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Smart Choice Automotive Opens 27th Dealership

9 July 1998

Smart Choice Automotive Group Opens 27th Retail Automobile Dealership in Florida

    TITUSVILLE, Fla., July 9 -- Smart Choice Automotive Group,
Inc. , a leading consolidator within the 'dealer-financed' used
car retailing industry in the Southeastern United States, today announced the
opening of its 27th retail automobile store.  The new store is located at
1205 North Woodland Boulevard in Deland, Florida.  The store will have an
inventory capacity of approximately 75 cars and will employ seven persons.
    "We believe that the First Choice Auto Finance store in Deland will
benefit from our Company's growing recognition and media advertising within
the Central Florida region, where we now have 9 used car stores in operation,"
commented Joe Alvarez, executive vice president and chief sales officer of
Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc.  We have opened two new stores in Florida
during the past month, and we expect to open additional stores during the
balance of the year."
    "Smart Choice Automotive Group's revenue growth during 1998 is being
driven by the addition of new stores, year-over-year gains in same-store
sales, and an expanding customer receivables portfolio," stated Gary Smith,
president and chief executive officer of the Company.  "Our gross receivables
portfolio now exceeds $90 million, reflecting loans which we have made to
customers purchasing quality used cars at First Choice Auto Finance
dealerships, and we are very satisfied with the performance of this
portfolio."
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. operates a network of 27 new and used
car dealerships in the Southeastern United States.  The Company underwrites,
finances and services retail installment contracts generated from the sale of
used cars by its dealerships.  Its Eckler's Industries subsidiary is one of
the world's largest aftermarket suppliers of Corvette parts and accessories.
The Company also provides insurance services to automobile dealerships and its
loan portfolio customers.
    Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc. is headquartered in Titusville,
Florida and its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "SMCH".
    This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-
looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate,"
"project," "expect" or similar expressions.  These statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements.  Factors that would cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the
Company's products in the marketplace, competitive factors, dependence upon
third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  By making these forward-
looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these
statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.