OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — NCM Associates announced Thursday it
is working collaboratively with automotive dealership technology provider
AutoStar Solutions to form exclusive AutoStar 20 Groups for its buy-here, pay-here
management software users.

To kick off the effort, NCM will host a reception at the Wynn
Las Vegas on May 21 for dealers attending the National Alliance of Buy-Here,
Pay-Here Dealers Academy and Conference.

NCM recapped that a year ago the company attended the
AutoStar Solutions user group event, Innovate. That interaction was the
catalyst for the two operations to begin discussions on how AutoStar could
utilize NCM's established BHPH 20 Group platform to assist its clients in
comparing operating performance and exchanging ideas and best practices in a
secure environment of non-competing peers.

The two companies ultimately agreed to work collaboratively
to form the groups and immediately set out to develop a unique meeting concept
that marries the benefits of a traditional 20 Group with the power of a user
group meeting. 

The first meeting of the inaugural AutoStar 20 Group will be
held in Fort Worth, Texas, in July.

NCM Director of 20 Group Operations Kevin Cunningham met
with AutoStar executives at its corporate headquarters in Fort Worth last
October.

"Our discussions revealed a great opportunity for AutoStar
to support its users' efforts to improve their operating efficiencies and
profitability in a spirit of camaraderie and accountability," Cunningham said.

"At the same time, the nature of the 20 Group program offers
them a venue for ensuring its clients are taking full advantage of the benefits
of the AutoStar management solution to drive revenue in their BHPH dealerships,"
he continued.

Cunningham explained that because the members in the groups
all use the AutoStar dealer management solution, members will enjoy the added
benefit of being able to share how they are leveraging their database
information to be more competitive, reduce risk and increase
profitability. 

Steve Hall AutoStar's director of professional services concurred
with Cunningham.

"There is no doubt the best operators in our business
achieved their success through a combination of talent and resources, including
a great data management system. But what technology doesn't offer is the
opportunity for dealers to meet face to face to openly discuss their challenges
and tap the experience and expertise of the group members individually and
collectively to drive better and faster progress toward their goals," Hall
said.

"We not only encourage our clients' participation, we
recommend they get involved in these NCM 20 Groups to take their businesses to
the next level," he went on to say.

NCM president and chief executive officer Paul Faletti Jr.
insisted the alliance is a natural extension of the company's traditional 20
Group format.

"We fully support any provider's desire to contribute to and
improve the success of its dealer channel, and it is our honor to assist
AutoStar Solutions in this process," Faletti said. "We are looking forward to
some great conversations with their client-dealers while at NABD and expect to
launch our first group in July." 

For information about the AutoStar 20 Group program or to
contact NCM Associates, visit www.ncm20.com/autostar or call (877) 803-3631. 

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