-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, VkpPZaY8DpPTN2e6cpvsF0eCRC6os2QGUcH+9wk5l5sz6vPrCXDvadRBWFFqP7PW Os0TmYv3dCtiZbscsFiutw== 0000912057-01-515745.txt : 20010516 0000912057-01-515745.hdr.sgml : 20010516 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912057-01-515745 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20010331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010515 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COBALT GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001036290 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION [7374] IRS NUMBER: 911674947 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-26623 FILM NUMBER: 1635840 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2200 FIRST AVENUE S STREET 2: STE 400 CITY: SEATTLE STATE: WA ZIP: 98134 BUSINESS PHONE: 2063867535 10-Q 1 a2049051z10-q.htm 10-Q Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


/x/

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001

OR

/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to               

Commission File Number 000-26623


THE COBALT GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  91-1674947
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2200 First Avenue South
Seattle, Washington 98134
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (206) 269-6363


    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /x/  No / /

    As of April 30, 2001, 20,354,243 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.





THE COBALT GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I—Financial Information    
  Item 1.—Financial Statements (unaudited)    
    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000   3
    Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000   4
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000   5
    Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   6
  Item 2.—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    
    Overview and Outlook   11
    Results of Operations   14
    Liquidity and Capital Resources   16
  Item 3.—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   24
PART II—Other Information    
  Item 6.—Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   25
SIGNATURES   26

2



Part I—Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Cobalt Group, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 
  March 31,
2001

  December 31,
2000

 
Assets  
Current assets              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 10,354   $ 16,577  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,135 and $944, respectively     10,427     8,892  
  Other current assets     1,508     1,673  
   
 
 
      22,289     27,142  
Capital assets, net     15,125     14,256  
Intangible assets, net     14,446     15,569  
Other assets     653     959  
   
 
 
    Total assets   $ 52,513   $ 57,926  
   
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  
Current liabilities              
  Accounts payable   $ 2,661   $ 4,696  
  Accrued liabilities     3,052     2,187  
  Deferred revenues, current portion     6,012     4,668  
  Notes payable         270  
  Software financing contract, current portion     631     1,054  
  Capital lease obligations, current portion     723     900  
   
 
 
      13,079     13,775  
Non-current liabilities              
  Deferred revenues, non-current portion     1,298     1,348  
  Software financing contract, non-current portion     279     279  
  Capital lease obligations, non-current portion     156     269  
   
 
 
      1,733     1,896  
Shareholders' equity              
  Preferred stock: $0.01 par value per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding          
  Common stock: $0.01 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 20,309,969 and 20,140,376 issued and outstanding, respectively     203     201  
  Additional paid-in capital     124,141     124,021  
  Deferred equity subscriptions     (11,592 )   (12,951 )
  Deferred equity expenses     (664 )   (2,167 )
  Notes receivable from shareholders     (144 )   (144 )
  Accumulated deficit     (74,243 )   (66,705 )
   
 
 
      37,701     42,255  
   
 
 
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 52,513   $ 57,926  
   
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


The Cobalt Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
March 31,

 
 
  2001
  2000
 
Revenues              
  Internet applications and professional services   $ 8,713   $ 5,420  
  Data extraction and aggregation services     3,116     2,889  
  Wholesale vehicle exchange services     6      
  Other services     448     605  
   
 
 
    Total revenues     12,283     8,914  
Cost of revenues     2,495     1,775  
   
 
 
    Gross profit     9,788     7,139  
Operating expenses              
  Sales and marketing, excluding stock-based expenses of $1,252 and $68, respectively     6,963     4,276  
  Product development, excluding stock-based expenses of $37 and $46 respectively     3,169     1,254  
  General and administrative, excluding stock-based expenses of $104 and $152 respectively     6,067     3,783  
  Amortization of intangible assets     1,123     1,508  
  Stock-based expenses     1,393     290  
   
 
 
    Total operating expenses     18,715     11,111  
   
 
 
Loss from operations     (8,927 )   (3,972 )
Interest expense     (74 )   (68 )
Interest income     299     317  
Gain on sale of YachtWorld     1,175     6,446  
Other income, net     (12 )   (64 )
   
 
 
  Net income (loss) prior to change in accounting principle   $ (7,539 ) $ 2,659  
   
 
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle   $   $ (2,164 )
   
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ (7,539 ) $ 495  
   
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share   $ (0.37 ) $ 0.03  
   
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic     20,287,918     17,082,768  
   
 
 
Diluted net income (loss) per share   $ (0.37 ) $ 0.03  
   
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted     20,287,918     18,587,055  
   
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


The Cobalt Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
March 31,

 
 
  2001
  2000
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities              
  Net income (loss)   $ (7,539 ) $ 495  
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:              
    Amortization of deferred equity expenses     1,460     290  
    Depreciation and amortization     2,380     2,040  
    Gain on sale of YachtWorld     (1,175 )   (6,382 )
  Changes in:              
    Accounts receivable     (669 )   (1,564 )
    Other assets     471     1,133  
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (1,440 )   (138 )
    Deferred revenues     1,295     3,038  
   
 
 
    Net cash used in operating activities     (5,217 )   (1,088 )
   
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities              
  Acquisition of capital assets     (2,127 )   (1,593 )
  Proceeds from sale of YachtWorld     1,175     6,674  
  Investment in IntegraLink         (1,614 )
  Proceeds from sale of capital assets         24  
   
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (952 )   3,491  
   
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities              
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options     32     331  
  Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan     132     175  
  Proceeds from deferred equity subscriptions     495      
  Payment of capital lease obligations and software financing contract     (713 )   (316 )
   
 
 
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (54 )   190  
   
 
 
Net Change in Cash     (6,223 )   2,593  
Cash, Beginning of Period     16,577     14,224  
   
 
 
Cash, End of Period   $ 10,354   $ 16,817  
   
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



The Cobalt Group, Inc.

