Chrome Data Announces Name Change to Chrome Systems Corporation; Also Names New President and COO
PORTLAND, Ore.--May 7, 2001--With 15 years of experience in vehicle data aggregation and building configuration and ordering systems for the automotive industry, Chrome Data Corporation today announced that it is has changed its name to Chrome Systems Corporation to reflect the company's expanded focus and offerings for the automotive industry.
Chrome also announced it has named a highly experienced automotive industry professional, David Mingle, as president and chief operating officer. With more than 15 years of automotive experience, including eight at Ford Motor Company and four at Nissan Motor Co., Mingle joins Chrome after three years as head of the North American Operations and Global eServices Division at JATO Dynamics, a leading supplier of market intelligence to the automotive industry. As President and COO, Mingle is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of Chrome.
"Relevant, deep domain expertise is critical to the successful implementation of data and technology solutions," said Mingle. "I'm pleased to join an organization with that expertise and one that's also totally focused on the automotive industry. Both attributes are key to accomplishing our goal to make Chrome the automotive commerce solution provider of choice."
Chrome builds enterprise data and commerce systems that allow manufacturers, dealers, fleet companies and independent Web retail sites to effectively and efficiently manage their automotive business practices, allowing them to connect retail supply to regional demand. In addition to delivering the industry's most accurate and 100% orderable vehicle pricing and configuration data, Chrome provides industry-specific software and services, including automotive data-management and consumer demand-data aggregation and warehousing services, vehicle configuration and inventory management software and custom development services via Chrome's Professional Services Group for commerce platform development such as locate-to-order and build-to-order systems.
"We're honored to have David Mingle join us as we move Chrome into a new, highly-competitive space filled with global technology leaders," said Bob Navarre, CEO of Chrome. "Clients looking to Chrome today and in the future will benefit from David's leadership and his keen ability to execute on a global scale."
As part of Chrome's long-term management strategy, Navarre also becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chrome, replacing Chrome's co-founder Jim Adkisson. Adkisson will continue to serve as a member of the Board.
"This has always been part of my plan," said Adkisson. "To implement Chrome's long-term strategy -- evolving from a seller of shrink-wrapped software to a leading provider of automotive application solutions -- we've always understood we'd need experienced industry insiders with deep domain expertise leading the way. I couldn't be happier."
Chrome's products, services and custom-built client applications are built upon the company's accurate data and an open-architecture, object-oriented configuration technology platform that leverages Chrome's core competency in accurate and orderable vehicle information. This advantage allows Chrome to design and implement automotive applications -- such as locate-to-order and build-to-order systems -- quickly, easily and cost-effectively. In addition, Chrome clients can expand the functionality of their applications by leveraging the connectivity and services of the Chrome Network, an open, non-proprietary, transaction-based commerce platform that brings together manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers and Internet portals and retail sites. Through the Chrome Network, buyers and sellers exchange vehicle inventory and pricing information, enabling them to allocate and move inventory through the retail channel faster and more efficiently.
Chrome Systems -- Implementation with Automotive Leaders
Chrome has successfully created and deployed data and commerce solutions with leading automotive manufacturers, dealers, and portals including:
| -- | The design and implementation of GM AutoBook(TM), a vehicle-ordering platform for General Motors' network of 8,300 dealers. The system was delivered in less than 90 days and provides GM dealers with a standard, consistent way to communicate with GM, resulting in cost savings and ordering efficiencies. |
| -- | Integration of configuration systems for more than 1,500 independent and manufacturers' Web sites, including GMBuypower.com, GMCanada.com, CitySearch.com, cars.com and NADA's DriversSeat.com. Chrome's configuration platform allows consumers to access the most accurate pricing and specification information that is consistent with information typically found at dealerships. This significantly improves the customer's buying experience and improves the dealers' chance of establishing better customer relationships by eliminating price discrepancies and inaccurate orders or vehicle configuration. |
| -- | Data and configuration platform for leading Internet Portals including Yahoo! Autos. With Chrome, Yahoo! is improving the auto buying experience and helping consumers make better purchasing decisions by enabling consumers to research independent and up-to-date pricing and vehicle specification data for the exact car they want. |
About Chrome Systems
With more than 12,000 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides configuration technology, software and professional services to produce complete enterprise solutions for all segments of the retail automotive industry, including manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers and Internet sites. Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for the past 15 years has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from manufacturers. Chrome provides the North American ordering system for General Motors and its 8,300 dealers. Chrome sets the standard in ordering systems for fleet management, serving 14 of the 17 largest fleet leasing companies. Chrome's automotive dealer clients accounted for more than half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2000. The company is based in Portland, Oregon. For more information, contact 800/936-8906 or www.chrome.com.
Copyright(c)2001 Chrome Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.