AUTOWEB EXPANDS CAD DATA DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR FORD.

Autoweb, Rochester Hills, Mich., a global provider of data management and interoperability solutions for the manufacturing industry, is expanding its CAD data distribution program (FDX) for Ford Motor Company to include emerging markets within the Asia-Pacific region.

Ford Motor Company currently uses a combination of computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and a proprietary product information management (PIM) database to help enhance product development cycles and quality. These tools combined are referred to as Ford's C3P policy.

Autoweb has supported Ford's C3P deployment globally since 2001, and currently hosts secure data exchange between over 1,200 Ford suppliers and 2,300 internal Ford users worldwide. As part of their C3P policy in their emerging market regions, Ford will add 500 Asia-Pacific suppliers to their trading partner network.

"Ford's decision to expand FDX into emerging market countries within Asia- Pacific will enable us to ensure secure, standard, and authorized methods of data exchange are being utilized," stated Suresh Joshi, Senior Manager, Asia Pacific Engineering Services. "Furthermore," he adds, "this business initiative will help integrate the suppliers in the region and offer them the opportunity to expand their business with Ford."

As part of their FDX subscription, these new suppliers will also be permitted access to Autoweb's Global Data Exchange application, AFX, enabling them the ability to securely exchange data with Autoweb's existing community of over 20,000 subscribed AFX users in 40 countries. Additionally, suppliers will have the ability to utilize enhanced services such as CAD translations, and can check data in or out of Ford's Product Data Management System as well as access Ford Standards, currently hosted by Autoweb.

"Autoweb is pleased that Ford Motor Company has taken advantage of the opportunity to leverage their existing Autoweb deployed applications across their emerging markets. All of our tools are designed to provide our valued OEM customers and their suppliers with the ability to easily expand their use globally. Ford can rest assured that their data is being securely transmitted and will now have end to end visibility of proprietary information shared with their suppliers across the globe," stated Nino DiCosmo, chairman, president and CEO of Autoweb.

About Autoweb

Autoweb is a global provider of data management and interoperability services for the manufacturing industry, connecting supply chains around the world via a secure, reliable, and traceable communication medium. Autoweb is responsible for thousands of companies' most sensitive information - companies like General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Pratt & Whitney, Delphi, Faurecia and thousands more. With over 20,000 users in 40 countries, Autoweb links the global manufacturing community.

For more information, call 248/601-7157 or visit http://www.autoweb.net.