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1.  Nature of the business

    The Cobalt Group, Inc. (the "Company") is a provider of e-business services to automotive dealers and manufacturers in North America. The Company's current service offerings include: comprehensive Internet applications and professional services; data extraction, aggregation and management services; an online wholesale vehicle exchange; and other services such as dealer training and placement of advertisements.

    The accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial information set forth therein. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

    These interim statements should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, SEC File No. 000-26623.

Basis of presentation

    The Company's consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

2.  Industry segment and geographic information

    The Company has identified three reportable segments: Internet applications and professional services, data extraction and aggregation services, and wholesale vehicle exchange services. The Internet applications and professional services segment consists primarily of hosting and maintenance of pre-packaged Web sites, software applications that integrate with those Web sites, and professional services projects focused on substantial customization of those Web sites. The data extraction and aggregation segment consists of the collection, aggregation, distribution and analysis of data from automotive dealer computer systems. The wholesale vehicle exchange services segment consists of an Internet-based wholesale automobile listing and purchasing system for use by automobile dealers and asset owners.

    The Company's operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services, about which discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-makers in making determinations about how to allocate resources and assess performance. During the 2001 budget preparation process, the Company began to report information for separate business units to the chief decision-makers. As a result of this and other changes in management structure and focus, the Company is reporting segment information as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 for the quarter ending March 31, 2001.

    For management purposes, revenues are reported before the reduction of amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler Corporation ("DaimlerChrysler"), which are accounted for as equity subscriptions, and before the deferral of set-up fees and customized projects revenues in accordance with Staff

6


Accounting Bulletin No. 101 ("SAB 101"). SAB 101 requires the Company to recognize set-up fees for Internet applications ratably over the estimated customer life of three years and fees for professional services projects over the estimated project life of two years. For management purposes, revenues from professional services projects are recognized on a percentage of completion basis.

    In addition, for each separate segment, management measures earnings before depreciation and amortization, with adjustments to include deferrals resulting from the Company's implementation of SAB 101 and amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler for services that are accounted for as equity subscriptions ("Adjusted EBDA"). Evaluation of segment results of operations excludes assets, certain general and administrative expenses, and certain one time charges, such as the $1.2 million warrant charge taken in the quarter ended March 31, 2001 (See Note 4). Revenues by geographic area are based on their country of destination. At this time, substantially all revenues are attributable to customers within the United States; therefore, no geographic information is presented. There are no material inter-segment transactions.

    The table below presents information about reported segments for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000:

 
  For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 
 
  2001
  2000
 
 
  (in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Gross revenues          
  Internet applications and professional services   11,000   5,790  
  Data extraction and aggregation services   3,116   3,032  
  Wholesale vehicle exchange services   6    
  All other   475   462  
   
 
 
    Total gross revenues, by segment   14,597   9,284  
Operating income (loss)          
  Internet applications and professional services   (3,074 ) (2,432 )
  Data extraction and aggregation services   3   (91 )
  Wholesale vehicle exchange services   (983 )  
  All other   89   212  
   
 
 
    Total operating income (loss), by segment   (3,965 ) (2,311 )
Adjusted EBDA          
  Internet applications and professional services   (1,914 ) (1,734 )
  Data extraction and aggregation services   1,336   1,535  
  Wholesale vehicle exchange services   (860 )  
  All other   107   217  
   
 
 
    Total Adjusted EBDA, by segment   (1,331 ) 18  

7


    The following table provides reconciliation of the totals reported for the operating segments to the applicable line items in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000:

 
  For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 
 
  2001
  2000
 
 
  (in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Total gross revenues, by segment   14,597   9,284  
  DaimlerChrysler equity subscriptions   (1,322 )  
  SAB 101 revenue deferrals   (992 ) (369 )
   
 
 
    Reported revenues   12,283   8,914  
Total operating income (loss), by segment   (3,965 ) (2,311 )
  Unallocated expenses, including corporate, finance, legal, business development, executive and the one-time warrant charge of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2001   (2,648 ) (1,292 )
  Adjustments from gross revenue, above   (2,314 ) (370 )
   
 
 
    Reported operating income (loss)   (8,927 ) (3,972 )
Total Adjusted EBDA, by segment   (1,331 ) 18  
  Unallocated expenses   (2,647 ) (1,290 )
  Non-cash portion of unallocated expenses   1,206    
  Non-operating income (loss)   209   184  
  Adjustments to revenues   (2,314 ) (369 )
   
 
 
  EBDA   (4,877 ) (1,457 )

    For the three months ending March 31, 2001, revenues from DaimlerChrysler represented 19% of the Company's Internet applications and professional services segment revenues and 45% of the data extraction and aggregation services segment revenues. On a consolidated basis, revenues from DaimlerChrysler represented 29% of the Company's reported revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2001.

3.  Sale of YachtWorld.com

    In January 2000, the Company sold the assets of its YachtWorld.com operation to Boats.com, Inc. ("Boats.com"). The assets were sold for cash proceeds of $3.5 million and a promissory note in the amount of $10.5 million. The Company also received a warrant to purchase 473,455 shares of Boats.com common stock. No value was attributed to the warrant. The total expected gain on the sale of YachtWorld.com was $13.5 million. However, due to the risk associated with collection of the sales proceeds, the Company recognized the gain associated with the sale of YachtWorld.com only as payments were received.

    During the year ended December 31, 2000 the Company received payments of $3.5 million and $2.5 million. On March 28, 2001, a final payment was received in the amount of $1.2 million from Boats.com. At the time of this payment, the Company agreed to forgive the remaining $3.6 million of the note receivable balance. As a result, no further payments or gains are expected on the sale of the YachtWorld.com assets.

8


4.  Termination of agreement with GE Capital to operate MotorPlace Auto Exchange

    On August 18, 2000, the Company entered into an operating agreement with General Electric Capital Auto Financial Services Corporation ("GE Capital") to develop and operate MotorPlace Auto Exchange, an Internet-based wholesale automobile listing and purchasing system for use by automobile dealers and lessors. Consideration for the agreement included a warrant to purchase 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The warrant was valued at $1.3 million using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: fair value of common stock of $4.81 per share, expected life of five and one third years, risk-free interest rate of 6.11%, volatility of 93% and dividend yield of 0%. The value of the warrant was initially amortized on a straight-line basis to cost of revenues over the life of the agreement, which originally expired December 31, 2005.

