AutoNation,<br /> Inc. (NYSE:   AN), America's largest automotive retailer, announced today<br /> that it has appointed Michael J. Short as executive vice president and<br /> chief financial officer effective January 15, 2007. Short, 45, joins<br /> AutoNation from Universal Orlando where he has served as chief financial<br /> officer since 2000. Short will report to Mike Jackson, AutoNation's<br /> chairman and chief executive officer.<br />     "AutoNation is looking forward to having a seasoned finance executive<br /> of Mike's caliber join our team," said Jackson. "He brings AutoNation both<br /> financial and strategic experience that will enhance our corporate<br /> initiatives. Mike's professionalism, insight and expertise are what our<br /> customers, associates and shareholders can count on for continued success<br /> here at AutoNation."<br />     In addition to his role at Universal Orlando, Short served in finance<br /> and corporate development positions at Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. and<br /> IBM Corporation. Before that, he was a helicopter pilot and tactics<br /> instructor for the United States Navy, based out of Norfolk, Virginia. He<br /> holds an MBA from Columbia University in New York and a bachelor's degree<br /> from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.<br />     Short will succeed Alex McAllister, who has served as the interim chief<br /> financial officer of AutoNation since September 1, 2006. McAllister also<br /> serves as vice president -- corporate controller of AutoNation and will<br /> continue to serve in this role until March 31, 2007 (or earlier upon the<br /> appointment of a new corporate controller), when he is expected to retire<br /> from AutoNation.<br />     "We greatly appreciate Alex McAllister's service to AutoNation," said<br /> Jackson. "Alex has served the company well in the role of interim chief<br /> financial officer. Alex has also been a great asset of the company during<br /> his tenure as corporate controller for the last six years, playing a key<br /> role in our effort to bring greater transparency and clarity to our<br /> financial reporting over this time period."