AutoTrader Partners with Experian, Consumer Guide to Provide Exclusive Vehicle History Reports; National Vehicle Database Information Now Available to Online Auto Shoppers

    ATLANTA--March 5, 2001--AutoTrader.com, the leading online auto classifieds destination in the United States, today announced a partnership with Experian, a leading provider of global information solutions and Consumer Guide(R), a leading provider of automobile evaluations, purchasing advice and pricing information, to make the Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report available to shoppers on AutoTrader.com.
    Under this exclusive agreement, AutoTrader.com customers can purchase a detailed Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report for previously owned vehicles and receive an in-depth look into any title or odometer fraud, accidents, damage, insurance claims, trouble spots, service and repair costs, and numerous other conditions that can affect the safety and value of the automobile.
    The Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report, powered by Experian's National Vehicle Database of more than 300 million vehicles and by the expertise of the auto editors of Consumer Guide(R), will be available on AutoTrader.com through the Vehicle Details section of each listing.
    "We are excited to be offering the Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report, powered by Experian's National Vehicle Database, to our customers," said Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com.
    "As more auto shoppers rely on the Internet for conducting valuable research before buying a car, these reports are an essential service that we can offer visitors to AutoTrader.com to help them make informed car buying decisions."
    Forrester Research estimates that by 2005, Internet research will influence about 55% of car sales. Recently named the No. 1 Internet destination for buyers of used vehicles by J.D. Power and Associates, AutoTrader.com is easing the decision-making process for consumers by providing valuable information about each vehicle including price, mileage, special features, financing and loan information, car care tips, and now, the Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report.
    AutoTrader.com, Experian and Consumer Guide(R) will combine the largest database of used car listings in the United States with the most comprehensive source of automobile data and make it available to a user base of more than 4 million visitors that conduct searches on AutoTrader.com each month.
    "We are very pleased that AutoTrader.com has chosen Experian as their exclusive provider of automobile history data," said John Jira, president of Experian's automotive information services business unit. "Providing the Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report to AutoTrader.com's customers is an ideal way to offer online auto shoppers a one-stop service to obtain all of the research they need to be secure in their car buying decisions."
    "Consumer Guide(R) is very excited to be working with Experian to provide AutoTrader.com's customers the Consumer Guide(R) Vehicle History Report," said Dick Maddrell, president of Consumer Guide(R) parent Publications International Ltd. "The combination of Experian's data and Consumer Guide's expert ratings, advice and information will give AutoTrader.com's customers the highest possible degree of confidence when selecting a car to buy."

    About AutoTrader.com

    AutoTrader.com is the leading Internet destination and marketplace in the United States for buyers and sellers of used cars, light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles and for consumers seeking information regarding automotive products and services, such as insurance, financing and warranties.
    AutoTrader.com utilizes the power of the Internet and its ability, through its exclusive strategic alliances, to aggregate in a single location an extensive network of industry participants and a comprehensive database of automotive information to create an open marketplace that is local, regional and national in nature.
    Currently, AutoTrader.com contains more than 1.5 million used vehicle listings, and, in February 2000, AutoTrader.com's marketplace attracted 5 million unique monthly visitors who conducted 14 million vehicle searches.

    About Experian

    Experian is an information solutions company. It uses the power of information to help its clients target prospective customers, manage existing customer relationships and identify opportunities for profitable growth. Through multi-channel delivery of its Web-based products and services, Experian enables its clients to conduct secure and profitable e-business.
    Experian is a subsidiary of The Great Universal Stores PLC and has headquarters in Nottingham, U.K., and Orange, Calif. Its 12,000 people support clients in more than 50 countries. Annual sales are about $1.5 billion. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.experian.com.

    About Consumer Guide(R)

    Consumer Guide(R) is a trusted resource that has been helping smart consumers make buying decisions with confidence for the past 35 years. Its team of experienced auto editors road test and rate virtually every new and used vehicle on the market each year.
    Vehicles are evaluated using Consumer Guide's highly regarded Best Buy and Recommended ratings to give consumers a quick and effective way to choose the vehicle that's most appropriate for their families. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.consumerguide.com.