Dealer-Maintained Internet Inventory System:

Introduction and Training Manual

THE COBALT GROUP, INC.

Automotive Services

Confidential

Email Text Only Dealer Inventory Manual

Contents

Welcome!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 - Create an Inventory List

Step 2 - Connect to the On-line Inventory System

Step 3 - Adding Vehicles

Step 4 - Select a Featured Vehicle

Step 5 - Adding a Photo

Step 6 - Publish Your Inventory

Step 7 - Verify and Exit

Step 8 - Editing a Vehicle Listing

Step 9 - Deleting a Vehicle Listing

OOPS! - Help, I didn't want to do that!

Step 10 - Finally - Remember to Publish!

Batch Upload Instructions

Step 1 - First - Creating the Database

Step 2 - Second - Saving the File Information

Step 3 - Uploading Your Inventory

Addendum A Selecting and Using a Digital Camera

Addendum B Sample Spreadsheet

Addendum C Sign-up Form

Welcome!

This brief training manual provides you with all the information you need to begin using The Cobalt Group's powerful dealer-maintained vehicle inventory system. This system allows you to list your vehicle inventory on the Internet and integrate it seamlessly into your Web site. On-line visitors can search your inventory to find just the right vehicle they're looking for. The system is easy to use! A special name and password are all you need to access your dealership's private on-line inventory manager. Adding, editing or deleting a vehicle takes only seconds. Using a digital camera, a scanner or a photo service to create digital photos, you can also include a photograph with each listing. If you already keep your inventory in a database or spreadsheet, you can upload all your inventory in one batch, saving even more time. With Cobalt's system, visitors to your Web site will be able to search for a used vehicle by make, model, price, miles, color, and year. They can review detailed information about specific cars, and then contact you for the next important step: the test drive. It is easy to see the benefit of letting your customers view up-to-the-minute inventory, all from the comfort of their home or office.

The inventory system costs $100 to set-up and only $75 per month to use. You can advertise as many cars on your site as you like, and make unlimited changes there is no additional charge above the basic $75 monthly fee. Compare this to the monthly cost of other forms of advertising and you'll see that Cobalt's system offers revolutionary technology at a great value!

Step-by-Step Instructions

In this manual, we assume that you know how to access the Internet and use a Web browser. If you don't know how to do these things, please contact The Cobalt Group's automotive services division at (800) 909-8244, ext. 222. To use Cobalt's inventory system, you'll need a Cobalt-built Web site, appropriate access to the Internet, and the Netscape browser. For access, we recommend that you use a national Internet service provider such as NetCom, AT&T, or Earthlink, or a local provider dedicated to connecting you to the Internet. Other online services offering Internet access, such as America Online (AOL), CompuServe, and Microsoft, do not work effectively with Cobalt's system

You must also select a specific browser. Cobalt's inventory system is designed to work with Netscape. To take advantage of Cobalt's Batch Upload feature, you must use the Netscape browser, Version 2.0 or higher. Other browsers such as Internet Explorer will not work with this time saving feature.

Step 1 - Create an Inventory List

Cobalt will assign your dealership a unique dealer name, and you can pick your own password. A password selection form is included with your sign-up package. Before you sit down at the computer, you will want to get a current list of your pre-owned inventory.

For each car, you'll need the following inventory information:

make transmission type

model options (4wd, a/c, sunrf, convt)

asking price certified (if applicable)

mileage exterior color

year interior color

unique vin text description

You may want to use a form or a spreadsheet to collect this data. A sample form is enclosed with this package You don't have to provide every field for every car, but complete data makes it easier for customers to find the exact car they want! For reasons explained below, all of the column headings should be in lower case letters. One field that is required is the vin.

Step 2 - Connect to the On-line Inventory System

Log on to the Internet. Go to the address http://www.motorplace.com/inventory/. Now enter your name and password in the appropriate fields.

Use your mouse or the tab key to move from one field to the next. Once you've entered your name and password, hit the return or enter key, or click on "OK" to proceed to the "Welcome!" page.

Congratulations! You have gained access to your dealership's private on-line inventory manager.

