IBM and ADP Introduce myautogarage.com
13 January 2000
IBM and ADP Introduce myautogarage.com -- a Web-based Service that Simplifies Vehicle Service and Maintenance
AutoNation Expects 250,000 of its Customers will use myautogarage.com this
Year for Service Quotes and Appointment Scheduling
DETROIT, Jan. 13 -- North American International Auto Show --
IBM and ADP(R) today announced myautogarage.com(TM), a first of its kind
Web-based service that will directly link millions of motorists with auto
dealers and manufacturers of their choice to enable easier and faster
maintenance and management of their vehicles.
myautogarage.com will be the most comprehensive Web-based service of its
type, allowing consumers to schedule service appointments, access binding
service price quotes and view service histories for their own vehicles. A
unique feature of myautogarage.com is its integration with existing dealer and
automaker business systems. IBM and ADP, which has information systems in
more than 18,000 auto and truck dealers, expect myautogarage.com to reach
millions of automotive service customers.
"Taking care of even one car can be a chore, much less two or three," said
William A. Lang, IBM automotive industry practice executive. "With
myautogarage.com, vehicle owners can keep on top of maintenance with a system
that is as easy as surfing the Web or checking e-mail. Essentially,
myautogarage.com offers participants the luxury of having a personalized
mechanic look under the hood of their vehicle every day, which will keep it
running smoothly while giving the owner peace of mind."
AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, has signed a letter of
intent to be myautogarage.com's first major auto dealer subscriber, making the
service accessible to a $20 billion retail network. AutoNation, which sold
more than $1 billion worth of automobiles last year via the Internet, will
promote myautogarage.com through its own AutoNationDirect.com and other dealer
Web sites. Collectively, AutoNation Web sites receive more than 1.4 million
page visits each month.
"myautogarage.com provides AutoNation with the opportunity to expand its
e-Commerce business into the service arena, where ongoing customer
relationships drive repeat vehicle sales," said Tom Eggleston, AutoNation's
senior vice president - e-Commerce. "IBM and ADP's innovative team has
developed a low-cost and powerful way to deliver safety and service
information that is specific to a customer's vehicle."
Allan Stejskal, vice president of e-business for ADP, adds:
"myautogarage.com will revolutionize the vehicle ownership experience. ADP
and IBM are empowering consumers to conveniently manage their vehicles'
service and maintenance through the Internet."
myautogarage.com will provide customer relationship management
capabilities to auto dealers and manufacturers through e-CRM technology from
Newgen Results Corp. "The creation of myautogarage.com recognizes the growing
importance of Internet-based customer loyalty programs for the auto industry,"
said Jim Roche, senior vice president of e-Services for Newgen. "As the
industry leader in e-CRM services, Newgen is happy to play a pivotal role in
building customer loyalty for dealers and manufacturers."
The first release of myautogarage.com will be available second quarter,
2000. In the future, myautogarage.com is intended to become the basis for a
wide range of innovative and exciting services for consumers provided via the
World Wide Web by automakers aimed at enhancing the driving public's personal
transportation experience.
How it Works
myautogarage.com will be marketed to dealers and manufacturers. They, in
turn, will offer participation in myautogarage.com as a free service to
individuals buying or leasing a new vehicle and to existing customers.
Participating individuals get a personalized Web page that features
electronic "garage doors" for each vehicle they own or operate. Behind the
garage door is a direct link to their chosen servicing dealer and the
manufacturer of that vehicle. A wide range of information about the vehicle
and the dealer will be available to the consumer. For examples, users can see
what openings are available for service appointments, obtain a binding price
quote for service and schedule an appointment.
Owners automatically are provided with a service history for their vehicle
from dealer service records regardless of which authorized dealer performed
the work. Using these individual service histories, customized maintenance
schedules and service reminders can be developed. Users also can obtain
manufacturer warranty information and possible recall notifications.
Company Background
IBM
IBM , with headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., is the leader in
creating, developing and manufacturing the world's most advanced information
technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems,
storage devices and microelectronics. IBM translates these advanced
technologies into value for its customers through its professional solutions
and services businesses worldwide.
ADP Dealer Services Group
ADP Dealer Services Group is the leading provider of integrated computing
solutions to more than 18,000 auto and truck manufacturers and dealers
throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The
Dealer Services Group is the third largest business unit of Automatic Data
Processing, Inc. . ADP, with more than $5 billion in annual
revenue and more than 450,000 clients, is one of the largest independent
computing services firms in the world.
Newgen Results Corp.
Newgen Results Corp. is a customer-relationship management
(CRM) and technology leader for the service segment of the automotive
industry. The company provides profit-driven customer-retention and
management solutions to leading auto manufacturers and regularly communicates
with more than 7 million vehicle owners. Newgen has more than 600 employees
and a customer base of approximately 5,500 dealerships and relationships with
11 of the industry's top automobile manufacturers, making it the undisputed
leader in the CRM space of the automotive industry. Of the approximately
22,000 dealerships in the United States, more than 25 percent use Newgen
customer-loyalty and retention products. The automotive manufacturers and
dealer groups who endorse and/or recommend Newgen as a preferred service
provider to their leading dealerships include: Ford, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Audi,
Acura, BMW, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Kia, Infiniti plus AutoNation and CarMax Auto
Superstores.
AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, Inc. is the world's largest automotive retailer,
with 410 new vehicle franchises in 21 states and more than 350 Web sites.
IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corp.
ADP is a registered trademark of ADP North America, Inc. myautogarage.com is
a trademark of ADP, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are
properties of their respective companies.