POWAY, Calif. – Mitchell 1 has signed an Internet affiliate agreement between its Mitchell 1 DIY program (also known as eAutoRepair.net) for automotive do-it-yourselfers and AskPatty.com Inc., a Web site, blog and Second Life venue that serves as a safe place for women to get advice on car purchases, maintenance and other automotive related topics.

“The agreement between Mitchell1DIY.com online repair information and AskPatty.com is mutually beneficial for both companies as it will help draw additional business to each site, as well as provide brand name recognition amongst female do-it-yourselfers," said Dave Rady, senior account manager, business development, Mitchell 1. "Reaching this audience is especially important today as the percentage of women vehicle maintainers continues to grow. According to a market research study conducted by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, females are now responsible for performing maintenance in one-third of all DIY households."

Business Week reports that women make more than 80 percent of the buying decisions in U.S. households today. “In effect, women have become nearly every family's chief purchasing officer," says Jody DeVere, president and CEO of AskPatty.com. "Businesses that do not change their approach to communicate more effectively with women will get left behind and leave themselves open to being over-taken by their competitors."

Mitchell 1 DIY provides subscribers with professional instructions and illustrations for step-by-step mechanical repair procedures, complete maintenance information and service schedules, and the latest factory service tips, including recalls and 86,000 technical service bulletins (TSBs) with 197,000 supporting graphics. Mitchell 1 DIY gives instant access to more than 169,000 repair articles and more than 3.9 million supporting graphics in the database, and the ability to print the very latest in auto repair. The Internet-based service covers all domestic and most import cars, light trucks, vans, mini vans and SUVs, with more than 13,000 vehicles in the database for model years 1983-2009. Vintage models are available via DVD.  

With international headquarters in Thousand Oaks, Calif., AskPatty.com, takes a two-pronged approach to revolutionizing the women's automotive retail market: The AskPatty.com Web site, http://www.askpatty.com, for consumers and the Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Program for automotive retailers.