AltaVista And CarsDirect Form Partnership
PALO ALTO, Calif.--April 16, 2002--Leading Multi-Brand Automotive Site Becomes Exclusive Content and
Commerce Provider for Popular `Web Resources' on AltaVista.com
AltaVista(R) Company, a leading global provider of search services and software, and CarsDirect.com, the leading multi-brand online car buying service, have formed an alliance to provide AltaVista.com users with a premiere online new and used car buying service. CarsDirect.com has been named AltaVista's best-of-breed partner to exclusively power the automotive module in the highly trafficked `Web Resources' section on the AltaVista.com home page.
Under the terms of the agreement, AltaVista users who click on the `Autos' Web Resources link on the AltaVista.com home page will be directed to a new, co-branded CarsDirect.com Web page created in alliance with AltaVista. There, AltaVista users will be able to browse pricing and availability for popular automotive makes and models, from coupes and sedans to pick-ups and SUVs. Users will also find helpful auto reviews and information on related services such as auto financing.
"CarsDirect.com is a natural choice for us given the quality, depth and breadth of their resources on cars, trucks and related financial services," said Jeff Lehman, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for AltaVista's Internet division. "We are very pleased to be able to offer CarsDirect.com's no-haggle automotive marketplace to the large percentage of our users who come to AltaVista.com to find information and pricing on key consumer products and services."
"With this alliance, AltaVista visitors will now be empowered with the same auto intelligence that has made CarsDirect.com the definitive resource on the web for car pricing, research and purchasing." said Bob Brisco, CEO of CarsDirect.com. "The relationship further expands our reach, enabling us to demonstrate the value of our rich comparison shopping content for car buyers seeking new and used vehicles alike."
Additional links to CarsDirect.com will be strategically placed throughout the AltaVista.com site, where users are just a click away from finding their next car on the Internet.
About AltaVista Company
AltaVista Company is a leading global provider of search services and software. The company's patented technology continues to set the pace, making AltaVista a leading search engine among Web users and premier provider of high-powered search software to intranet, enterprise and e-commerce clients around the globe. AltaVista is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. For more information, see http://www.altavista.com.
AltaVista is a registered trademark of AltaVista Company.
About CarsDirect.com
Los Angeles-based CarsDirect.com (www.carsdirect.com) is the leading multi-brand online car buying service, providing new and used automobiles and related products and services, such as loan and lease financing and in-demand aftermarket products including extended warranties. CarsDirect.com is the first online car provider to offer visitors three distinctive car buying options buying a new car online through the company's award-winning direct channel; being matched with a top-quality new car dealer of their choice via the CarsDirect Connect channel; or locating and purchasing a previously owned vehicle through the CarsDirect Used channel.
This release contains forward-looking statements which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected benefits resulting from the agreement between AltaVista and CarsDirect.com and the expected benefits, functionality and availability of the co-branded site featuring CarsDirect.com on AltaVista.com. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: AltaVista's products and technologies may not successfully interoperate with those of CarsDirect.com; the availability of the co-branded site featuring cars.com may be delayed due to reasons beyond the control of AltaVista; the co-branded site depends on the content, products and services of CarsDirect.com; AltaVista may experience difficulties integrating technologies, operations and personnel of recent acquisitions, AltaVista's growth depends upon continued and increased demand for and market acceptance of AltaVista's web sites; and increased competition and technological changes in the markets in which AltaVista competes. For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, please refer to CMGI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including CMGI's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the most recently ended fiscal quarter and the "Risk Factors" in CarsDirect.com's annual report on Form 10-K for its most recently ended fiscal year.