R. L. Polk & Co. Introduces Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 19, 2005 -- R. L. Polk & Co. introduced today the Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award, which recognizes and rewards outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements relative to inventory efficiency.

"The Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award is more than just rewarding industry-leading inventory management," said Joe Adrid, account director of Polk's Aftermarket Solutions team and project leader of the Award Committee. "It's about driving best practices and harboring a spirit of collaboration within the industry."

The Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award will be presented at the 2005 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago on May 11-12, 2005. Companies wishing to be considered to win the award can fill out a submission form at http://www.polk.com/ . The deadline for entry is March 4, 2005.

Polk also announced the formation of an award steering committee to validate the measurement criteria of the Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award and to recommend a third-party selection panel.

The committee consists of a cross-section of experienced leaders and consultants within the automotive aftermarket industry. The committee includes: Mike Carlet, CFO of Meineke Car Care Centers; Dan Daniel, president, Light Vehicle Aftermarket and senior vice president of ArvinMeritor; Paul Foley, vice president of Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA); Al Gaspar, Aftermarket Industry Advisory Board member and former president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA); Layne Gobrogge, vice president of Marketing for Transpro, Inc; Pete Kornafel, Vice Chairman of CARQUEST Corporation; Scott Luckett, vice president, Information Technology & Project Development for AAIA; Jim Snyder, department chair, Automotive Supply Management for Northwood University; Mike Swearengin, senior vice president of Merchandise for O'Reilly Auto Parts; and Mort Schwartz, Chairman of Jarmms Associates.

The steering committee will meet with Polk representatives on a regular basis in order to accomplish the group's established objectives.

About R. L. Polk & Co.

R. L. Polk & Co. is the premier provider of automotive information and marketing solutions. Polk collects and interprets global data, and provides extensive automotive business expertise to help customers understand their market position, identify trends, build brand loyalty, conquest new business and gain a competitive advantage. Polk helps automotive manufacturers and dealers, automotive aftermarket companies, finance and insurance companies, advertising agencies, consulting organizations, government agencies and market research firms make good business decisions. A privately held global firm, Polk is based in Southfield, Mich. with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.polk.com/ .