NowAuto Group, Inc. Announces Fiscal First Quarter Results
16 November 2007 - 6:12PM
PR Newswire (US)
Company continues to increase receivables while navigating through
difficult economic environment TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NowAuto Group, Inc.
(OTC:NAUGOTC:andOTC:PinkOTC:Sheets:OTC:NWAU) (BULLETIN BOARD: NAUG
and Pink Sheets: NWAU) today announced results for its fiscal 2008
first quarter ended September 30, 2007. The Company reported
revenue of approximately $1.1 million and a net loss of $0.05 per
diluted share versus revenue of approximately $1.7 million and a
net profit of $0.02 per diluted share in the prior year. During the
quarter ended September 30, 2007 gross margin increased from 45% to
46% reflecting increased finance income and higher margin sales.
The transition from sales to leases adversely impacted reported
revenue as a portion of lease revenue is recorded as deferred
revenue. In addition, the Company experienced lower volume during
the quarter. Charge-offs and defaults remained high as economic
conditions continued to be more difficult than expected. However,
net Contract Receivables increase 12% over the prior year. In spite
of these adverse events, the Company achieved a slight operating
profit in the first quarter. "The present condition of the
sub-prime and below sub-prime auto market has certainly impacted
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. In recent weeks we have re-contracted and
redeemed a record number of accounts in order to avoid charge-offs
wherever possible. Increases in staple goods, especially fuel, have
placed a strain on our customers. Our commitment to customers and
shareholders alike is that NowAuto will do whatever it can to
maintain productive contracts without placing imprudent demands on
our customers," Miller said. Due to recent State legislation
concerning undocumented immigrants and potential penalties upon
businesses that employ them, the Company believes there has been,
and will continue to be in the foreseeable future, a reduction in
the sub-prime and below sub-prime auto and credit customer base.
While not affecting NowAuto's work force, this reduced customer
demographic has, and may continue to, adversely affected the
Company's results. "The higher sales season begins in a couple of
months and we are making all preparations for it by increasing
inventory levels, emphasizing more fuel economic vehicles,
increasing our investment in vehicle conditioning and maintenance,
and creating innovative finance programs to fit our customers'
budgets," said Faith Forbis, CFO. "The company feels that is
conditioning and maintaining our vehicles, both before as well as
after the sale is critical to reducing charge-offs," said Tino
Valenzuela, COO. "We are excited to announce the opening of our new
vehicle conditioning center that opens December 1, 2007. While this
will serve our customers by providing lower cost vehicle
maintenance and repair, we expect this part of our business to be a
profit center by the end of fiscal 2008," stated Valenzuela. "As
previously announced, we have taken significant strides in
identifying an acquirer," stated Miller. "Within the last month we
have been introduced to a number of candidates and have been
performing due diligence and preliminary negotiations with several.
While it remains premature to announce any specifics, we expect to
be in a position to make a public announcement in coming weeks.
Consummation of a transaction however, if there indeed is one, will
not likely occur until later in fiscal 2008. Our goal is to find
the candidate that offers to our shareholders the best prospects
for the future," Miller added. 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:
Randy Humphrey of NowAuto Group, Inc., +1-480-990-0007,
+1-480-274-8885 (cell) or Web site: http://www.nowauto.com/
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