The Cobalt Group Named Service Provider of the Year by the Washington Software Alliance --WSA--

SEATTLE--March 9, 2005--In an awards gala last night attended by nearly 1,000 industry participants, The Cobalt Group, the leading provider of retailing solutions for the automotive industry, was honored as Service Provider of the Year with an Industry Achievement Award by the Washington Software Alliance, Washington's statewide technology trade organization. The award acknowledges Washington companies and organizations that best demonstrate innovation and excellence in technology.

"Cobalt's groundbreaking automotive retailing services have helped North American new car dealers sell millions of cars to consumers who have flocked to the Internet to evaluate the purchase of automotive vehicles and services," said Kathy Wilcox, president & CEO of the WSA.

Cobalt, founded in Seattle in 1995, provides automotive retailing products and services to more than half the automotive dealerships in the United States, Canada and Mexico and is endorsed by more than two-thirds of the world's major automotive manufacturers.

"For a decade, Cobalt has led the automotive retail industry by providing solutions that help automotive dealers focus on their customers. Our solutions and support help dealers close more sales and cultivate lifetime owner loyalty," said John Holt. "I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Cobalt's 800 employees, who have worked hard to deliver unparalleled service to our dealer clients."

Cobalt offers automotive manufacturers, dealers and dealer groups a suite of online retailing and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. Cobalt's automotive retailing solutions span the breadth of automotive retailing, including prospect marketing, lead generation, lead management, call management, showroom management, deal management, and relationship marketing.

About the WSA

Founded in 1984, the WSA (formerly the Washington Software Alliance) is a statewide trade association focused on helping Washington state technology companies succeed. With more than 1,100 members representing a range of software, Internet and technology companies, the WSA is a catalyst for setting new industry directions, sharing expertise, delivering key business services, and leading the advocacy of issues necessary to keep Washington a leader in the digital economy. For information, please see www.wsa.org.

About The Cobalt Group

The Cobalt Group is North America's leading provider of automotive retailing solutions. For a decade, Cobalt's exclusive mission has been to help automobile dealers and manufacturers leverage online retailing and customer relationship management (CRM) technology to increase their effectiveness and profits and to enhance the car-buying and ownership experience for their customers. Cobalt provides automotive retailing products and services to more than half the automotive dealerships in the United States, Canada and Mexico and is endorsed by more than two-thirds of the world's major automotive manufacturers. Cobalt has also received six consecutive annual endorsements from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA(R)).