FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian Hughes, Director of Communications

New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers

(609) 883-5056, ext. 315

New Jersey Automotive Retailers Collect More Than 26,000 Children’s Books

During Inaugural Driven To Read Campaign to Promote Literacy

[January 31, 2007]- [Trenton, New Jersey]: Children throughout New Jersey will have access to more than 26,000 books, thanks to the efforts of the 110 New Jersey new car and truck retailers who participated in the 2006 Driven To Read Program. Dealerships from throughout the State served as drop-off points for donated new and “gently used” children’s books, which continue to be distributed by local Rotary Clubs around the State to a variety of children and literacy awareness groups.

The objective of the program, created by Mary Jane Salvato, General Manager at Colonial Motors in Somerville, was to get books to various organizations serving underprivileged children in communities throughout New Jersey and to help promote reading. The program was a success on both counts.

“I had expectations regarding how many books we might collect, but I never thought we would break the 26,000-book mark,” said Ms. Salvato. “It’s a testament to the dealers who participated and embraced this program and the many individuals who came into showrooms throughout the State with bags and bags of books for those less fortunate.”

The Driven to Read Program, which ran from November 1 until December 31, 2006, not only benefited children throughout New Jersey, but serves as a great example of the retail automotive industry’s dedication to the communities in which they operate. By committing to this worthwhile cause, participating dealerships helped fight a serious problem in NewJersey and increased public awareness.

Driven to Read was inspired through the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers’ (NJ CAR) work with New Jersey Reads: The Foundation for Literacy (www.newjerseyreads.org), a statewide non-profit created to raise awareness about illiteracy.

“I am not surprised in the least by the success of this program right out of the gate,” said James Appleton, President of NJ CAR. “Franchised automotive retailers, both individually and as a whole, are committed to the communities in which they live and work. Beneficial programs, such as Driven To Read, are spearheaded by members of this industry in cities and towns throughout New Jersey regularly.”

About The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers

The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) was founded in 1918 and is a non-profit organization serving more than 630 franchised new car and truck retailers throughout New Jersey. NJ CAR promotes the principals of commercial honor and integrity in the sale and service of motor vehicles. NJ CAR keeps its members informed on a variety of business matters, practices, trends, and legislation. The Coalition also works to ensure all members are educated regarding what is required to achieve regulatory compliance.