    In the first quarter of 2001, the Company reached an agreement in principle with GE Capital to terminate the operating agreement relating to MotorPlace Auto Exchange. The agreement in principal was due in part to the dissolution of the after-market auto finance and leasing operations of GE Capital. As a result of the agreement in principal, the Company expensed, all unamortized warrant charges related to the operating agreement, which totaled approximately $1.2 million on March 31, 2001, and assumed full control over the operations and development of MotorPlace Auto Exchange.

5.  Loan facility

    On March 8, 2001 the Company executed a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank Commercial Finance Division ("Silicon Valley Bank") for a $10 million secured credit facility. Under the agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, the Company may borrow amounts not to exceed the lesser of $10 million or 80% of eligible accounts receivable. The eligibility of receivables is limited based on agings of the accounts, appropriate reserves and other factors. The Company is also subject to a variety of covenants, including an obligation to maintain a minimum tangible net worth throughout the term of the agreement.

6.  Net income (loss) per share

    Basic net income (loss) per share represents net income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share represents net loss available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding including the potentially dilutive impact of common stock options and warrants. Common stock options and warrants are converted using the treasury stock method. Basic and diluted net losses per share are equal for the three months ended March 31, 2001 because the impact of potential common stock equivalents is anti-dilutive. A total of 7,313,095 common stock options and warrants were outstanding at March 31, 2001.

9


    The following table sets forth the computation of the numerators and denominators in the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations for the periods indicated:

 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
  2001
  2000
 
 
  (in thousands, except share amounts)

 
Numerator:              
  Previously reported net income     (7,539 )   3,027  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle         (2,532 )
   
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ (7,538 ) $ 495  
   
 
 
Denominator:              
  Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic     20,287,918     17,082,768  
  Effect of dilutive securites              
    Employee Stock Options         1,338,154  
    Warrants         166,133  
   
 
 
  Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted     20,287,918     18,587,055  
   
 
 

7.  New accounting pronouncements

    We adopted SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities" in the three months ended March 31, 2001. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.

10



    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    Investors should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report as well as "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. The cautionary statements made in this report should be read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and in the section entitled "Factors That May Affect Our Future Results" in this Form 10-Q. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which reflect only our opinion as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Overview

General

    We are a leading provider of e-business products and services to the automotive industry. Our products include feature-rich Web sites, Internet-based software applications, and customer relationship management tools for automotive dealers. Also included in our product line are e-commerce services for original equipment manufacturer parts, data collection, normalization, and reporting services, wholesale vehicle remarketing services, and e-business training and consulting services for manufacturers and dealers.

    We currently provide Internet-hosted applications and professional services to approximately 8,950 automotive dealer clients and we are the manufacturer-endorsed provider of e-business solutions for the dealership networks of 14 automotive manufacturers. We also offer a variety of packaged e-business solutions that are endorsed by the National Automobile Dealers Association. Our IntegraLink data extraction and aggregation services are used to collect data from approximately 13,000 new vehicle franchises. The PartsVoice parts locator database contains over 38 million parts. In total, we provide our services to clients representing approximately 15,000 new vehicle franchises.

Industry Segments

    Our business consists of three strategic business segments that offer different products and services and for which discrete financial information is evaluated by our chief operating decision-makers: Internet applications and professional services; data extraction and aggregation services; and wholesale vehicle exchange services. These segments are defined by the Company's chief decision-makers as follows:

    The Internet applications and professional services segment consists primarily of hosting, and maintenance of automotive dealer Web sites, software applications that integrate with those Web sites, and professional services projects focused on substantial customization of those Web sites.

    The data extraction and aggregation segment consists of the collection, aggregation, distribution and analysis of data from automotive dealer computer systems.

    The wholesale vehicle exchange services segment consists of an Internet-based wholesale automobile listing and purchasing system for use by automobile dealers and asset owners.

    For management purposes, segment revenues are reported before the reduction of amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler, which are accounted for as equity subscriptions, and before the deferral of

11


revenues in accordance with SAB 101. SAB 101 requires us to recognize set-up fees for Internet applications ratably over an estimated customer life of three years and fees for professional services projects over an estimated project life of two years. Evaluation of segment results of operations excludes assets, certain general and administrative expenses, and certain one-time charges, such as the $1.2 million warrant charge taken in the three months ended March 31, 2001.

Sources of Revenue and Revenue Recognition Policy

    We derive our revenues from fees charged to our automotive dealer and manufacturer clients. Our current service offerings include: comprehensive Internet applications and professional services; data extraction, aggregation and management services; and other services such as dealer training, placement of advertisements and an online wholesale vehicle exchange. The majority of our services are sold to clients under short-term service agreements. We believe that continued revenue growth will be primarily attributable to growth in revenues from our Internet applications and professional services offerings. We anticipate that these additional revenues will primarily come from individual dealer sales, Web site upgrades for current clients, and sales resulting from manufacturer endorsements. The scope and timing of manufacturer endorsements and their related activities may cause variations in our revenue growth rates.

    Consolidated revenues are reported after reductions to amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler relating to the fair value of warrants and common stock issued in connection with our Web site services agreement with DaimlerChrysler that are accounted for as equity subscriptions. The warrants and common stock issued to DaimlerChrysler were valued at $14.6 million at the time of issuance and are being amortized ratably with amounts billed over the initial term of our agreement, which expires December 31, 2002. As of March 31, 2001, we had recognized $2.2 million less in revenues from DaimlerChrysler than amounts billed, including $842,000 in the year ended December 31, 2000 and $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2001. The deferred equity subscriptions balance as of March 31, 2001 of $11.6 million includes $12.4 million remaining to be amortized offset by deferred revenues related to Chrysler of $800,000.

