Saleen x Pierre Auto Group: On-Chain Vehicle History Reports Implemented in USA Dealership Network for Guaranteed minimum of 100,000 Vehicles

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Chris Chung, Atlas Innovations

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

• William McCallum, Publisher & Founder -- Auto News
• Steve Saleen, CEO & Founder -- Saleen Automotive
• Jason Anucinski, General Manager -- Pierre Auto Group
• Grabbit Team (Grabbit.Market)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Create a system that puts VIN numbers & history reports onchain, then roll out to at least 100,000 cars in the USA distributing this service via dealer networks.

Project info =>bit.ly/onchain-vin

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

We will open source certain non-proprietary portions of our technology to enable development of similar applications

[METADATA] Horizons

RWA

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGxMI_8HVTs&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1

Links:

• Project Site
• Presentation Deck

SUMMARY

Create an application that puts VIN & vehicle history reports on-chain. Then collaborate with Saleen Automotive Engineers to implement it with 100,000 cars in the United States and garner consumer usage via Pierre Auto Group's Dealership Network.

EXTENDED ANSWER

Introduction:

This proposal expands and improves our original proposal for On-Chain VINs and Certificates of Authenticity that we proposed during Fund12 as we are very passionate about this project. 

For background, the automotive industry has long been plagued by issues of transparency, reliability, and trust in vehicle records. Common problems such as VIN swapping, title washing, and the falsification of service histories continue to undermine consumer confidence and the industry's integrity. This topic hits close to home because our team has fallen victim to virtually all of these scenarios. 

Current solutions from centralized record-keeping services often fall short to address these common problems due to incomplete data, susceptibility to tampering, centralized data sources and the lack of comprehensive verification mechanisms. This leaves consumers vulnerable and skeptical of the industry as a whole. 

How do you perceive the problem you are solving?

Our project addresses the systemic issue of fragmented and unreliable vehicle records. Centralized databases often only include partial service histories and are vulnerable to manipulation. By placing both the VIN and a complete vehicle history, including service records, on-chain, we create a comprehensive, tamper-proof record that builds trust and transparency in vehicle transactions.

What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?

https://youtu.be/gkrmCNfa37o

In order to drive systematic change, the steps always follow the below process. 

Step 1: Attack the Root Cause 

While vehicle service records are an important piece of information. It does not address the “whole picture” of a vehicle’s history. While other proposals have service records as their focal point, our solution would address additional issues that are more seriously the root cause of fraudulent activity within the auto industry. 

In addition to this, we are in the process of building connections with the United States government agencies responsible for vehicle title information, as well as state agencies that have shown a deep interest in this. 

We believe the way that if orchestrated correctly our solution would resolve the root cause that creates the opening for scams, thefts, and mistrust in the auto industry.

Step 2: Initial Adoption/Proof-of-Concept

Once a system that addresses the problem is developed. There needs to be a focus on getting early traction and adoption. For this reason, we strategically chose our partners to target high ticket vehicles as the demographic that consumes these vehicles cares very much about their vehicle’s origin, history, and authenticity. 

Step 3: Awareness

After a viable solution has a proven use case, awareness of this solution by the general public needs to happen to garner a mass transition. For this reason we’ve partnered with Auto News who reaches 1M readers every month and has been mailed directly to Auto Executives, and Auto Dealership Leadership teams across the nation for 40+ years. 

In addition to this, Bill McCallum and Christopher Chung have both worked in automotive media for a combined 53 years and are well respected members of the Northwest Auto Press Writers Association (NWAPA). Through this relationship, McCallum and Chung have the capability to garner media attention from their colleagues at Automotive News, Car & Driver, Motor Trend, the Wall Street Journal and more. 

Step 4: Transition & Mass Adoption

Our long-term goal of this solution is to get Nationwide adoption. Upon the successful completion of the initial proof-of-concept with Saleen Automotive and Pierre Auto Group, we will set our targets to implementation on state-and federal levels.

Our Plan to Accomplish this is:

• Drive Further Grassroots Adoption by:
• Enlisting More OEMs from onset. Our relations extend through the leadership of major automakers of today’s world. We are already in talks with GM, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz.
• We will enlist the hundreds of Dealer Groups across the nation that already have an existing relationship with Auto News.
• Federal and State Government Relations: 
• We will further our relationships with the federal and state managed DOLs/DMVs
• Bidding on Government Contracts & RFPs to Improve Titling and Licensing infrastructure within the United States 
• We are already an 8(a) Certified entity with the ability to bid government contracts within the United States. Upon completion of the proof-of-concept we would be able to bid on these contracts.

Technical Implementation:

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The success of our project will showcase Cardano’s potential to address real-world challenges through innovative blockchain solutions, positioning it as the leading platform for transparent, immutable record-keeping in the automotive sector. By integrating both VINs and complete vehicle histories on-chain for over 100,000 vehicles, we will:

• Demonstrate Cardano’s Technological Strength: This project will exemplify Cardano's ability to handle complex data integrations that go beyond simple cryptocurrency use cases, proving its capability for industry-level solutions.
• Increase Adoption and Awareness: Through our strategic partnerships with Saleen Automotive, Auto News, and an extensive dealer network, we will introduce thousands of automotive professionals, enthusiasts, and consumers to the Cardano ecosystem. This will drive broader adoption as these stakeholders experience the practical benefits of blockchain firsthand.
• Strengthen Trust and Transparency in the Market: The blockchain-based system will establish Cardano as a pioneer in enhancing consumer trust within the automotive industry, showcasing a tangible solution for the industry's long-standing issues of fraud and misinformation.
• Transaction Volume: There are more than 278 Million vehicles registered in the United States every year. If orchestrated correctly, and assuming each vehicle has 3 service records submitted per year this solution could drive more than 834 Million transactions per year

How will you measure this impact?

