Penske Automotive Reports First Quarter Results

May 5, 2009

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), an international automotive retailer, today reported first quarter income from continuing operations of $16.2 million, or $0.18 per share. This compares to income from continuing operations of $32.3 million, or $0.33 per share, in the first quarter last year. In the quarter, the Company recorded a $6.5 million, or $0.07 per share, after-tax gain relating to the repurchase of $69 million principal amount of the Company's 3.5% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2026. Excluding this gain, adjusted income from continuing operations amounted to $9.7 million, or $0.11 per share.

Total revenue was $2.2 billion compared to $3.2 billion in the same period last year. The decline in revenue versus the comparable prior year period was driven principally by a 31.2% decrease in total retail sales. The retail sales decline included a 34.5% same-store retail revenue decrease, due largely to a 35.1% decrease in same-store new vehicle unit sales and changes in exchange rates. Despite broad weakness in the new vehicle market in the U.S. and the U.K., the Company's used vehicle business performed relatively well. Retail used units sold increased 1.6%, despite a 4.2% decrease on a same-store basis, as customers looked for value-priced alternatives to meet their transportation needs. The service and parts business also performed well, declining 8.8% in total, but only 2.6% on a same-store basis excluding changes relating to exchange rates.

"In light of the challenging economic conditions in all of our markets, we are pleased with the performance of our business in the first quarter," said Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske. "Despite new vehicle sales approaching a 30 year low in the U.S. and a 30% decline in new vehicle registrations in the U.K. in the March registration period, our ability to reduce costs and inventory levels helped us achieve profitability in the first quarter. In total, we reduced our inventories by $233 million and improved our days supply of new vehicles to 69 days from 105 days at the end of 2008. I am particularly pleased to note that the cost reduction initiatives implemented by the Company have resulted in a decrease in SG&A as a percentage of gross profit to 85.0% in the first quarter, compared to 89.4% on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter of 2008."

Mr. Penske continued, "We continue to evaluate ways to operate more efficiently, and remain focused on maintaining liquidity and flexibility. I am pleased to report that we are in compliance with all of our debt covenants, and expect to remain in compliance over the next twelve months."

Securities Repurchase Authority

The Company's Board of Directors previously approved repurchases of up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock, debt and convertible debt. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased $69 million principal amount of its 3.5% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2026 for $52 million in cash. After these purchases, the Company has an additional $44 million remaining under its securities repurchase authority. As of March 31, 2009, approximately $306 million principal amount of the 3.5% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2026 remained outstanding.

smart USA

During the first quarter, smart USA wholesaled 5,714 units, and for the year expects to wholesale approximately 20,000 units. In addition, smart USA's distribution of parts is increasing due to the growing number of smart units in operation. During the quarter, smart USA approved two new retail centers, expanding the smart retail network in the U.S. to 75 franchises.

Conference Call

Penske Automotive will host a conference call discussing financial results relating to the first quarter of 2009 on May 5, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. To listen to the conference call, participants must dial (800) 230-1096 [International, please dial (612) 332-7515]. The call will be simultaneously broadcast over the Internet through the Penske Automotive Group website at www.penskeautomotive.com.

About Penske Automotive

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 310 retail automotive franchises, representing 40 different brands and 25 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 158 franchises in 19 states and Puerto Rico and 152 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske Automotive is also the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC. smart USA supports 75 smart retail centers in the United States. Penske Automotive is a member of the Fortune 200 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 14,000 employees. smart and fortwo are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.

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 and earnings potential and its ability to reduce its variable expenses. Actual results may vary materially because of risks and uncertainties, including external factors such as consumer credit conditions, any potential restructuring of the U.S. automotive sector, 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, 2008, 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.

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as adjusted income from continuing operations and related earnings per share, which exclude certain items disclosed in the release. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company's disclosure and the period-to-period comparability of the Company's results from operations.

PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Amounts In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

                                                     First Quarter

                                                     2009         2008

Revenues:

New Vehicle                                          $972,127     $1,625,950

Used Vehicle                                         614,630      794,063

Finance and Insurance, Net                           48,409       73,877

Service and Parts                                    327,554      359,142

Distribution                                         80,113       63,770

Fleet and Wholesale Vehicle                          115,043      258,535

Total Revenues                                       2,157,876    3,175,337

Cost of Sales:

New Vehicle                                          900,750      1,489,357

Used Vehicle                                         558,650      728,295

Service and Parts                                    150,453      157,885

Distribution                                         68,314       53,617

Fleet and Wholesale Vehicle                          111,418      257,696

Total Cost of Sales                                  1,789,585    2,686,850

Gross Profit                                         368,291      488,487

SG&A Expenses                                        313,002      394,072

Depreciation and Amortization                        12,872       13,291

Operating Income                                     42,417       81,124

Floor Plan Interest Expense                          (9,515    )  (17,026    )

Other Interest Expense                               (14,494   )  (11,911    )

Debt Discount Amortization                           (3,638    )  (3,496     )

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates                     714          1,392

Gain on Debt Repurchase                              10,429       - -

Income from Continuing Operations Before

Income Taxes                                         25,913       50,083

Income Taxes                                         (9,717    )  (17,809    )

Income from Continuing Operations                    16,196       32,274

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax      6            57

Net Income                                           16,202       32,331

Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling        80           (435       )
Interests