Cost of Revenues and Operating Expenses

    Our cost of revenues consists of the costs associated with production, maintenance and delivery of our services. These expenditures include personnel costs related to production, processing and design, depreciation of Web and database servers used to host client data, expenses related to data transfer, royalties and fees payable to third parties, banner advertising, and site content licensing fees.

    Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salary and commissions for our sales staff. In addition, our sales and marketing expenses include the cost of travel associated with our sales force as well as advertising and public relations costs for the entire organization.

    Product development costs primarily consist of personnel dedicated to our product development initiatives, as well as outside consulting services to support our development efforts. Product development costs related to investments in our Web site technology platform are capitalized in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 98-1. This statement provides that certain costs associated with the development of software for internal use should be capitalized, including both internal and external costs in the installation, coding and testing phases. However, costs related to the research and definition of project parameters, as well as the transfer of data to new software are not capitalized and are expensed as incurred. Costs related to the development of our Web sites are accounted for in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issues Summary 00-02, "Accounting for Web Site Development Costs." We expense all costs relate to the planning and post-implementation phases of Web site development. Costs incurred in the development

12


phase are capitalized and recognized over the Web site's useful life if the Web site is expected to have a useful life beyond one year.

    Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of staff and management costs, facilities expenses and depreciation charges. Our intangible asset amortization charges are associated with our acquisitions of PartsVoice, IntegraLink and our DealerNet Web site.

Dispositions

    In January 2000 we sold the assets of our YachtWorld.com operation to Boats.com, Inc. The assets were sold for cash proceeds of $3.5 million and a promissory note in the amount of $10.5 million. We also received a warrant to purchase 473,455 shares of Boats.com common stock. On March 31, 2001, a final payment was received in the amount of $1.2 million from Boats.com. At the time of this payment, the Company agreed to forgive the remaining $3.6 million of the note receivable balance. As a result, no further payments or gains are expected on the sale of YachtWorld.com assets. The total gain recognized on the sale of YachtWorld.com was $9.9 million, which represents the cash paid, net of transaction expenses, over the book value of the assets sold.

MotorPlace Auto Exchange

    On August 18, 2000, we entered into an agreement with GE Capital to develop and operate MotorPlace Auto Exchange, an Internet-based wholesale automobile listing and purchasing system for use by automobile dealers and lessors. Consideration for the agreement included a warrant to purchase 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The warrant was valued at $1.3 million at the time of issuance and the value of the warrant was being amortized on a straight-line basis to cost of revenues over the life of the agreement, which originally expired December 31, 2005.

    In the first quarter of 2001, we reached an agreement in principle with GE Capital to terminate the operating agreement relating to MotorPlace Auto Exchange. The agreement in principal was due in part to the dissolution of the after-market auto finance and leasing operations of GE Capital. As a result of the agreement in principal, we expensed all unamortized warrant charges related to the operating agreement, which totaled approximately $1.2 million, on March 31, 2001, and we have assumed all expenses related to MotorPlace Auto Exchange.

Technology Investment

    We are engaged in a project related to our Web site technology platform that entails significant investments in internally developed software. As of March 31, 2001, we were in the design and development phase of this project and had incurred software development costs of $5.2 million of which $4.0 million were capitalized. Additionally, related capital assets purchased as of March 31, 2001 totaled $1.9 million. We expect to continue to incur substantial costs related to this project throughout the remainder of 2001.

    In addition, we anticipate continued investment in the development of MotorPlace Auto Exchange. We expect the costs associated with developing MotorPlace Auto Exchange to be in excess of $2.0 million during 2001. In the first quarter of 2001, we invested approximately $900,000 in this effort, consisting of expensed and capitalized labor and consulting costs as well as capital asset purchases.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2000

 
  For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
  2001
  2000
 
 
  (in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Gross Revenues:          
  Internet applications and professional services   11,000   5,790  
  Data extraction and aggregation services   3,116   3,032  
  Wholesale vehicle exchange services   6    
  All other   475   461  
   
 
 
    Total gross revenues, by segment   14,597   9,283  
  DaimlerChrysler equity subscriptions   (1,322 )  
  SAB 101 revenue deferrals   (992 ) (369 )
   
 
 
    Reported revenues   12,283   8,914  

    Revenues.  Our consolidated revenues increased to $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $8.9 million for the same period of 2000. This increase is primarily attributable to a net increase of 3,310 dealer clients using our Internet applications and professional services. These increases have also been offset by the recognition of amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler as equity subsriptions.

    Internet applications and professional services.  Revenues for the Internet applications and professional services segment increased 90% to $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $5.8 million for the same period of 2000, prior to reductions to 2001 revenues of $1.3 million from amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler and $1.0 million for the change in revenue recognition for non-recurring fees under SAB 101 and reductions to 2000 revenues of $400,000 due to SAB 101. This increase is primarily attributable to the addition of approximately 3,300 dealer Web site clients, which accounted for 98% of the revenue increase.

    Data extraction and aggregation services.  Revenues from our data extraction and aggregation services segment increased 2.8% to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $3.0 million for the same period of 2000. This increase is primarily attributable to sales of data extraction and aggregation services in conjunction with automotive dealer Web sites.

    Wholesale vehicle exchange services.  Revenues from our wholesale vehicle exchange services segment were $6,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001. The initiative was launched in the third quarter of 2000 and we expect to continue to invest in marketing and technology efforts associated with the launch.

    Cost of revenues.  The gross profit margin percentage for the three months ended March 31, 2001 was 79.7% compared to 80.0% in the same period of 2000.

    Sales and marketing.  Sales and marketing costs, excluding stock-based expenses, increased 63% to $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $4.3 million for the same period of 2000. Of the increase, 79% was attributable to additional sales and service personnel, including the implementation of our customer service department, eCare, in the second half of 2000.

    Product development.  Excluding stock-based expenses, product development expenses increased 153% to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 as compared to $1.3 million in the

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same period of 2000. Increases in personnel and outside consulting services dedicated to our product development initiatives accounted for 90% of the increase.

