Chrome Data Signs AutoNation as Customer
3 April 2000
Chrome Data Signs AutoNation as Customer; Chrome's Web Carbook Enables Nation's Largest Auto Retailer to Expand Online Buying Resources for Consumers
PORTLAND, Ore.--April 3, 2000--Chrome Data Corp., the only independent business-to-business provider of automotive data and software for selling cars online, today announced that AutoNation Inc. has adopted Chrome's Web-based data standard and configuration tool Web Carbook(TM) for its e-commerce Web site, AutoNationDirect.com.Web Carbook increases the functionality of AutoNation's site by enabling a 'Build Your Dream Car' feature that allows consumers to describe the exact vehicle they want by make, model, year and options.
"AutoNation already provides a great service to consumers by consolidating the inventory of its entire dealership network under one Web site, AutoNationDirect.com," said Jim Adkisson, president of Chrome Data. "With Web Carbook AutoNation takes this service even further by enabling consumers to build their dream car and have an AutoNation dealer do the work of finding it for them."
The Dream Car profile the customer creates with Web Carbook is e-mailed to one of more than 900 AutoNation Internet Sales Guides based at the company's dealerships. The sales guides then use the profile to find a match among AutoNationDirect's online inventory of more than 100,000 new and used cars and trucks. Each vehicle is listed with a low, no-haggle sales price.
"With Web Carbook we can now offer car buyers a more efficient and accurate way to find the exact car they want," said Tom Eggleston, senior vice president of auto e-commerce, AutoNation. "It's further evidence of our commitment to making the entire car buying process easier for our customers."
AutoNation is the nation's largest automobile retailer on and off the Web. In 1999, AutoNation sold more than 46,000 vehicles via the Internet, generating revenue of more than one billion dollars.
About AutoNation
AutoNation, Inc. is America's largest automobile retailer on and off the Web. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., AutoNation has more than 400 automotive franchises in 19 states representing 39 manufacturer brands. With more than $20 billion dollars in annual revenue, AutoNation is a Fortune 100 company.
About Chrome Data
Chrome Data pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for the past 14 years has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers. Chrome's flagship product, the desktop research, pricing and ordering tool PC Carbook(R), is widely accepted as the standard in automotive data.
Chrome's Internet-based product, Web Carbook(TM), allows dealers, Internet portals, financial institutions, and insurance and warranty companies to provide visitors to their Web sites with a tool to configure cars online -- including specifications on all new vehicle makes and models, standard and optional equipment, vehicle pictures and accurate pricing.
This information precisely matches manufacturers' invoice and MSRP pricing, enabling users to configure and order any vehicle sold in the U.S. with the confidence that the delivered product and price are exactly what was expected. The company is based in Portland, and may be reached at 800/936-8906. Company information is available at www.chrome.com.
Note to Editors: PC Carbook(R), C/D3(R), Web Carbook(TM), Chrome.com(TM)and Chrome Auto Bridge(TM)are trademarks of Chrome Data Corp.