This new, yet-to-be-named venture will be the OE connection for parts and service, providing dealers and their wholesale customers a secure single source for their parts and service needs. It will facilitate the flow of OEM parts between franchised dealers and their customers, beginning with independent collision shops. Plans are to first launch this portal in the U.S. and Canada, with the vision of going global.

"This venture creates a common OEM replacement parts and service portal that will automate and integrate the parts and service supply chain among the OE manufacturer, its dealers, and each dealer's wholesale customers -- including collision shops, fleets, and mechanical repair shops," says Chuck Rotuno, formerly senior vice president and general manager, Global Automotive Publishing, at Bell & Howell Publishing Services, and the venture's newly appointed president and CEO.

"The goals of this venture are to radically improve information flow between dealers and their customers; streamline transactions; reduce costs while improving efficiencies and customer satisfaction; and facilitate the sale of genuine OE quality parts in a secure environment," continues Rotuno. Expected products and services include business-to-business links between dealers and their customers; integration into existing business management systems; parts locating and transaction capabilities; electronic data validation and conversion; and OEM parts and service information.

The three automakers and Bell & Howell are equity participants in the new venture. Bell & Howell is the lead technology partner.

"Dozens of dotcoms have popped up, each with the promise of bringing an Internet-based solution to automotive parts retailing," says John F. Smith, GM vice president and general manager of GM Service Parts Operations. "This venture is different for two reasons. First, it represents the three largest vehicle manufacturers in the U.S. and the leading provider of automotive parts catalogs. These players have resources and their respective existing dealer and customer bases to assure success. Second, we have the bricks to go with the clicks. We have OE parts, up-to-date OE catalog data, OEM service information, and the largest dealer network in the world to service the automotive repair aftermarket. No other players have such extensive assets."

While initial product and service functionality will target dealer-to-collision shop and dealer-to-dealer transactions, this parts and service portal could eventually support all dealer wholesale parts transactions, including those to fleet and independent service center customers. This OEM portal will be an Internet site for dealers selling genuine OEM parts to their customers.

Other affiliates and alliances of the three automakers are also planning to participate in this OEM parts and service portal. These include Isuzu, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Saab, Saturn, Subaru, and Volvo.

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