NowAuto Group, Inc. Announces Fiscal First Quarter 2009 Results
November 14 2008 - 2:54PM
PR Newswire (US)
Business Remains Stable in Turbulent Credit Environment TEMPE,
Ariz., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NowAuto Group, Inc. (OTC
Bulletin Board: NAUG; Other OTC: NWAU) today announced results for
its fiscal 2008 first quarter ended September 30, 2008. The Company
reported revenue of $1.1 million and a net loss of $0.06 per
diluted share versus revenue of approximately $1.0 million and a
net loss of $0.05 per diluted share in the prior year. During the
quarter ended September 30, 2008 gross margin declined as a result
of losses incurred in disposing of lower quality inventory at the
beginning of the quarter. Gross margin improved significantly in
August and September, returning to normal levels. The disposal of
certain inventory was also the reason for the higher loss incurred
in the quarter. In spite of general economic conditions and the
significant impact on auto purchasing, charge-offs and defaults
improved significantly over the prior quarter and prior year as a
result of increased credit criteria, improved contract management
and system upgrades. Bad debt expense for the quarter ended
September 30, 2008 improved 22% from the prior quarter and 5%
year-over- year. Net Contract Receivables and deferred revenue from
leases increased 1% over the prior quarter. Administrative,
financing and selling expenses dropped by approximately 25% in
spite of significantly higher interest expense. "The present
condition of the sub-prime and below sub-prime auto market has
continued to impact our industry and our company," said CEO Scott
Miller. "While our emphasis is always on collections, our challenge
in the current environment is to aggressively work with our
customers to maintain active contracts. New finance programs and
changes in marketing and advertising have begun to yield positive
results early in the December 31 quarter. Nevertheless, we expect a
difficult environment for the foreseeable future. Our commitment to
customers and shareholders alike remains; NowAuto will do whatever
it can to maintain productive contracts without placing imprudent
demands on our customers," Miller said. "We have made significant
changes to many areas of our company in the past six months," said
Chief Financial Officer Faith Forbis. "Although some of these
changes are not complete yet, we are confident that when finished,
they will move us closer to profitability. It takes time for their
impact to be felt." "Concurrent to working with existing customers,
we have increased advertising and initiated new customer incentive
programs to increase sales during this slower period," said Chief
Operating Officer Tino Valenzuela. "We experienced significant
sales increase in October and will continue to introduce innovative
strategies to increase sales," Valenzuela said. About NowAuto
Group, Inc. NowAuto Group, Inc. operates three buy-here-pay-here
used vehicle dealerships in Arizona. The Company manages all of its
installment finance contracts and purchases installment finance
contracts from a select number of other independent used vehicle
dealerships. Through its subsidiary, NavicomGPS, Inc. the company
markets GPS tracking devices, primarily to independent used vehicle
dealerships. Note to Investors This press release contains
forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of
1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections.
The forward-looking information is based upon current information
and expectations regarding NowAuto Group, Inc. These estimates and
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are
not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from
what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking
statements. NowAuto Group, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the
information contained in this press release. NowAuto Group, Inc.'s
forward-looking statements in this press release and future results
may be materially impacted by any number of factors, any or all of
which could have a negative impact on sales, operating results,
financial and budgetary constraints. NowAuto Group, Inc.'s future
results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time
to time in its SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the
Company's Form-QSBs and its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The
statements made herein are independent statements of NowAuto Group,
Inc. The inclusion, if any, of any third parties does not represent
an endorsement of any NowAuto Group, Inc. products or services by
any such third party. For further information contact NowAuto
Group, Inc. or visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.nowauto.com/. DATASOURCE: NowAuto Group, Inc. CONTACT:
NowAuto Group, Inc., +1-480-990-0007, Web site:
http://www.nowauto.com/
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