IBM and ADP Introduce myautogarage.com
13 January 2000
IBM and ADP Introduce myautogarage.com -- a Web-Based Service that Simplifies Vehicle Service and Maintenance
DETROIT--Jan. 13, 2000--AutoNation expects 250,000 of its customers will use myautogarage.com
this year for service quotes and appointment scheduling
North American International Auto Show .... IBM and ADP(r) today announced myautogarage.com(tm), a first of its kind Web-based service that will directly link millions of motorists with auto dealers and manufacturers of their choice to enable easier and faster maintenance and management of their vehicles.
myautogarage.com will be the most comprehensive Web-based service of its type, allowing consumers to schedule service appointments, access binding service price quotes and view service histories for their own vehicles. A unique feature of myautogarage.com is its integration with existing dealer and automaker business systems. IBM and ADP, which has information systems in more than 18,000 auto and truck dealers, expect myautogarage.com to reach millions of automotive service customers.
"Taking care of even one car can be a chore, much less two or three," said William A. Lang, IBM automotive industry practice executive. "With myautogarage.com, vehicle owners can keep on top of maintenance with a system that is as easy as surfing the Web or checking e-mail. Essentially, myautogarage.com offers participants the luxury of having a personalized mechanic look under the hood of their vehicle every day, which will keep it running smoothly while giving the owner peace of mind."
AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, has signed a letter of intent to be myautogarage.com's first major auto dealer subscriber, making the service accessible to a $20 billion retail network. AutoNation, which sold more than $1 billion worth of automobiles last year via the Internet, will promote myautogarage.com through its own AutoNationDirect.com and other dealer Web sites. Collectively, AutoNation Web sites receive more than 1.4 million page visits each month.
"myautogarage.com provides AutoNation with the opportunity to expand its e-Commerce business into the service arena, where ongoing customer relationships drive repeat vehicle sales," said Tom Eggleston, AutoNation's senior vice president - e-Commerce. "IBM and ADP's innovative team has developed a low-cost and powerful way to deliver safety and service information that is specific to a customer's vehicle."
Allan Stejskal, vice president of e-business for ADP, adds: "myautogarage.com will revolutionize the vehicle ownership experience. ADP and IBM are empowering consumers to conveniently manage their vehicles' service and maintenance through the Internet."
myautogarage.com will provide customer relationship management capabilities to auto dealers and manufacturers through e-CRM technology from Newgen Results Corp. "The creation of myautogarage.com recognizes the growing importance of Internet-based customer loyalty programs for the auto industry," said Jim Roche, senior vice president of e-Services for Newgen. "As the industry leader in e-CRM services, Newgen is happy to play a pivotal role in building customer loyalty for dealers and manufacturers."
The first release of myautogarage.com will be available second quarter, 2000. In the future, myautogarage.com is intended to become the basis for a wide range of innovative and exciting services for consumers provided via the World Wide Web by automakers aimed at enhancing the driving public's personal transportation experience.
Special editor's note:
How it Works
myautogarage.com will be marketed to dealers and manufacturers. They, in turn, will offer participation in myautogarage.com as a free service to individuals buying or leasing a new vehicle and to existing customers.
Participating individuals get a personalized Web page that features electronic "garage doors" for each vehicle they own or operate. Behind the garage door is a direct link to their chosen servicing dealer and the manufacturer of that vehicle. A wide range of information about the vehicle and the dealer will be available to the consumer. For examples, users can see what openings are available for service appointments, obtain a binding price quote for service and schedule an appointment.
Owners automatically are provided with a service history for their vehicle from dealer service records regardless of which authorized dealer performed the work. Using these individual service histories, customized maintenance schedules and service reminders can be developed. Users also can obtain manufacturer warranty information and possible recall notifications.
Company Background
IBM
IBM, with headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., is the leader in creating, developing and manufacturing the world's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM translates these advanced technologies into value for its customers through its professional solutions and services businesses worldwide.
ADP Dealer Services Group
ADP Dealer Services Group is the leading provider of integrated computing solutions to more than 18,000 auto and truck manufacturers and dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The Dealer Services Group is the third largest business unit of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. . ADP, with more than $5 billion in annual revenue and more than 450,000 clients, is one of the largest independent computing services firms in the world.
Newgen Results Corp.
Newgen Results Corp. is a customer-relationship management (CRM) and technology leader for the service segment of the automotive industry. The company provides profit-driven customer-retention and management solutions to leading auto manufacturers and regularly communicates with more than 7 million vehicle owners. Newgen has more than 600 employees and a customer base of approximately 5,500 dealerships and relationships with 11 of the industry's top automobile manufacturers, making it the undisputed leader in the CRM space of the automotive industry. Of the approximately 22,000 dealerships in the United States, more than 25 percent use Newgen customer-loyalty and retention products. The automotive manufacturers and dealer groups who endorse and/or recommend Newgen as a preferred service provider to their leading dealerships include: Ford, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Audi, Acura, BMW, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Kia, Infiniti plus AutoNation and CarMax Auto Superstores.
AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, Inc. is the world's largest automotive retailer, with 410 new vehicle franchises in 21 states and more than 350 Web sites.
IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corp. ADP is a registered trademark of ADP North America, Inc. myautogarage.com is a trademark of ADP, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are properties of their respective companies.
