PRESS RELEASES

MIS Council Launches Aftermarket Web Challenge™

Research Triangle Park, N.C., June 12, 2001 - The MEMA Information Services Council (MIS Council), a peer group of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), is launching the first aftermarket industry Web site competition of its kind. The Aftermarket Web Challenge™ will debut Tuesday, October 16 during the 2001 MIS Council Fall Conference, which will be held October 14-17 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Fla.

The value of Web sites have increased significantly for Aftermarket companies as they have become integrated with all areas of business. The Aftermarket Web Challenge was developed to recognize and promote the achievements of aftermarket industry companies that demonstrate superior Web site characteristics and to encourage more aftermarket companies to strive for Web site excellence.

"The MIS Council recognizes that a well-designed Web site increases an organization's brand awareness, improves communications with customers and generates business," said Kenneth Brown, Vice President of KEM Manufacturing and current Chairman of the MIS Council. "Because successful Web applications require so much back-end technology, we decided the MIS Council was the logical organization to identify the aftermarket's best-in-class sites."

Competitors may submit applications to the MIS Council Board of Directors through the end of August 2001. The MIS Council Board of Directors will select three finalists based on applications and Web site reviews, and the finalists will demonstrate their sites at the MIS Council 2001 Fall Conference. Attendees, who will include IT/E-commerce/Internet managers, will select a winning site based on design, content and usability. The winner of the Aftermarket Web Challenge will be announced at the annual awards banquet during the Fall Conference and presented to the aftermarket at the annual Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) event in Las Vegas. An application is available at www.misg.com/misc.

MIS Council 2001 Fall Conference attendees also will hear presentations from leading authorities on technology and aftermarket industry issues. The conference provides opportunities to discuss E-commerce and IT successes and challenges with peers, remain knowledgeable of new technologies, direct industry standards and reward colleagues that have set new standards in technology utilization and implementation. The MIS Council XML committee will meet and report on its progress in developing XML versions of MEMA X12 EDI standards. Conference information and a registration form are located at www.misg.com/misc.

The MIS Council, a peer group of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, serves as a medium for industry interaction, education and idea exchange regarding matters of common interest to Information Technology (IT) and E-commerce professionals in the automotive aftermarket industry. It provides industry leadership and information through semi-annual conferences, committee activities, monthly newsletters and the annual Aftermarket Web Challenge.

Founded in 1904, MEMA exclusively represents and serves more than 700 U.S. manufacturers of motor vehicle components, tools and equipment, automotive chemicals, and related products used in the production, repair, and maintenance of all classes of motor vehicles. MEMA is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and has offices in Washington, D.C.; Yokohama, Japan; Brussels, Belgium; Mexico City, Mexico; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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Web sites:
www.misg.com
www.mema.org