Experian Automotive Announces Partnership With CarsDirect.com

Integrated Vehicle History Information Increases Shoppers' Knowledge and Confidence

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 24 -- Experian Automotive, a division of global business solutions company Experian(R), today announced the integration of its AutoCheck vehicle history solution for consumers and dealers with CarsDirect.com, ( www.carsdirect.com ) the leading Internet car-shopping service.

CarsDirect.com has added links to Experian's AutoCheck Web site www.AutoCheck.com to allow consumers interested in purchasing a vehicle to click a link to buy an AutoCheck vehicle history report. In addition, CarsDirect.com has deployed AutoCheck FreeLink, a service that allows dealers to sponsor a link to a free vehicle history report. The dealer's potential customers can view the vehicle's details, a photo provided by CarsDirect.com and additionally, thanks to AutoCheck FreeLink, see the vehicle history report at no charge to the customer -- driving more qualified leads to the dealership.

"CarsDirect.com required an innovative, integrated approach to vehicle history, and I am pleased that we could deliver," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "The fact that they offer AutoCheck FreeLink to their dealers along with the links to the AutoCheck consumer site gives them a complete solution that provides significant value to all of their customers."

The AutoCheck service leverages Experian's National Vehicle Database, exposing possible undisclosed or unknown problems, such as salvage and flood damage history that can affect an automobile's safety and resale value.

"CarsDirect.com offers a wealth of vehicle pricing and research information to help consumers make more informed purchase decisions," said Bob Brisco, chief executive officer of CarsDirect.com. "By adding Experian's AutoCheck to our online Used Car research options, we help our dealers market their vehicles more effectively and assist our Web site visitors in making an informed decision on the vehicle that's right for them."

In addition to the AutoCheck services, Experian is providing CarsDirect.com with a custom suite of marketing services that leverage Experian's expertise in direct marketing and marketing information services. The custom suite of services allows CarsDirect.com to broaden its current dealer base and introduce new services to its existing dealers through multi-channel direct marketing. Experian will also help CarsDirect.com measure the performance of services it provides to dealers.

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive delivers information solutions to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian helps automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business, and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National Vehicle Database, housing almost 450 million vehicles, along with Experian's credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the industry's growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian's advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into improved business results.

For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of solutions, visit our web site at www.experianautomotive.com .

About Experian

Experian provides strategic support to organizations around the world. It helps its clients target, acquire, manage and develop profitable customer relationships. It does this by combining its advanced decision support and outsourcing services with information on consumers, businesses, motor vehicles and property. Experian works with more than 40,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, property, e-commerce and government. Millions of consumers rely on Experian's consumer credit services to meet their financial management needs. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif. It has a 175-year history and unbroken sales growth over the past 23 years. Its 13,000 people support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $1.9 billion.

  For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.experian.com .