RouteOne (Auto Credit Cartel) Forms Partnership With Technology Firms

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 30 -- RouteOne LLC, the joint venture established by DaimlerChrysler Services, Ford Motor Credit Company, GMAC and Toyota Financial Services, to develop an online credit application management system, has formed partnerships with three leading technology firms. According to Joel Gruber, chief information officer of RouteOne, Covansys Corporation, Zentropy Partners and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young will play key roles in the creation of the new credit application management system.

Covansys Corporation is designing the web-based system, which, once implemented, will increase efficiencies for both auto dealers and finance sources by streamlining and simplifying the credit application process. The system will also benefit consumers by giving dealers more auto financing choices.

"Covansys is extremely proud to have been selected by RouteOne to design this mission-critical system," said Siva Velu, executive vice president, Covansys' central region. "We appreciate RouteOne's trust in our abilities and are committed to exceeding their expectations."

Steve Woolford, Zentropy's executive vice president, western region, said, "This is a great use of the internet to add value and convenience for both dealers and their customers."

Zentropy Partners is developing the user interface for the system based on feedback from automobile dealers from across the country. To help ensure early adoption among dealers, Zentropy is interviewing dealers, sales managers and F&I managers from dealerships of varying size, sales volume, location and technical aptitude.

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGEY) is managing the project and providing consulting services. CGEY has provided guidance to many newly formed joint ventures and Internet start-ups.

"These are industry-leading firms," Gruber said. "We're very pleased with their performance to date and we're confident we have the right partners to help us achieve our goals."

About RouteOne LLC

Established in April 2002, RouteOne LLC is a joint venture formed by DaimlerChrysler Services, Ford Motor Credit Company, GMAC and Toyota Financial Services. RouteOne was formed to improve the credit application management process for automobile dealers, their customers and participating financial institutions. The joint venture is developing a web-based system that will enable dealers and their finance sources, including captives, banks and other financial institutions, to exchange credit application and decision information online.

About Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Group

The Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Group is one of the largest management and IT consulting organizations in the world. The company offers management and IT consulting services, systems integration, and technology development, design and outsourcing capabilities on a global scale to help businesses continue to implement growth strategies and leverage technology. The organization employs around 55,000 people worldwide and reported 2001 global revenue of more than 8.4 billion euros. More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at www.cgey.com

About Covansys Corporation

Headquartered in Michigan, Covansys Corporation is a global consulting and technology services company specializing in integration services, industry-specific solutions and strategic outsourcing. Our clients leverage our unique on-site, offsite, offshore delivery capability to achieve rapid deployment, world-class quality and reduced costs. Since 1985, Covansys has successfully delivered innovative business and technical solutions to leaders in the private and public sector. Covansys has more than 4,700 employees and 30 locations worldwide, including three wholly owned SEI CMM® Level 5 development centers in India, which give it one of the largest offshore capabilities among U.S.-based technology services providers. More information is available at www.covansys.com .

About Zentropy Partners

Zentropy Partners (www.zentropypartners.com ) is a global Internet professional services company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Hollywood, California. Its user-centric focus on Experience Architecture & Design has resulted in performance based integrated online marketing campaigns and award- winning Web Design/Development. Zentropy Partners' global clients include GM BuyPower.com, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Nestle and Unilever, among others. Zentropy is an MRM Partners Worldwide company, one of the leading relationship marketing agency networks in the world, with 63 offices in 37 countries and worldwide billings in excess of $1 billion. MRM Partners Worldwide is a unit of McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, which in turn is owned by the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. .