AutoNation profit up 26 percent as sales rise


by Tom Krisher

DETROIT (AP) - AutoNation Inc., the country's largest auto dealership chain, reported that first-quarter profit rose 26 percent on strong sales of new and used vehicles, but its shares fell as the company's CEO predicted significant shortages of some cars due to a lack of parts because of the earthquake in Japan.

CEO Mike Jackson predicted that people won't be able to get the exact cars they want starting in a matter of weeks and possibly lasting through the end of the year.

"You'll begin to see it in May, and by June, July, there will be significant shortages," Jackson said Tuesday in an interview.

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