FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today announced the appointment of Ravi Simhambhatla as Chief Technology and AI Officer, effective October 1, 2026. Mr. Simhambhatla will lead the Company’s technology, data science, and AI agenda.

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Ravi Simhambhatla joins AutoNation as Chief Technology and AI Officer

"Over decades, we have built a portfolio of brands, physical infrastructure, and scale that have delivered consistently strong returns for our shareholders, and that would be nearly impossible to replicate today," said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation. "Technology, data science, and the intelligent use of AI give us the opportunity to get significantly more from that foundation: to raise the returns on our capital and extend our reach well beyond traditional geographic boundaries. That's why I'm delighted to welcome Ravi. From building an airline's systems from scratch to leading global technology at Avis Budget Group, he has turned technology into a competitive advantage at both start-up speed and global scale. His appointment is one of several steps we're taking to accelerate the growth of our business."

Ravi Simhambhatla brings more than 30 years of experience leading enterprise technology and digital transformation, with deep expertise in data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product innovation, and Customer experience. Most recently, as Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at Avis Budget Group, he led global technology, product, data, engineering, infrastructure, and cybersecurity while advancing the company’s adoption of AI and connected-fleet technology. He previously served as a Managing Director at Google Cloud, advising major enterprises on cloud, data, and AI transformation, and held senior technology leadership roles at United Airlines, overseeing commercial systems, digital commerce, loyalty, and revenue management.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Simhambhatla served as Chief Technology Officer at Aer Lingus, Vice President of Information Technology at Tesla, and Chief Information Officer at Virgin America, where he helped build the airline’s foundational digital and e-commerce platforms.

“I am honored to join AutoNation at an important point in the evolution of automotive retail,” said Ravi Simhambhatla. “With its tremendous scale, iconic brand, and talented Associates, AutoNation has a powerful platform for innovation. I look forward to working with the team to apply technology and AI in practical ways—making the Customer journey easier, equipping Associates with better tools and insights, and supporting the Company’s next phase of growth.”

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised and donated over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, newsroom.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “goals,” “targets,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investments, including with respect to technology, data science, and artificial intelligence, statements regarding our expectations for the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, including with respect to shareholder returns, as well as other statements that describe our objectives, goals, or plans, are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others: economic conditions, including changes in tariffs, unemployment, interest and/or inflation rates, consumer demand, and fuel prices; our ability to implement successfully our strategic acquisitions, initiatives, partnerships, and investments; our ability to successfully adopt and leverage new and emerging technologies; our ability to maintain or improve gross profit margins; our ability to maintain or gain market share; legal, reputational, and financial risks resulting from cyber incidents and the potential impact on our operating results; the receipt of any insurance or other recoveries in connection with any cyber incidents; our ability to successfully implement and maintain expense controls; our ability to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation and to attract consumers to our own digital channels; our ability to acquire and integrate successfully new acquisitions; restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers and our ability to obtain manufacturer approval for franchise acquisitions; the success and financial viability and the incentive and marketing programs of vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises; natural disasters and other adverse weather events; the resolution of legal and administrative proceedings; changes in automotive laws and regulations affecting our business, including fuel economy requirements; factors affecting our goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing; and other factors described in our news releases and filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Media Contact: Lisa Rhodes Ryans
(954) 769-4120
publicrelations@autonation.com

Investor Contact: Derek Fiebig
(954) 769-2227
fiebigd@autonation.com

Source: AutoNation, Inc.