Textron Financial: Newsroom: Press Release


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SNAPPER ANNOUNCES NEW FLOORPLAN FINANCING AGREEMENT WITH TEXTRON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

McDonough, GA, October 17, 2001 -
Snapper, Inc. announced today that it will soon begin operating under a new agreement with Textron Financial Corporation to provide floorplan financing to qualified Snapper dealers. The three-year agreement will replace a prior five-year relationship that Snapper had with Transamerica Commercial Finance Corporation.

"We are very excited about our new relationship with Snapper," said John King, President of Textron Financial's Floorplan Finance Division. "The quality of our organizations and the commitment to this agreement by both parties is a strong platform for the Snapper dealers to focus on their local markets. Our commitment to the outdoor power equipment industry is further enhanced by our new relationship with Snapper and its dealer base."

"We believe dealers will be pleased with the new financing arrangement," said Robin Chamberlain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Snapper, Inc. "Textron Financial provides innovative financial products and related technology to assist our dealers with managing their inventory costs. Textron Financial also has an excellent reputation for customer service."

Textron Financial Corporation, based in Providence, Rhode Island, is a diversified commercial finance company with $8.9 billion in managed receivables. Its seasoned team of lending professionals has been serving the inventory financing needs of small and mid-sized companies for nearly 40 years. Textron Financial Corporation is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT).

Snapper, celebrating 50 years of manufacturing, makes residential and commercial lawn mowing equipment, utility vehicles, snow throwers and tillers in McDonough, GA. Snapper products are available through a nationwide network of more than 4,000 independent outdoor power equipment dealers and many Wal-Mart store locations. Snapper, Inc. is a subsidiary of Metromedia International Group, Inc. (AMEX: MMG).

For more information on Snapper products and services call 1-800-SNAPPER (residential equipment), 1-888-SNAPPER (commercial equipment), or find us on the Internet at www.snapper.com.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the control of Metromedia International Group, Inc. This also includes such factors as are described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by Metromedia International Group, Inc., including its most recently filed Forms S-3, 10-K and 10-Q.