Experian Automotive Goes Head To Head With CarFax Announces Partnership With Chicago Automobile Trade Association

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 23 -- Experian® Automotive today announced a strategic partnership with DriveChicago.com, Chicago's most comprehensive, online resource for researching and purchasing new and used cars. This partnership allows automotive dealers and consumers access to Experian's Auto History(SM) and free Auto Lemon reports online at www.drivechicago.com .

Auto History reports are powered by Experian's National Vehicle Database, one of the world's 10 largest databases. The report information protects dealers and consumers by providing information about title and odometer fraud, lemon cars, salvage vehicles and other hidden conditions affecting the safety and value of the vehicle.

``This exclusive partnership with DriveChicago.com further solidifies Experian's strength and leadership in the automotive information industry,'' said Ken Kauppila, executive vice president of Experian Automotive. ``Experian is well recognized for its technology and unique product offerings. This strategic alliance will increase our presence in the Chicago area by allowing us to reach a new market.''

This partnership allows Experian to be an exclusive partner for their product category with DriveChicago.com and have an exclusive presence at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show, hosted by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA).

``The unique and strategic partnership with Experian and DriveChicago.com sends an important message to every Chicago Automobile Trade Association member that vendors are willing to get behind local initiatives that collectively help new car dealers sell more cars. Experian has amassed an impressive suite of products and we are excited about developing this relationship,'' said Paul Budvitis, general manager of DriveChicago.com.

About Experian

Experian Automotive offers a complete range of automotive information solutions to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies and marketing agencies. Experian's state-of-the-art technology, consulting services, direct marketing and database tools assist companies serving the automotive industry to better understand existing customers, effectively target new prospects, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and ultimately reach its business objectives. The company's National Vehicle Database is an expansive database housing information on more than 329 million motor vehicles nationwide, serving as the basic building block from which all of Experian's automotive solutions originate.

Experian enables organizations to find the best prospects and make fast, informed decisions to improve and personalize relationships with their customers. It does this by combining sophisticated and intelligent decision- making software and systems with some of the world's most comprehensive databases of information on consumers, businesses, motor vehicles and property. Through multi-channel delivery of its Web-based products and services, Experian enables its clients to conduct secure and profitable e- business and develop state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for communicating and building one-to-one relationships with customers. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Orange, Calif. Its 12,000 people support clients in more than 50 countries. Annual sales are approximately $1.5 billion.

For more information on Experian Automotive, visit the company's Web site at www.experian.com .

About CATA

CATA is the oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization in the country with more than 800 franchised new car dealers and allied members in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana metropolitan area. The organization represents dealers that employ more than 56,000 employees and has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935.

About DriveChicago.com

DriveChicago.com is greater Chicago's most comprehensive, local on-line source for researching and purchasing new and used cars. DriveChicago.com was created in part by the CATA, producer of the Chicago Auto Show, along with Paddock Publications, publisher of the Daily Herald and Hollingers Publications, publisher of the Chicago Sun Times, Pioneer Press, Post Tribune, SouthTown Economist and the recently acquired Copley newspapers and offers dealers the opportunity to reach more consumers while maintaining their own brand and identity. CATA's members include more than 700 franchised new car dealers, representing six Illinois and two Indiana counties and is one of the most influential and progressive dealer marketplaces in the United States.