To effectively measure the impact, we will track and evaluate several key metrics:

• Adoption Metrics: The number of vehicles onboarded with complete VIN and history records, the number of dealerships participating, and the number of consumers using our application
• User Surveys: Conducting NPS surveys and user interviews with current users and gathering feedback of our application
• Partnership Growth: Track the expansion of partnerships within the automotive sector and beyond, demonstrating Cardano’s growing credibility and reach.
• Media Coverage and Public Perception: The amount of media coverage of this project over its lifetime

How will you share the outputs and opportunities that result from your project?

We are committed to sharing the benefits and lessons from this project with the wider Cardano community:

• Regular Project Updates: Provide consistent progress reports through Cardano’s forums, social media channels, and community blogs to keep stakeholders informed.
• Workshops and Presentations: Host workshops and presentations at key automotive and blockchain events to demonstrate the project's technology and outcomes.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Open doors for developers and businesses to build upon our model by sharing insights on integrating VIN and vehicle history tracking. While some proprietary aspects will remain protected, we will offer guidance for adapting similar solutions in other sectors.

By ensuring transparency, collaboration, and visibility, this project will not only benefit the automotive industry but also strengthen Cardano’s position as a blockchain solution for real-world, complex applications.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our project is driven by car people, for car people. We are passionate and building this solution because these are scenario's we've all encountered throughout our careers.

With the technical capabilities of the Grabbit team, the industry knowledge of McCallum and Saleen, and the marketing and business development acumen of Chung we are positive that we can complete this PoC and move towards implementing this solution on a National Scale.

Christopher Chung & Atlas Innovations

Chris is an automotive enthusiast and tech entrepreneur with a track record of success.

Having worked with over 17 organizations, 4 startups, and created over $60M in enterprise value, Chris is known as a gritty leader who takes pride in being able to drive significant results with limited resources.

Chris has invested cash as well as sweat equity in to the Cardano Community via investments in to the development of Cardano projects such as Grabbit.Market the space's first fully on-chain auction as well as GENUN Games, producer of Ascent: Rivals.

Grabbit Team

Grabbit has innovated within the Cardano ecosystem for years. Having built the first fully on-chain auction system and open sourcing the technology behind key components such as its liquidity bootstrapping event, and smart contracts.

Saleen Automotive

Spearheaded by renown racer & vehicle manufacturer Steve Saleen. Saleen consumers are the right buyers for adoption of this technology

Spearheaded by William McCallum, Auto News has provided the latest automotive news to over 1M readers monthly for 40+ years.

Through this experience, McCallum has fostered relationships with the movers and shakers of the automotive industry. Including the likes of Bill Ford, Dana Mecum, Jim Farley, and countless others.

Auto News

Spearheaded by William McCallum, Auto News has provided the latest automotive news to over 1M readers monthly for 40+ years.

Through this experience, McCallum has fostered relationships with the movers and shakers of the automotive industry. Including the likes of Bill Ford, Dana Mecum, Jim Farley, and countless others.

Pierre Auto Group

The Pierre Family has been one of the largest auto dealer groups in the Pacific North West for 40+ years. With over 13 dealerships and counting under Pierre Auto Group's management, Pierre is able to drive grassroots adoptions by offering this platform as a service to their customers.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Project Initiation

Output: Comprehensive plan outlining objectives, team roles and responsibilities and 30/60/90 for PoC.

Acceptance Criteria: Approval of the project plan by Team

Evidence of Completion: Signed project plan

Development of Smart Contract

• Smart contract development for VIN and serial numbers.
• Initial testing and security audits.

Outputs: Completion of blockchain infrastructure setup, including API integration from data sources

Acceptance Criteria: Demonstration of framework

Evidence of Completion: Presentation showcasing working framework

Marketing and User Interface Development

Development of front-end user interface and initial marketing efforts.

Outputs: Completion of front-end application for consumers & media coverage

Acceptance Criteria: Successful testing of front-end user interface & media coverage

Evidence of Completion: Presentation of front-end user interface & media article

Pilot Program

Outputs: Tokenization of more than 10 vehicles and consumer feedback collection

Acceptance Criteria: Successful tokenization of test vehicles on the blockchain.

Evidence of Completion: Transaction records and user feedback

Full Deployment and Evaluation

Outputs: Deployment of PoC on a wider scale and collecting user feedback

Acceptance Criteria: Integration of 50,000 vehicle records in to platform and on-chain.

Evidence of Completion: Transaction records & user feedback

Expansion & Adoption

Outputs: Full pilot program implemented with 100,000+ vehicles

Acceptance Criteria: 100,000+ vehicles on-chain, user feedback collected, and next steps for adoption outlined

Evidence of Completion: Confirmation of vehicle records, user feedback, and presentation on next steps for adoption

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project Lead: Christopher Chung

Technical Implementation: Grabbit.Market Team & Saleen Automotive Engineers

Steve Saleen -- CEO & Founder, Saleen Automotive

Eric Phan -- Grabbit Developer

Marketing & Business Development: Atlas Innovations Team, Auto News Team, Pierre Auto Group

Mark T. Smith -- Auto Entusiast & Collector

William McCallum -- Founder of Auto News

Jason Anucinski -- General Manager, Pierre Ford

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Cost Ask: 1,150,000 ADA

Cost Breakdown:

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

By funding this project Cardano will further its awareness as a cutting edge solution with real world applications in the Automotive Industry via 100,000 guaranteed vehicles on-chain as well as at least 12 media articles reaching more than 1M readers.