Big Three agree on standards

DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors have announced a “dealer infrastructure standard” for their respective dealers that will provide common guidelines for dealer network connectivity. The three OEM’s agreed to the standards in advance of a major shift of dealer customer service functions to the Internet. According to Jim Yost, Ford vice president and chief information officer, “dealers have been requesting system standards for quite some time. These technical guidelines will benefit dealers by providing a road map to build an Internet-ready dealership.”

Bill Lovejoy, GM Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Group vice president added, “There is some confusion among dealers as to which technology is the best for their dealerships in view of the many e-initiatives facing them.”

The dealer councils of all three manufacturers have endorsed the plan. Most applications are expected to be Web-enabled within three years.