CARFAX Cuts the Ribbon on State-of-the-Art Data Center; Columbia, Missouri Birthplace of the Vehicle History Report.

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

COLUMBIA, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2003

CARFAX, Inc., creator of the vehicle history report and one of the premiere technology companies in central Missouri, is holding a grand opening of its new data center in Columbia today.

"CARFAX was 'born' in Columbia, Missouri and we've grown-up here," says CARFAX President Dick Raines. "We're pleased to have grown to the point where we needed to build a new data facility."

CARFAX, founded in Columbia in 1984, created the vehicle history report. A vehicle history report is an instant background check on any used vehicle and is drawn from their more than two billion unique vehicle data records.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is open to members of the media, will take place today at 10:30 AM at 2301 Maquire Boulevard, Columbia. CARFAX has extended invitations to Governor Bob Holden, Mayor Darwin Hindman, City Manager Raymond Beck, Senator Jim Talent and Representative Kenny Hulshof. Representatives from each office will be attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The CARFAX corporate culture, which promotes pride in product and creativity, inspired the Data Center architecture and interior design. The new building features automotive industry and company-branded decor. Flexible spaces, including a think-tank area with recreational outlets, promote open discussion and brainstorming sessions, and complement the casual, but efficient CARFAX work environment.

Designed to be the epitome of state-of-the-art, CARFAX constructed its Data Center to meet the needs of its ever-expanding technology team, while allowing double growth.

"CARFAX is proud to be a part of the growing Columbia community," Raines said.

ABOUT CARFAX

Founded in 1984, CARFAX pioneered the concept of the vehicle history report -- the instant background check on any used car. CARFAX Vehicle History Reports can confirm a clean title history or identify serious problems with any used car, including salvage history, odometer fraud, flood damage and more. CARFAX helps millions of consumers and thousands of car dealers avoid buying used cars with costly hidden problems. Using the 17-character Vehicle ID Number (VIN), used car buyers can access more than two billion vehicle history records from hundreds of different sources in the CARFAX nation-wide database at www.carfax.com. The $5,000 CARFAX Certified History Guarantee backs every CARFAX Report that confirms a clean title history. CARFAX, Inc., based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the R.L. Polk & Co.