Abstract: In the disclosed automobile inventory system and methods, automobile report data is received from information sources having incompatible data formats. The report data is reformatted in a uniform format. A vehicle identification number (VIN) for the automobile is decoded to produce a set of automobile attributes. Attributes are matched with received third party automobile report data. A photograph is selected to represent the automobile. The color of the selected photograph substantially matches an identified color of the automobile. A database is populated with database data, including the reformatted report data, attribute matching data, and data associated with the colorized photograph. The database data is filtered or modified based on at least one dealer business rule, and the database data is electronically communicated to a World Wide Web accessible server. The database data is updated in real time.