Smart Choice Gives Six Autos for Tornado Victims to Charity Cars, Inc.
10 April 1998
Smart Choice Automotive Group to Present Six Vehicles to Charity Cars, Inc. For Tornado Victims
TITUSVILLE, Fla., April 10 -- Smart Choice Automotive Group,
Inc. today announced that it will donate six vehicles to
Charity Cars, Inc. for tornado victims whose cars were destroyed in the
devastating storm which recently ravaged the Kissimmee, Florida, area.
The event will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, at the First
Choice Auto Finance dealership located at 2776 N.O.B.T. in Kissimmee. First
Choice Auto Finance is a subsidiary of Smart Choice Automotive Group, a
publicly held corporation which owns 24 new and used car dealerships in
Florida. At the ceremony, Gary R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Smart
Choice Automotive will also announce plans for First Choice to donate a
significant number of vehicles to Charity Cars, Inc. this year. "We will
deliver 50 cars following each quarter this year in which we meet analysts
estimates," stated Mr. Smith. According to Brian Menzies, President of
Charity Cars, Inc., "We are a non-profit organization which provides vehicles
and transportation support services to disadvantaged individuals to assist
them in their transition from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency. It is a
community effort which relies upon the donation of cars by the automobile
industry and local citizens. Recipients of the vehicles must be employed
within thirty days upon the receipt of a vehicle, and they must remain
employed for a period of up to three years in order to obtain full ownership
of their cars." Mr. Menzies also stated, "Smart Choice is making a
tremendous contribution back to the community."
"This commitment will establish Smart Choice Automotive Group as a
corporate leader in local and national efforts to solve the transportation
dilemma which might otherwise prevent disadvantaged individuals from seeking
gainful employment," commented Smith. "Our business revolves around
providing reliable transportation to individuals and we support Charity Cars
efforts to do the same. We hope this commitment will help other industry
leaders take a role in supporting America's experiment in welfare reform."
Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. operates a network of 24 new and used
car dealerships in the State of Florida. The Company underwrites, finances
and services retail installment contracts generated from the sale of used cars
by its dealerships. Its Eckler's Industries subsidiary is one of the world's
largest aftermarket suppliers of Corvette parts and accessories. The Company
also provides training and insurance services to automobile dealerships
throughout the United States. Smart Choice is headquartered in Titusville,
Florida and its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "SMCH".
For further information, please contact Brian Menzies, President of
Charity Cars, 407-324-5050, or Annette Percival, Vice President of Marketing,
Smart Choice Automotive Group, 407-269-9680
SOURCE Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc.
