AutoNation

AutoNation, Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the largest car dealer in the U.S. In addition to auto sales, it also sells auto parts, does auto repair, and provides auto financing and auto insurance. The company was started by H. Wayne Huizenga, who Forbes says has a personal fortune of US$2.1 billion. Huizenga owns pro football's Miami Dolphins.

In 2006, AutoNation sales were US$19 billion with profits of US$317 million.

Local brands
As AutoNation acquires dealerships in various cities, it applies local brand names such as:


 * AutoWay, Tampa Bay
 * Bankston, Texas
 * Champion, Houston
 * Courtesy, Orlando
 * Desert, Las Vegas
 * Dobbs, Memphis
 * Fox, Baltimore
 * Go, Denver
 * Maroone, South Florida
 * Mullinax, Cleveland
 * Power, Southern California & Phoenix
 * Team, Atlanta

Workplace discrimination
In 2005, a Gallup Poll reported that fifteen percent of workers say that they have been discriminated against in their jobs. A breakdown by group has 31 percent of Asians and 26 percent of African Americans mentioning incidents of discrimination. Asians, according to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), file fewer discrimination complaints.

A former salesperson at AutoNation filed a suit with the EEOC saying that he was routinely harassed because he is of Turkish national origin and a muslim. EEOC then uncovered other cases of nonwhites being harassed. AutoNation has since sold the dealership. The ''STOP! Autonation'' activist group is calling for a boycott of the company.

Political contributions
AutoNation gave $15,000 to federal candidates in the 2006 election through its political action committee - all of it going to Republicans.

In 2004, H. Wayne Huizenga through his Huizenga Holdings gave US$820,000 to the 527 Republican group the Florida Leadership Council. Huizenga retired from AutoNation on May 12, 2004.

Personnel
Selected members of the Board of Directors:
 * Robert J. Brown, Also Director of Duke Energy Corporation and Wachovia Corporation
 * Rick L. Burdick, Also Partner in lobbying firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld
 * William C. Crowley, Former Director Kmart

Former:
 * H. Wayne Huizenga, Founder and former Chairman of AutoNation

Contact details
110 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: 954-769-6000 Fax: 954-769-6537 Web: http://corp.autonation.com