ChannelNet Announces New Alliances to Expand Its Industry-Leading Web Marketing Program for Automotive Dealers

DETROIT--ChannelNet, a leading provider of Web based solutions for the automotive retail industry, announced today the launch of its next-generation online inventory services, a part of its eRetailAdvantage (eRA) program for automotive dealers.

In conjunction with the launch, ChannelNet also announced it has entered into contracts with Digital Motor Works (DMi), the largest provider of automotive retail data in the US and Canada, and with eVox Productions, the premier source for automotive imaging, to provide the data and images for the expanded online inventory system.

“Online inventory is the most critical component of a dealer’s Web presence,” said Paula Tompkins, CEO and founder of ChannelNet. “Our eRA online inventory module provides potential buyers with an intuitive and compelling way to see the vehicles actually available - and that experience drives the sale. Our new alliances with DMi and eVox provide the data needed to make the online shopping experience rich, detailed, and relevant to the buyer.”

ChannelNet’s state-of-the-art inventory module offers Flash-based dynamic presentations, intuitive customer search and filter controls, up to 60 images per vehicle, and aggregated or isolated brand inventory search, plus an alternative HTML version to optimize search engine visibility and for visitors without Flash. The relationship with DMi will simplify the upload of dealer inventory and greatly enhance dealer-supplied vehicle images. In addition, the vehicle descriptions will offer more details on standard and installed features. The alliance with eVox will provide a large image library of multiple stock photos, including interior and exterior stock images as well as 360 degree views. The module is just one component of ChannelNet’s eRA program, which provides dealers with a suite of Web-based sales and services tools.

“eRetailAdvantage is a turnkey program that takes day-to-day Web channel management completely off dealers’ hands so they can focus on what they do best – selling and servicing vehicles,” said Ms. Tompkins. “We are constantly improving the program, and today’s announcements take eRA to its highest level yet.”

About ChannelNet

For 21 years ChannelNet has been a market leader in utilizing computer technology to market and sell automobiles. In the first days of personal computing ChannelNet was an early innovator who built multimedia kiosks that helped BMW successfully use the emerging technology to market their cars. ChannelNet brought Ford online – building and launching the auto giant's first Web site – and has provided over 5000 Websites for Ford dealerships across the US, Canada, Mexico and other countries though out the world.

The company's broad range of solutions include multichannel marketplaces of interconnected corporate, brand, and sales channel Web sites; guided selling solutions; cross-channel customer loyalty programs; as well as communication portals including intranets and extranets. For further information go to www.channelnet.com.

About Digital Motor Works

Digital Motorworks (DMi), a subsidiary of ADP's Dealer Services Group, helps automotive market leaders design and implement successful business initiatives that solve problems caused by the diversity, complexity, and disparity of their business systems. As the leading provider of information management services to the retail automotive industry, DMi collects data on a regular basis from over 20,000 dealerships (operating over 46,000 franchises) – or 80% of U.S. and Canadian dealerships. DMi is based in Austin, Texas.

About eVox Productions

eVox is the leading provider of automotive imaging for interactive print, media, and broadcast media. eVox provides a massive library of stock automotive images as well as 360 degree views. eVox is devoted to the continual development of visual content and provides the complete creative solution for high quality automotive imaging. eVox headquarters is located in Los Angles, California and additional facilities in Detroit, Michigan and London, England.