Step 3 - Adding Vehicles

Now you can begin to add vehicles. Click on "Add new inventory" to go to the first entry screen. As you can see, there's an input field for each piece of information listed above. There are "pull-down" menus for manufacturer and color to facilitate the entry process.

To move from box to box, you can use your mouse or the tab key. To fill in a check box (such as "A/C"), move your mouse pointer to the box and click. Click again to erase a selection. When you've entered all of the information for a given vehicle, click on the "Add" button at the bottom of the screen.

You'll now see a screen called "View Vehicle" that displays the complete listing. This is a good time to check for incomplete data or typos. To make a change or correction, select "Edit vehicle" and edit the listing as necessary. More information on editing is available below.

If you're satisfied with the listing, select "Add" to add another vehicle. Continue adding cars until you've created your inventory database. Remember, you don't have to advertise every car on your lot. You may want to display only your best cars.

Once you have created a complete set of listings, you have several choices.

1. You can select a featured vehicle to showcase on your Web site. Step 4 will show you how to add a featured vehicle.

2. You can add photos to your listings.

Step 5 will explain just how simple it is to add a photo to a listing.

3. You can stop and "publish" your inventory to activate it on your Web site. Step 6 will guide you through publishing your listings.

No matter which choice you make, you must select "publish" to make your listings viewable. Remember to do this each time you finish making any changes in your inventory. If you exit before you publish, your new or revised listings won't appear on your Web site.

Step 4 - Select a Featured Vehicle

The inventory system allows you to select a featured vehicle, which will be prominently displayed on your Web site. To select a featured vehicle, click on "Inventory List". Notice the right hand column is marked "FV." Click on "FV" for the vehicle you want to feature. Note that "FV" is no longer underlined. This vehicle will now be prominently displayed to your on-line customers. You can change the featured vehicle as often as you like, however, you can only feature one vehicle at a time.

Step 5 - Adding a Photo

The inventory system allows you to attach photos or digital images to your vehicle listings. Although this may sound difficult, it is actually very easy if you follow these few simple steps. If you already have your photographs in a standard digital format, you may wish to skip to the next page. First, you have a basic decision to make regarding how to obtain your photos. You can use a conventional camera, or a digital camera. In either case, you need to have someone shoot pictures of your inventory, as desired, keeping careful track of the order in which each car is photographed.

1. With a conventional camera, you must first develop the film into standard prints, then scan the photos to create digital images. Alternatively, you can obtain digital images on computer disks from many photo developers.

2. With a digital camera, you move straight to your PC to download the photographs from the camera onto a floppy disk or your hard drive.1 We recommend you use an Epson PhotoPC digital camera1 for ease and cost savings.

No matter how you obtain the photographs, they must be stored in a digital format that can be processed by a computer. There are numerous formats, based on different schemes used to compress and digitize pictures. Two of the most widely known formats are called "jpeg" and "gif." Cobalt's inventory system accepts most of the widely-used formats, as noted below. 2

There are a few basic rules to consider as you create your files.

3. The jpeg format is preferable and relatively hassle-free. jpeg files can be

uploaded with little or no editing.

4. Large files take longer to upload. Keep files small, approximately 250 pixels wide by 150 pixels high (approximately 3.5 inches by 2.0 inches). Scanners and digital cameras come with software to crop images and color correct photos.

5. Name image files using vehicle vin numbers. This will help you identify the correct image file for each vehicle in your inventory.

(1. See Addendum "Selecting and Using a Digital Camera.")

(2. Acceptable formats: jpeg, gif, bmp, eps, pcx, tiff)

Once you have a photo in an approved digital format, you are ready to add your saved image to a completed vehicle listing. Click on "Select or delete photo."

(See "Selecting and Using a Digital Camera," an addendum to this manual,

for more information).

Next select the "Browse" button and search through your computer to locate the drive, folder, and image file that matches the vehicle listing. Select the image file you want to attach. The image file name will appear in the text box to the left of the "Browse..." button. Now select the "Upload photo" button.

As shown on the previous page, the "Added Photo" page will display the complete listing, including the photo you have just selected. If you want to change or delete the photo repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the results.

