RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group Acquires Little Rock Harley-Davidson Dealership and Two Additional Locations; Acquisitions Expand Automotive Group Holdings

Automotive Group will Operate Harley-Davidson Dealership Locations Serving Central Arkansas

Sept 22, 2008 -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, today announced that the RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group has acquired the Little Rock, Arkansas Harley-Davidson dealership from Hickingbotham Investments. Under the agreement, their automotive group will operate the main dealership in Little Rock, as well as an additional location in North Little Rock and Hot Springs.

Hickingbotham Investments, controlled by Frank Hickingbotham and his sons, previously purchased the Little Rock Harley-Davidson dealerships in 1997, and operated as Jones Harley-Davidson. All three dealership locations will now operate under the name Landers Harley-Davidson.
"We are pleased to be joining the Harley-Davidson family," said Mr. Johnson, Founder and Chairman, The RLJ Companies. "We look forward to broadening our relationship to acquire additional Harley-Davidson dealerships and hope that this may encourage other qualified African American automotive executives to pursue dealership opportunities."

Thomas "Mack" McLarty, III, chairman, RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group, said "We are proud to add three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership locations to our existing automotive portfolio, which include dealerships in six states. We are committed to providing extraordinary customer experiences across Central Arkansas the Harley-Davidson way," Mr. McLarty added.
The purchase of the Harley-Davidson dealerships is the first acquisition of a motorcycle business for the automotive group. There are currently 23 automotive franchises under the RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group portfolio.

Each Landers Harley-Davidson location will offer a full line of new and used motorcycles; include a parts and services division; as well as provide sales for genuine Harley-Davidson accessories, apparel, and riding gear. In addition, each location will offer rider training courses; host and sponsor community events; and work closely with the local Harley Owners Group chapters to ensure that the corporate culture and the heart of the unique Harley-Davidson customer base is always experienced.
"Harley-Davidson Motor Company has an outstanding network of authorized dealers," said Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin. "We are excited to welcome the RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group to the best dealer network in motorcycling."

The RLJ Companies
The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and founder of Black Entertainment Television, is a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, and gaming industries. An innovative business network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets; then exercise solid management to achieve results. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with operations in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group
RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group is a partnership between The RLJ Companies and McLarty-Landers Automotive. The partnership combines the 10 existing dealerships owned by Mack McLarty, former Bill Clinton chief of staff, and his partner Steve Landers with a capital commitment from The RLJ Companies which will be used to acquire additional dealerships. The partnership's goal is to add approximately 20 dealerships to its current portfolio and increase its current revenue from approximately $400 million to more than $1 billion over the next five years. The partnership draws upon the McLarty family's three generations of experience in the car business and Johnson's entrepreneurial vision, management acumen, and access to capital. That, coupled with Landers's track record as one of the most successful car dealers in America, provides a solid platform on which the partnership plans to execute its core strategy of operating and acquiring dealerships primarily located in the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the country.

Media Inquiries: Traci Otey Blunt, at The RLJ Companies (301) 280-7700 or press@rljcompanies.com