    General and administrative.  General and administrative costs, excluding stock-based expenses, increased to $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $3.8 million for the same period of 2000. Increases in personnel and related costs accounted for 39% of the increase. Overhead charges including bad debt expense and business taxes accounted for 25% of the increase, and increased depreciation charges associated with increased capital investments accounted for 20% of the increase.

    Stock-based compensation.  Stock-based expenses increased to $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2001 from $290,000 in the same period of 2000. The increase is due to the $1.2 million charge for unamortized warrants related to the agreement in principal with GE Capital to terminate the MotorPlace Auto Exchange agreement. The increase is offset by decreasing charges attributable to stock options granted to employees due to the use of an accelerated method of amortizing deferred compensation and to the cancellation of deferred compensation related to employee stock options following employee terminations.

    Operating income (loss).  Loss from operations was $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to a loss of $4.0 million for the same period of 2000. The increase in net loss is attributable to increased personnel costs, depreciation and amortization as well as outside consulting services as discussed in the individual expense categories, offset by revenues.

    Loss from operations for our Internet applications and professional services segment was $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to a loss of $2.4 million for the same period of 2000. The increase in net loss is primarily attributable to increased costs of overhead allocated to the segment, including marketing programs, facilities costs, depreciation and other overhead expenses.

    Income from operations for our data aggregation and extraction services segment was $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to a loss of $91,000 for the same period of 2000. The primary reason for the transition from operating loss to operating income was the reduction in intangible asset amortization charges associated with the operating segment. The decrease in intangible asset amortization charges is attributable to the $9.7 intangible asset impairment charge taken in the third quarter of 2000.

    Loss from operations for our wholesale vehicle exchange services segment was $984,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001. There was no loss in the corresponding period of 2000, as the launch of MotorPlace Auto Exchange took place in the second half of 2000. The majority of the operating loss is associated with start-up investment in MotorPlace Auto Exchange, including investments in personnel and outside consulting expenses.

    Adjusted EBDA.  Adjusted EBDA is the primary metric used by the chief operating decision-makers to measure our ability to generate cash flow. We define Adjusted EBDA as earnings, excluding other income, before depreciation and amortization charges, with adjustments to include deferrals resulting from our implementation of SAB 101 and amounts billed to DaimlerChrysler for services that are accounted for as equity subscriptions. Adjusted EBDA may not be consistent with the calculation of EBDA for other public companies. Investors should not view Adjusted EBDA as an alternative to generally accepted accounting principles, or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity.

    Adjusted consolidated EBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2001 was a loss of $4.9 million, compared with a loss of $1.5 million for the same period of 2000. The increased Adjusted

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EBDA loss was primarily the result of expenses related to the support of our increased client base and our increased technology investment.

    For our Internet applications and professional services segment, Adjusted EBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2001 was a loss of $1.9 million, compared with a loss of $1.7 million for the same period of 2000. This increase is primarily due to the increase in our dealer Web site clients, which increased our customer-support expenses. These expenses were substantially offset by the growth in revenues from the additional 3,300 Web sites activated.

    For our data extraction and aggregation services segment, Adjusted EBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2001 was $1.3 million, compared with $1.5 million for the same period of 2000. This decrease is primarily due to decreasing revenues from PartsVoice, offset by revenues generated by IntegraLink.

    For our wholesale vehicle exchange services segment, Adjusted EBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2001 was a loss of $860,000. Our MotorPlace Auto Exchange initiative was launched in the third quarter of 2000 and we will continue to invest in marketing and technology efforts associated with the launch.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

    At March 31, 2001 our cash balance was $10.4 million, which reflects a decrease of $6.2 million from our cash balance at December 31, 2000.

    Net cash used in operating activities was $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to $1.1 million for the same period of 2000. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net loss of $7.5 million, after adjustments for depreciation and amortization and non-cash charges in assets and liabilities.

    Net cash used in investing activities was $952,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $3.5 million for the same period of 2000. The change was primarily attributable to the decreased proceeds from the sale of YachtWorld.com received in 2001 compared to the prior year.

    Net cash used in financing activities was $54,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $190,000 for the same period of 2000. Increased payments on capital and software financing contracts accounted for the increase; however, the increase was offset in part by payments on deferred equity subscriptions related to the DaimlerChrysler agreement.

    We anticipate continued investment of substantial resources in developing technology that supports our Internet applications and professional services business. This investment will include staffing and consulting costs, in addition to capital purchases. As of March 31, 2001 we had invested an aggregate of $7.1 million in our current project to develop technology that supports our Internet applications business, consisting of $4.0 million in capitalized labor costs, $1.9 million in hardware and software purchases and another $1.2 million in labor and consulting expenses. We anticipate the costs associated with developing MotorPlace Auto Exchange to exceed $2.0 million in 2001. In the three months ended March 31, 2001, we invested approximately $900,000 in the MotorPlace Auto Exchange development effort, consisting of expensed and capitalized labor and consulting costs as well as capital asset purchases.

    On March 8, 2001 we entered into a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank. This loan facility gives us the ability to borrow up to $10 million against 80% of eligible accounts receivable balances, which are limited based on age and other factors. We are also subject to a variety of covenants, which include an obligation to maintain a minimum tangible net worth throughout the term

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of the agreement. As of March 31, 2001 we had not borrowed any funds under the loan facility available to us. The maximum amount we were eligible to borrow under the facility as of March 31, 2001 was $6.0 million.

    As a strategic initiative or as a response to the competitive environment, we may from time to time make pricing, service, technology or marketing decisions or business or technology acquisitions that require near-term investment, including staff, management and infrastructure costs that may negatively affect near-term operating results. For example, our investment in MotorPlace Auto Exchange requires increased staffing and infrastructure to accommodate anticipated growth in our transaction volumes. We also anticipate that we will require increased infrastructure and staffing to support expanded service offerings.