Step 6 - Publish Your Inventory

Now that you have created a complete set of listings, you must publish your inventory to activate it on your Web site. None of your work will be visible until you take this step! Select "Publish" to activate your inventory. If you exit before you publish, your listings will not appear on your Web site.

Step 7 - Verify and Exit

Once you've published your inventory, you should visit the inventory section of your Web site and verify that your work is complete. Your listings should resemble the listing below.

Once you have verified your inventory, make sure you quit your browser to de- activate your password. Otherwise, people with access to your computer could edit your inventory system.

You are now ready to use Cobalt's dealer-maintained inventory system! The next time you log on, you can add more listings and edit or delete your initial listings.

Step 8 - Editing a Vehicle Listing

Editing is a simple process.

Select "Edit vehicle" for a given vehicle. This takes you to an entry screen that is similar to the "Add" screen except that it displays the current data for that vehicle. To change a price or any other information, simply tab through the screen or use your mouse to move to the appropriate place.

Make desired changes, and click the "Change" button at the bottom of the page.

You will now see a revised, detailed listing of the car.

Step 9 - Deleting a Vehicle Listing

To delete a listing, select "Delete vehicle." To make sure you don't accidentally delete a listing, the system always confirms if you really want to make a deletion. Answer "Yes" to proceed.

OOPS! - Help, I didn't want to do that!

If you make a mistake, and you have not yet published your inventory, you can start over again with your previous inventory by selecting "Discard your changes." Even if you have already published your changes, you can revert back to how things were before you last published by selecting "Revert to your last inventory." The system will reinstall your previously published inventory.

Step 10 - Finally - Remember to Publish!

This is always the final step! Each time you add, change, or delete listings, make sure you select "Publish" before exiting the system. This is the only way your changes will be activated on your Web site. Also, remember to exit your browser to keep unauthorized personnel from using the system!

Dealer-Maintained Internet Inventory System:

Introduction and Training Manual

Batch Upload Instructions

Uploading your inventory in a batch saves you time and allows you to manage your system more effectively. The procedure is straightforward and simple - just follow these easy instructions.

Step 1 - First - Creating the Database

Step 2 - Second - Saving the File Information

Step 3 - Uploading Your Inventory

Step 1 - First - Creating the Database

You must begin by creating a database with one of the popular spreadsheet software programs on the market such as Microsoft Excel. First, open the program and create a new file called "Current Vehicle Inventory." Next, create a series of columns using the titles below to head each column. You must use the exact titles below, without any capitalization or punctuation. Then, build your spreadsheet by entering the descriptive data below for each vehicle you wish to advertise.

Title Descriptive Data

make Manufacturer (e.g. Honda or Toyota)

model Series or Model (e.g. Prelude or Camry)

price Asking price ($18,000, 18,000, or 18000)

miles Current miles (22,500 or 22500)

year Model year (1994 or 94)

vin Vehicle Identification Number (complete vin required)

colext Exterior color (use pulldown menu)

colint Interior color (use pulldown menu)

description An open text box where you can enter comments and additional

vehicle descriptions

a/c Air Conditioning (enter a "y" for yes, or a "n" for no)

convertible Convertible roof (enter a "y" for yes, or a "n" for no)

4wd Four Wheel Drive (enter a "y" for yes, or a "n" for no)

trans Transmission (enter "auto" for automatic transmission;

enter "manual" for manual transmission)

cert Certified vehicle (enter a "y" for yes, or a "n" for no)

Ask your Cobalt Service Representative for an Excel sample spreadsheet, including important tips!

1. The spelling and names of the column headings have to match the above titles exactly.

2. All of the column headings have to be in lower case letters. The order in which the column headings appear is not important; for example there is no difference between:

make model price miles year

Honda Civic 6521 12548 1995

Ford Escort 4521 98542 1993

and,

model make miles year price

Civic Honda 12548 1995 6521

Escort Ford 98542 1993 4521

Step 2 - Second - Saving the File Information

Once you have created a complete spreadsheet, it's time to save your file. We recommend keeping the original data in a master file, using the format native to the application (for example use the "Microsoft Excel" format if you use Excel). To upload your file to the inventory system, your should first create a separate file by saving (or "exporting") a copy of the master file as a separate "tab- delimited text file." This way you can preserve your original database in the master file to manage ongoing changes and updates.

