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AmeriQuest Wins Patent for Revolutionary Business Process

First new business model with wide applications since franchising

"Collective Business System" gives independent companies ability to compete with large national companies by amalgamating purchasing, coordinating sales efforts through e-Commerce technology

Cherry Hill, NJ November 26, 2001: AmeriQuest® Transportation and Logistics Resources Corp., a leading provider of services to the fleet management industry, received a patent for the company's innovative business system. The patent, entitled "Collective Business System", provides premium business support mechanisms from suppliers to independent companies, tradespersons or professionals in a common industry through a substantially liquid asset based, for-profit business entity. The businesses participating in the model receive enhanced purchasing power, national marketing capabilities and other business leverage support to compete effectively with national companies in their industry.

AmeriQuest filed for the patent in May 1999, and was awarded the patent last month. The company expects to receive the patent number within 12 weeks.

"The Collective Business System is not an association, buying service or franchise. It is a group of participants who may opt to be shareholders in the company," explained Doug Clark, President & CEO, AmeriQuest, who is named as the inventor of the process.

The Collective Business System has been in operation for three years in the independent truck leasing and rental industry, where it is actively processing orders for fleet equipment and saving companies like Hogan Motor Leasing, DeCarolis Truck Rental and Transervice Lease Corp. thousands of dollars. In addition to saving money and time, the AmeriQuest system offered the owners of these companies the opportunity to participate in the equity of the new firm, further adding to the value they receive.

"This is a classic 'no-lose' situation for companies operating in diffused industries with just a few major players. The participants get better pricing, greater exposure and potentially the chance to benefit from a stock offering," said Clark.

"The central elements of the Collective Business System include a sales force that is responsible for selling services nationwide, procurement amalgamation that enables the group to buy volume discounts greater than they can receive individually and technology that makes the process work accurately, seamlessly and without paper," said Joseph Ciolino. Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, AmeriQuest.

Clark added, "The key to the success of the AmeriQuest model is efficiency derived through well- conceived processes that automate the transaction flow. Most buying groups add administrative costs and people to manage the transaction flow, but we use e-Commerce systems that do not add costs or people."

Attorneys reviewing the patent application have described its patent protection as very robust and broad in scope. Indeed, the Collective Business System has been described as the first new business model with far-reaching commercial applications since franchising. Unlike franchising, however, which must adhere to many strict laws and constraints, the system allows independent businesses to work collectively and retain their independence while avoiding the cumbersome administrative burdens associated with franchises.

"For the foreseeable future, the inherent limitations of traditional collective business systems like trade associations, cooperatives and franchises will render them considerably less effective than they once were in advancing the business interests of their constituents. AmeriQuest's new business model overcomes those limitations and enables single market and regional firms to effectively compete with much larger national and global companies," confirmed John Letchford, the attorney with the Philadelphia-based law firm Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers, LLP who successfully prosecuted the patent application before the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"AmeriQuest may establish a division to address the marketing and implementation of the business model in industries other than the ones the company is currently operating in. This division may become a new company within AmeriQuest," Clark said. "The potential for the revenue for AmeriQuest is in helping associations and buying groups create a Collective Business System for their particular industry."

About AmeriQuest Transportation Services
AmeriQuest is a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management services. By leveraging the strength of over 700,000 vehicles, AmeriQuest delivers savings, expertise, and opportunities to its private fleet and truckload carrier members. AmeriQuest provides supply management services, asset management services, financing, technology products, and outsourced transportation management services such as full service leasing, integrated logistics, and contract maintenance. More information can be found at ameriquestcorp.com.