Chrome Systems and Stronghold Technologies Announce Technology Partnership

    PORTLAND, Ore. & WHIPPANY, N.J.--Aug. 20, 2001--

Alliance Gives Auto Retailers the Ability to Offer Consumers Chrome's Side-by-Side New Vehicle Comparisons through Stronghold's Wireless,
    Handheld, Mobile Sales System, DealerAdvance(TM)

    Chrome Systems Corporation, a provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions, and Stronghold Technologies, a mobile application solutions company, today announced that the companies have entered into a technology partnership that integrates Chrome's vehicle pricing, comparison and specification information into Stronghold's groundbreaking mobile application for automotive retailing called DealerAdvance.
    The DealerAdvance system uses wireless, handheld devices that have the memory and processing power of a PC, to store, manage and distribute information in real time. Consumers who shop at auto dealerships that use DealerAdvance are able to access car-buying information from independent, third-party sources such as Chrome, and can conduct side-by-side new vehicle comparisons on all makes and models.
    With DealerAdvance, sales consultants can also gather customer needs and contact data electronically; check new and used car inventory; check credit ratings; register customers into the dealership's database for follow-up; and issue reports of all customer information and product queries on the spot.
    "Stronghold's innovative, customizable mobile solutions such as DealerAdvance make it a valued partner," said David Mingle, Chrome's President and COO. "When dealership sales consultants use accurate and consistent pricing and configuration information -- and when they are able to access that information anywhere, any time via wireless handheld devices -- then customers are more quickly satisfied while dealer costs are reduced."
    "Sharing information with consumers from a widely respected, independent automotive information source such as Chrome, is a major step for dealers in gaining consumer trust, and a crucial component of our business," said Chris Carey, CEO and president of Stronghold Technologies.
    Under the alliance, Stronghold's client-dealerships can access Chrome's vehicle pricing and specification information through DealerAdvance. Auto retailers and their sales consultants can present consumers with Chrome's data -- the most accurate new vehicle information -- for side-by-side comparison shopping, competitive pricing and 100 percent orderable configurations.
    About half of all dealers in the U.S. and Canada use Chrome products to research vehicle pricing and options, compare vehicles, or to order vehicles from auto manufacturers.
    "Stronghold's partnership with Chrome is a natural fit because both companies share similar philosophies on how automotive dealerships can advance sales, service and customer relationships by using cutting-edge technology, best business practices and research data," said Carey, who added that Chrome's competitive comparison information has been a contributing factor to turning undecided customers into buyers at dealerships that use DealerAdvance.
    One example is Autowest Honda in Roseville, Calif.. Autowest's Business Manager, James Thompson, said that when a customer told him she was considering purchasing a Honda CRV or a vehicle from a competing manufacturer, he turned to Chrome.
    "We did a side-by-side comparison and a base MSRP, and while the features were similar, the price of the Honda was considerably less than the other model she was interested in and she ended up buying the Honda. The side-by-side comparison really helped make the sale," Thompson said.

    About Chrome Systems Corporation

    With more than 12,000 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome (www.chrome.com) 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 all 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 15 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, Ore. For more information, contact 800/936-8906.

    About Stronghold Technologies

    Founded in August 2000, Stronghold Technologies (www.strongholdtech.com) is a privately held mobile solutions company based in Whippany, N.J., with offices in San Francisco, Calif. and a product development center in Sterling, Va.
    Members of the media interested in a demonstration of the DealerAdvance system can contact Angela Harrington at 973/912-8196 or e-mail angela@harringtoncom.com