Chrome Introduces Transaction-Based Access To N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide Company Vehicle Valuations.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- New Web Service from Chrome gives businesses instant access to market-reflective valuations

Chrome Systems Corporation, provider of automotive data, configuration and comparison technology and commerce solutions, today announced a new Web service that enables application developers to retrieve used vehicle values based on an automated cross referencing of Chrome's vehicle description to official N.A.D.A. valuations. The result of this cross referencing is a summary of a vehicle's worth, adjusted for mileage, installed options and region of the country, that can be incorporated into a web-based software application.

Chrome's N.A.D.A. Valuation Service is an extension of the Chrome Knowledge Platform(TM), a Chrome-hosted Web service platform that grants and enables access to its rich vehicle database and associated software tools. Through this service, developers query hosted information on a per transaction basis. Application developers benefit because they can utilize standard Web services technology to access the Chrome service inside of their own applications. Customers benefit because they can retrieve valuations as needed, by simply entering a VIN or a manufacturer's model code.

"Our vision of developing leading-edge, market-reflective new and used automotive data integration tools and solutions continues with this latest announcement from our partner Chrome Systems," said Scott Lilja, chief executive officer of the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide(R) Company. "This is another example of the outstanding strategic relationship between Chrome and N.A.D.A. We believe that this new offering will bring enhanced efficiencies, lower systems maintenance costs, and best in class automotive data solutions to our current and prospective clients."

By using standard Web Services technology, clients developing applications can quickly become automotive experts, without having to stray from their own development environments. Because the data is hosted and maintained by Chrome, clients no longer need to distribute data updates, manage a hosting environment or invest in massive computing power. Additionally, clients pay on a transaction basis, a benefit for any business that requires this type of information on a case-by-case basis, such as a lender or an insurance company.

"We are extremely pleased to offer our clients and their customers this new Web service, one that conveniently brings together Chrome's industry-standard vehicle descriptions and N.A.D.A.'s market-reflective values over the Internet," said Dave Mingle, president of Chrome Systems. "This is exactly the kind of product synergy we expected from our partnership with N.A.D.A. and look forward to even more joint development efforts. Our mutual goal is to make it more efficient and profitable to market, buy, sell and finance vehicles online."

Chrome's N.A.D.A. Valuation Service is available immediately and will be featured at Booth 3221 during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 88th Annual Convention and Exposition in New Orleans, January 29-February 1, 2005.

About Chrome

With more than 13,500 clients, including half of all automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, Chrome provides vehicle content, software, technology and services to deliver complete enterprise solutions to all segments of the retail automotive industry. These segments include manufacturers, fleet companies, dealers, Internet sites, and financial institutions. Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration with the introduction of PC Carbook(R), and since 1986 has collected, analyzed and enhanced "raw" automotive data from all manufacturers.