Chrome Enhances VIN Explosions with its Vehicle Content to Create Robust, Normalized Vehicle Descriptions

    PORTLAND, Ore.--Feb. 11, 2003--Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration and comparison technology and commerce solutions, today announced the immediate availability of Chrome Inventory Everywhere(TM) (CIE) 4.1, an inventory editing and posting tool that combines DMS inventory records with Chrome's New Vehicle Data to give dealers the most vehicle-specific information available, anywhere.
    With this release, CIE combines a vehicle's VIN, Model Number and Option Codes from the DMS (Dealer Management System) and links it to a proprietary and accurate Chrome Style ID. The Chrome Style ID includes the original ordering specifications and is the result of Chrome's investment over the years in creating rich and accurate vehicle descriptions that go beyond what is normally available to dealers through an initial VIN search. CIE pre-populates vehicle attributes with correct standard equipment choices specific to the selected vehicle and provides a list of possible optional equipment.
    "The Web continues to be a critical source of information for car shoppers wanting complete by-model vehicle data. CIE provides that environment in a format that dealership personnel will find to be flexible, simple-to-use and accurate," said Art Spinella, CNW Marketing/Research.
    CIE 4.1 only imports vehicles that have changed in the DMS since the last import operation, resulting in fast import times. A new filter in CIE enables sales managers to quickly identify which vehicle descriptions have changed, allowing them to update their inventory with a minimum of effort.
    Plus, CIE 4.1 also includes stock photos for 1997-2003 model year vehicles and can automatically attach those images to inventory data, ensuring every vehicle description exported to the Web has a photo.
    "This latest version of CIE continues our commitment to be the industry standard for quality, robust data," said David Mingle, President of Chrome Systems. "Simply put, our goal is to help our clients sell their vehicles. By equipping them with complete and accurate information about their own inventory, we can help bring more 'ups' into their showrooms."
    Additionally, CIE 4.1 easily integrates with Chrome Inventory Search(TM) (CIS), a Web site vehicle locator tool, enabling online shoppers or dealer sales staff to search an individual dealer or dealer group's inventory for a desired vehicle. CIE combines with CIS and Chrome Carbook(R), a Web-based vehicle configuration and comparison tool, to offer a full "build and locate" online solution for automotive commerce.
    "CIE is the most powerful tool available to the edealer today. Since implementing CIE, we've seen an increase of better-qualified and ready-to-buy customers. I urge all dealers to take advantage of it," said Dave Oxner, President of Oxner Technologies Group Corp.
    Chrome Systems pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for more than 17 years has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from manufacturers. The net result of this investment in data management is what is known as the Chrome Style ID, a unique and proprietary data value that gives detailed information about a specific vehicle beyond the VIN data level. Where other descriptions might stop at listing V-6 or V-8 as the engine options for a particular vehicle, the Chrome Style ID can display a detailed list of the Manufacturer's standard equipment and options, plus close to 100 different normalized feature categories.
    Chrome Inventory Everywhere(TM) 4.1 is available immediately.

    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.