American Honda Motor Company Selects The Cobalt Group to Provide Internet
Solutions to Its Dealers
SEATTLE, Sep 6, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Automotive e-Commerce Leader Will Provide U.S. Honda
and Acura Dealers With Robust Online Capabilities
The Cobalt Group (Nasdaq:CBLT), 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."
About the Cobalt Group
The Cobalt Group(TM) (Nasdaq:CBLT), headquartered in Seattle, is a leading
provider of Internet-based products and services for the automotive industry.
Cobalt helps dealers, dealer groups and automobile manufacturers harness the
power of the Internet to realize new efficiencies, win new prospects and better
serve their customers.
With approximately 6,000 dealer Web site clients, over 10,000 dealers using its
parts locating system, and relationships with 14 automotive manufacturers and
more than 50 of the 100 largest dealer groups in the United States, Cobalt is
one of the leading technology companies serving the automotive industry.
Cobalt operates MotorPlace.com(TM) (www.MotorPlace.com), a business-to-business
vertical portal for the automotive industry; DealerNet(R) (www.dealernet.com),
one of the best-known automotive destination sites on the Web; and PartsVoice(R)
(www.partsvoice.com), a leading OEM auto parts locating and data management
service. The Cobalt Group also owns IntegraLink Corporation, the auto industry's
premier provider of advanced data collection and reporting services. Cobalt
offers Web site services that are endorsed by the National Automobile Dealers
Association.
The Cobalt Group has offices in Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Detroit, MI;
Columbus, OH; and Austin, TX.
For more information, please visit The Cobalt Group at cobaltgroup.com or
call 800/909-8244.
CONTACT: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
Amy Anderson, 206/219-8105
Cell: 206/619-6220
amya@cobaltgroup.com |
