iMotors.com Announces Infrastructure Expansion Into Atlanta
25 February 2000
iMotors.com Announces Infrastructure Expansion Into Atlanta; The First and Only Used Car E-Tailer Opens State-of-the-Art Facility and Creates 900 New Jobs
SAN FRANCISCO--Feb. 25, 2000--iMotors.com, the first and only used car e-tailer, announced today that it has opened a facility in the Atlanta, GA area that will be developed into one of their state-of-the-art Vehicle Certification Centers (VCC). When fully functioning, the facility will employ up to 900 people in the Atlanta area."iMotors is very excited about coming to the Atlanta area," said iMotors CEO Adam Simms. "As one of the top ten cyber cities in America, we know that the Atlanta area is an ideal place for us to grow our business and continue our national expansion."
The 142,500 sq. foot VCC is located at 3000 Walter Way in Stockbridge, GA. This facility will serve as many as 20 iMotors delivery centers in the Southeast. The company expects this new facility to be fully operational by the third quarter of this year.
iMotors also announced today that it will be opening an additional VCC in the Cincinnati, OH area. These two new facilities, formerly owned and operated by AutoNation, bring the total number of iMotors VCCs to three. iMotors currently operates a VCC near Sacramento, which supports all of the company's delivery centers from San Diego to Seattle. Thecompany recently announced a $300-million, multi-year agreement with Bechtel to build up to an additional 30 VCCs worldwide.
With a breakthrough business model, iMotors is a one-of-a-kind, direct-to-consumer used car retailer that sells custom-ordered used cars over the Internet. There are no expensive retail superstores, no inventory, and no salespeople. Prices are guaranteed up front and iMotors backs every car with a 3-month/3,000-mile limited warranty and a 7-day/700-mile money-back return policy.
Launched in September 1999, iMotors is the only online auto company that is fully accountable to the customer by guaranteeing unlimited selection, prices, and quality. iMotors' unique consumer-driven approach is fueling the company's growth and its leadership position in the rapidly emerging online auto retail industry.
"Unlike other online automotive companies, iMotors is a retailer, and as a retailer, we take full responsibility for the quality of our product," added Simms. "This new VCC allows us to ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality, used vehicles that exceed our customers' expectations."
What is an iMotors VCC?
-- A VCC is a state-of-the-art, high-production, used car factory
where iMotors tests, inspects and certifies used cars to
guarantee like-new condition.
What happens to a car at the VCC?
-- iMotors ASE and I-CAR certified mechanics and technicians conduct
a comprehensive 129 pt. inspection and certification of each
car's mechanical and cosmetic condition. They work in specialized
teams, making needed repairs and performing preventive
maintenance to ensure every iMotors vehicle exceeds the
customer's expectations. At delivery, the customer receives an
iMotors AutoBiographysm, offering unprecedented details of the
cars history and work performed at the VCC.
How long does it take a car to go through the VCC?
-- The comprehensive inspection and certification process takes an
average of 4-5 days.
What is the capacity of a VCC?
-- A single VCC at capacity has the
throughput of approximately 48 dealerships.
About iMotors
iMotors.com was launched in September 1999 as the Internet's first real e-commerce auto company, allowing customers to order pre-owned vehicles entirely online. iMotors.com is a privately held company, backed by a renowned group of investors with successful track records at leading land-based retail and internet/e-commerce businesses. Investors include Global Retail Partners, Moore Capital Management, MeriTech Capital Partners, Oak Investment Partners, Rosewood Capital, Trinity Ventures, and Vulcan Ventures. For additional information, visit www.imotors.com or call 888-IMOTORS (466-8677).