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Letter to the Editor

Cobalt Group Launches e-Business Parts Product to Enable OEM Parts Searches and Orders on Dealers' Web Sites

SEATTLE -- The Cobalt Group, a leading provider of e-business products and services to the automotive industry, has further complicated the ChoiceParts/OEM controversy with the announcement of its release of PartsVoice DirectLink, a new Internet-based product that makes original equipment (OEM) parts inventory easily accessible on a dealer's Web site to anyone searching for parts.

DirectLink allows wholesale parts purchasers and consumers to find and order parts on a dealer's Web site, promising increased inventory turn rate and reduction of the time parts counter staff spend on the phone responding to parts requests.

"DirectLink is the first Cobalt product that enables auto dealers to increase parts sales through their Web sites and signifies that we are continuing to focus on providing total e-business solutions to auto dealers," said John Holt, president and CEO of The Cobalt Group. "DirectLink further emphasizes Cobalt's commitment to delivering Internet-based products that build the dealer's online revenues in all five dealership profit centers."

With DirectLink, anyone looking for an OEM part can visit a dealer's Web site to search a dealer's actual parts inventory. If the dealer has the part, the customer can then submit an online part order form to the dealer. Cobalt's data collection from dealership dealer management systems (DMS) ensures that a dealer's parts inventory is current and accurate.

DirectLink works with Cobalt's Lead Manager and Traffic Manager tools, enabling dealers to manage online parts requests and customer leads, as well as track visitors to their online parts section.

PartsVoice DirectLink will be showcased and available for purchase at the National Automobile Dealers Association's 84th annual convention and exhibition, Feb. 3-6, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Cobalt Group, headquartered in Seattle, is a leading provider of e-business products and services that help automotive dealers and manufacturers effectively manage their businesses online. Cobalt's suite of e-business solutions includes Web services, Web site hosting, e-commerce applications, Internet-based customer relationship management applications, data management, and best practices training and consulting.

Nearly half of the nation's auto dealers use Cobalt's technology, including 6,400 Web services clients, and approximately 10,000 PartsVoice clients. Cobalt's e-business products and services are endorsed by 15 automotive manufacturers and more than 50 of the 100 largest dealer groups in the United States. Cobalt is the only e-business provider endorsed by the National Automobile Dealers' Association.

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