For example:

1. Create a master file in Excel labeled Current Vehicle Inventory.

2. Use this master file for all changes, additions, deletions. When you are finished making changes for any given day, and you're ready to upload and refresh your entire inventory, save the file normally.

3. Then, to create a work file for batch upload, save the file again using the program's "Save As" or "Export" function:

a.) Change the file name to a unique form, e.g. use the date (for example, Cars8-10).

b.) Change the type or format to "tab-delimited text."

c.) Use the "Save As" or "Export" function to save your batch upload file.

Step 3 - Uploading Your Inventory

Now, it's time to access your private inventory system. Select "Add new

inventory." Next, instead of entering individual vehicles, select "Batch Upload

Inventory" at the bottom of your screen. As illustrated on the following page,

click the "Browse" button to select your inventory batch upload file (example,

Cars8-10), which is stored on your computer's hard drive. You'll need to search

through your computer to locate the appropriate drive, folder, and file.

When you select the correct batch file, the file name will appear in the text box to

the left of the "Browse" button. Now click "Upload." The next screen will show

you a summary listing of your new inventory list.

Once again, to activate this information on your Web site you must "Publish"

your inventory. To view your new inventory, go to the inventory chapter of your

Web site.

Important Note:

There are several important things to remember about Batch Uploads.

1. Batch Uploads will completely replace all previously added inventory!

2. The Batch Upload system will continue to use existing photographs for vehicles that remain in your inventory from one upload to the next. However, the names of photograph files for ongoing listings must not be changed. Also, don't move the digital files to a new location or directory on your hard drive. When the batch upload occurs, the inventory system software looks for image files with names matching the listings. If an image file name has changed or the file is in a new directory, the image will not appear in your inventory.

If you have any questions about the Batch Upload system or the inventory system, please call The Cobalt Group's automotive division at (800) 909- 8244, ext. 222.

Addendum A

Selecting and Using a Digital Camera

Digital cameras are simple to use. These cameras use computer chips instead of film. Digital cameras store photographs in one of several digital formats, including jpeg, which are acceptable for use on the Web.

Cameras range in price from several hundred dollars to more than ten thousand. We recommend a basic but impressive model, the $400.00 Epson PhotoPC (or the slightly more expensive and fancy $599.00 Epson PhotoPC 500).

There are only a few controls to learn: on, off, auto flash, forced flash, no flash, and erase the last picture. You can choose to take 16 pictures at high resolution or 32 at low resolution. If you add memory to the camera, you can shoot up to 80 high resolution or 160 low resolution pictures, which remain in your camera for up to a year or until you erase them.

Use a high resolution to photograph your vehicles. Experiment using the flash in lower lighting or back lit situations. Since you're not paying for developing, you can experiment and check out your inventory shots immediately.

The camera comes with software, called EasyPhoto, and a cable to attach the camera to your PC. After you install the EasyPhoto software into your computer, you connect the camera and computer with the single cable as directed. Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer photos from the camera to your hard drive.

Your photos will appear on your computer screen as postage stamp sized "thumbnail" images. You select the best photos to use, without having to "process" every picture. The EasyPhoto software helps you organize each batch of images by creating what it calls a "Gallery." You should give each photo a unique file name using the vehicle's vin number, to help you positively identify each image file and associate it with the proper vehicle listing.

The simple "crop" tool on the "tool bar" above the picture frame lets you focus the photo on the vehicle. Resize the picture to 2.0 inches by 3.5 inches (the size registers in inches at the bottom of the picture as you crop). If you want, you also can improve color or contrast with equally simple tools located on the "tool bar. When you have finished selecting and saving your auto shots on your computer, you can erase the camera's memory (photographs) with a few clicks on the screen, so it will be ready for another round of digital photographs.

Congratulations! Your photos are now ready for uploading!

To find out more about The Cobalt Group, Inc.'s Web based automotive solutions, please call The Cobalt Group's automotive division at (800) 909- 8244, ext. 222, or send email to kp@cobaltgroup.com.