Chief Automotive Systems and Carfax Form Strategic Partnership

FAIRFAX, Va.--May 2, 2005--Carfax, the nations leading provider of vehicle history information, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Chief Automotive Systems. The companies have joined forces to provide consumers with vital information on the importance of a properly aligned vehicle frame and how they can verify the current condition of a vehicle frame before they buy. The products and services the companies develop will help used car dealers and consumers more accurately assess the health of one of a vehicles' most vital safety systems - its frame.

"Carfax and Chief have well established reputations in their respective markets," said Randy Gard, president, Chief Automotive Systems. "Together we are developing innovative systems to bring information about a vehicle's structural integrity to the used-car market and help dealers and consumers make better decisions."

Later this Spring the companies will launch a cooperative consumer education campaign highlighting the role frame integrity plays in the safety and reliability of any vehicle, and the importance of making a detailed frame inspection part of an informed buying decision.

"A paramount concern for buyers of used cars is prior damage and repair information," said Dick Raines, president, Carfax. "Our partnership with Chief allows us to provide additional information about a vehicle's past and will help establish a standard for frame repairs."

About Carfax

Founded in 1986, Carfax pioneered the concept of the vehicle history report. Carfax Vehicle History Reports, the most comprehensive collection of used vehicle information ever assembled, can confirm a clean title history or help purchasers identify previous salvage history, odometer fraud, flood damage and more. Carfax, Inc., based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a wholly owned subsidiary of R.L. Polk & Co.

About Chief Automotive Systems

Chief Automotive Systems is a world leader in the design and manufacture of collision repair equipment. In addition to a broad line of frame straightening equipment and computerized laser measuring systems, Chief works closely with car manufacturers around the world to obtain the precise specifications required to return damaged vehicles to pre-collision condition and in developing the repair procedures and systems necessary to properly repair the sophisticated systems and advanced alloys used in today's vehicles.