Autoweb.com and Saturn Corporation Renew Strategic E-commerce Alliance
19 December 2000
Autoweb.com and Saturn Corporation Renew Strategic E-commerce Alliance
Autoweb's Extensive Network Continues to Serve all Saturn Retailers Nationwide
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 19 Autoweb.com, Inc. , the leading consumer automotive Internet
service ( http://www.autoweb.com ), today announced the renewal of a strategic
e-commerce alliance with Saturn Corporation through the full calendar year
2001. The partnership includes all Saturn retailers nationwide in Autoweb's
extensive member dealer network, and it enhances Saturn's sales opportunities
through online referrals.
"As strategic partners since March 1999, Autoweb.com and Saturn are
realizing the full potential of online customer referrals for the automotive
industry," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn vice president of sales, service, and
marketing. "Autoweb's referral program has been enormously successful for
both Saturn and the educated consumer seeking comprehensive retail information
online. Time is money for our consumers, and this program allows them to
research Saturn vehicles before ever leaving the home or office. By helping
vehicle-buyers reduce the hassle of the purchase process, we've enhanced
customer service and communication between our retail network and the
consumer."
Autoweb.com customers in every state and every zip code nationwide have
access to nearby Saturn retail facilities. Based on location, consumers on
Autoweb.com can choose from up to two retailers to whom they want to send a
purchase request. Once the request is submitted, Autoweb.com and Saturn are
committed to contacting the customer within one business day with a firm price
quote, ensuring that Saturn shoppers receive timely and consistent follow-up.
"Our long-term alliance with Saturn reaffirms Autoweb.com as a reliable,
efficient, and informative link between consumers, dealers and manufacturers,"
said Jeffrey Schwartz, CEO of Autoweb.com. "Saturn's well-recognized brand,
excellent customer service and innovative products are essential ingredients
in our premier partnership strategy."
About Saturn Corporation
Saturn Corporation entered the automotive market in 1990, bringing a new
level of customer service to automotive retailing. Saturn's first
products -- the compact SL sedan, SW wagon and SC coupe -- featured
innovations such as space-frame construction and dent resistant polymer body
panels. Saturn introduced the world's first and only three-door coupe,
followed by a new line of mid-size cars, the L-Series. Saturn was created
through a unique partnership between General Motors and the UAW. Saturn and
its retailers share a strong focus on customer service, a focus that will be
an integral part of Saturn's e-commerce initiatives. For more information on
Saturn and its products, please visit http://www.saturn.com.
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.