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Ford Direct Adds Experian Automotive Data to Sites


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Dearborn MI Sept. 21, 2010; FordDirect announced today that used vehicles listed on its Website at http://www.forddirect.com and about 3,500 dealer Websites provided through its DealerConnection service will now feature Experian Automotive's AutoCheck® vehicle history reports.

Used car shoppers want transparency when it comes to understanding the history of a vehicle they intend to buy. Shoppers on FordDirect.com and DealerConnection Websites can now access AutoCheck vehicle history reports directly through used-vehicle listings and easily see whether a vehicle has had a reported accident, odometer issues, title brands, frame-damage announcements or other important information that will help them make a confident used-vehicle purchase.

"We're excited to provide our FordDirect dealers with another free enhancement to their DealerConnection Websites," said Valerie Fuller, FordDirect executive vice president of operations. "By integrating vehicle history reports, we will help drive more pre-owned vehicle sales opportunities to our dealers."

DealerConnection Websites average 2.5 million monthly unique visitors and drive more than 55,000 monthly leads for Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers.

Under this agreement, free vehicle history reports will be available for each listing by Ford dealers with a current, unlimited AutoCheck account and for all Ford Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) units. Dealers not currently using AutoCheck have the option of showing the AutoCheck link and allowing customers to purchase a full vehicle history report. This new offering expands AutoCheck's existing relationship with Ford, where it is the current vehicle history provider to Ford's CPO and Extended Service Plan (ESP) programs.

"Having ready access to a vehicle's history information is critical to remaining competitive in today's growing online vehicle marketplace," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "Combining the industry-recognized reliability of FordDirect and AutoCheck brings dealers an added advantage in providing car shoppers with new levels of confidence in the vehicle they intend to buy."

For more information, visit http://www.forddirect.com or http://www.autocheckmembers.com.

About FordDirect

FordDirect is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and its franchised dealers to create a comprehensive Web presence for dealers and provide marketing services that help dealers sell more cars and trucks. Sales from FordDirect Internet referrals represent nearly 20 percent of Ford Motor Co. retail sales. FordDirect provides dealers new and pre-owned marketing services, call tracking, lead management solutions, dealer Websites, search optimization and marketing, database marketing, FDAF/LMDA Tier II marketing products and other marketing services. FordDirect is headquartered in Dearborn, Mich.

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive, a part of Experian, delivers information services to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian® helps automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business, and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National Vehicle Database, housing more than 625 million vehicles, along with Experian's credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the industry's growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian's advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into improved business results. Experian technology supports top automotive businesses, including eBay Motors, CarsDirect.com, CarMax and NADAguides.com. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of services, visit our Website at http://www.experianautomotive.com.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2010, was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazi

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.