Honda Selects The Cobalt Group to Provide Internet Solutions
6 September 2000
American Honda Motor Company Selects The Cobalt Group to Provide Internet Solutions to Its Dealers
SEATTLE--Sept. 6, 2000--The Cobalt Group , a leading provider of Internet-based business-to-business services to the automotive industry, today announced that American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has designated it the endorsed provider of Internet services for all U.S. Honda and Acura dealers.
"This endorsement from one of the auto industry's most popular and trusted brands demonstrates Cobalt's leadership in providing comprehensive, integrated, Internet solutions designed specifically to meet the unique needs of dealers and their customers," said John Holt, president and CEO of The Cobalt Group. "We have worked closely with American Honda to design a Web solution for both Honda and Acura dealers that is cost-effective and focuses on all five dealership profit centers --new vehicle sales, used vehicle sales, parts sales, service, and finance & insurance. We believe Honda and Acura dealers who participate in the Cobalt/Honda dealer Web site program will quickly realize a return on their Internet investment."
"Cobalt will offer our dealers a comprehensive Web solution that provides the fundamental Web development and business management tools they need to establish dynamic e-commerce operations," said John Fulcher, senior manager of e-commerce for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "American Honda is focused on meeting the Internet needs of our customers. The Cobalt Group lays the foundation and offers the tools for dealers to communicate effectively with their customers on the Internet."
Features of the program include state-of-the-art Web site design and development, Web site hosting, automated new and used vehicle inventory listing capabilities, Cobalt's Finance Solution, Cobalt's Service Solution, and traffic reporting. Additionally, Cobalt will distribute Honda dealers' vehicle inventory to eight leading car shopping destinations on the Web-- DealerNet(R), Yahoo!, InfoSpace, Excite@Home, AutoVantage, BuySellBid, CarTrackers.com and Usedcars.com --broadening dealers' exposure to millions of motivated online car buyers nationwide.
"Honda realizes the power of the Internet in driving auto sales and service, and we are pleased to endorse Cobalt's industry-leading Web solutions for all of our U.S. dealers," said Steve Center, senior manager of market support for American Honda Motor Company, Inc. "Cobalt's proven track record and focus on developing cost-effective solutions that meet the multiple needs of customers, dealers and American Honda solidified our decision."
"From the outset, Cobalt has been focused on assisting auto dealers build their e-businesses on the Web," said Holt. "A central component of our success is ensuring that dealers and manufacturers work together to creatively and dynamically extend their brands onto the Internet through a powerful online presence. We are committed to helping Honda and its dealers maximize their success on the Internet."