EXHIBIT 99.1


    ASBURY                                                Contact Information:
AUTOMOTIVE GROUP                                                   David Shein
     LOGO                                                    RFBinder Partners
                                                                (212) 994-7514
                                                      david.shein@rfbinder.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP APPOINTS DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

STAMFORD, CT, May 17, 2002 - Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of
the nation's largest automotive retailers, announced today that it has
retained Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company's new independent public
accountants for fiscal year 2002, replacing Arthur Andersen LLP.

The decision to change independent public accountants was based upon the
continuing uncertainty regarding Andersen's future and is not a reflection of
the commitment or quality of the services provided to the Company by the
Andersen team.

"We wish to thank the fine individuals from Andersen who served us well for
many years," said Kenneth B. Gilman, Asbury's President and CEO. "However, in
light of recent events, Asbury has selected Deloitte & Touche based on their
in-depth knowledge of our industry as well as their talented team of
professionals. This decision should emphasize the Company's commitment to
quality and integrity in its financial statements and should further preserve
the confidence of our investors."

Asbury Automotive will file a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange
Commission detailing the change in independent public accountants.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is one
of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. Asbury operates through nine
geographically concentrated, individually branded "platforms". These platforms
operate 91 retail auto stores, encompassing 127 franchises for the sale and
servicing of 36 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles.
The company offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and
services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and
insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and
service contracts.


Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
forward-looking statements include statements relating to plans regarding the
company's financial position, results of operations and business strategy.
These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve
significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ
materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, among other things, market factors and general economic
conditions.





There can be no guarantees the company's plans will be successfully
implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.