ChannelNet announced today that Ford's current "0% percent financing for 72 months" promotion has produced record-breaking traffic on Ford's extensive network of Web sites. Web site traffic was up 70% and new inventory searches grew 100% during the week following the launch of the promotion. ChannelNet's scalable Web based technology allowed Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Divisions to simultaneously update their extensive network of dealer Web sites in coordination with the promotion, seamlessly integrating Ford's traditional marketing channels with all levels of Ford's customer Web experience.

Research has demonstrated that an individual dealer Web site is the last place the customer shops before going into the dealership to make the purchase. Consumers and business customers want the most up to date status on inventory before committing to a face to face meeting.

"With the integrated network of Web sites developed by ChannelNet we were able to dynamically and instantaneously update over 3600 Websites in a single step for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury divisions," said Tim Zetterholm, ChannelNet SVP, Automotive Practice. "ChannelNet's well honed dealer Web site network allows us to deploy a coordinated campaign with a consistent message across all of Ford's Web site network or segment by region or brand, even down to an individual dealer level."

ChannelNet invented and launched Ford's dealer Web site program in August of 1995. ChannelNet currently provides over 5000 dealer Web sites for nearly all of Ford's dealerships around the globe though a program called DealerConnection. ChannelNet provides Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover dealers with a customizable Web site that offers cutting edge sales tools like detailed inventory searches, lead generation and seamless integration with brand Web sites. The sites are easy to operate and can be maintained and customized by non-technical staff at dealerships while allowing Ford corporate to control the look, feel, branding, business rules, sales and service leads generated by the sites.

ChannelNet's technology is used to quickly and efficiently deploy thousands of Web sites, intranets and Web functionality at a fraction of the cost of the traditional Web development process. ChannelNet currently provides advanced Web based customer interaction systems for Hunter Douglas worldwide, Harman International, General Motors, Motorola, Saks Fifth Avenue, California Closets, and BMW, among others.

"Our solutions and technologies are designed to help companies sell in an increasingly Web-centered world," said ChannelNet founder and CEO, Paula Tompkins. "With more and more new and used car buyers looking to the web first when thinking about a vehicle purchase, ChannelNet's expertise in connecting sales channels becomes more relevant with each day."