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Online Shoppers' Most Popular Vehicles by Region

13 October 2000

Chrome Announces Online Shoppers' Most Popular Vehicles by Region; Chrome Technology Provides Popularity Rankings by Metro Areas

    PORTLAND, Ore.--Oct. 11, 2000--

Allows Dealers and Manufacturers to Forecast Demand and Better Serve Customers

    Chrome Data Corporation, the automotive industry's most accurate independent business-to-business provider of data and configuration technology and software, today announced online shoppers' most popular vehicles in target metropolitan areas in the U.S. from January through September 2000.
    The metropolitan areas include: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
    "Regional automobile information is critically important to auto dealers and manufacturers," said Bob Navarre, CEO of Chrome. "Dealers can forecast near-term demand for their specific area and manufacturers can shorten their lead times to build. This benefits the dealer by removing obstacles to the sale. It benefits the manufacturer by removing the need for special promotions and rebates to move product. And it benefits the consumer by ensuring the vehicle of choice is available when and where it's wanted."
    The Chrome Top 10(TM) ranking compiles the cars and trucks for which online shoppers most frequently request price quotes from dealers. Online shoppers can access Chrome's vehicle pricing and configuration tool, Chrome Carbook(TM), from more than 1,000 URL's across the World Wide Web. For a complete list of regional rankings visit http://www.chrome.com/main/mediametro.html.
    Chrome Carbook usage statistics show that, on average, consumers look at more than 14 vehicles for every one vehicle for which they request a price quote. Research of the use of online automotive sites suggests that the Chrome method of ranking is a partial indicator of purchase. "If they're looking at price data, they're probably less than a month away from actually buying a car," said Art Spinella, vice president of CNW Marketing/Research. "If they're focusing more on the models available and the styling features within models, then they're likely two to four months from making a purchase."

    Chrome: Most Accurate Data Provider

    In a recent independent study, CNW Marketing/Research compared the pricing data of the major online automotive data sources by configuring 86 different vehicles at eight different Web sites (see Chrome Data Named Most Accurate Data Provider for Automotive e-Commerce, June 27, 2000). Chrome ranked first in data accuracy with an average price accuracy of 99.64%.


National Chrome Top 10, September 2000 YTD

Rank     Year     Make           Model
1        2000     Honda          Accord
2        2000     Honda          Civic
3        2000     Honda          Odyssey
4        2000     Volkswagen     Jetta
5        2000     BMW            323
6        2001     Chrysler       PT Cruiser
7        2000     Nissan         Xterra
8        2000     Volkswagen     Passat
9        2000     Ford           Focus
10       2000     Ford           Mustang

Online Shoppers' Most Popular Vehicle by Region, September 2000 YTD

Region           Year    Make           Model
Atlanta          2000    Honda          Accord
Austin           2000    Chevrolet      Silverado 1500
Boston           2000    Volkswagen     Passat
Chicago          2000    Honda          Accord
Cleveland        2000    Ford           Focus
Dallas           2000    Honda          Accord
Denver           2000    Honda          Accord
Detroit          2000    Ford           Focus
Houston          2000    Honda          Accord
Las Vegas        2000    Ford           Super Duty F-250
Los Angeles      2000    Honda          Accord
New York         2000    Honda          Accord
Philadelphia     2000    Honda          Accord
Phoenix          2000    Ford           F-150
Portland, OR     2000    Acura          Integra
San Antonio      2000    Ford           F-150
San Diego        2000    Honda          Civic
San Francisco    2000    Honda          Accord
Seattle          2000    Honda          Civic
Washington, D.C. 2000    Honda          Civic


    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, Chrome 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, Oregon and may be reached at 800/936-8906. Company information is available at http://www.chrome.com/.

    Copyright(c)2000 Chrome Data Corporation. All rights reserved. PC Carbook(R), C/D3(R), Chrome.com(R), Chrome Carbook(TM) and Chrome Top 10(TM)are trademarks of Chrome Data Corporation.

    Editor's Note: TV/Radio reporters outside the Portland area should contact Jane Ubell.