    We do not currently generate sufficient cash to fully fund operations. Although we believe our cash reserves, in addition to the Silicon Valley Bank loan facility, will be adequate to fund our operations for the next twelve months, such sources may be inadequate. If our costs exceed our expectations, or revenues are less than anticipated, we may require additional equity or debt financing to meet future working capital needs. We cannot provide assurance that such additional financing will be available, or if available, that such financing can be obtained on satisfactory terms.

Factors That May Affect Our Future Results

    You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this report in evaluating our business, operations and prospects.

Our limited operating history and unproven, evolving business model make it difficult to evaluate our prospects.

    We began offering our services in March 1995. We must achieve broad market acceptance of our services and continue to expand our service offerings for our business to succeed. Although our client base represents a significant percentage of the total franchised automotive dealer community in the United States, many of our dealer clients have been clients for only a short time. Furthermore, several of our newest product offerings and strategic initiatives, particularly MotorPlace Auto Exchange, are not yet in full commercial release or have yet to be proven in the marketplace. We cannot assure you that our new and planned future offerings will be successful or that our broader business model, as it evolves, will succeed.

We have a history of losses and may never achieve or maintain profitability. If we continue to lose money, our operations will not be financially viable.

    We have incurred net losses each year since we began operations and we expect that we will not be profitable at least through 2001. We cannot guarantee that our business strategy will be successful or that we will ever achieve or maintain significant revenues or profitability. We had a net loss of $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001. As of that date, we had an accumulated deficit of $74.2 million. We have not had operating profits on a quarterly or annual basis. We expect to continue to incur significant operating expenses and, as a result, we will need to generate significant revenue increases and control expenses to achieve and maintain profitability.

We have relied primarily on the issuance of equity securities to finance our operations and may need to raise additional capital to fund our future operations. Any failure to obtain additional capital when needed or on satisfactory terms could damage our business and prospects.

    We do not generate sufficient cash to fully fund operations. Although we believe that our cash reserves, combined with amounts available under our commercial lending facility with Silicon Valley Bank, will be adequate to fund our operations for the next twelve months, such sources may be

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inadequate. To date we have financed our operations principally through the issuance of equity securities, through the sale of corporate assets, and through borrowings and expect that we may need to raise additional capital in the future to fund our ongoing operations. If we issue additional securities in connection with strategic relationships or to raise additional capital, the percentage ownership of our then-current shareholders will be reduced.

    Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including the extent of our efforts to develop our new Internet application services technology platform, the rate at which we develop and deploy MotorPlace Auto Exchange, the extent to which we expand our other product and service offerings, the occurrence, timing, size and success of acquisitions, and the effect of competition on our performance. Any difficulty in obtaining additional capital when needed or on satisfactory terms could force us to curtail our operations or prevent us from pursuing our growth strategy.

We expend considerable resources in the development of our technology infrastructure, our services and the pursuit of strategic opportunities. Development efforts that take longer than expected to complete or that are unsuccessful could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.

    We are engaged in the development of a new technology platform to support our Internet application services. In aggregate, we expect this project alone will cost approximately $11.0 million. The time, expense and effort associated with developing and implementing this new technology infrastructure, as well as our product and service offerings and strategic initiatives, may exceed our expectations. The length of the development cycle varies depending on the nature and complexity of the product, service or initiative, the availability of development, marketing and other internal resources, and the responsiveness of strategic or technology partners. Larger more complex products, services or initiatives, such as the development of our technology infrastructure and the development of MotorPlace Auto Exchange, tend to have longer development cycles. Any delay or failure in developing or implementing these products, services or initiatives would have a negative effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Any failure to build strong relationships with current and prospective automotive dealer and manufacturer clients could limit our growth prospects and adversely affect our business.

    For our business to succeed, we must continue to develop relationships with franchised automotive dealers. We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from fees paid by our automotive dealer clients and our future growth depends in part on expanding our base of dealer clients. We also must maintain close working relationships with automotive manufacturers. While we have established relationships with a number of manufacturers, these relationships are relatively new and we have little experience in maintaining them. In addition, manufacturers may elect to implement their own Internet strategies, which could reduce our potential client base. For example, during 2000 General Motors Corporation announced its intent to create a subsidiary focused solely on providing technology solutions, including e-business services such as dealer Web sites, to franchised General Motors dealers.

Excessive turnover of our dealer clients could increase our costs, damage our reputation and slow our growth.

    Our service agreements with dealers generally are short-term and cancelable on 30 days' notice. To be successful, we will need to maintain low dealer client turnover. During the three months ended March 31, 2001, approximately 464 Web sites, or 5% of our total Web sites as of quarter-end, were terminated. Our rate of dealer client turnover may fluctuate from period to period, and may exceed recent levels. A material decrease in the number of dealers purchasing our services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

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We will face intense competition and, if we are unable to compete successfully, our business will be seriously harmed.

    Our Internet applications and professional services compete with services offered by large enterprise software providers such as The Reynolds and Reynolds Company ("Reynolds") and Automated Data Processing Corporation ("ADP") as well as local and regional Web site development firms and application providers. We may also be perceived by some dealers as competitors of automobile sales lead generation services such as Autobytel, Inc., Microsoft CarPoint and Autoweb.com, Inc. if these dealers maintain a distinct Internet marketing budget. Our data extraction and aggregation services compete with services provided by Reynolds, ADP and Digital Motorworks, Inc. In 2000, established industry participants announced the formation of two new businesses to provide parts e-commerce services to the automotive industry. ChoiceParts, LLC was formed by Reynolds, ADP and CCC Information Services Corporation and OEConnect, LLC was formed by Ford Motor Company, General Motors, DaimlerChyrsler and Bell and Howell Co. If implemented, these businesses could adversely affect usage of the PartsVoice parts locator service and significantly impair the growth of our data extraction and aggregation services. We anticipate that competition in the market for automotive industry Internet services will increase significantly over time. Barriers to entry on the Internet are relatively low, and we expect to face competitive pressures from numerous companies, particularly those with data aggregation capabilities that may be readily integrated with Internet services. Furthermore, our existing and potential competitors may develop offerings that equal or exceed the quality of our offerings or achieve greater market acceptance than ours. Many of our current and future competitors have and will continue to have substantially greater capital, resources and access to additional financing than we do or will. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current and future competitors or that competition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If automotive manufacturers decide to provide Internet applications or data extraction and aggregation services directly to their dealer networks our revenues and growth prospects will be severely impaired.

