Autobytel's Finance Lead Program Powered by Car.com Delivers 2 Millionth Lead; Dealers Report High Closing Ratios With Car.com Internet Customers Who May Have Had Difficulty Securing Loans

Business Wire, Feb 11, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL) announced today that it has delivered over 2 million special finance or "sub-prime" car shoppers to its nationwide network of auto dealerships and other customers, who are dedicated to serving this rapidly growing car-buying population. Through its Finance Lead Program powered by Car.com, Autobytel connects franchised and independent auto retailers with these ready-to-buy customers, including many who have some type of credit problem and may have been prevented from securing auto loans from conventional lending sources.

"Over the past few years we have used multiple lead sources to effectively increase our sales volume," said Frank Tortolano, director of customer development for the Auto-torium Group. "Car.com has consistently provided us with quality finance leads and has been on the top in sales and close ratios. I highly recommend Car.com's finance leads program to any dealer looking to increase their sales volume. It's simply been the best return on the dollar investment we've had for any advertising channel."

According to a CNW Research study,(1) the special finance or sub-prime auto lending market accounts for one-third of the overall finance market. And yet Autobytel estimates that only 15% of the nation's dealerships specialize in the non-prime or sub-prime market. This market, moreover, is expected to grow sharply in 2006 due to the new bankruptcy laws and the aftermath of hurricanes in the Gulf States.(2)

Finance Leads powered by Car.com is designed to provide an online bridge between car buyers seeking finance options and dealerships who are poised to assist them. "Sub-prime and credit challenged customers are very profitable for dealers," said Mike Gargano, vice president, general manager of Car.com. "Members of our dealer network report above average gross profits from these car buyers, who also tend to be extremely loyal to the dealership that is able to help them to get financing to buy a car or truck."

Finance Leads powered by Car.com offers consumers an online credit questionnaire in an automotive Web environment that is comfortable, private and easy to use. The customer's automotive Purchase Request and credit questionnaire are sent directly to the participating dealership, keeping the customer relationship and finance business under the control of the dealer. Finance Leads powered by Car.com offers dealerships exclusive geographic territories and will consult with dealerships who are interested in establishing a sub-prime finance program.

Finance Leads powered by Car.com is also the sub-prime finance lead channel for a number of Internet destinations, including major automotive research sites, reaching millions of potential customers through the Web.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL), a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising, data and CRM products and programs. It's estimated that every 7.5 seconds an American car shopper requests a vehicle through Autobytel, which owns and operates the automotive websites-Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Car.com, AutoSite.com, Autoahorros.com, and CarTV.com. This automotive research and buying network reaches millions of car shoppers each month as they make their vehicle buying decisions, generating billions of dollars in sales for dealers. A leader in dealership customer management and CRM solutions, Autobytel also owns and operates AVV, Inc., a top provider of dealership CRM and sales management products, and Retention Performance Marketing, Inc., (RPM(r)), which powers dealerships with cutting-edge customer loyalty and retention marketing programs. Autobytel's AIC (Automotive Information Center) has been a trusted industry source of automotive marketing data and technology for over 20 years. Autobytel Inc. is the only company to achieve top rankings for both its lead management and lead generation services among the nation's top-100 Internet dealers.

(1)2004

(2)Ward's Dealer Business, 2005