Consumer Guide(R) Automotive Delivers Fully-Integrated Nationwide Dealership Partner Program

LINCOLNWOOD, Ill., Feb. 16, 2005 -- Consumer Guide(R) Automotive today launched the next phase of its Approved Dealer Program, the automotive industry's most comprehensive offering designed to generate sales leads for dealerships, and build consumer confidence in new and used vehicle purchases. Two years in the making, the Approved Dealer Program leverages the brand recognition of Consumer Guide(R) Automotive through integrated marketing and communication tools.

Millions of buyers have relied on Consumer Guide's(R) authoritative, consumer-oriented reviews of new and used vehicles for almost 40 years. The Consumer Guide(R) Approved Dealer Program provides dealerships with direct access to buyers through online and offline sales generation tools that match vehicle availability with local approved dealers. Each month, more than two million unique visitors access consumerguide.com to conduct research prior to purchase.

"The majority of customers we meet perform extensive online research before setting foot in our showroom," said Troy Kerth, general manager of Precision Toyota of Tucson. "Since partnering with Consumer Guide(R) and becoming an Approved Dealer, I have seen an increase in Internet activity and my retail sales team loves to tell the Approved Consumer Guide(R) story. Consumer Guide(R) understands that dealerships want to increase sales and gross profit, while reducing spend on advertising -- saving money and selling more cars. That's what every dealer is looking look for."

Approved dealerships recognized by Consumer Guide(R) Automotive must adhere to set requirements that emphasize customer satisfaction, competitive pricing and sound business practices. As part of the Program, dealers also have access to vehicle history reports to build customer confidence with used car sales. All participants must be an original equipment manufacturer franchised new car dealer and have a customer service score within the top fifty percent of its zone average for each stocked brand.

"When we associate our name with a dealership, car buyers expect to have an experience that adheres to our high standards," said Grant Whitmore, Consumer Guide(R) Automotive vice president. "Consumer Guide(R) has worked hard over the past 40 years to develop relationships with consumers and dealers can reap the benefits of their association with us. The Approved Dealer Program generates sales and ultimately impacts our dealership partners' bottom line."

Program participants have access to branded Consumer Guide(R) Automotive materials such as broadcast, print and Internet advertising templates, point of purchase signs and tags, and a direct mail template for event promotion. Each approved dealership appears in the Consumer Guide(R) Approved Dealer Directory, and receives sales leads from the Internet and the Consumer Guide(R) Auto Buying Service. This Service provides toll-free expert assistance to car buyers when choosing a vehicle and selecting a dealership.

For more information about the Consumer Guide(R) Approved Dealer Program, visit http://www.consumerguidedealers.com/ or call (800) 531-3894.

Consumer Guide(R) Automotive

Consumer Guide(R) Automotive has produced new- and used-vehicle reviews since 1967, earning the trust of its readers with authoritative, objective reports that spotlight the best values in cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs.

Consumer Guide(R) Automotive produces the monthly Consumer Guide(R) Car & Truck Test new-vehicle buying guide, the award-winning Collectible Automobile(R) magazine, and a variety of automotive hardcover titles. Since 1995, Consumer Guide(R) Automotive has been a presence on the Web with new and used-vehicle reviews. ConsumerGuide.com was recently awarded Forbes.com "Best of the Web" within the "Car Buying" category.

Consumer Guide(R) and ConsumerGuide.com

Consumer Guide L.L.C. is a division of Lincolnwood, Illinois-based Publications International, Ltd. PIL company publishes more than 500 book and magazine titles a year.

Consumer Guide(R) is a registered trademark of Publications International, Ltd.

   For more information:

   Megan Scallon                 Andrew Favreau
   (847) 583-4560                (312) 297-7587
   mscallon@consumerguide.com    andrew.favreau@edelman.com