BBB Teams With J.D. Power and Associates to Boost Value of Information Available to Car Buyers

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2004 -- Those in the market for a new or used car now have easy access online to the combined information resources of the Better Business Bureau and J.D. Power and Associates.

Through a teaming agreement announced today, the two organizations have enhanced the value of information that is available to consumers when shopping online for an automobile.

"There are two aspects to every car buying decision: which automobile to purchase and from which auto dealership. The BBB and J.D. Power and Associates -- among the best-known and most highly regarded consumer information organizations -- now offer car shoppers a one-stop resource to research automobile customer satisfaction ratings, locate a BBB member automobile dealer near their zip code and read helpful tips on buying a new or used vehicle," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

"Consumers researching new vehicles online want information they know they can trust," said Peter Marlow, partner at J.D. Power and Associates. "Combining our reliability ratings, which are based on verified vehicle owners, with BBB's trusted network of automotive dealership members gives consumers a greater level of comfort as they research and shop for vehicles."

The car-buying experience ends happily for most consumers. However, those who experience problems with their newly-purchased car or who can't resolve a dispute with their dealership, can also turn to the BBB and J.D. Power. By visiting either the bbb.org or the jdpower.com site, car buyers can obtain helpful BBB information concerning state lemon laws, file a complaint online with the BBB, or join the JDPowerPanel, an exclusive online community of consumers that helps companies to improve the quality of their service and products.

"The Better Business Bureau has long advised consumers to investigate before they invest. Purchasing a car today is a major investment. By teaming with J.D. Power and Associates, the BBB system is continuing our mission to help consumers make better, more informed decisions," Hunter said.