Sears Auto Center Announces Grand Opening of New Franchise in Troy, Mich.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC today announced the grand opening of a new Sears Auto Center franchise in Troy, Mich., located at the Troy Auto Mall on 2100 W. Maple. Sears launched the auto franchise program in October 2009, offering former automobile dealers the opportunity to operate licensed Sears Auto Centers backed by the buying power, distribution network and corporate support of one of America's most trusted brands.

"After Chrysler terminated my Birmingham Chrysler-Jeep dealership, and I laid off about 75 of my 89 employees, I knew that I had a long, uncertain road ahead of me," said Richard Mealey, owner of the Sears Auto Center in Troy. "When the Sears Auto Center opportunity came along, we felt more confident that we were on the path to financial recovery. I am pleased to partner with a national firm like Sears that shares my commitment to doing business the right way and am excited for the opportunity."

"We're happy to be a part of bringing jobs back to the heart of the recovering auto industry in Michigan," said John Gohde, Vice President, Automotive Franchise at Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC. "The Sears Auto Center in Troy not only brings encouragement and jobs to those who have spent their lives working in the automotive industry, but also will provide the opportunity for dealers to build their businesses in service, parts and used vehicles by leveraging Sears Automotive's brands."

Consumers are invited to participate in the following grand opening festivities. Call (248) 643-7000 or visit www.troyautoworld.com for more information about the event. All activities will take place at the new Sears Auto Center at 2100 W. Maple in Troy.

Friday, Oct. 29, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Monroe Shocks and Struts consultations
• Hourly raffles beginning at 10 a.m.
• Complimentary coffee and donuts
• Complimentary pizza from Noon -1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Hourly raffles beginning at 10 a.m.
• WCSX Radio will be onsite, live
• Complimentary burgers and fries provided by Red Coat Tavern from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The new Troy Sears Auto Center franchise location will provide the same products and services for automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles that are currently available at the nearly 850 company-owned Sears Auto Centers. Those products and services include:

• An extensive tire selection, including brands such as Michelin®, Goodyear®, BF Goodrich®,  Bridgestone® and more
• Batteries from DieHard®, America's most preferred automotive battery
• Maintenance and repair services for consumer and commercial fleets, including oil changes, alignments, shocks, brakes, coolant/antifreeze, air conditioning, transmissions, fuel system cleaning and more
• Custom wheels, car care products, truck boxes, fluids, floor mats, DieHard battery chargers, DieHard portable power, XCargo® carriers and more

About Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC

Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC offers automobile dealers the opportunity to operate licensed Sears Auto Centers, bringing the Sears brand, buying power, distribution network, systems and corporate support to automotive aftermarket businesses.  Sears Auto Center franchise locations provide the same products and services for automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles that are currently available at the nearly 850 company-owned Sears Auto Centers.  Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation and an affiliate of Sears, Roebuck and Co., has its principal offices at 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,300 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 929 full-line and approximately 1,200 specialty stores in the U.S.  Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore®, Craftsman®, DieHard and Lands' End® -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.