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Automotive Wholesalers of Texas Allies With bbcn.com

30 March 2000

Automotive Wholesalers of Texas Allies With bbcn.com; bbcn.com to Provide Expanded Marketplace to AWOT Members

    HOUSTON, March 30 bbcn.com, a neutral digital marketplace
for automotive dealerships and their suppliers, announced today a new
partnership with Automotive Wholesalers of Texas (AWOT), an association of
independent auto part stores, machine shops, engine rebuilders, paint stores
and service repair shops.  Through this alliance, AWOT members will
exponentially expand the surplus goods marketplace.
    "bbcn.com's auction site is the fastest and most effective resource for
members buying or selling surplus automotive goods," said Jim Quinten,
president of AWOT.  "This partnership with bbcn.com allows us to expand our
ability to better serve the individual needs of our members."
    EJ Simonsen, bbcn.com's vice president of strategic planning, said "AWOT
is an excellent organization whose 1100 members will be a valuable addition to
the auction site at bbcn.com.  Our existing auction participants will enjoy
the increased product volume and will benefit from the additional sales
opportunities with AWOT members."
    bbcn.com will be AWOT's preferred Internet site for sales of surplus items
such as machine shopequipment, brake lathes, computer systems and other
automotive goods.  The two entities will share commissions received through
sales transactions.

    About Automotive Wholesalers of Texas
    Automotive Wholesalers of Texas is an association of independent auto
parts stores, machine shops, engine rebuilders, paint stores and service
repair shops whose members comprise approximately 1100 locations in Texas.

    About bbcn.com
    bbcn.com delivers the only comprehensive digital marketplace providing a
real-time auction,  exchange and direct e-procurement solution for automotive
dealers and their suppliers.  bbcn.com provides a secure, efficient and
centralized on-line process designed to measurably reduce expenses and
increase net profits for all participants.  At bbcn.com, users may harness the
power of a neutral vertical portal that effectively matches buyers and sellers
within the automotive dealership industry.