    It is possible that some, or all, automotive manufacturers may attempt to provide services comparable to those that we provide to our clients. If this occurs, our ability to maintain or expand our client base and revenues will be impaired. In 1997, DaimlerChrysler announced an internal initiative to bring elements of our parts locator service in-house. We believe that this initiative will significantly reduce our contract revenues from parts data services that we currently provide to DaimlerChrysler dealers. In 1998, DaimlerChrysler elected to host the parts locator data internally, although we continue to extract and aggregate parts inventory from its dealers. In both 2000 and 1999, revenues from parts data services provided to the MOPAR division of DaimlerChrysler represented approximately 13% of our revenues. Manufacturers may choose to provide competitive services directly or through affiliation. For example, if OEConnect is implemented, it may result in a significant reduction in the data extraction and aggregation services we provide to dealers affiliated with the major domestic automotive manufacturers.

Any failure to manage our growth effectively will adversely affect our business and results of operations.

    We are experiencing rapid growth that places significant strain upon our management and operational systems and resources. Failure to manage our growth effectively would have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our ability to compete effectively as a provider of Internet applications and professional services to the automotive industry and to manage future growth will require us to continue to improve our operational systems, product development organization and our financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures. We may fail to make these improvements effectively. Additionally, our efforts to make these improvements may divert the focus of our personnel.

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    Our relationships with clients and strategic partners are frequently informal and are subject to frequent change. These changes are also often informal. A practice of entering into verbal agreements and of modifying or terminating past agreements by verbal agreement has resulted in the past, and may result in the future, in disputes regarding the existence, interpretation and circumstances regarding modification or termination of commercial contracts. If our relationships with clients or strategic partners evolve in an adverse manner, if we get into contractual disputes with clients or strategic partners or if any agreements with such persons are terminated, our business could suffer.

    We have hired a significant number of new employees, including key executives, and we will continue to add personnel to maintain our ability to grow in the future. Since March 2000, we have added a number of key managerial, technical and operations personnel, including our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as well as our Executive Vice President of Sales and Account Services, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President and General Manager of PartsVoice, Vice President and General Manager of IntegraLink, Vice President of Account Services, Vice President of Marketing, Vice President and General Manager of MotorPlace Auto Exchange and Vice President of Creative Services. We must integrate our key executives into a cohesive management team and at the same time increase the total number of employees and train and manage our employee work force in a timely and effective manner to expand our business. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so successfully. To manage the expected growth of our operations and personnel, we must continue improving or replacing existing operational, accounting and information systems, procedures and controls. We will also need to expand, train and manage our growing employee base, particularly our finance, administrative and operations staff. Further, we must manage effectively our relationships with our dealer, dealer group and manufacturer clients and other third parties necessary to our business. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business could suffer.

Our quarterly results likely will fluctuate, which may subject the market price of our common stock to rapid and unpredictable change.

    As our business grows and the market for Internet applications and professional services matures, we expect that our quarterly operating results will fluctuate. Factors that we expect to lead to such period-to-period changes include:

    the level of demand in the automotive industry for Internet applications, professional services and data extraction and aggregation services;

    the amount and timing of increased expenditures for expansion of our operations, including the hiring of new employees, capital expenditures and related costs;

    the rate and volume of additions to our client base;

    our ability to continue to enhance, maintain and support our technology;

    the amount and timing of expenditures by clients for our services;

    the introduction of new products or services by us or our competitors;

    our ability to attract and retain personnel with the necessary technical, sales, marketing and creative skills required to develop our services and to service our clients effectively;

    technical difficulties with respect to the Internet or infrastructure; and

    economic conditions generally and those specific to the automotive industry.

    We expect our business to experience seasonality, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in the automotive industry, Internet and commercial online service usage and advertising expenditures. In addition, because we only began operations in March 1995, and because the market for automotive e-business services such as ours is new and evolving, it is very difficult to predict future financial results. Due

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partly to our investments in our technology infrastructure and to our development of MotorPlace Auto Exchange, we plan to significantly increase our technology and development, sales and marketing, as well as general and administrative expenses during the remainder of the year 2001. Our expenses are relatively fixed in the short term and are based in part on our expectations of future revenues, which may vary significantly. If we do not achieve expected revenue targets, we may be unable to adjust our spending quickly enough to offset any revenue shortfall. If this were to occur, our results of operations would be significantly affected.

We may fail to retain our key executives and to attract and retain technical personnel, which would adversely affect our business and prospects.

    The loss of the services of one or more of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the development of our business and, accordingly, on our operating results and financial condition. We generally do not enter into employment agreements with our key executive officers and cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain them. Qualified technical personnel are in great demand throughout the Internet industry. Our future growth will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical and engineering personnel. Our failure to attract and retain the technical personnel that are integral to our expanding development needs may limit the rate at which we can develop new products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we become unable to extract data from our clients' internal management systems, the value of our services would decrease dramatically.

    A significant component of our business and revenues depends on our ability to extract various data types from our clients' internal management systems. Most dealer information management systems have been developed and sold by Reynolds and ADP and our ability to access these systems is essential to the success of our data extraction and aggregation service offerings. It is possible that new products, services or information management systems installed by dealers could limit or otherwise impair our ability to collect data from dealers. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are vulnerable to disruptions in our computer systems and network infrastructure. System or network failures would adversely affect our operations.

