BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Penske Automotive Group, Inc., an international automotive retailer, today reported record third quarter results including the highest quarterly profit in company history. For the third quarter of 2011, income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $56.7 million, or $0.62 per share, which compares to income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders of $34.8 million, or $0.38 per share for the third quarter last year. During the quarter, the Company recognized a net income tax benefit of $11.0 million, or $0.12 per share, reflecting a positive adjustment from the resolution of certain tax items in the U.K. of $17.0 million, or $0.19 per share, partially offset by a reduction in deferred tax assets of $6.0 million, or $0.07 per share. After adjusting for these items, adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was a record $45.7 million, or $0.50 per share, representing an increase of 31.3% compared to the third quarter last year.

Total revenue increased by 10.5%, to $3.0 billion as total retail unit sales increased 6.2%. The increase in retail unit sales was highlighted by a 16.0% increase in used retail unit sales, which drove the Company’s used-to-new ratio to 0.88 to 1. During the quarter, higher average transaction prices on both new and used vehicles also contributed to the revenue increase, including an 8.8% increase in same-store retail revenue from the Company’s premium/luxury brands. The parts and service business remained strong, increasing 8.6% in the quarter and 4.1% on a same-store basis.

Highlights of the Third Quarter

• Total retail unit sales increased 6.2% to 72,204
  • +5.9% in the United States; +6.8% Internationally
  • New unit retail sales (1.2%)
  • Used unit retail sales +16.0%

• Same-store retail revenue increased 6.4%
  • New +2.2%; Used +15.0%; Finance & Insurance +9.3%; Service and Parts +4.1%
  • +5.1% in the United States; +8.7% Internationally
• Average Transaction Price Per Unit
  • New $38,236, +8.4%
  • Used $26,404, +2.2%

• Average Gross Profit Per Unit
  • New $3,238/unit, +14.8%; Gross Margin 8.5% +50 bps
  • Used $1,978/unit, +2.8%; Gross Margin 7.5% +10 bps

• Inventory Days’ Supply
  • New 43 days; Used 47 days

Commenting on the Company’s performance in the third quarter, Chairman Roger Penske said, “Our business produced another outstanding quarter of results in both the United States and Internationally. Although we faced a challenging new vehicle inventory situation throughout the quarter as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, the Company generated same-store retail revenue increases in each area of the business and leveraged our cost structure by 70 basis points, improving operating income by 17.6%. Going forward, we believe the inventory supply of new vehicles for the affected brands is improving and should normalize in the first quarter of 2012.”

Penske added, “Our U.K. business performed well in the third quarter. We continue to realize the benefit from the premium/luxury brand mix of our business in that market and generated a 3.3% increase in same-store new retail unit sales, outperforming the overall U.K. market, which declined nearly 1% in the third quarter. Further, same-store used retail unit sales increased 8.2% in the U.K. during the quarter.”

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, increased 12.0% to $8.6 billion and income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $134.9 million, or $1.46 per share, which compares to $90.1 million, or $0.98 per share in the same period last year. Excluding the impact of the net tax benefit noted above, adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders increased 37.5%, to $123.9 million or $1.34 per share.

Acquisition Activity

As previously announced, the Company has acquired seven franchises in 2011, which are expected to generate approximately $525 million of annual revenue. Additionally, the Company has either sold, or is in the process of disposing dealerships, which represent approximately $300 million in annualized revenue.

U.S. Credit Agreement

During the third quarter, the Company amended its credit agreement with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (the “U.S. Credit Agreement”) to increase the revolving loan availability by $75 million, from $300 million to $375 million. Additionally, the term of the U.S. Credit Agreement was extended by one year through September 30, 2014, pursuant to its evergreen provision.

Securities Repurchase Activity

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company acquired 1,831,559 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $31.9 million, or an average price of $17.39 per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company acquired 2,449,768 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $44.3 million, or an average price of $18.07 per share. The Company currently has remaining authorization from its Board of Directors to repurchase up to $106.8 million of its outstanding common stock, debt or convertible debt. Securities may be acquired from time to time either through open market purchases, negotiated transactions or other means.

About Penske Automotive

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 325 retail automotive franchises, representing 42 different brands and 28 collision repair centers. Penske Automotive, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has 170 franchises in 17 states and Puerto Rico and 155 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske Automotive is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 2000 and has approximately 15,000 employees.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as adjusted income from continuing operations, adjusted income from continuing operations per share and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the release. The Company believes that these widely accepted measures of operating profitability improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not substitutes for GAAP financial results, and should only be considered in conjunction with the Company’s financial information that is presented in accordance with GAAP.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release may involve forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements regarding Penske Automotive Group, Inc.’s future sales potential. Actual results may vary materially because of risks and uncertainties as well as external factors such as consumer credit conditions; adverse conditions affecting a particular manufacturer, including the adverse impact to the vehicle and parts supply chain due to natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011; macro-economic factors; interest rate fluctuations; changes in consumer spending; and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about Penske Automotive’s business, markets, conditions and other uncertainties, which could affect Penske Automotive’s future performance. These risks and uncertainties are addressed in Penske Automotive’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This press release speaks only as of its date, and Penske Automotive disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

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