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Letter to the Editor

ChoiceParts Completes Acquisition of CarStation

CHICAGO -- ChoiceParts, LLC has reported the formal closing of the February 20th announced asset acquisition and exclusive licensing agreement with OnStation Corporation for the CarStation CommerceSystem(TM) (CCS).

ChoiceParts began transitioning the CarStation product, trademarks and website to their Chicago headquarters at the end of February. As a result of a tight integration plan, the company is prepared to take over product operations such as customer support, training and hosting in early May. The company expects to integrate the CCS into its already released dealer parts trading solution by early fall.

The CarStation CommerceSystem(TM) is an Internet-based parts management and communication system that enables automotive collision repair professionals and their parts suppliers to transact and communicate online.

"With the combined power of CarStation and the current dealer product in the marketplace now, there is finally a comprehensive product for the automotive parts supply chain," stated Chan Galbato, chief executive officer, ChoiceParts. "The exclusive licensing agreement with OnStation accelerates the ability of ChoiceParts to provide technology solutions to collision shops. We will leverage our supply-side integration to offer a more efficient parts ordering solution."

Galbato further added: "ChoiceParts facilitates the buying and selling of automotive parts by using the dealers' existing business processes and, in most cases, their existing hardware without ever picking up the phone."

As part of the agreement, ChoiceParts acquired the CarStation.com e- commerce hub and its customer base of automotive parts dealers and collision repair shops, and the right to utilize the CarStation trademark in all marketing activities.

"Currently there are more than 900 subscribers to CarStation," stated Michael Badar, chief commercial officer, ChoiceParts. "The company is making all efforts to ensure the seamless transition from OnStation to ChoiceParts including welcome letters, visiting customers and using existing account managers already familiar with the CarStation customers. The company also intends to keep the CarStation.com site active for consumers and businesses."

CarStation.com is a destination Web site for businesses within the automotive repair industry where they may access CCS features, including parts procurement and Web site building applications.

Powered by ChoiceParts technology, CarStation will now offer a wide array of features, including:

• Parts Procurement and Purchasing: Buy parts and manage parts orders online.
• Dealer Management System Integration: ChoiceParts provides "deep" integration into existing Dealership Management Systems, to ensure timely, accurate processing and order fulfillment.
• Order Management System: Organize incoming parts orders and simplify communication with customers.
• Order Acceptance Confirmation: Confirm orders online and instantly inform customers that orders have been received.
• Custom Web Site: Build Web sites and add custom text, graphics, and driving directions, enabling new customers to find businesses easily.
• Shop Locator: Allow new and existing customers to easily find registered CarStation shops.
• Email Account: Communicate with customers and business partners more efficiently.

ChoiceParts was founded via partnership among automotive and collision industry leaders CCC Information Services Inc., The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, and the Dealer Services and Claims Solutions Groups of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

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