Automotive core fulfillment system and method

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating acquisition of automotive core parts from automotive recyclers for remanufacture includes identifying automotive cores and determining the value of the cores with a core fulfillment system. The core fulfillment system includes an interchange database with automotive core descriptions and corresponding interchange identification indicators. The system includes a core supplier database that includes automotive core descriptions with corresponding core supplier identification indicators and an interchange number matching module that equates database entries in the interchange database with database entries in the core supplier database. An interface module provides access to the core fulfillment system, accepts vehicle information, and provides demand and pricing information regarding automotive cores. Vehicle information is received and compared to automotive core descriptions, automotive interchange numbers, and core supplier identification indicators that correspond to the vehicle identification information. Automotive cores are identified based upon the comparison, and a core value is determined.

1 . An automotive core fulfillment system comprising:
 an interchange database that includes automotive core descriptions and automotive recycler descriptions, the automotive core descriptions describing automobile part assemblies to be remanufactured;   a core supplier database that includes automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators; and   an interchange number matching computing device configured to equate the automotive recycler descriptions in the interchange database with a core supplier identification database entry in the core supplier database and configured to provide at least one of demand information, pricing information, or an offer for purchase price that a core supplier will pay for the automotive core.   
     
     
         2 . The automotive core fulfillment system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of demand information or pricing information or an offer for purchase is provided to a remote user through a computer network. 
     
     
         3 . The automotive core fulfillment system of  claim 1 , wherein the recycler descriptions are Hollander numbers. 
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented method of determining a value of an automotive core with a core fulfillment system, the method comprising:
 comparing vehicle identification information and automotive core descriptions in an interchange database to core supplier identification indicators in a core supplier database that correspond to the vehicle identification information;   identifying the automotive core as an automotive core entry with an interchange number matching computing device based upon the comparison of the vehicle identification information to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators, the automotive core entry including at least one of a part type identifier, a yard description, or a core value;   determining, with a demand and pricing database, a core inventory value of the automotive core; and   generating a vehicle evaluation page including at least one of the core type or the yard description and at least one of the core value or an offer for purchase price that a core supplier will pay for the automotive core.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the identified automotive core entry further includes demand for the automotive core. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle identification information includes at least one of the year the vehicle was manufactured, the make of the vehicle, or the model of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 comparing, with the interchange number matching computing device, at least one of engine displacement volume, number of cylinders, transmission type, number of doors, identification number, or brake type to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators that correspond to the vehicle identification information to further identify the automotive core.   
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method of determining a value of an automotive core with a core fulfillment system, the method comprising:
 comparing the part type identification information and automotive core descriptions in an interchange database to core supplier identification indicators in a core supplier database that correspond to the part type identification information;   identifying the automotive core as an automotive core entry with an interchange number matching computing device based upon the comparison of the part type identification information to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators, the automotive core entry including at least one of a part type identifier, a yard description, or a core value;   determining, with a demand and pricing database, a core inventory value of the automotive core; and   generating a vehicle evaluation page including at least one of the core type or yard description and at least one of the core value or an offer for purchase price that a core supplier will pay for the automotive core.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the identified automotive core entry further includes demand for the automotive core. 
     
     
         10 . A computer readable storage media for determining the value of an automotive core with a core fulfillment system, the computer readable storage media comprising one or more computer-readable instructions configured to cause one or more computer processors to execute operations comprising:
 comparing vehicle identification information to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators that correspond to the vehicle identification information;   identifying the automotive core as an automotive core entry based upon the comparison of the vehicle identification information to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators, the automotive core entry including at least one of a part type identifier, a yard description, or a core value;   determining a core inventory value; and   generating a vehicle evaluation page showing at least one of the core type or yard description and at least one of the core inventory value an offer for purchase price that a core supplier will pay for the automotive core.   
     
     
         11 . The computer readable storage media of  claim 10 , wherein the identified automotive core entry further includes demand for the automotive core. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable storage media of  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle identification information includes at least one of the year the vehicle was manufactured, the make of the vehicle, or the model of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable storage media of  claim 12  further comprising computer-readable instructions configured to cause one or more computer processors to execute the operations comprising:
 comparing at least one of engine displacement volume, number of cylinders, transmission type, number of doors, identification number, or brake type to automotive core descriptions and core supplier identification indicators that correspond to the vehicle identification information to further identify the automotive core.