Dot-Com Gearheads Driving to Success with PartsForYourCar.com

SEATTLE--Sept. 25, 2002

    PartsForYourCar.com (www.PFYC.com), a leading online source for specialty automotive parts and accessories, today re-launched the company and a new Web site.
    The re-launch follows a period of extensive growth for the privately owned Washington firm, previously Vertical Stores, Inc.
    PFYC.com features nine online stores dedicated to the Grand Prix, Grand AM, Corvette, Alero, Impala, Monte Carlo, Intrigue, Regal and the Ford F-Series Truck. The online retailer sells some 500 exclusive and name-brand parts and accessories for the nine specific-model General Motors cars and Ford trucks.
    PFYC.com has more than 40,000 cumulative customer accounts and has achieved consistent double-digit revenue growth for the past three years. Self-financed on initial capital of less than $600, the company has remained in the black and cash flow positive from day one, requiring no outside financing for the operation or the expansion.
    The company was founded in 1998 by Brian Marks and Michael Lewis, two gearheads who, at the time, were working in the tech industry. They met via a Grand Prix community Web site, created by Marks, and started talking about how to obtain better parts to improve the look and performance of their Grand Prixs. They started with a single e-commerce store for the Pontiac Grand Prix, but soon recognized the opportunity with other similar models.
    "The site really started as a way for us and our fellow Grand Prix owners to obtain affordable parts and accessories that we couldn't find anywhere else," said Brian Marks, co-founder and president of PFYC.com. "But we soon realized that we had found something special that no one else was doing, and we have received great support from our customers, suppliers and the automotive industry overall."
    PFYC.com is a virtual operation, with Lewis and Marks located on opposite U.S. coasts and a customer service representative in Quebec, Canada. All employees are also car enthusiasts.
    In addition to the Web site, PFYC.com sponsors many club events, races and individuals and has worked with General Motors on developing project cars for major auto shows.