Official Ford Web Site Features Competitive Comparison Module From Autoweb.com
15 November 2000
Official Ford Web Site Features Competitive Comparison Module From Autoweb.com
SANTA CLARA, CA--November 15, 2000--Autoweb.com, Inc.'s Automotive Information Center (AIC) today announced that it has created an integrated competitive comparison module for the official Ford Motor Company web site (www.fordvehicles.com).Ford is launching this feature as part of a total site redesign that will debut within the month.
The comparison module is a state-of-the-art tool that allows Ford Web site visitors to accurately compare any Ford vehicle to vehicles from other manufacturers. In the unbiased comparison, visitors get a comprehensive list of attributes, including optimal competitive pricing, technical, standard and optional equipment features data. Visitors can easily learn how their favorite Ford vehicles stack up against the competition by viewing highlighted advantages and supporting text descriptions.
The Ford comparison module also includes comparably equipped pricing reports for all Ford vehicles and their direct competitors. This innovative tool will equip a selected Ford vehicle and direct competitor vehicle with identical features and give the user a total equipped price for both vehicles.
"We chose to work with Autoweb's Automotive Information Center because they are the premier provider of vehicle comparative data and tools," said Trisha Habucke, Ford Division Internet Coordinator. "By integrating their state-of-the-art comparison technology into the Ford Web site, we can offer visitors a valuable research tool that supports the car-buying process. Consumers now have one convenient location for getting all the comparative information they need to make an informed decision to purchase a Ford."
"We are very excited to be working with Ford, providing enhanced research capabilities for their online automotive shoppers," said Bill Barrett, President of Autoweb's AIC division. "Our vehicle comparison data and tools are becoming the standard in the automotive industry. Autoweb's AIC provides comparison modules for more than 80 percent of the vehicle manufacturers consumer online market."
About Automotive Information Center (AIC)
The Automotive Information Center (AIC) division of Autoweb is the leading provider of automotive content, data and intelligent tools used to power Internet services, portals and manufacturer Web sites. AIC researchers rely on decades of industry experience to create the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date research platform in the business. All AIC data and tools feature our unique optimal price capabilities, which enable consumers to configure and compare vehicles on the basis of lowest possible price.
Through Autoweb's data, technology and tools, visitors to sites powered by the AIC technology are able to configure a vehicle by manufacturer, make, model, trim specifications and other option packages, as well as perform side-by-side competitive vehicle comparisons. This proprietary technology provides a competitive advantage for dealers and enhances the shopper's experience by offering realistic, actionable information.
About Autoweb
Autoweb is the leading automotive Internet service, guiding users through every stage of vehicle ownership. Through its direct and referral commerce channels, Autoweb offers consumers a variety of ways to purchase new and used vehicles in conjunction with vehicle manufacturers, local Member Dealers and other commerce partners. The Company's Web site also provides consumers with a wide range of automotive-related products to support the complete lifecycle of the vehicle, including finance, insurance and maintenance. Autoweb features comprehensive, unbiased research from its Automotive Information Center (AIC) division.
Autoweb also continues to set the standard in the business-to-business marketplace by providing Web sites with the most advanced technology to view automotive information, and the most accurate and reliable automotive data and content. Currently, major automobile manufacturers, including BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota, use Autoweb's automotive data to power their sites. The major consumer portals also use Autoweb's content and technology, including AOL, Lycos, MSN Carpoint and GO. AIC AutoSuite is highly configurable for any individual AIC customer, as the interface can match any look and feel, while vehicles (both target and competitor) and specific features can be limited to any selection desired. For more information, please visit http://www.autoweb.com and http://www.autosite.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this news release, including statements that include words such as "expects," "believes" or other future-oriented statements, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from anticipated results. In particular, factors that could cause Autoweb not to reach profitability in 2001 include, but are not limited to: our ability to attract consumers through existing and recently announced portal relationships; the combined viability of current and new car buying process on our site; consumer acceptance of online car buying and our ability to continue to reduce expenses without comparable or greater revenue reductions. Other risks and uncertainties include changes in competitive behavior or market forces, uncertainties regarding response from the vehicle manufacturers, changes in the legal or regulatory environment, changes or lack of changes in consumer preferences over time, technological challenges and an inability to forecast future traffic and transactions. Further information on risk factors that could affect results is detailed in Autoweb's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-71177) and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchanges Commission.