Hyundai Debuts Auto Industry's First Internet E-Commerce System
7 April 1999
Hyundai Debuts Auto Industry's First Internet E-Commerce System; Customers Can Order Any Hyundai OEM Auto Part Online
- Entire System Developed in Eight Months -
DETROIT, April 7 -- The first system in the U.S. automotive
industry which allows individual consumers to order any auto part online
directly from an auto manufacturer became operational today as Hyundai Motor
America officially opened its new Hyundai Parts Online internet parts ordering
system.
With the Hyundai Parts Online system ordering can now be done 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Access to all service and repair manuals also will be
offered on the system shortly.
"Hyundai is proud to be the first and only auto manufacturer in the U.S.
to make this kind of commitment to E-commerce in auto parts on the Internet,"
said Vice President of Parts Frank Ferrara. "The speed and convenience of
Internet E-business means our customers get the right parts, right away.
Hyundai isn't the largest car company in America and we believe doing business
this way on the 'net gives us an edge over our competition."
In the past, only automotive dealers could order Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) parts directly online.
The Hyundai Parts Online system went from project approval to beta launch
phase in only six months and was fully operational in eight months. The
system was a joint development project with Click Interactive, a Chicago-based
electronic commerce systems developer and Bell and Howell PCS, a leading
provider of information access systems for the automotive and power sports
markets.
The site covers more than 30,000 individual part numbers and the scope
will grow substantially when the service manual section is added in June of
this year. The system has been designed so that it can be easily used both by
individual Hyundai owners and by independent service garages and technicians.
Parts ordering is easily accomplished with a few mouse clicks. Customers
who want to order parts go to the main Hyundai web site,
http://www.HyundaiUSA.com, and click on the "order parts and accessories"
button. They are then asked to type in the year, model and vehicle
identification number (VIN) of their vehicle.
From there, everything from a connecting rod bearing to a windshield wiper
can be ordered in a few seconds. The entry of the VIN assures the customer
that the part is a precise match for their vehicle, so that even if there has
been a mid-model year change in a part for the vehicle the right part is
selected.
Once a part is ordered it can either be picked up at a participating
Hyundai dealership or shipped to the customer. Dealers use e-mail to confirm
order status with individual consumers. For independent service garages, a
parts delivery system can be arranged with a participating dealer.
The Hyundai Parts Online system provides full online access to all Hyundai
parts catalogs and within 60 days the system will provide full access to all
Hyundai service manuals for any Hyundai ever sold in the U.S. Thus, an
individual or independent repair shop technician can get repair information,
data and diagrams to ensure the proper installation of parts.
Currently, more than 160 Hyundai dealers nationwide participate in the
system, providing access not only to parts available at their dealerships but
to any part anywhere the Hyundai Motor America parts distribution system. If
the part is not immediately available from the dealership, the part can be
shipped from a Hyundai parts distribution center for next day arrival.
The Hyundai Parts Online system is another example of Hyundai's innovative
uses of technology to provide elegantly simple solutions for its dealers and
customers. The company is committed to leveraging technology with speed and
precision to improve its competitive position.
In 1992 Hyundai launched one of the industry's first dealer-to-factory
shared information systems for parts, the Hyundai Retailed Based Inventory
Control System where parts sales and inventory data is exchanged with dealers
on a weekly basis.
In 1994 the company launched the industry's most comprehensive
computer-based service diagnostic system, the Hyundai Diagnostic System (HDS),
one of the first systems to incorporate service manuals and be J2008
compliant.
In 1995 Hyundai was a leader in the movement to electronic parts catalogs,
working with partner Bell and Howell PSC.
The Hyundai Parts Online system is another first for Hyundai in its
continuing use of technology to leapfrog its larger competitors and provide
dealers and owners with the best support in parts and service operations.
Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary
of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars are distributed in the United
States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through nearly 500
dealerships nationwide
Click Interactive, Inc. is the developer of the leading business-to-
business internet electronic commerce software suite, Click Commerce(TM).
Click's product line focuses on extranet applications for global 1000
companies with extensive dealer and distributor networks. Click Commerce(TM)
has a proven track record of improving customer service, reducing operating
costs and increasing revenue by using the power of the Internet to extend the
client's enterprise to dealers, distributors, purchasers, suppliers and
consumers. Click is headquartered in Chicago.