RouteOne Selects Chrome to Supply Vehicle Data to Its Online Credit Application Management System

    PORTLAND, Ore.--March 24, 2003--Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions, announced today that RouteOne LLC, a joint venture established by DaimlerChrysler Services, Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Toyota Financial Services to develop an online credit application management system, will standardize its Web-based system with Chrome's vehicle data.
    Through the agreement, RouteOne will incorporate Chrome's XML StyleMap(TM) data into the online credit application, enabling automobile dealers to quickly and easily select the vehicle information necessary to complete a customer's credit application. Dealers and financial institutions will benefit through access to an online network that utilizes the same accurate vehicle data used by thousands of automotive retailers and finance professionals today.
    "Chrome's reputation as an industry leader in automotive data made our decision an easy one," said Joel Gruber, chief information officer of RouteOne. "With so many dealers and financial institutions already using Chrome's data in their information systems, car and truck buyers will benefit from consistency in vehicle definitions throughout the entire financing process."
    Chrome's XML StyleMap(TM) supplies vehicle information from as far back as 1983 though the current model year. The vehicle information will be delivered in XML format for seamless and standardized updates.
    "Normalizing vehicle data is a complex process," said David Mingle, Chrome's president. "Chrome has spent close to two decades perfecting the process. We are certainly pleased that RouteOne has selected Chrome as their vehicle data provider."

    About RouteOne LLC

    Established in April 2002, RouteOne LLC is a joint venture formed by DaimlerChrysler Services, Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Toyota Financial Services to improve the credit application process for automobile dealers, their customers and participating financial institutions. RouteOne is developing a web-based credit application management system that will enable dealers and their finance sources, including captives, banks and other financial institutions, to exchange credit application and decision information online. More information is available at www.routeone.com.

    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 with the introduction of PC Carbook(R), and since 1986 has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers.