AutoNation Appoints Ravi Simhambhatla Chief Technology and AI Officer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 1, 2026--

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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"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.

Ravi Simhambhatla joins AutoNation as Chief Technology and AI Officer

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Pakistani airstrikes on two Afghan provinces overnight killed at least 10 civilians, Afghanistan and the United Nations said Thursday, with the cross-border conflict between the two countries showing no signs of abating.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said its strikes were against militant hideouts in two locations and that initial reports suggested 22 militants had been killed. It did not immediately comment on the reports of civilian casualties. Its claim of militants killed could not immediately be independently verified.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed that at least 10 civilians, most of them children, were killed in the strikes on the southern province of Helmand and the eastern province of Kunar. It said nine people were injured in the airstrikes.

The strikes come amid repeated cross-border clashes between the two countries, while Pakistan has repeatedly carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan since tensions between the two countries spiraled dramatically earlier this year. The two neighbors have longstanding disputes over militant activity along their border.

“Civilians continue to be affected by cross-border hostilities. UNAMA reiterates its call for de-escalation, dialogue, respect for international law and prevention of further civilian harm,” the U.N. mission said in a statement.

Last week, UNAMA said it had documented over 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan from cross-border violence so far this year. Pakistan denies striking civilians and says it targets militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan denies harboring militants.

The spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the airstrikes destroyed three civilian homes.

“We condemn this act and consider this an act of aggression and a crime that violates all universally accepted principles,” he said.

Mohammad Hashim, a 30-year-old resident of the village that was bombed in Kunar province, said the strike occurred at around 3 a.m.

“I heard a woman calling out, asking for the stones to be moved off her; she was trapped underneath,” he said. “We pulled her out, she was injured.” He said that digging through the rubble, he also found the bodies of two men and four children.

Another local resident, 32-year-old Mohammad Habib, said one of those killed was a shepherd who was not affiliated with any militant or government groups.

“He was a very poor and humble man. He would let his goats out in the morning without anyone even herding them, and they would go out in the morning and return home in the evening, and (Pakistan) martyred him,” he said.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information said the airstrikes were “well planned and calibrated” against militant hideouts and camps, and had “been carried out in Afghanistan with precision and accuracy.” It added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition were located in the hideouts and were destroyed.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of allowing militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban — formally known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP — to operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The TTP is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who have ruled Afghanistan since seizing power in 2021. Kabul denies providing the group a safe haven and has rejected Pakistan’s accusations.

“The threat to Pakistan emanates from Afghanistan," Pakistan's ministry said. "Our action precisely targeted the terrorist hubs.”

“Maximum precautions were taken and it was ensured that no collateral damage occurs,” the statement said and added that its campaign “will continue at full pace to wipe out" the threat of militants from the country.

Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Afghans gather around a helicopter as bodies and wounded civilians are evacuated following what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani airstrike in Helmand province, southwestern Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

A Taliban security officer, right, and local residents inspect the rubble of a house at the site of what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani airstrike in Helmand province, southwestern Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

Bodies and wounded civilians are evacuated by helicopter from the site of what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani airstrike in Helmand province, southwestern Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

Afghan men carry a body toward a helicopter for evacuation from the site of what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani airstrike in Helmand province, southwestern Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

Afghan men inspect the wreckage of a vehicle at the site of what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani airstrike in Helmand province, southwestern Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

Taliban security officers inspect the scene of what Taliban officials said were Pakistani airstrikes in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir)

Taliban security officers inspect the scene of what Taliban officials said were Pakistani airstrikes in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir)

Taliban security officers inspect the scene of what Taliban officials said were Pakistani airstrikes in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir)

Local residents search through rubble after what Afghanistan's Taliban government said was an overnight Pakistani strike on a house in a village in Shaltan district of eastern Kunar province, Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Hedayat Shah)