    We depend on the continued performance of our systems and network infrastructure. Any system or network failure that causes interruption or slower response time for our services could result in less traffic to our clients' Web sites and, if sustained or repeated, could reduce the attractiveness of our services to clients. An increase in the volume of Internet traffic to sites hosted by us could strain the capacity of our technical infrastructure, which could lead to slower response times or system failures. Any failure of our servers and networking systems to handle current or future volumes of traffic would have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation. In addition, our operations depend upon our ability to maintain and protect our computer systems, which are located at facilities in Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio. Our systems are vulnerable to damage from fire, floods, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures and similar events. Although we maintain back-up systems and capabilities and also maintain insurance against fires and general business interruptions, our back-up systems and our insurance coverage may not be adequate in any particular case. The occurrence of a catastrophic event could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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Unknown software defects could cause service interruptions, which could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.

    Our product and service offerings depend on complex software, both internally developed and licensed from third parties. Complex software often contains defects, particularly when first introduced or when new versions are created. Although we conduct extensive testing, we may not discover software defects that affect our new or current products and services or enhancements until after they are deployed. These defects could cause service interruptions, which could damage our reputation or increase our service costs. They also could cause us to lose revenue and divert our development resources.

Economic trends that negatively affect the automotive retailing industry may adversely affect our business by decreasing the number of automotive dealers purchasing our products and services, decreasing the amount our clients spend on our products and services, or both.

    Purchases of new vehicles are typically discretionary for consumers and may be particularly affected by negative trends in the economy. The success of our business will depend upon a number of factors influencing the spending patterns of automotive dealers and manufacturers for marketing and advertising services. These patterns are in part influenced by factors relating to discretionary consumer spending for automotive purchases, including economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income, such as employment, wages and salaries, business conditions, interest rates and availability of credit for the economy as a whole and in regional and local markets. Because the purchase of a vehicle is often a significant investment, any reduction in disposable income and the impact such reduction may have on our clients may affect us more significantly than businesses serving other industries or segments of the economy.

Our business depends on the protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights and such protection is costly and may be inadequate. The loss of any of these rights or property would seriously harm our business.

    Legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of proprietary rights in Internet-related businesses are uncertain and still evolving, and we cannot predict the future viability or value of any of our proprietary rights. We also cannot assure you that the steps that we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights and confidential information will prevent unauthorized disclosure, misappropriation or infringement of these valuable assets. In addition, our business activities may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others and other parties may assert infringement claims against us. Any litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Moreover, if we infringe upon the rights of others, we may be required to pay substantial amounts and may be required to either license the infringed intellectual property or to develop alternative technologies independently. We may not be able to obtain suitable substitutes for the infringed technology on acceptable terms or in a timely manner, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We could face liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the Internet and liability for products sold over the Internet.

    We could be exposed to liability with respect to third-party information that is accessible through Web sites we create. These claims might assert that, by directly or indirectly providing links to Web sites operated by third parties, we should be liable for copyright or trademark infringement or other wrongful actions by third parties through these sites. It is also possible that if any information provided on our clients' Web sites contains errors, consumers and our clients could make claims against us for losses incurred in relying on this information. We access the systems and databases of our clients and,

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despite precautions, we may adversely affect these systems. Even if these claims do not result in liability to us, we could incur significant costs in investigating and defending against these claims and our reputation could suffer dramatically. While we believe our insurance is adequate, our general liability insurance and contractual indemnity and disclaimer provisions may not cover all potential claims to which we are exposed and may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Increasing government regulation could limit the market for Internet services, which could seriously harm our business.

    Due to concerns arising from the increasing use of the Internet, a number of laws and regulations have been and may be adopted covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, acceptable content, taxation and quality of products and services. Failure by our clients or us to comply with such laws and regulations could subject us to legal action, including fines, and could cause us to expend management and other resources. In addition, such legislation could dampen the growth in use of the Internet generally and decrease the acceptance of the Internet as a communications and commercial medium. Further, due to the global nature of the Internet, it is possible that multiple federal, state or foreign jurisdictions might attempt to regulate Internet transmissions or levy sales or other taxes relating to Internet-based activities. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, libel and personal privacy is uncertain. We cannot assess the impact of any future regulation of the Internet on our business.

Our principal shareholder and its affiliates will continue to influence matters affecting us, which could conflict with your interests.

    As of March 31, 2001, E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC ("Warburg") beneficially owned approximately 45% of our issued and outstanding common stock and is able to exercise significant influence over us, including on matters submitted to our shareholders for a vote, such as:

    the election of our board of directors;

    the removal of any of our directors;

    the amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws; and

    the adoption of measures that could delay or prevent a change in control or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination involving us.

    Actions taken by Warburg could conflict with interests of other shareholders. As a result of Warburg's significant shareholdings, a potential acquirer could be discouraged from attempting to obtain control of us, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Our stock price may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses for individual shareholders and would increase the likelihood that we will be subject to securities class action litigation.

    The market price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in operating results, announcements of new products or services by us or our competitors, market conditions in the automotive industry, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of equity securities of many technology and services companies and that often have been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies.

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    In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of their stock, many companies have been the subject of securities class action litigation. If we were sued in a securities class action, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, and could cause our stock price to decline.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

    Substantially all of our cash equivalents and marketable securities are at fixed interest rates, and, as such, the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. However, all of our cash equivalents and marketable securities mature within one year. As a result, we believe that the market risk arising from our holding of these financial instruments is minimal. In addition, all of our current clients pay in U.S. dollars and, consequently, our foreign currency exchange rate risk is immaterial. We do not engage in hedging transactions.

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Part II—Other Information

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report:

10.1  Loan and Security Agreement dated March 8, 2001 between The Cobalt Group, Inc. and Silicon Valley Bank, Commercial Finance Division.*

*Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on April 2, 2001.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

    None

25



SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    THE COBALT GROUP, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ 
DAVID S. SNYDER     
David S. Snyder,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 14, 2001

26




QuickLinks

THE COBALT GROUP, INC. FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I—Financial Information
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
The Cobalt Group, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited)
The Cobalt Group, Inc. Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Part II—Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
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