Aston Martin Announce Launch of Global Beach Automotive Approved Used Car Locator

LONDON--Jan. 1, 20049, 2004--Aston Martin announced today that it is launching an all new Approved Used Car Locator (www.amapproved.com) to provide its dealers worldwide with an easy-to-use, highly functional application that promotes their used cars on-line.

Aston Martin has chosen the business application service provider, Global Beach Automotive, to ensure rapid and effective delivery of this integrated e-channel to Aston Martin and its dealer network for an initial two-year term.

Global Beach Automotive has been deploying Dealer Web Services (DWS) for premier automotive manufacturers on a pan-European basis since 1996. Aston Martin selected Global Beach as its partner because it offered the market expertise and proven development capability to deliver DWS and on-line Used Car Locator systems that are cost effective and can be swiftly deployed across all markets.

DWS and the Approved Used Car Locator are fully adaptive managed services running on Global Beach's proven Keycast(TM) technology platform.

Ian Minards, General Manager, Sales Operations, Aston Martin, said: "It was important for us to find a business partner who had an established track record of working with premium automotive brands and could deploy a tailored solution rapidly across our markets. The Approved Used Car Locator will be the cornerstone of our Approved Used Car Programme, which we will initially launch in the UK and will then move into Europe and the US."

He continued: "Through Global Beach, our Dealers will be provided with a complete solution that allows them to promote their stock and enables them to create premium point of sale materials on demand. This will become the first place for anyone looking for an Approved Used Aston Martin."

David Cox, Operations Director of Global Beach Automotive, commented: "We are delighted to be working with such a premium brand as Aston Martin at such an important stage in their history. Having an easy-to-find, intuitive search engine is key to the successful promotion of used cars on-line. Customers naturally look to the brand first, and it is our job to make finding the right car a rewarding experience that connects them effortlessly with the retailer. The Used Car Locator will improve customer choice, drive sales and ultimately increase residual values - benefiting customer, dealer and manufacturer alike."

Clive Jackson, Founder & CEO of Global Beach Group, observed: "It's a pleasure to be working with such a professional management team as Aston Martin, and to be given the opportunity to prove the value of our brand and channel agnostic Keycast(TM) technology platform."

Notes to Editors:

About Aston Martin

Aston Martin is the world's most exclusive and prestigious sports car manufacturer. Created in 1914 it has an enviable and outstanding automotive history and heritage.

Today it is experiencing some of the biggest changes it has ever faced. These include a relocation of its head office and production department to a purpose-built facility at Gaydon, Aston Martin is the fastest-growing car company in the world and has just launched the all new Aston Martin DB9; this new model will sit alongside the flagship V12 Vanquish and in 2005 they will be joined by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage - a smaller, tailored sportscar.

About Global Beach

The Global Beach Group is a leading independent communications solutions and business application provider. It was founded in 1993 and is a Top Fifty Sunday Times TechTrack company.

The Group is ranked fifth in Marketing's New Media League Tables 2003.

Global Beach Automotive Services has developed specialist knowledge of the automotive sector by working with leading automotive companies such as Jaguar Cars, Jaguar Racing and Ford of Europe.

The Global Beach Group has offices in London and Los Angeles. Other clients include Pearson Plc, Cosworth Racing and Hewlett-Packard.

For further information about Global Beach please visit www.globalbeach.com