Republic-AutoNation: A short history

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1999 | 11:56 a.m.

June 1997:

Republic Industries Inc. opens its first store in the Las Vegas Valley, the AutoNation USA store in Henderson.

Summer 1997:

Republic acquires Silver State Disposal Services for $378 million; Desert Automotive Group (five Las Vegas dealerships) for $70 million; Coward Lincoln-Mercury, $26 million.

September 1998:

Republic acquires Cross-Continent Auto Retailers Inc. (five local dealers) for $187 million.

November 1998:

Republic wins a federal court battle against CarMax. The victory protects use of the name "AutoNation USA," as well as use of the "no-haggle pricing" marketing campaign.

February 1999:

Republic wins another legal battle against Nissan, allowing the company free rein to purchase Nissan dealerships in the United States. Previously, Nissan did not allow any one company to purchase more than a handful of its dealerships.

March 1999:

Republic Industries announces it will sell off Republic Services Inc., its solid-waste company, in a public stock offering. Republic Services includes Silver State. Henceforth, the company will focus solely on its automotive business.

April 1999:

Republic Industries completes the sale of Republic Services to the public, raising $1.2 billion. Republic changes its name to AutoNation Inc.