`Wheels' Online Automotive Solution in Arizona Soon to Launch
9 June 1998
Bank One, Navidec and ABC-15 in Phoenix to Launch `Wheels' Online Automotive Solution in ArizonaWheels Service Links Arizonans to Local Auto Lots DENVER, June 9 -- Arizona auto buyers searching for their dream cars won't have far to travel. They'll soon be able to scour thousands of vehicles at local dealer lots right from their computer screens. Banc One Credit Company, a unit of Finance One Corporation, the finance company subsidiary of BANC ONE CORPORATION , Navidec Inc. (Nasdaq: NVDC, NVDCW), a leading provider of Web-based products and solutions, and Phoenix's ABC-15 are bringing the popular "Wheels" online automotive shopping solution to Arizona this year. Addressing the high demand for online auto shopping, Bank One and Navidec announced a partnership in January 1998 to launch Wheels in five or more major U.S. markets. The launch of Arizona Wheels is the fifth of Navidec and Bank One's Wheels markets, which include active sites in Denver (http://www.coloradowheels.com) and Portland, Ore. (http://www.northwestwheels.com), and sites coming soon to Salt Lake City and Dallas-Ft. Worth. Navidec expects to launch Wheels in the top 50 markets over the next two years. Arizona Wheels will allow Web users to obtain information on thousands of new and pre-owned vehicles from numerous auto dealers in the area. Site visitors will be able to search complete inventory from multiple dealers by any combination of vehicle type, year, mileage and total price range. Dealers can include digital photos of the vehicles in their inventory so consumers can view the vehicles they have identified. Michael Barich, general sales manager at ABC-15 said, "Arizona Wheels fits perfectly with the intended consumer benefits and goals of our new Web site." He added that ABC-15 will begin a substantial broadcast advertising campaign in July to promote the new solution to the region's automotive dealers and attract consumers to the site. Macy Meyer, national product manager for Banc One Credit Company said, "Arizona Wheels will provide consumers in the area with a convenient method to purchase and finance a vehicle." He added, "It also will help automotive dealers sell more vehicles and provides an efficient distribution system for all of Bank One's dealer products." Banc One Credit Company is the fifth-largest indirect lender and in the top two largest national bank-owned providers of automotive financing. It has financed new and used cars for more than 40 years. ABC-15 is owned by the E.W. Scripps Company, which operates nine network affiliated TV stations; 20 daily newspapers; two cable TV networks, Home & Garden Television and The Food Network; a TV programmer, Cinetel Productions; and United Media, a worldwide syndicator and licenser of new features and comics. Navidec Inc., based in Englewood, Colo., is a leading national provider of products and solutions that use Web-based technologies to achieve its customers' business objectives. From commercial Web site development to the design and implementation of intranet and extranet applications and tools, Navidec helps customers develop successful online solutions. Navidec's premier vertical market focus is on the automotive industry with its Wheels online automotive sales solution. Navidec partners with media organizations to produce Wheels in markets nationwide. The Company's Web site address is http://www.navidec.com. All statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are forward looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Navidec in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstance. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general and economic business conditions, demand for automobiles, competition from other automotive online services, market acceptance of the Wheels solutions, the ability of Navidec to reach agreements with local media partners and other risk factors indicated from time to time in Navidec's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those filings are available online at http://www.freeedgar.com.