Net Income Attributable to Penske Automotive Group   $16,282      $31,896
Common Shareholders

Income from Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share  $0.18        $0.33

Income Per Diluted Share                             $0.18        $0.33

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding          91,501       95,252

Amounts Attributable to Penske Automotive Group
Common Shareholders:

Reported Income from Continuing Operations           $16,196      $32,274

Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling        80           (435       )
Interests

Income from Continuing Operations, net of tax        16,276       31,839

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax      6            57

Net Income                                           $16,282      $31,896



PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

(Amounts In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                            3/31/09     12/31/08

Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents                   $11,458     $20,109

Accounts Receivable, Net                    312,039     294,567

Inventories                                 1,360,239   1,593,267

Other Current Assets                        91,193      88,378

Assets Held for Sale                        8,411       9,739

Total Current Assets                        1,783,340   2,006,060

Property and Equipment, Net                 666,602     662,493

Intangibles                                 970,681     974,649

Other Long-Term Assets                      304,492     318,947

Total Assets                                $3,725,115  $3,962,149

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Floor Plan Notes Payable                    $847,711    $968,873

Floor Plan Notes Payable - Non-Trade        389,491     511,357

Accounts Payable                            201,798     178,811

Accrued Expenses                            199,085     196,274

Current Portion Long-Term Debt              11,132      11,305

Liabilities Held for Sale                   10,592      13,492

Total Current Liabilities                   1,659,809   1,880,112

Long-Term Debt                              1,008,093   1,052,060

Other Long-Term Liabilities                 228,743     221,556

Total Liabilities                           2,896,645   3,153,728

Stockholders' Equity                        828,470     808,421

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $3,725,115  $3,962,149



PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Selected Data

                                   Three Months

                                   2009           2008

Total Retail Units:

New Retail                         30,668         45,188

Used Retail                        26,811         26,402

Total Retail                       57,479         71,590

smart Wholesale Units              5,714          4,913

Same-Store Retail Units:

New Same-Store Retail              28,963         44,645

Used Same-Store Retail             25,113         26,208

Total Same-Store Retail            54,076         70,853

Same-Store Retail Revenue:

New Vehicles                       $918,217       $1,606,962

Used Vehicles                      574,653        788,940

Finance and Insurance, Net         46,331         73,215

Service and Parts                  310,381        353,380

Total Same-Store Retail            $1,849,582     $2,822,497

Same-Store Retail Revenue Growth:

New Vehicles                       (42.9      %)  (5.4       %)

Used Vehicles                      (27.2      %)  2.1        %

Finance and Insurance, Net         (36.7      %)  5.3        %

Service and Parts                  (12.2      %)  1.0        %

Revenue Mix:

New Vehicles                       45.1       %   51.2       %

Used Vehicles                      28.5       %   25.0       %

Finance and Insurance, Net         2.2        %   2.3        %

Service and Parts                  15.2       %   11.3       %

Distribution                       3.7        %   2.0        %

Fleet and Wholesale                5.3        %   8.2        %

Average Retail Selling Price:

New Vehicles                       $31,698        $35,982

Used Vehicles                      22,925         30,076

Gross Margin                       17.1       %   15.4       %

Retail Gross Margin - by Product:

New Vehicles                       7.3        %   8.4        %

Used Vehicles                      9.1        %   8.3        %

Service and Parts                  54.1       %   56.0       %



PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Selected Data (Continued)

                                                          Three Months

                                                          2009       2008

Gross Profit per Retail Transaction:

New Vehicles                                              $2,327     $3,023

Used Vehicles                                             2,088      2,491

Finance and Insurance                                     842        1,032

Brand Mix:

BMW                                                       23      %  22      %

Toyota / Lexus                                            19      %  19      %

Honda / Acura                                             14      %  14      %

Mercedes Benz                                             10      %  10      %

Audi                                                      10      %  8       %

Land Rover                                                4       %  5       %

Ferrari / Maserati                                        3       %  4       %

Porsche                                                   3       %  3       %

Other                                                     14      %  15      %

                                                          100     %  100     %

Premium                                                   65      %  66      %

Foreign                                                   30      %  29      %

Domestic Big 3                                            5       %  5       %

                                                          100     %  100     %

Revenue Mix:

U.S.                                                      64      %  61      %

International                                             36      %  39      %

                                                          100     %  100     %

Rent Expense                                              $39,642    $39,896

                                                          3/31/09    12/31/08

Debt to Total Capital Ratio                               55      %  57      %

Debt Covenant Compliance (U.S.):

Current Ratio (min 1.00:1)                                1.07:1     1.07:1

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (min 1.00:1)                  1.17:1     1.24:1

Ratio of Non-Floorplan Debt to Stockholders' Equity (max  0.77:1     0.86:1
1.30:1)

Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (max 2.50:1)                  1.48:1     1.26:1

Debt Covenant Compliance (U.K.):

Capital Expenditures (max £50 million)                   GBP28.3    GBP29.5

EBITAR to Fixed Charges (min 1.40:1)                      1.75x      1.76x

Debt to EBITAR (max 3.25:1)                               0.82x      1.45x



    Source: Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
Contact: Penske Automotive Group, Inc. Bob O'Shaughnessy Chief Financial Officer 248-648-2800 boshaughnessy@penskeautomotive.com or Anthony R. Pordon Senior Vice President 248-648-2540 tpordon@penskeautomotive.com