Automakers: The Big Three Embrace B2B -- And Each Other

6 April 2000

The Internet Analyst News -- Automakers: The Big Three Embrace B2B -- And Each Other

    NEW YORK--April 5, 2000--Betting that bigger is better, the Big Three automakers -- General Motors , Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler -- will combine their online purchasing exchanges into the world's largest business-to-business e-commerce site.
    Other automakers are likely to join the new exchange, including GM's Japanese affiliates, Suzuki, Isuzu Motors (OTC:ISUZY) and Fuji Heavy Industries (OTC:FUJHY), the manufacturer of Subaru vehicles. Toyota Motor has expressed interest, along with Nissan Motor and its French affiliate, Renault.
    Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the automakers will be how to get the technologies developed by Oracle and Commerce One to work together seamlessly. As part of the deal, GM will give half its 20% share in Commerce One to Ford Motor in exchange for half of its undisclosed stake in Auto-xchange. Meanwhile, DaimlerChrysler plans to bring a third technology partner into the new venture.
    To find out more about Automakers online, read the article in Multex.com's The Internet Analyst(SM), http://www.theinternetanalyst.com/min-tia/individual/000330sections/connections.html

    Companies profiled:

    General Motors http://www.multexinvestor.com/af001215/tickersearch.asp?Ticker=gm

    Ford Motor http://www.multexinvestor.com/af001215/tickersearch.asp?Ticker=f

    DaimlerChrysler http://www.multexinvestor.com/af001215/tickersearch.asp?Ticker=dcx