This should be great news for AOL and GM tomorrow. It may even kick a little juice into a broad move up tomorrow,,,
DETROIT, and DULLES, Va., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors
(NYSE: GM), the world's largest industrial corporation and full-line vehicle
manufacturer, and America Online (NYSE: AOL), the world's leading interactive
services company, today announced a major strategic alliance designed to bring
consumers the easiest and most convenient personalized car shopping and
lifetime ownership experience.
America Online and GM will work together to develop new products and
services to empower consumers to use the Internet and interact with dealers to
buy automobiles and assist them throughout the entire ownership lifecycle
online.
This strategic alliance with America Online marks a major step in online
consumer marketing by General Motors and its dealer network. General Motors
and AOL will work together to leverage AOL's newly redesigned Auto Channel
across AOL's multiple brands. AOL's redesigned Auto Channel, launching later
this year, will allow consumers to shop for cars and trucks the way they want,
enabling AOL members and users of its other interactive brands to find, for
example, the exact GM make and model vehicle they are looking for including
options -- then complete the purchase at a nearby GM dealership.
The two companies will also explore future opportunities between OnStar,
the leading in-vehicle safety and security information service provider, and
popular AOL interactive features. Additionally, GM and AOL will work to
expand their relationship outside the U.S. and GM will make AOL software
available through various GM marketing channels.
In addition to working with GM to make it easier for consumers to find and
purchase automobiles, this Spring America Online will launch My Auto, a new
personalized auto destination. My Auto will provide unique features and
functionality, including My Calendar, AOL's easy-to-use, personalized calendar
to enable consumers to receive and maintain important news, dates and
maintenance information about their car, including scheduling routine
maintenance and repairs and extending personalization on the Internet to
include a comprehensive car ownership experience.
Bob Pittman, America Online's President and Chief Operating Officer, said:
"We are pleased that GM chose to work with America Online to make a major
commitment to online consumer marketing. Together with GM, the world's
largest full-line vehicle manufacturer, we will make the car-shopping
experience easier and more convenient than ever. For the first time, AOL
members can learn about new GM cars and special offers, immediately find the
car they want from available inventory at a dealer near them and then buy it,
enabling AOL and GM to deliver the most trusted, personalized automotive
experience."
In 1999, more than 2 million consumers surfed the Internet for information
to help them buy new cars, according to Forrester Research. That number is
projected to quadruple to 8 million by 2003, with nearly half-a-million
households using the Internet in connection with the purchase of cars and
trucks, and generating $12 billion in revenues.
"Consumers today are increasingly turning to the Internet to make car
shopping and ownership easier and more convenient," added Mr. Pittman.
"Together with General Motors and its dealers across the country, we are
confident that this alliance will offer consumers the best possible online
experience in shopping for and maintaining their vehicles."
Mark Hogan, president e-GM, the e-commerce business unit of General Motors
said: "This strategic alliance will help General Motors reach its goal of
providing the consumer easy and convenient auto shopping experiences. We are
confident that the combination of GM quality, personal service, and dealer
relationships mixed with America Online's industry-leading interactive
services and expertise, will increase the pool of internet-enabled shoppers
and owners, and bring the full power of the Internet to auto shopping."
Phil Guarascio, General Motors vice president and general manager,
advertising and corporate marketing said: "GM recognizes that the Internet is
an increasingly important marketing and advertising medium and this alliance
is the latest in our efforts to strategically market our products and deeply
engage prospects. We are excited about our relationship with America Online
and look forward to a success that will benefit both our companies, and, most
of all, consumers." |
