JERSEY CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 1999--Interactive Multimedia Network, Inc., (OTCBB: IMNI), announced today the introduction of a new division, AutoSmart USA(TM), to offer a unique concept and opportunity for new car and truck buyers. IMNI has timed the launch of its innovative web site, autosmartusa.com, to coincide with the new model year and will enable the prospective buyer to lease or purchase any car or truck, import or domestic, for as low as 2% over factory invoice.
As one of the world's first full-service Internet web sites devoted to the retail sale of cars, light trucks, SUV's, and vehicle accessories, autosmartusa.com will allow a consumer to directly purchase a new vehicle without any of the haggling or hassle historically associated with the car-buying process. Consumers can go to the autosmartusa.com web site and browse through all the vehicle information they need to make an informed purchasing decision. Then, with a click of their mouse, the process begins and autosmartusa.com begins to secure the lowest possible price for the new car or truck with the specific options requested.
The autosmartusa.com concept--heralded as the "best new way to go car shopping in the last 100 years"--eliminates the necessity for visits to dealerships and interaction with sales personnel. Instead, the consumer is assisted by an informative AutoSmart(TM) consultant. Like any large automobile dealer, autosmartusa.com has the capability of providing the consumer with the opportunity to obtain financing for the purchase right through the web site; in the near future the option to secure insurance coverage online will also be available.
autosmartusa.com will offer all makes and models of both imported and domestic vehicles. All vehicles will be delivered through the existing infrastructure of automobile dealers through contractual arrangements made on a regional basis. IMNI has already finalized relationships that allow for the prompt delivery of all makes and models currently available in the US and Canada.
Another unique aspect of the autosmartusa.com experience is the ability to obtain this information from kiosks which will be placed at retail locations of participating strategic partners. IMNI is negotiating with several major electronics retailers which would allow IMNI to place computer kiosks at all their retail locations to expose autosmartusa.com to their retail customers. Additionally, autosmartusa.com will be opening their own walk-in showroom locations in key markets nationwide. The first such location is scheduled to open during the first quarter of 1999 in the South Florida market. South Floridians will be able to stop by the showroom and preview many vehicle choices prior to making their purchasing decision.
William J. Auletta, Corporate Director of Marketing of IMNI and innovator of autosmartusa.com recently stated, "We want to change the way consumers shop for new cars and trucks; we know we can save the consumer time and money and to emphasize making the entire experience fun and rewarding." Safe Harbor Disclosure
This Press Release contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements," including certain information with respect to plans and strategies of Interactive Multimedia Network, Inc. For this purpose, any statements contained herein or incorporated herein by reference that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the forgoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events or actual results of IMNI to differ materially from these indicated by such forward-looking statements.
Copyright 1999, Business Wire