Chrome Systems Corp., provider of automotive data, configuration technology and commerce solutions, announced Sept. 5 it has teamed with Reynolds and Reynolds' Automark Group to provide Automark's auto dealer clients with Chrome Carbook(TM), the most accurate online vehicle configuration tool available today.

Automark will act as a value-added reseller of Chrome Carbook as Automark builds and maintains cutting-edge Web sites for its auto dealer clients.

"Providing the consistent, accurate, useful information the consumer demands will help dealers sell more cars," said David Boice, founder of Reynolds' Automark. "Chrome sets the standard in vehicle pricing and specification accuracy."

"Auto dealers want to build a sense of trust with their customers," said David Mingle, Chrome president and COO. "Chrome is thrilled to team with Automark to make it possible for auto dealers to create an online presence that better serves their customers -- and sell more cars."

On average, dealerships using Reynolds' Automark solution sell 38 percent more vehicles online than they did prior to utilizing Automark services, according to Reynolds and Reynolds.

Chrome Carbook is a vehicle research, pricing and ordering tool containing hundreds of functionality options that the dealer can switch on and off. Options include switches to control the display of MSRP, invoice and dealer prices and the criteria by which visitors can search. Chrome Carbook also includes an online point-and-click tool to customize colors and fonts to match the "look and feel" of the dealer's Web site.

Chrome Carbook contains the following features:

-- MSRP, invoice & dealer prices

-- Standard & optional equipment

-- Vehicle photographs

-- Side-by-side comparisons

-- Technical specifications

-- Warranty information

-- Loan/lease calculator

-- Vehicle reviews, safety information

-- Vehicle inventory search option

In April 2001, CNW Marketing/Research conducted its second annual online vehicle pricing accuracy study, evaluating 10 new-vehicle pricing Web sites for pricing accuracy and orderability. For the second year in a row Chrome(R) ranked first in accurate vehicle pricing and 100 percent orderable configuration.

About Chrome

With more than 12,000 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides configuration technology, software and professional services to produce complete enterprise solutions for all segments of the retail automotive industry, including manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers and Internet sites.

Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration and for the past 15 years has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers.

Chrome provides the North American ordering system for General Motors and its 8,300 dealers. Chrome serves 15 of the 17 largest fleet leasing companies. Chrome's automotive dealer clients accounted for more than half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2000.

The company is based in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.chrome.com or call 1-800-936-8906.

About Reynolds and Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a provider of integrated information management solutions to the automotive retailing marketplace.

The company's services include retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management solutions and leasing services.