The Cobalt Group, a provider of e-business products and services to the automotive industry, has announced the launch of myCarTools, a new CRM product that helps automotive dealers develop lifetime relationships with their customers, according to John Holt, president and CEO of the company.

Cobalt's myCarTools enables dealers to create ongoing personalized communication with their customers and provide them with an online information center devoted to the ownership and care of their vehicles, according to Holt.

"By providing dealers with the ability to easily and quickly promote services like monthly specials, recall information, service reminders, and online appointment scheduling, dealers can easily stay in touch with their customers throughout the entire car ownership experience," Holt said. "The automotive industry has long understood the lifetime value of a customer. Cobalt's myCarTools is a powerful tool that keeps customers coming back to the dealership for vehicle service and future car purchases."

When a consumer purchases or services a vehicle from a Cobalt dealer client, a personalized myCarTools Web page is created for that customer through a fully automated system that obtains customer and vehicle data from the dealership's dealer management system. Vehicle maintenance records are automatically added to the customer's personal site each time his or her car is serviced at the dealership, helping the customer maintain chronological records of important vehicle maintenance in one convenient location.

MyCarTools allows dealers to develop highly targeted and cost-effective direct marketing at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing. With myCarTools, dealers can advertise service reminders and dealership specials via e-mail to selected owners based on vehicle make, model, mileage, purchase date, last service date, and other information, according to Holt. Each myCarTools site is fully branded to the dealership and linked to the dealership Website.

"Cobalt's myCarTools provides our dealership with the ability to retain customers by creating an interactive environment to communicate with customers after the sale," said Brian Scaglia, Internet director for Flat Irons Imports in Boulder, Colo. "MyCarTools also helps us save money by decreasing the need for direct mail and offering an effective forum for selling parts and accessories to targeted customers."

About Cobalt's myCarTools

Cobalt's myCarTools uses online technology that is designed to help automotive manufacturers and dealers to build long-term, personalized relationships with consumers interested in a practical and easy-to-use source for accurate information about their vehicles.

The product, designed and developed by The Cobalt Group, is designed to provide customers with the ability to schedule service appointments, track service records and access valuable information from their dealer online. By allowing dealers to develop personalized communication with customers, strengthen dealership brand image and target market segments, myCarTools is designed to help dealers maintain customer loyalty and increase business.

About The Cobalt Group

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

Cobalt operates MotorPlace.com(TM) (www.MotorPlace.com), a business-to-business information and e-commerce exchange where auto dealers can find the latest news, software applications to improve their business operations, parts locating tools and a wholesale vehicle exchange.

Cobalt also operates DealerNet(R) (www.dealernet.com), one of the most widely visited consumer automotive information portals on the Web. Cobalt owns IntegraLink Corporation, the auto industry's premier provider of auto dealer data collection and reporting services. Cobalt offers Website services that are endorsed by the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Cobalt has offices in Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Detroit, Mich.; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

For more information, visit www.cobaltgroup.com or call 800/909-8244.