet vehicles          1,445     2,651    (1,206)   (45)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total light vehicles   47,839    66,595   (18,756)   (28)%
          New heavy trucks            1,634     2,103      (469)   (22)%
                                   --------  --------

              Total new vehicle      49,473    68,698   (19,225)   (28)%
                                   ========  ========

          Used retail units          30,313    35,988    (5,675)   (16)%
                                   ========  ========


                                       Same Store for the
                                        Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,
                                       ------------------   Increase
                                         2009      2008    (Decrease) % Change
                                       --------   -------   --------  --------

     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles             $28,960   $29,164    $(204)      (1)%
         New heavy trucks                63,647    64,384     (737)      (1)%
         Used retail                     17,996    17,631      365        2 %

     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
         New light vehicles              $1,998    $2,030     $(32)      (2)%
         New heavy trucks                 2,570     2,710     (140)      (5)%
         Used retail                      1,973     2,053      (80)      (4)%
         Finance and insurance, net         860       995     (135)     (14)%

     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
         New light vehicles                 6.9 %     7.0 %   (0.1)%     (1)%
         New heavy trucks                   4.0 %     4.2 %   (0.2)%     (5)%
         Used retail                       11.0 %    11.6 %   (0.6)%     (5)%
         Parts and service                 49.5 %    50.6 %   (1.1)%     (2)%
                                       --------   -------

             Total                         16.9 %    16.2 %    0.7 %      4 %
                                       ========   =======


     REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
         New light vehicles                51.3 %    55.5 %
         New heavy trucks                   3.9 %     3.9 %
         Used retail                       20.2 %    18.1 %
         Used wholesale                     4.9 %     5.4 %
         Parts and service                 17.2 %    14.1 %
         Finance and insurance, net         2.5 %     3.0 %
                                       --------   -------

             Total revenue                100.0 %   100.0 %
                                       ========   =======

         Gross profit mix percentages:
         New light vehicles                20.9 %    23.8 %
         New heavy trucks                   0.9 %     1.0 %
         Used retail                       13.2 %    13.0 %
         Used wholesale                    (0.4)%   (0.3) %
         Parts and service                 50.4 %    44.1 %
         Finance and insurance, net        15.0 %    18.4 %
                                       --------   -------

             Total gross profit           100.0 %   100.0 %
                                       ========   =======

     SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF
      GROSS PROFIT                         81.9 %    79.8 %    2.1        3 %
                                       ========   =======


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    Selected Balance Sheet Data
    (In millions)
    (Unaudited)

                          September 30, December 31, Increase
                                2009       2008     (Decrease) % Change
                          ------------- ------------ --------- --------

      Selected Balance
       Sheet Data
          Cash and cash
           equivalents           $33.7      $91.6     $(57.9)    (63)%
          New vehicle inventory  308.6      562.2     (253.6)    (45)%
          Used vehicle inventory  76.5       59.9       16.6      28 %
          Parts inventory         41.2       44.5       (3.3)     (7)%
          Total current assets   700.6    1,019.7     (319.1)    (31)%
          Floor plan notes
           payable               310.4      612.8     (302.4)    (49)%
          Total current
           liabilities           478.1      854.5     (376.4)    (44)%

      CAPITALIZATION:
          Long-term debt
           (including current
           portion)             $528.8     $599.7     $(70.9)    (12)%
          Shareholders' equity   241.0      226.6       14.4       6 %
                                ------     ------

              Total             $769.8     $826.3     $(56.5)     (7)%

    Brand Mix - New Light Vehicle by Revenue



                       For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
                       ---------------------------------------
                                 2009            2008
                                ------          ------

     Luxury
         BMW                       7 %             8 %
         Mercedes-Benz             6 %             7 %
         Lexus                     6 %             7 %
         Acura                     4 %             5 %
         Infiniti                  4 %             5 %
         Other luxury              5 %             4 %
                                ------          ------

