SAUSALITO, Calif. — ChannelNet, a leading provider of multichannel solutions for the auto and financial services industries, announced Volkswagen Credit has expanded its use of personalized sites to include all customers in its lease portfolio.

First launched in mid-2008, VW Credit's Personalized Web sites were made available to customers that had one year (365 days) left on their lease. The initial objective was to ensure that the most complicated part of the leasing process, end-of-term, was made easier and more convenient for customers using the Web, officials explained.

Once a VW or Audi customer has concluded their VW leasing transaction at the dealership, they are automatically provided their own personalized Web site. In addition to deploying for the entire lease term, VW Credit can keep the site active for up to 18 months after lease-end.

VW Credit officials indicated that they realized that most customers who buy their vehicles will trade out to a different vehicle within 12-18 months after lease-end. Keeping the personalized site open allows VW Credit to market to the VW owner after their lease is terminated.

"Vehicle leasing customers need different types of content and information at different points in their vehicle ownership life cycle," said Paula Tompkins, chief executive officer and founder of ChannelNet.

"We are delighted that VW Credit has expanded the use of the program across their entire portfolio of lease customers," she added.

The VW and Audi Financial Personalized Web site solution leverages ChannelNet's SiteBuilder technology. One of the many benefits of ChannelNet's SiteBuilder is that it comes with a flexible and easy-to-use Web site Administration Tool. With the Administration Tool, a non-technical VW Credit business representative can make real-time updates to the content, promotions and information a customer receives based upon over 50 types of customer criteria.

This enables VW Credit to deliver personalized content that is highly relevant to the customer's needs, at a specific point in time.

"Today over 85 percent of new- and used-vehicle shoppers research online before making their purchase in a dealership," said Tompkins. "Most of the Web activity to date in the automotive industry has been directed toward the new- or used-vehicle sale.

"VW Credit recognizes that the use of the Web and online tools is even more important and relevant to customers after they have concluded their financing transaction and drive off the lot," she concluded.