Chrome Systems and the Cobalt Group Strengthen Partnership

    PORTLAND, Ore.--Jan. 29, 2003--Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions and The Cobalt Group, the leading provider of e-business software and services to the automotive retail market, announced an enhanced partnership to include Chrome's accurate vehicle data into Cobalt's industry leading e-business applications.
    Auto dealers and consumers will benefit through this partnership by seeing consistent and accurate vehicle pricing and specifications across all of Cobalt dealer sites, media sites and portals.
    Through this agreement, Cobalt will integrate Chrome's vehicle data into all of Cobalt's e-business applications, including products built on Cobalt Nitra(TM), the powerful technology platform developed by Cobalt specifically for the automotive retailing industry. Dealer web sites and media sites developed on Cobalt's platforms will now have access to the most accurate vehicle information available on the Internet(Note A). In addition to the data, they will have access to Chrome Carbook(R) Chrome's online vehicle configuration and comparison tool.
    "Becoming the standard data provider for a best-in-class automotive retailing technology provider such as Cobalt is a great compliment to Chrome. By ensuring that their clients are receiving the standard in accurate automotive information, Cobalt is leading the way in e-business tools for dealers," said David Mingle, President of Chrome Systems.
    "The Chrome Standard(R) has developed real meaning in the marketplace. When we surveyed the industry we realized that a plurality of other partners had also standardized on Chrome," said John Holt, CEO of Cobalt. "Extending and deepening our relationship with Chrome is not only a statement of confidence in a trusted partner but a logical means of supporting other products and enabling easy integration with other 3rd party offerings."

    About Chrome

    With more than 13,500 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides vehicle content, software, technology and services to deliver complete enterprise solutions to all segments of the retail automotive industry. These segments include manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers, Internet sites, and financial institutions.
    Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for more than 17 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 9 of the 10 largest fleet leasing companies.

    About Cobalt

    The Cobalt Group works exclusively in the automotive retail market to help manufacturers and dealers develop integrated e-business programs by leveraging its industry leading technology, broad range of services and deep domain knowledge. As the automotive e-business leader, Cobalt is uniquely positioned to help its customers maximize their overall operating efficiencies and profits.
    Cobalt offers a broad range of products and services developed specifically for the automotive marketplace including enterprise software for manufacturers and dealers; customer relationship management (CRM) software applications; online automotive commerce applications; the industry's largest OEM parts locating and marketing service; and dealership e-business best practices training, consulting, and process compliance analysis.
    Cobalt operates a dealer network larger than any other technology provider in the automotive retail industry including 12,000 franchised dealers and more than 70 of the 100 largest dealer groups. Cobalt is the only software technology provider ever endorsed by 17 manufacturers and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
    With headquarters in Seattle, Wash., Cobalt has offices in four U.S. cities, and a field sales and services force in 30 states, including all major U.S. metropolitan sales areas (MSAs).
    For more information, please visit www.cobaltgroup.com or call 800/909-8244.
    For media inquiries, please contact Cobalt's corporate communications at 206/219-8253 or email press@cobaltgroup.com.

    Note A: Chrome was named the most accurate provider of automotive data for 2 years in a row according to an independent study by CNW Marketing Research.