Autoweb.com Boosts Direct-to-Consumer Channel, Hires Automotive Industry Veteran
19 August 1999
Autoweb.com Boosts Direct-to-Consumer Channel, Hires Automotive Industry Veteran
Management Leader Takes Helm as Vice President, General Manager of Operations
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 19 -- Jerry Staton has joined
Autoweb.com , the leading online automotive destination site, as
Vice President, General Manager of Operations, and will oversee the new
direct-to-consumer channel. With over 26 years of auto industry experience,
Staton's extensive operational and sales leadership track record, will be a
valuable asset in piloting Autoweb.com's new direct-to-consumer channel to
become the leader in the marketplace.
"Jerry is the ideal person to lead our direct-to-consumer channel," said
Dean DeBiase, president and CEO of Autoweb.com (http://www.autoweb.com). "His
extensive auto industry background including in-depth operational skills, as
well as key dealer relationships, will help drive Autoweb.com's growth in
partnership with our member dealer network. "
Staton has held a series of management roles at US Fleet Leasing (USFL),
over a 20-year period. During his service and involvement in acquisitions,
operations, manufacturer/vendor relations and commitment to total customer
satisfaction, USFL grew from a second tier leasing company to one of the
largest vehicle leasing and management companies in the country. He most
recently served as Senior Vice President of Operations, where he managed the
complete operations of all departments managing over 94,000 vehicle sales.
Staton also worked at Ford Motor Company, where he served in key management
sales in operations in a District Sales Office.
The online automotive company announced last week the formation of a new
direct-to-consumer auto buying service. The addition of Staton supports
Autoweb's commitment to continued response to consumer demand. Autoweb.com
will the first to offer multiple auto buying choices under one brand. The new
direct-to-consumer channel will be offered on Autoweb.com in a multi-state
test market that begins August 30. Initially, visitors to Autoweb.com will
find either the dealer referral channel or the direct-to-consumer channel,
based on their location. A feature of the direct-to-consumer channel includes
a state of the art customer contact center and highly trained Autoweb.com
Advocates, who will handle the entire car shopping experience for the
consumer, including research, financing, insurance, paperwork and delivery.
As the direct-to consumer channel is phased in regionally over the next few
months, the site will continue to add functionality designed to handle
increased direct commerce activity.
About Autoweb.com, Inc.
Autoweb.com is the leading consumer automotive Internet service. With an
extensive collection of automotive-related community, content and commerce
offerings, Autoweb.com guides consumers through every stage of vehicle
ownership from browsing and buying, to enjoying, maintaining and selling. As a
trusted intermediary, the Autoweb.com process connects mass market consumers
to real-world buying alternatives through the most extensive network of Member
Dealers and other commerce partners, and ensures the consumer experience is
faster, better and easier.