Ford Motor and Trilogy Software, a closely held maker of business software, said they will announce an e-commerce venture today, but declined to provide further details.

In the past six months, Ford has boosted its e-commerce plans in an effort to reach more customers, speed distribution and cut costs. The Dearborn, Mich.-based company in November formed an online auto-parts auction site with database software maker Oracle. In September, Ford created a venture with Microsoft_s MSN CarPoint online car-buying service that allows the giant automaker_s customers to buy vehicles built to their specifications. Austin, Texas-based Trilogy is also the parent of CarOrder.com, an Internet auto-shopping site that plans to buy car dealerships and turn them into distribution centers. John Ochs, a Ford spokesman, said the announcement doesn_t involve CarOrder.com.