Autobytel.com Launches 'Automotive E-Commerce 2000,' An Annual Lecture Series for Northwood University
29 September 1999
Autobytel.com Launches 'Automotive E-Commerce 2000,' An Annual Lecture Series for Northwood University
Autobytel.com Leading the Charge to Educate Future Generations of Dealers
Regarding Automotive E-Commerce Solutions
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 29 -- Autobytel.com , the
global leader in automotive e-commerce and services, introduced the program
for its first annual Autobytel.com Northwood University Lecture Series. As
announced at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) last February,
Autobytel.com is contributing both resources and funds to Northwood University
in an effort to equip today's dealer base with the necessary tools to keep up
with the ever-changing automotive industry.
"Consumers are increasingly stepping away from the traditional way of
purchasing cars, and we want the next generation of automotive executives to
be well educated on how and why the online car selling model works," said Mark
Lorimer, President and CEO of Autobytel.com Inc. "Autobytel.com is committed
to taking an active role in re-tooling the current dealer body."
The "Automotive E-Commerce 2000" series kicks-off October 20, 1999 at
Northwood's Detroit campus with "Autobytel.com and the E-Commerce Revolution"
led by Lorimer. Future topics include "Automotive Trends in the Internet"
featuring Chris Denove, Director of Consulting Operations, J.D. Power and
Associates and "Automotive Internet Retailing" featuring Thomas M. Vann, Owner
and General Manager of Hillsdale Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep, Dodge.
Autobytel.com also launched a $150,000 fund drive to assist Northwood
University in enhancing its interactive classroom equipment. Northwood
University is the school of choice among automotive executives and the only
university to offer a four-year degree program in Automotive
Marketing/Management.
"Through their generous funding and support of our interactive classroom,
Autobytel.com has opened wider the window of opportunity for our students,"
said Dr. David E. Fry, President and CEO of Northwood University. "This,
combined with Autobytel.com's annual Automotive E-Commerce 2000 Lecture
Series, will help sustain Northwood University's recognition as the
educational leader of choice in this great industry."
About Autobytel.com Inc.
Internationally-branded Autobytel.com (http://www.autobytel.com) is the
acknowledged leader in online automotive commerce(1). The most comprehensive
automotive Internet site, Autobytel.com offers consumers a positive purchasing
and ownership experience, while providing its Accredited Dealer Network with
the most efficient way to reach online car buyers. As it assists consumers
through every aspect of the automotive lifecycle, Autobytel.com provides
continuity into the next vehicle purchase. Launched in March 1995,
Autobytel.com's low-cost, no-haggle car-buying program is available in the
U.S., Canada (http://www.autobytel.ca), the United Kingdom (http://www.autobytel.co.uk) and
Sweden (http://www.autobytel.se). In 1999, Autobytel.com was ranked #1 in Dealer
Satisfaction with Online Buying Services for the second year in a row(2).
About Northwood University
Northwood University is a private, accredited institution specializing in
managerial and entrepreneurial education offering two and four year degrees in
a variety of enterprise fields. The Executive and full-time MBA programs make
Northwood's free market-based degree offerings in management and
entrepreneurship the most complete anywhere. The University emphasizes the
importance of free enterprise and is dedicated to the preservation of the free
market and the important relationship between business and the arts.
Northwood operates residential campuses in Michigan, Florida and Texas;
the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan, Maine; thirty-one University
College extension centers and outreach locations throughout the United States
and international study programs abroad, principally in Europe.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel.com
undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the
important factors that could cause Autobytel.com's actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking
statements are changes in general economic conditions and increased or
unexpected competition and other matters disclosed in Autobytel.com's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1. As reported by J.D. Power and Associates, Autobytel.com generates
nearly as many new-vehicle sales as its two closest competitors combined.
2. J.D. Power and Associates 1998 -- 1999 Dealer Satisfaction With Online
Buying Services Studies(SM). 1999 study conducted among dealership Internet
specialists who completed 1,024 individual evaluations.