Over 1000 cars listed on the portal during the launch from all major automobile manufacturers

Dubai, December 14th, 2005: Starauto.com, an online marketplace for automobiles was launched at the 8th International Motor Show in Dubai yesterday. It is an independent venture of Builders Portal and promoted by the highly respected ETA-Ascon group of UAE. The venture draws from the vast domain knowledge of the automotive industry and incorporates positive features to make the portal feasible and practical for its members.

The portal provides features that are required to make a high involvement purchase decision. The user can browse through different auto showrooms and compare the elements like color, model, price and all the parameters that they observe as important. They can compare between different cars available, give their preferences and get notifications when relevant cars are added for sale.

"Internet shops offer an unparalleled reach and visibility compared to traditional auto shops as it allows various auto dealers and suppliers from the UAE to post their profiles, products and contact information and make it available to a large number of people. The premium traders can enhance their own online showrooms through the portal for better results," said Mr. Siddique Jamal, Business Development Manager, Starauto.com.

The site has been launched with the objective of providing wide choice of cars to buyers and sellers on a real time basis. The portal aims at streamlining the entire process by seamlessly connecting the buyers and sellers community and enabling a transparent transaction using the Internet as the medium.   

"If the consumer is shopping for a pre-owned car, our portal offers them benefits such as the largest selection of vehicles in GCC; the most comprehensive selection of buying and selling tips, car reviews, vehicle pricing, safety information and also help with finance and insurance. We will be adding more dealers and cars in the coming months," added Jamal.

"Starauto.com provides consumers with the freedom to choose from the best deals in the market at a very competitive price all from the convenience of their desktops. At starauto.com - auto dealers, customers and other related service providers get together to form a huge online virtual marketplace offering an out-of the-world buying and selling experience," concluded Mr. Mohamed. F, Manager, Star Auto.

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About ETA ASCON
Emirates Trading Agency-Associated Constructions and Investments (ETA ASCON) Co. L.L.C. are a multinational and diversified Group established in 1973 as a joint venture under UAE's Abdulla Al Ghurair Group. ETA-ASCON has built an enviable reputation for quality, service and cost-effective technological capability. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group network undertakes construction, contracting and infrastructure project work in several countries, having 23 branches and associate offices worldwide. Areas of expertise include Engineering, Contracting, Construction, Manufacturing, Trading, Shipping, Transportation, Jewellery, Travel, Consumer Electronics, Recycling, Automobiles, Building Maintenance, Information Technology, Human Resources Management and Real Estate. The Group's consolidated sales for the year ending 2003 were in excess of USD 1.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.eta-ascon.com.

For further information, please contact:
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Dubai,
UAE,
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
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E-mail: info@asdaa.com,
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© Press Release 2005