The Dakota Company

"Big ideas need a catalyst."

Successful people turn to F. Michael Graves and his team at The Dakota Company to get jobs done.

The Dakota Company offers several options for contracting their services, and flexibility is one hallmark of their success. While one project might demand the entire scope of the company's broad-based services, another may require only early-stage design, conceptual development, or project consulting.

SERVICES

•	Facilities Evaluation
•	Conceptual Design and Master Planning
•	Schematic Design
•	Design Development
•	Construction Documents
•	Construction Administration
•	Bidding and Negotiation
•	Permitting and Zoning
•	Project Management
•	Graphic Design
•	Purchasing and Installation
•	Management and Staff Training
•	Aftermarket Sales Program

WHAT INDUSTRY INSIDERS ARE SAYING

•	"Our first month we topped the longtime No.1 dealer in south Florida (Maroone Dodge, owned by AutoNation Inc.). That shows the customer-friendly atmosphere Graves has created hereis righty on." - Planet Dodge, Miami, FL
•	"The building itself is key to the satisfaction process. It's part museum, part spanish hacienda and totally Dodge dealership," says Alan Potamkin, Chrysler is quite pleased - and so are we." - Alan Potamkin, Co-Chairman, Planet Automotive
•	Well out in front of the trend toward a different kind of dealership is Michael graves of Dallas, a self-described behavioral designer who has trademarked the term "autotainment" to describe his concept of incorporation themed elements and creature comforts at dealerships. - The New York Times
•	"I have never been to another dealership that mirrors this experiance." - James G. O'Connor - Group Vice President - North American Marketing, Sales and Services - Ford Motor Co.

The Dakota Company has a history of creatively approaching projects to ensure the best structure for all the parties involved. Below are just two examples of the kind of results you can expect when you engage the services The Dakota Company.

CASE STUDY #1 - Planet Ford Autotainment Mall

In April of 1996, World Class Automotive Group purchased controlling interest in a Ford dealership, (Interstate Ford) located in Houston (Spring), Texas. This 25-year-old dealership had produced little if any operational profits since opening in the early 70's. It had suffered from frequent changes in Ownership and years of physical neglect, losing all its consumer trust.

Principals of Autotainment Ventures were working with World Class in the contemporization of the retail automotive sales process, and immediately were asked to oversee the recapitalization process at this dealership. Autotainment Ventures was presented with an opportunity to reinvent the retail automotive dealership, to humanize the facility. Design elements used by our retail-planning group for other major retail facilities were woven seamlessly into the sales process. All aspects of the behavioral design effort were used to lower the customer intimidation, enhance the purchase experience along with building consumer trust and satisfaction.

The numbers reflect only part of the success of this dealership. F. Michael Graves served as COO of Planet Ford for 2002, the first year of operation, during such time the dealership reached #2 in national Ford sales.

THE NUMBERS: BEFORE

Interstate Ford (1996)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$327 per unit
Closing Rates:	Unavailable
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	143 per Month

THE NUMBERS: AFTER

Planet Ford (First Year of Operations 2002)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$1,422 per unit
Closing Rates:	43%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	854 per Month

ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND ACHEIVEMENTS

•	Blue Oval Certification: 2002, 2003
•	Partners Quality Inc.: 2003
•	President's Award Winner: 2003
•	Ten Most Innovative Dealerships by Automotive News: 2002

CASE STUDY #2 - Planet Dodge Autotainment Mall

Planet Dodge opened in October of 2003 after the Potamkin family and their partners Walter and Scott Ritter selected designer/builder F. Michael Graves and Autotainment Ventures to launch Planet Automotive's first venture in Autotainment(TM), a new concept in Automotive retailing, in the Florida market. The Potamkin Brothers, Robert and Alan, along with Joe Herman, the COO of Planet Automotive, selected Autotainment Ventures to implement the Autotainment' concept at their then 40% completed Dodge dealership after visiting Planet Ford. The project was stopped midway in construction to be completely redesigned to integrate as many of the Autotainment' concepts as possible. The dealership was a new point awarded to the Potamkin organization in a new undeveloped part of Miami, which in defiance to those hurtles posted operational profits monthly since opening.

THE NUMBERS: AFTER

Planet Dodge (First Year of Operations 2003)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,122 per unit
Closing Rates:	(First Time - 24%, Be Backs - 63%) 36%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	268 per month

Planet Dodge (Second Year of Operations)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,515 per unit
Closing Rates:	38%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	305 per month

Planet Dodge (Third Year of Operations)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,912 per unit
Closing Rates:	38%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	338 per month

ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND ACHEIVEMENTS

•	Daimler Chrysler's Five Star Certification: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's #1 National Accessories Retailer: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's #2 Global Accessories Retailer: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's 2003 Leadership Challenge Award for Sales and Customer Satisfaction
•	November 2055 #3 in National Sales Volume