Kmart Automotive Department Provides Automotive Services

13 October 1998
Kmart Automotive Department Provides Convenient, Family-Friendly Automotive Services and Unique Automotive Gifts
    TROY, Mich., Oct. 13 -- Where do time-starved families go
when they need to get their oil changed, or when they need to buy floor mats
for their car?  Thanks to the Kmart Car Care Center and the variety of car
care services, automotive performance products and automotive accessories it
offers, families can do all their shopping at one convenient stop.  And, with
the gift-giving season fast approaching, Kmart's Automotive department also
has great gift ideas for the car buff.
    Kmart's selection of nostalgic automotive paraphernalia will be a holiday
hit with auto enthusiasts of any age.  Kmart sells a vintage 8-inch Amoco,
Texaco, Pennzoil and Shell gas pump ($11.99) and a 12-inch version of these
same pumps ($29.99).  The Pepsi, Campbells or Ford classic delivery truck
(retailing for $12.99) will make a perfect present for the classic car fan.  A
helpful gift for the on-the-go person on your holiday list also can be found
in the Kmart Car Care Centers, where Ameritech cellular phones are sold
($99.99).  Keep a busy person connected with a pre-paid Ameritech cellular
phone.  Customers purchase a specific amount of talking time ($30.00 and
$50.00) using phone cards or a credit card in lieu of signing a cellular phone
contract.
    While families do their shopping, Kmart's Penske Automotive Center will
perform a "while-you-wait" oil change to make sure their car has enough oil to
get through the winter season.
    "If customers are already out shopping, it is easier for them to buy car
care from a mass merchandiser than for them to go to a hardware or specialty
store.  It's more convenient, and they are probably comfortable and familiar
with the store," said Bill Werling, Kmart's Category Manager for Automotive
Maintenance.  At-home mechanics will find other Kmart exclusive Penske brand
automotive necessities in the Penske Automotive Center, like car batteries
($52.99 - $62.99), brake fluid ($1.49 for 12 ounces and $2.99 for 32 ounces)
and wheel cleaner ($3.59).
    Customers will discover a variety of automotive accessories to help them
care for their car in the Kmart Car Care Centers.  Kmart sells a number of air
fresheners in a number of different scents ($.99-$6.99), as well as floor mats
($8.99-$24.99), and car and mini-van consoles ($3.99-$12.99 for car consoles,
$29.99-$49.99 for mini-van consoles) in colors that match almost any color of
vehicle.  Kmart also offers a large selection of car safety tools, such as
security clubs ($24.99-$47.99).
    Approximately 800 Penske Automotive Centers are located in Kmart stores
nationwide.  More information about Penske Automotive Centers is available
through the World Wide Web at http://www.penskeautocenters.com.
    Kmart Corporation serves America with 2,115 Kmart, Big Kmart and Super
Kmart stores.  In addition to serving all 50 states, Kmart operations extend
to Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  More information about
Kmart is available through the World Wide Web at http://www.kmart.com.  To
locate the Kmart store and Kmart/Penske Automotive Center nearest you, call
1-800-866-0086.