Lexus Chooses NetSearch For 'Build Your Lexus'

1 February 2000
Lexus Chooses NetSearch For 'Build Your Lexus'
   The New 'Build Your Lexus' Web Site Allows Customers to Configure Their
              Lexus On-line, Forward SPECS Directly to a Dealer,
                       And Receive an Instant Response

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 1 -- NetSearch, LLC today announced
it will be Lexus' preferred provider to support the "Build Your Lexus" vehicle
configurator on http://www.lexus.com.  This announcement comes after a successful
pilot with select Lexus dealers nationwide.
    Using the "Build Your Lexus" Web site, on-line customers can build their
new Lexus and send an e-mail to their local dealer along with their customized
vehicle specifications.  NetSearch provides dealers with the Merchant
Notification System(TM) (MNS), a system using state-of-the-art wireless
technology for immediate response to the customer's on-line requests.  In
addition, NetSearch provides dealers with robust real-time tracking and
specialized support.
    "Lexus recognizes the importance of instant response to an on-line
customer's request and has positioned itself as an innovator in the automotive
e-commerce market," said Gus Esposito, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
of NetSearch.  "Customers demand superb care; whether they enter your store
in person or on the Internet.  Lexus recognized the need and selected the
NetSearch solution to fill the void ignored by many Internet sales
operations."
    The interactive Lexus Web site allows for Internet customers to build
their new Lexus on-line.  Once the model is selected, the customer can select
and view their preferred exterior, interior and accessories.  A detailed MSRP
price is updated with each selection.  When finished, the specifications can
be sent instantly to the local dealer.  The dealer receives these leads via
NetSearch's Wireless Intelligent Terminal (WIT) and can respond
instantaneously and conveniently to the customer to begin the sales process.
    According to Esposito, the NetSearch system will also give Lexus the only
on-line, real-time lead tracking system for sales leads initiated by the
customer.  Esposito added, "We think our unique, proprietary tracking and
reporting system will be essential to increasing the sales close rate on
Internet-based inquiries and improving management of the Internet sales
process."

    MNS Lead Management Tools:
    -- Instant wireless response to customer's requests
    -- 'Round Robin' request distribution - The first request submitted is
       sent to the first salesperson on a defined list, the second request is
       sent to the second salesperson, etc.  After the last salesperson on the
       list receives a request, the process repeats.
    -- Request accountability system - When a request has not been responded
       to by a given salesperson in a set period of time, the request is
       forwarded to a managing party's WIT allowing them to respond to the
       customer's request.
    -- Lead Duplication Reporting - View a report that evaluates all leads to
       determine duplicates.
    -- On-line Reports - Illustrate such statistics as average response time
       to customer's requests and lead characteristics
    -- Complete training program and extensive customer support

    "We pride ourselves on providing the best ownership experience and it
begins with the first contact with the dealer," said Robin Pisz, Lexus'
National Interactive Marketing Manager.  "A quick response to a customer's
e-mail is an integral part of our Internet strategy."

    About Lexus
    Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.,
markets and sells luxury cars and sport utility vehicles through 185 dealer
outlets in the United States.  Lexus prides itself on providing the best in
vehicle quality, service and customer satisfaction.  The company's dealers
have achieved the highest honors in customer satisfaction eight out of the
last nine years from the independent research firm J.D. Power and
Associates.  Additionally, with record setting sales in 1999, Lexus is one
of the fastest growing luxury nameplates in the industry.

    About NetSearch, LLC
    Founded in 1998, NetSearch, LLC is a leader in increasing Internet sales
productivity through the use of wireless applications and advanced wireless
technologies.  NetSearch's Merchant Notification System (MNS) allows
merchants to receive and reply to their on-line requests instantly, via a
pager-sized Wireless Intelligent Terminal.  In addition to instant wireless
response, the MNS offers merchants comprehensive, tracking and
accountability tools.  For more information, please contact NetSearch, LLC
on-line at http://www.netsearchllc.com or by calling 1-480-607-1511.

    Please contact:  Michael Braun of NetSearch, LLC, 480-607-1511,
mike@netsearchllc.com; or Holly Ferris of Lexus, 310-781-3279,
holly_ferris@toyota.com.