Reynolds and Reynolds Forges Web Business Renewal Pact With Asbury Automotive Group

Reynolds and Reynolds Forges Web Business Renewal Pact With Asbury Automotive Group

Reynolds Web Solutions helps Asbury increase Web traffic and boost Internet sales

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company (NYSE:REY) today announced that is has reached a renewal agreement with Asbury Automotive Group, LLC that keeps Reynolds as the automotive group's Web solutions provider. New York-based Asbury, which operates 96 dealerships across the nation, is one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S.

Reynolds will continue to provide and support Asbury dealerships through its advanced WebMakerX(R) platform. The platform is helping Asbury dealerships to improve Web presence, generate consumer traffic, and increase customer leads and sales. In 2004, the automotive group's Internet sales increased significantly over 2003.

"Reynolds' WebMakerX platform is an ideal fit for our dealerships," said Allen Levenson, vice president, Sales and Marketing for Asbury Automotive. "The sites enable our customers to easily search our inventory and get the information they need. Plus, our dealers can conveniently manage their Web sites in-house, giving them more time to focus on serving customers and not managing technology."

Reynolds Web Solutions provides design, development, deployment, hosting and support of Web-based software solutions for automotive retailers. Built on Microsoft.NET technology, WebMakerX is an advanced platform that enables automotive retailers to drive e-commerce through increased traffic, lead capture features, wizard-driven administrative tools, inventory control and Web site reporting and analysis tools.

According to a recent CapGemini report the Internet is the number three source of information for customers worldwide, following recommendations from family and friends and the manufacturer's Web site. Additionally, the study supports the notion that a strong Web site strategy can play a significant role in consumer buying decisions, improving lead capture and boosting sales.

"Dealerships today are more serious about their Web strategies and the tools they select because they see the evident growth in Internet use by consumers," said Stuart Lloyd, vice president of Reynolds Web Solutions. "Consumers visit multiple sites for information and will quickly move onto a competitor if they don't get what they need. With WebMakerX, a dealership's site is easily picked up by search engines, enabling consumers to quickly access the site for store and inventory information. With the right follow up processes in place, retailers such as Asbury can and are turning that traffic into more appointments and sales."

Today, more than 3,500 dealerships use Reynolds Web solutions, including the majority of the nation's top automotive groups.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds ( http://www.reyrey.com/ ) is the leading provider of integrated solutions that help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability. Serving the automotive retailing industry since 1927, Reynolds enables OEMs and retailers to work together to build the lifetime value of their customers. The company's award-winning product, service and training solutions include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems, Web and Customer Relationship Management solutions, learning and consulting services, documents, data management and integration, networking and support and leasing services. Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers. They comprise nearly 90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all OEMs doing business in North America. Reynolds serves automotive retailers and OEMs globally through its Incadea solution and a worldwide partner network, as well as through its consulting practice.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in New York City is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S., with 2004 revenue of approximately $5.3 billion. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, the Company currently operates 96 retail auto stores, encompassing 132 franchises for the sale and servicing of 33 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. Asbury believes that its product mix contains a higher proportion of the more desirable luxury and mid-line import brands than most public automotive retailers. The Company offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.


Source: The Reynolds and Reynolds Company

CONTACT: Michelle Zendah of The Reynolds and Reynolds Company,
+1-937-485-8499, or michelle_zendah@reyrey.com

Web site: http://www.reyrey.com/


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