T-Online, Motor-Presse Stuttgart Get Together to Form Portal

T-Online and the Motor-Presse Stuttgart publishing group Monday announced at
the world’s largest consumer electronics fair (IFA 2001 in Berlin) that they
will launch a joint venture which will operate a portal on
the topic of “Autos and Mobility.”

The new Auto.t-online GmbH & Co.KG will
be 51 percent-owned by T-Online and 49 percent-owned by Motor-Presse
Holding. The headquarters of the joint venture will be in Stuttgart.

With
this move, Europe’s largest online service has managed to launch several
content portals together with strong partners like DaimlerChrysler and the
Axel Springer publishing company in the space of a few months. Further
projects such as sport and erotic portals are planned.

The joint venture intends to cover the entire spectrum of the automobile
market. In addition to a comprehensive editorial treatment, it will also
provide interactive offers on the subject of automobiles. The Motor-Presse
publishing company will bring its entire content on the topic of automobiles
to the venture; this content is already available at autouniversum.de.
T-Online will primarily contribute its scope and its online marketing
know-how.

Test and driving reports will be offered, along with information on service
topics. The automobile marketplace will consist of all new vehicles in
Germany together in a “new car configurator,” with which users can put
together their dream cars. In the used car market, used vehicles will be
presented by individuals, manufacturers and merchants, car dealerships and
other service providers.

Auto.t-online.de will also operate a shop for
related products.

Additional sources of income should arise from marketing
advertising banners, content syndication and content that will be available
for a fee.