Stories by Lee Copeland

Ford Tests Ways to Offer Users Real Prices Online

Prospective vehicle buyers at www.ford.com will find all the gee-whiz features that the $162.5 billion automaker can buy. But one critical component of the car-buying experience - and perhaps the most important - is still missing: the ability to get a final purchase price.

Web Usage for Used Vehicle Purchases Growing

Almost one-third of U.S. households that purchased a preowned vehicle between last fall and the spring this year used the Internet in the buying process, according to a new study released by Gartner Group Inc. in Stamford, Conn., today.

GM teams with dealers to sell cars online

In a bid to keep pace with third-party online car brokers, General Motors in Detroit yesterday launched a joint venture with participating dealers to offer vehicle sales, pricing and competitive information online.

Tool Enables Data Visualization and Trend Analysis

Spotfire Inc.'s decision-analysis tool allows users to collect statistical data and perform decision analysis via the Web. The latest version, Spotfire.net 5.0, features enhanced data-visualization capabilities that will aid users in visually detecting data trends and anomalies, company officials said.

Ford to Offer Wireless Services

In a bid to pass its top Motor City rival, Ford Motor last week launched a joint venture called Wingcast with San Diego-based partner Qualcomm to deliver in-vehicle wireless services.

E-GM Getting Lukewarm Reviews

E-GM, the General Motors Corp. business unit that's charged with driving Internet initiatives within the automotive giant, recounted a year's worth of progress at a press conference this week. But analysts gave the unit low scores on efforts to improve consumers' online purchasing experiences and to rev up Web-based vehicles sales.

Ford Inks Pact for In-Vehicle Wireless Services

In a bid to keep pace with its rivals, Ford Motor Co. plans to form a joint venture called Wingcast with Qualcomm Inc. to deliver in-vehicle wireless services, the two companies announced yesterday.

Delphi CIO Learns New (Economy) Tricks

Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. is the world's largest auto parts marker. The Troy, Mich.-based company operates 176 manufacturing plants in 38 countries, posted revenue of $29 billion last year and has been in the midst of a major technology infusion since its spin-off from Detroit-based General Motors Corp. in May 1999.

Survey: Few companies ready to outsource to ASPs

Although many companies may want to unburden themselves from maintaining software applications, the majority of large and small businesses aren't ready to turn over applications to a service provider, according to research released last week by Cahners In-Stat Group.

Trade Exchange Closes Virtual Doors

After less than six months in business, digital marketplace M-xchange.com Inc. closed its doors this week, citing a dearth of funding options and downward pressures in transaction fee-based business models.

Nasdaq Suspends Trading on Vari-L

With its former accountanting firm alleging illegal acts and calling for possible further income restatements, wireless-equipment maker Vari-L Co. faces an indefinite suspension of its stock trading by Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.

Microsoft Leaves Java Out of .Net Tool Kit

Microsoft Corp. previewed a slew of tools as part of its Microsoft.Net tool set at its Professional Developers Conference in Orlando earlier this month. Visual J++ didn't make an appearance at the show or in the tools package, and developers say the development tool won't be missed.

[]