Mike J. Jackson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation, Inc. has been named the Automotive Hall of Fame's Industry Leader of the Year for 2003.

Jackson will be honoured on February 1, 2004 at the Automotive Hall of Fame/Popular Mechanics Annual Awards Luncheon at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, during NADA's annual convention.

"Mike Jackson is clearly a driving force in automobile retail sales today," said Jeffrey Leestma, President of the Automotive Hall of Fame. "His leadership at AutoNation is significant, not only in the sheer volume of units delivered, but in raising the bar in all areas of the customer experience."

Jackson was named Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation, Inc. in October 1999 and in December of 2002 he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Under his direction, AutoNation, Inc. has grown to be the largest dealer group in the US – and the world - with 373 new vehicle franchises in 17 states and $19.5 billion in annual revenue.

Before joining AutoNation, Inc., Jackson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.