---

Ford's Kelley Emphasizes Dealer, Vehicle Manufacturer Cooperation At eAutoWorld Opening Address

20 June 2000

Ford's Kelley Emphasizes Dealer, Vehicle Manufacturer Cooperation At eAutoWorld Opening Address

Auto Industry Should Prepare for the Age of the 'Never Satisfied' Customer

    CHICAGO - Automobile dealers and vehicle manufacturers will work more 
closely in the retailing of new vehicles and building and sustaining long-term 
relationships with customers.  This is according to remarks presented by Brian 
Kelley, president of Ford Motor Company's CustomerConnect unit, at the opening 
session of the eMarketWorld.com's automotive conference and trade show.  
Approximately 1,000 auto industry executives are attending the event this week 
at the Chicago Hyatt Regency hotel.

    In addressing the myths and realities of the impact of e-commerce on the
automotive industry, Kelley said that automobile dealers will not be
marginalized in the new economy.  Instead, those car and truck retailers that
can blend together the best of the traditional dealer system and the Internet
-- combining "bricks and clicks" -- will win with the consumer.  Kelley noted
that the auto industry was actually experiencing a retailing renaissance, much
of which has been facilitated by the Internet.

    The best relationships between auto dealers and manufacturers and the
public will be those that are "customer managed" and based on the customer's
need according to Kelley.  He further noted that the Internet will provide the
most value when it enables the consumer to relate to the dealer and the
vehicle manufacturer on his or her own terms.

    The Ford executive went on to say that the auto industry should think
beyond customer satisfaction and be prepared for the age of the "never
satisfied customer."  He said that the Internet has helped to raise customer
expectations and that trend is likely to continue.

    eMarketWorld.com's automotive conference is a forum devoted to examining
the use of new technologies to advance the industry.  The three-day event
encompasses the impact of e-commerce and the Internet on automotive suppliers,
vehicle manufacturers, dealers, financial institutions, aftermarket parts
suppliers, research firms, providers of dealer information systems and others.

    About eMarketWorld.com

    eAutoWorld is produced by eMarketWorld.com, an Internet company that
combines vertical industry-specific conferences with highly transactional
exchange floors to form an eBusiness Marketplace to educate senior executives
on the opportunities offered by the Internet and enable them to accelerate
their impact on the new economy.  These content-rich programs are targeted
toward buyers and sellers and promote dynamic networking opportunities.  Each
conference explores the critical issues facing the rapidly changing and
fiercely competitive Internet landscape.

    eMarketWorld.com plans to coordinate more than 50 conferences by the end
of 2000, including @d:tech and eHealthcareWorld.  eMarketWorld.com is a
partner company of Internet Capital Group .  

    NOTE:  eMarketWorld.com would like to avoid any potential confusion
between the eAutoWorld trade show and eAuto, Inc. and the services they
provide.  We have been informed that eAuto(R) offers automotive related
information and services to companies and individuals through its website at
eauto.com.  The eAutoWorld trade show is organized and operated by
eMarketWorld.com without control or supervision by eAuto(R) and is not in any
way affiliated or connected with, or sponsored or approve by, eAuto(R).