Irvine, CA-September 29th, 1999-Autobytel.com (Nasdaq:ABTL), the global leader in automotive e-commerce and services, introduced the program for its first annual Autobytel.com Northwood University Lecture Series. As announced at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) last February, Autobytel.com is contributing both resources and funds to Northwood University in an effort to equip today's dealer base with the necessary tools to keep up with the ever-changing automotive industry.
"Consumers are increasingly stepping away from the traditional way of purchasing cars, and we want the next generation of automotive executives to be well educated on how and why the online car selling model works," said Mark Lorimer, President and CEO of autobytel.com inc. "Autobytel.com is committed to taking an active role in re-tooling the current dealer body."
The "Automotive E-Commerce 2000" series kicks-off October 20, 1999 at Northwood's Detroit campus with "Autobytel.com and the E-Commerce Revolution" led by Lorimer. Future topics include "Automotive Trends in the Internet" featuring Chris Denove, Director of Consulting Operations, J.D. Power and Associates and "Automotive Internet Retailing" featuring Thomas M. Vann, Owner and General Manager of Hillsdale Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep, Dodge.
Autobytel.com also launched a $150,000 fund drive to assist Northwood University in enhancing its interactive classroom equipment. Northwood University is the school of choice among automotive executives and the only university to offer a four-year degree program in Automotive Marketing/Management.
"Through their generous funding and support of our interactive classroom, Autobytel.com has opened wider the window of opportunity for our students," said Dr. David E. Fry, President and CEO of Northwood University. "This, combined with Autobytel.com's annual Automotive E-Commerce 2000 Lecture Series, will help sustain Northwood University's recognition as the educational leader of choice in this great industry."
About Northwood University Northwood University is a private, accredited institution specializing in managerial and entrepreneurial education offering two and four year degrees in a variety of enterprise fields. The Executive and full-time MBA programs make Northwood's free market-based degree offerings in management and entrepreneurship the most complete anywhere. The University emphasizes the importance of free enterprise and is dedicated to the preservation of the free market and the important relationship between business and the arts.
Northwood operates residential campuses in Michigan, Florida and Texas; the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan, Maine; thirty-one University College extension centers and outreach locations throughout the United States and international study programs abroad, principally in Europe.
