GR8RIDE.com Gains Traction With ASP Model; Five Major Companies Join The GR8RIDE Enthusiasts Network
27 November 2000
GR8RIDE.com Gains Traction With ASP Model; Five Major Companies Join The GR8RIDE Enthusiasts Network
ANAHEIM, Calif.--Nov. 27, 2000--GR8RIDE.com (www.gr8ride.com), the leading online resource for automotive enthusiasts which draws on the content of PRIMEDIA's 29 leading automotive enthusiast magazines, announced today that five companies have joined the GR8RIDE Enthusiasts Network, naming GR8RIDE.com as their exclusive provider of e-commerce technology and consulting services. The companies are American Innovative Manufacturing (AIM), Autobahn Wholesale, California Car Cover Company, Firebird International Raceway and Intrax Suspension Technology.The GR8RIDE Enthusiasts Network (G.E.N.) provides manufacturers and distributors of after-market automotive performance parts with access to e-commerce technology and consulting services from GR8RIDE. The new web-based sales channel created by the G.E.N. increases the customer base and provides better product information and service for consumers for a fraction of the cost of traditional Internet consulting and development.
"By joining the GR8RIDE Enthusiast Network, these five companies will reap the benefits of being part of the premier online after-market automotive performance parts marketplace that links manufacturers, distributors and consumers to one another," said George Vrabeck, CEO of GR8RIDE.com. "GR8RIDE enables these manufacturers and distributors to cost effectively create targeted e-commerce websites that help them reach the highly active automotive enthusiast consumer marketplace."
"By signing these five manufactures and distributors to participate as charter members of the G.E.N., GR8RIDE.com has just scratched the surface of the industry's potential which has more than 4,000 after-market automotive manufacturers and suppliers," added Vrabeck.
A recent nationwide survey, conducted by Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and GR8RIDE.com, revealed that 85 percent of automotive enthusiasts use the Internet as a source of information and ideas for car and truck improvement and modification projects, and 60 percent have actually purchased parts online. The research indicates that the Internet has become a major resource for automotive enthusiasts seeking information as well as actually purchasing automotive parts and accessories. The data also suggests that these consumers are shifting to the Internet in their shopping habits, thereby creating a great opportunity for online automotive sites to establish a new marketplace for automotive enthusiasts.
GR8RIDE.com develops, designs, maintains and hosts Internet and e-commerce services as an Applications Service Provider (ASP) to the after-market automobile parts industry. Following are details of the signed agreements:
| - | American Innovative Manufacturing (AIM), the world's largest manufacturer of aftermarket suspension products, offers leading products include BLOWJAX compressors, Ratical tops, and the complete line of ChassisTech suspension products. One of the first automotive aftermarket parts manufacturers to leverage the Internet, AIM has selected GR8RIDE to take www.aimind.com to the next level. The enhanced site will offer advanced product search capabilities and detailed technical and how-to information for the car or truck enthusiast who wants to lower their ride. |
| - | Autobahn Wholesale, the leading retailer of automotive aftermarket parts and auto accessories specializing in truck parts and car parts for performance vehicles, has partnered with GR8RIDE to extend its superior customer service and outstanding product selection to the Internet. www.autobahnwholesale.com will feature an on-line catalog with over 1,000,000 unique part numbers and the ability for enthusiasts to input information on their vehicle to get the exact part they need. |
| - | California Car Cover Company (C4), deeply involved in the custom, show car and classic car scene for years, offers a wide variety of products to enhance the automotive experience. GR8RIDE will be enhancing the existing C4 Internet site by adding more products and a higher level of search capability as well as more information on C4 products and C4's highly successful sportsman class drag racing team. |
| - | Firebird International Raceway, located in Phoenix, AZ and known as "the Fastest Track in the Nation," sits on 440 acres devoted entirely to the world of motor sports. Firebird and GR8RIDE will work together to enhance Firebird's existing site (www.firebirdraceway.com), adding exciting streaming video coverage of Firebird events and the capability for on-line ticket and merchandise sales. |
| - | Intrax Suspension Technology, based in Irvine, CA, brings spring manufacturing experience from the automotive, medical, agricultural, and industrial markets dating back to the early 1950's. Intrax has selected GR8RIDE to design and build a web site with B2B commerce capability to help Intrax work better with its distributor and dealer network, while helping consumers select the right Intrax product with an on-line application guide and a dealer directory. (Www.intraxsuspension.com) |
About GR8RIDE
GR8RIDE.com is the one-stop-shop where auto enthusiasts can receive up-to-date product information, how-to advice, consumer product reviews and access to industry-leading products and services from the brands and retailers consumers trust. GR8RIDE demonstrates PRIMEDIA Inc.'s commitment to its new media vision by presenting rich media content backed by the interactivity of the Web. In addition, GR8RIDE has capitalized on the power of PRIMEDIA Inc.'s print brands and market domination to build a successful e-commerce business and better service Internet-ready niche communities.
PRIMEDIA Inc., with 1999 sales of $1.7 billion, is a targeted media company with print, video and Internet businesses focused on consumer and business-to-business audiences. Some key businesses include Seventeen, New York, Chicago, Fly Fisherman, Channel One Network and 16 other specialty satellite television and TV distribution services, Horticulture, Modern Bride, American Baby, IntelliChoice, Telephony, American Demographics and Films for the Humanities & Sciences. The Company owns and operates more than 300 Web sites and other Internet properties.
PRIMEDIA's Automotive publications include: 4-Wheel Drive and Sport Utility, Audio Video Interiors, Auto Sound & Security, Automobile Magazine, Bracket Racing USA, Car Auto and Electronics, Classic Trucks, Custom Rodder, Drag Racing USA, European Car, High Performance Mopar, High Performance Pontiac, High Tech Performance, Hot Bike, Import Tuner, Kit Car Illustrated, Lowrider, Lowrider Euro, Mini Truckin', Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, Mustang Illustrated, Off Road, Popular Hot Rodding, Sport Compact Car, Street Rodder, Super Chevy, Today's SUV, Truckin', Turbo, Vette Magazine, and VW Trends.