             Total luxury         32 %            36 %

     Mid-Line Imports:
         Honda                    29 %            27 %
         Toyota                   11 %            10 %
         Nissan                   13 %            13 %
         Other imports             2 %             2 %
                                ------          ------

             Total imports        55 %            52 %

     Mid-Line Domestic:
         Ford                      7 %             5 %
         General motors            2 %             3 %
         Chrysler                  3 %             3 %
                                ------          ------

         Total domestic           12 %            11 %

     Value                         1 %             1 %
                                ------          ------


     Total Light Vehicles        100 %           100 %
                                ======          ======


    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Supplemental Disclosures
    (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Our operations during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 were impacted
    by certain items that are not core dealership operating items, which we
    believe are important to highlight when reviewing our results and should
    not be considered when forecasting our future results.

    The non-core items shown in the table below, which are components of our
    GAAP results, include (i) costs associated with transitioning our
    dealerships to DealerTrack's Arkona dealer management system, (ii)
    restructuring costs consisting of severance and retention expenses
    related to the relocation of our corporate headquarters and the
    elimination of our regional management structure; and the acceleration of
    lease costs associated with our former New York office in the third
    quarter of 2009, (iii) the reversal of tax reserves as a result of the
    expiration of the statute of limitations of certain income tax
    liabilities,  (iv) the loss on extinguishment of long-term debt as a
    result of our decision to terminate our credit facility with JPMorgan in
    September 2008, (v) a legal settlements benefit related to legal claims
    arising in, and before, the year 2003 and (vi) executive separation
    benefits in 2008 related to the departure of our former chief financial
    officer.



                                                For the Three Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                --------------------------
                                                   2009             2008
                                                ---------          --------

    Non-core items - (income) expense:
       Dealer management system transition costs     $1.2             $0.2
       Restructuring costs                            1.2              1.5
       Reversal of tax reserves                      (0.8)            (1.1)
       Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt         -              1.7
       Tax benefit of non-core items above           (0.9)            (1.4)
                                                ---------          --------


              Total                                  $0.7             $0.9
                                                =========          ========


     Non-core items per dilutive share              $0.02            $0.03
                                                =========          ========


     Weighted average common shares outstanding
      (diluted)                                      33.1             32.1
                                                =========          ========


                                                         For the Nine Months
                                                         Ended September 30,
                                                         -------------------
                                                            2009     2008
                                                         ---------   -------

      Non-core items - (income) expense:
        Restructuring costs                                   $4.2     $1.8
        Dealer management system transition costs              1.5      0.8
        Legal settlements benefit                             (1.5)       -
        Reversal of tax reserve                               (0.8)    (1.1)
        Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt                 -      1.7
        Executive separation benefits expense                    -      1.7
        Tax benefit of non-core items above                   (1.6)    (2.4)
                                                         ---------   -------


               Total                                          $1.8     $2.5
                                                         =========   =======


      Non-core items per dilutive share                      $0.05    $0.08
                                                         =========   =======


      Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)    33.0     32.3
                                                         =========   =======



    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Summary of Debt Covenants
    As of and for the Period Ended September 30, 2009
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)


                                                      Wachovia    Credit
                                                     Mortgages  Facilities
                                                     ---------  ----------

      Senior Leverage Ratio must be < 3.00
      SECURED DEBT (numerator)
      +    Mortgage notes payable (including
            mortgages associated with assets held
            for sale)                                            $172.0
      +    Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility                 -
      +    Capital lease obligations                                0.1
      +    Interest rate SWAP obligations                             -
      +    Other indebtedness                                       0.1
                                                                 ------

      =    TOTAL SECURED DEBT (ex floorplan)                     $172.2
                                                                 ======

      EBITDA (denominator)
      +    Net Loss - trailing 12 months ("T12")                $(356.4)
      -    Losses from discontinued operations - T12              (15.2)
      +    Add back Total interest expense (ex
            floorplan interest) - T12                              40.9
      +    Add back Income tax expense - T12                     (145.2)
      +    Add back Depreciation & amortization - T12              23.3
      +    Add back Accounting changes from gain on
            debt repurchase                                         6.3
      +    Add back Other non-cash charges - T12*                 539.4
                                                                 ------

