Puerto Rican Vehicle Data

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 2 -- R. L. Polk & Co. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico today announced an agreement allowing Polk to access and license registration information on all vehicles currently on the road in Puerto Rico and update this data monthly. The agreement further enhances Polk's industry-leading motor vehicle registration database.

Polk will now have access to a masterfile that includes all cars, trucks, buses, trailers and motorcycles that are registered in Puerto Rico. Polk will compile and standardize the data so that it is similar, if not identical, to all of its other vehicle registration reporting. The data will be available in three geographic levels including the Commonwealth, individual municipalities and zip codes. The data will offer detail similar to that of Polk's U.S. market offerings which include manufacturer, make, model year, sub model, cylinders and doors.

``Our agreement with Puerto Rico will provide the automotive industry with information for sales analysis, market representation and other trending that was otherwise unavailable up until today,'' said Stephen Polk, president, chairman and CEO of R. L. Polk & Co. ``Today's agreement will greatly enhance the marketing capabilities of our customers who are interested in the Puerto Rican market.''

Initial product offerings based on this new agreement include the following:

New Vehicle Registration Data -- Monthly registrations will be added to Polk's database to offer statistical data through either tapes or CD's for use in client internal systems used for analytical purposes. Registration Reports -- Customers will be able to access registration reporting by either adding the information to the current market area books or as a stand alone ad hoc report that provides a snapshot of the marketplace. Vehicles in Operation (VIO) -- VIO information will be made available in two formats -- by data file or through Polk's National Vehicle Population Profile (NVPP) software. The data file version contains standard levels of geography that include manufacturer, model year, make, model and series level detail for use with client internal systems. Alternatively, the software version allows users to navigate and query the data on standard levels of geography with additional vehicle detail using a complete desktop software solution. Recall Services -- Data will be available for use in recall notification programs. Since Puerto Rico is considered to be Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) compliant, recall will be the only permissible use of the data for customer mailings.