Press Releases

DriverSide Announces Suite of Business Services to Aid Stagnant US Auto Industry

Precision Tune Auto Care First to Deploy DriverSide Customer Retention and Acquisition Tools

SAN FRANCISCO October 22, 2008 – DriverSide, the only Web site built specifically for the car owner, today announced a suite of business services that aids the auto industry in building lasting relationships with existing customers and at the same time, attracting new customers to their brand or storefront. This announcement comes immediately following one of the most traumatic months in auto sales, where the industry saw new vehicle sales drop more than 30 percent.

DriverSide launches today with Precision Tune Auto Care, one of the world’s leading franchisors of auto care stores with nearly 300 stores in the U.S.. Through the program, DriverSide automatically creates individual online vehicle profiles for Precision Tune customers to store all maintenance records and receive reminders and special offers from Precision Tune in the form of emails, alerts or a servicing calendar. Customers will also be able to independently track car maintenance, research vehicles and repair costs, locate parts or accessories, ask certified mechanics questions for free, interact with other auto owners and more. This service is provided free to all customers.

“The current economic climate is affecting everyone, and the auto industry is no different, seeing the biggest drop in new car sales in decades,” said Jad Dunning, CEO of DriverSide. “Consumers are holding on to their cars longer which is why DriverSide’s services are being offered at an ideal time. Our mission is to support the industry by helping it cost-effectively acquire new customers for a wide range of vehicle ownership services and better manage relationships with existing customers”.

DriverSide’s business services are designed to focus on customer retention and acquisition. The typical service location churns a significant majority of first time customers, which is one specific problem DriverSide’s business services are meant to address. Meanwhile, new vehicle sales dropped 26.2 percent in September, compared to the same month a year ago, with the total number of vehicles sold falling below one million for the first time since 1993. Dealers, insurers and others in the auto ecosystem are rapidly shifting the focus of their business to service existing car owners, where they can continue to drive revenue as drivers attempt to extend the life of their vehicles. Virtually all existing auto web sites focus on the three months a consumer researches a new car purchase, while DriverSide provides tools for the five to seven years the average consumer owns their vehicle.

“DriverSide gives our franchisees an easy way to build lasting relationships with their customers and another method for attracting more drivers to their service center,” said Robert Falconi, CEO of Precision Tune.

DriverSide features hundreds of thousands of driver profiles, including make, model and location, offering an extremely targeted method for reaching new customers. DriverSide can also easily integrate a company’s existing customer base, providing a robust platform for customer retention and management.

About DriverSide
Founded in fall 2007 by Internet Entrepreneurs Trevor Traina, Adam Jackson, and Jad Dunning, DriverSide is the first Web site specifically designed for automobile owners. Funded by Catamount Ventures, DriverSide allows consumers to save money on servicing and maintenance costs as well as buy and sell automobiles. With an in-house editorial staff, DriverSide offers useful advice on how to own and operate a vehicle as well as reviews on new and used automobiles. DriverSide’s community allow consumers to participate in forums, meet other owners of a particular vehicle, share knowledge, and post reviews on mechanics and dealers.

Whether for buying, selling, servicing, maintaining or accessorizing, DriverSide has brought together all the information and resources needed to make automobile ownership an easy and personalized experience. (www.driverside.com)

About Precision Tune Auto Care:
What started as a small tune-up shop in Beaumont, Texas more than 30 years ago is now a pioneer in advanced automotive diagnostics and the one-stop shop for scheduled maintenance, service and repairs for autos, light trucks, SUVs and minivans. Servicing 2.5 million vehicles each year, Precision Tune Auto Care franchises 380 state-of-the-art professional service facilities throughout the world and is a leader in educating the driving public on the importance of car care for personal safety and the health of the environment.

For more information about Precision Tune Auto Care: http://www.precisiontune.com.

For more information contact:
Nick Leahy, Sparkpr for DriverSide, 415.321.1864, nick@sparkpr.com