FROM AUTOTRADER 5/18/11 @ 7pm EST

We want to share some exciting news. As you may have heard, AutoTrader.com has entered into an agreement to acquire VinSolutions, a leading provider of end-to-end software solutions for dealers including Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Dealer Websites, Sales Management and Desking tools, social media and marketing tools.

As you know, dealer software solutions have evolved and become a more integral part of dealership operations. In response, AutoTrader.com has made several strategic business acquisitions, including vAuto, CDMdata and HomeNet, in an effort to bring together a best-in-class suite of solutions to address the changing needs of your business.

This acquisition of VinSolutions nicely complements the vAuto, CDMdata and HomeNet acquisitions, enabling us to eventually provide you with a one-stop, single-sign-on software solution. We recognize the complexity of your software environment and the challenges associated with integrating the individual applications you use. VinSolutions' vision has been to provide an integrated suite of tools designed to help you streamline and simplify your operations and we are excited about that vision. At the same time, know that we are aware of the need to invest in VinSolutions' current tools, technology infrastructure, and customer support resources to ensure that it can scale effectively as it executes its vision. We will also be working hard to bring together the best features of VinSolutions, vAuto, HomeNet, and CDMdata in new products and tools for your dealership as soon as humanly possible.

As we evolve and grow our suite of software solutions, we want you to know that we recognize your need for choice and flexibility in the tools you use. Therefore our vision is to offer open platform solutions that provide you that flexibility to work with our and other vendors' tools as much as possible. Because AutoTrader.com and VinSolutions are both committed to the interests of all auto dealers, its software tools will be offered on a flexible a-la-carte and no long-term contract basis, and dealers' will have the flexibility to work with their other software vendors. We also will establish policies that provide dealer-friendly data ownership rights to protect your confidential customer data.

Consistent with AutoTrader.com's approach to its other acquisitions over the past 12 months, VinSolutions will become a subsidiary of AutoTrader.com and will maintain its headquarters in Overland Park, KS. VinSolutions will continue to operate independently and function as it does today under current CEO Mike Dullea.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any immediate questions, please contact either of us, your local Advertising Consultant, or call our Customer Operations Team at 800-353-9350.


Sincerely,