Nissan Collaborates with i-Cube to Build Europe's Largest Multi-Lingual Automotive Website
26 October 1999
Nissan Collaborates with i-Cube to Build Europe's Largest Multi-Lingual Automotive Website
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Oct. 26, 1999--i-Cube , a leader in electronic business transformation, today announced the completion of the first phase of a project to assist Nissan Europe N.V. in delivering its automotive web presence. The new site, designed to create consistent high quality expression of the Nissan brand in Europe, is the largest of its kind, providing multi-lingual access to 33 countries in 27 languages. i-Cube's experience in the European e-commerce market coupled with its ability to integrate seemingly incompatible infrastructures across a variety of countries made i-Cube the optimal choice for the www.nissan-primera.com project."We chose i-Cube because of its aptitude in the European market space as well as its technical ability to harmonize the European systems across 33 countries," said Peter Slater, vice president of product and market strategy of Nissan Europe N.V.
Nissan's Pan-European Primera site is the first of a series of six "micro-sites" to be designed by i-Cube to enhance Nissan's Internet presence in Europe. The sites will offer support to all European Nissan dealers in an effort to maintain Nissan Europe's high customer satisfaction rating. The new Nissan Primera automobile is available in four different models and incorporates over 600 major changes from transmissions and engines to interior design and equipment.
"We are delighted to have been selected by Nissan to participate in the creation of this important Pan-European Internet initiative," said Michael Pehl, chairman and CEO of i-Cube. "The site offers visitors easily accessible information, which eliminates confusion that is often associated with car purchasing."
Nissan's Primera site is the first of its kind in terms of model-specific content, provisions for multi-lingual usage and state-of-the-art functionality. The site allows customers and Nissan dealers to provide information and communicate existing and new information about Nissan products. Text and images are database driven, making possible the support for 27 languages, as well as providing customers with nation-specific details such as vehicle options and pricing. Nissan Europe's "Car Builder" allows potential customers to try different options and to design a Primera based on their preferences. When the design is complete, a visitor can obtain an immediate, preliminary price quote, the location of the nearest Nissan dealer for a test drive and a detailed street map to reach that locale.
About i-Cube
i-Cube delivers end-to-end digital strategy, interactive design and technology services for the world's leading organizations. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, i-Cube has offices in Massachusetts, New York, California and European offices in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands. Information on i-Cube can be found at www.i-cube.com or by calling 617-250-2500 (toll free at 1-888-22i-cube).
On August 10, 1999, i-Cube announced it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Razorfish inc. a provider of Digital Change Management solutions.
About Nissan
Nissan's European operations include styling, design and development, manufacturing, sales, finance and industrial machinery. More than 15,000 people are directly employed in operations, with additional jobs created in over 4,000 Nissan dealerships across Europe.
This press release includes forward-looking statements (statements that are not historical fact and relate to future performance) that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those stated based on a number of factors including, without limitation, its ability to conclude the merger with Razorfish, business conditions, the successful and timely completion of customer engagements, the effects of client purchasing patterns due to Year 2000 issues, competitive factors, and protection of intellectual property, as well as other factors set forth in i-Cube's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.