      =    CONSOLIDATED EBITDA                                    123.5
      +    Add back Pro forma acquisitions EBITDA
            (as defined)                                              -
      +    Add back Pro forma rent savings (as
            defined)                                                  -
                                                                 ------

      =    CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA EBITDA                         $123.5
                                                                 ======

      SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO                                        1.39



      Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio must be > 1.2

      EBITDAR (numerator)
      +    Net Loss - trailing 12 months  ("T12")      $(356.4) $(356.4)
      -    Losses from discontinued operations - T12     (15.2)   (15.2)
      +    Add back Total interest expense (ex
            floorplan) - T12                              40.9     40.9
      +    Add back Income tax expense - T12            (145.2)  (145.2)
      +    Add back Depreciation & amortization - T12     23.3     23.3
      +    Add back Accounting changes from gain on
            debt repurchase                                6.3      6.3
      +    Add back Other non-cash charges - T12 (as
            defined)*                                    546.6    539.4
      +    Add back Non-recurring items - T12 (as
            defined)**                                     9.8        -
                                                        ------    -----

      =    CONSOLIDATED EBITDA                           140.5    123.5
      +    PLUS Required principal payments - T12         42.3     42.3
      -    LESS Capital expenditures (as defined)        (16.2)   (12.1)
                                                        ------    -----

      =    TOTAL EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES   $166.6   $153.7
                                                        ======    =====


      FIXED CHARGES (denominator)
      +    Total interest expense (ex Floorplan
            Interest) - T12                               40.9     40.9
      -    LESS rest associated with convertible notes
            - T12                                         (2.0)    (2.0)
      +    PLUS Required principal payments - T12          8.9      8.9
      +    PLUS Rental expense - T12                      42.3     42.3
      -    LESS Pro forma rent savings (as defined)          -        -
      +    PLUS Cash paid for taxes - T12                    -        -
                                                        ------    -----

      =    TOTAL FIXED CHARGES                           $90.1    $90.1
                                                        ======    =====

      FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO                         1.85     1.71

      Current Ratio must be > 1.2
      Total current assets (numerator)
      +    Total current assets                         $700.6   $700.6
      +    PLUS Available unused commitments under
            Revolving Credit Facility                    125.0    130.8
                                                        ------    -----

      =    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                         $825.6   $831.4
                                                        ======    =====


      Total current liabilities (denominator)
      +    Total current liabilities                    $478.1   $478.1
      -    LESS Debt balloon payments due within 6-12
            months                                           -        -
                                                        ------    -----

      =    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                    $478.1   $478.1
                                                        ======    =====

      CURRENT RATIO                                       1.73     1.74

      Adjusted Net Worth must be > $350 million
           Stockholders' equity                         $241.0
      -    LESS 50% of net income subsequent to
            September 30, 2008 (to the extent net
            income is positive)                              -
      -    LESS Proceeds from stock option exercises
            subsequent to September 30, 2008              (0.1)
      +    ADD Impairment expenses, net of tax           383.0
                                                        ------

      =    ADJUSTED NET WORTH                           $623.9

    *  Includes impairment expenses, stock-based compensation expenses,
       deferred finance fee amortization and swap amortization.

    ** Includes restructuring costs and dealer management system transition
       costs.

    Investors May Contact:
    Ryan Marsh
    Treasurer
    (770) 418-8211
    investor@asburyauto.com

    Reporters May Contact:
    Joseph Gavin
    RF|Binder Partners
    (212) 994-7525
    joseph.gavin@RFBinder.com



SOURCE  Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Investors:  Ryan Marsh, Treasurer of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.,
+1-770-418-8211, investor@asburyauto.com; or Reporters:  Joseph Gavin of
RF|Binder Partners, +1-212-994-7525, joseph.gavin@RFBinder.com, for Asbury
Automotive Group, Inc.
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