It's time for your car's scheduled maintenance. You automatically receive an e-mail reminder from your retailer the instant your car's odometer reaches 30,000 miles.

… Your vehicle's fuel pump is failing. Your retailer calls to let you know that he has the part, is ready to schedule an appointment, and that it will be covered under warranty.

… You receive an e-mail notice that your car has passed this year's emissions test, and you didn't even need to take it to a testing facility.

… You receive a check from your insurance company refunding part of your premium because you have an active anti-theft and recovery device, driven by a Global Positioning System.

"Networkcar's CAReader(TM) tethers automotive retailers to their consumers in a unique and powerful manner," said Lloyd "Buzz" Waterhouse, Reynolds CEO, chairman and president. "It redefines what consumer telematics is all about."

In what it called "a result of this sharp focus and documented success of Networkcar, Inc.," Reynolds on Dec. 2 announced that it has acquired the company, adding what it called "the industry's most advanced telematics solution" to its growing suite of services. Networkcar's CAReader device is currently on the road in nearly a dozen states - including California and Ohio - and will be distributed to automotive retailers as part of a North American roll-out, according to Reynolds.

Networkcar offers proprietary wireless telematics technology for collecting and delivering real-time automotive diagnostic data and satellite-based global location services to vehicle owners, automotive retailers, fleets, car companies, and other users of vehicle data.

"Other approaches to telematics focus on in-car entertainment and concierge services with less-clear consumer interest and value," said Dave Dutch, president of Networkcar. "Our research supports a more car- and data-centric approach, enabling both the consumer and retailer to make better decisions and be better informed.

"And best of all, once the CAReader device is installed, the Networkcar service becomes invisible to the consumer, requiring no driver or vehicle interaction," added Dutch.

One such "invisible" feature is the ability to perform remote emissions tests. For example, CAReader has been approved by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair for use in the first remote smog check program in the U.S. Drivers and fleet managers enrolled in the program can test their vehicles and keep them running clean without the inconvenience or cost of visiting an inspection facility.

Even more important to many consumers, noted Dutch, is the "peace of mind" they receive as a result of the Global Positioning System that's included with the CAReader device. This has already provided results for several vehicle owners.

"Once I realized my new car had been stolen, I called the police and Networkcar's call center," said Ed LeClair, a user of the CAReader device in Albany, Calif. "Less than 90 minutes later, my car had been recovered. In addition to getting my car back, Networkcar was able to tell me when my car had been moved, the number of miles it had been driven . . . even where it had been.

"I don't know if my car would have ever been recovered if it hadn't been for Networkcar," added LeClair.

The CAReader appliance, which according to Networkcar is easily installed under the car's dashboard, is compatible with nearly all vehicles manufactured since 1996, encompassing more than 80 million vehicles already on the road today. Consumers who use the service will have their own personalized Web pages that contain performance characteristics of their vehicle including operating conditions, mileage and diagnostic trouble codes.

Consumers will have a direct Internet link with their automotive service providers, retailers and other third parties that can provide timely e-mail messages regarding engine performance, service opportunities, appointment scheduling and many other services.

"It's easy to see how valuable this service is to vehicle owners," said Waterhouse. "One of the most compelling pieces of this service is the secure, personalized Web page that gives the owner the same visibility into the vehicle as the automotive retailer. Through this Web page, the owner can track vehicle usage, schedule service appointments and maintain a complete service history on the vehicle."

About Networkcar

Networkcar, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, is a provider of around-the-clock services for monitoring the performance, location and security of consumer and fleet vehicles.

The company features performance monitoring technology and satellite-location systems which enable the company to provide what it calls "the most advanced solution for car maintenance and operation on the market today."

The Networkcar Service includes real-time car performance updates, Smart Roadside Assistance, stolen vehicle recovery services and Car Guardian, a feature that allows a car owner to find their car by accessing a secure Web page. With the Networkcar Service, car owners increase safety and security, save time and reduce costs with advanced preventive maintenance and early problem detection, according to the company.

More information on Networkcar can be found at www.networkcar.com.

About Reynolds and Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds (www.reyrey.com) is a provider of integrated solutions designed to help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability.

With 75 years of experience serving automotive retailing, Reynolds says it enables car companies and retailers to work together to build the lifetime value of their customers. The company says its software, service and training solutions include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems; networking and support; e-business applications; Web services; learning and consulting services; CRM solutions, document and data management and leasing services.

Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers comprising 90 percent of the automotive retailers and all car companies in North America. It conducts CRM consulting services on five continents.