IRVINE, Calif., March 27, 2007 -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, and Luther Automotive Group, a large dealer group with dealerships in several states, announced today that they have signed an agreement to create a national online referral program from Autobytel to increase new and used vehicle customers at Luther Auto Group's 55 franchises. The company has 24 dealerships throughout America's heartland, including Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.
"It's gratifying to see dealers increasingly relying on Autobytel to provide them with ready-to-buy customers," said Jim Riesenbach, president and CEO, Autobytel. "Autobytel's mission is to provide the best Internet marketing services to dealers across the country, whether they are part of a major dealer group such as Luther Auto Group or are a stand-alone dealership. By working with Autobytel, dealers know they can count on our high quality tools and support to help them get the job done."
In addition to receiving Purchase Requests for new and used vehicles from Autobytel's vast audience of monthly web car shoppers, Luther Auto Group dealerships will benefit from Autobytel's proprietary 7-step Quality Verification System(SM), one of the industry's most rigorous programs to verify the purchase-intent of online customers and a critical component in the conversion ratio of Autobytel.com's leads, which have the highest closing ratio among large new-car lead services.*
"Autobytel has an outstanding reputation for consistently connecting consumers with the right car and dealership," said Steve Williams, executive Internet director, Luther Auto Group. "We expect this new marketing alliance to produce tremendous results across our wide network of successful dealerships."
* Autobytel.com's Closing Ratio Is Highest Among Large New-Car Lead Services According to J.D. Power and Associates Dealer Satisfaction Study, Autobytel press release 9/25/06
About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) is one of the largest online automotive marketplaces, empowering consumers to make smart vehicle choices using objective automotive data and insightful interactive editorial content. The result is a convenient car-buying process backed by a nationwide network of dealers who are committed to providing a positive consumer experience. Every day consumers choose Autobytel-owned and operated websites -- Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Car.com, and CarTV.com - to facilitate their car-shopping decisions. Autobytel's ability to attract millions of highly qualified, in-market car buyers and connect them with retailers has made it a leader in facilitating the entire customer car-buying lifecycle.
The Company's innovative marketing, advertising and CRM products, including its Web Control(R) customer management system, Retention Performance Marketing (RPM(R)) service reminder program, and Special Finance Leads, are designed to enable dealers to offer a premium consumer experience. Since pioneering pro-consumer online automotive content and purchasing in 1995, Autobytel has helped more than twenty-seven million car buyers, generating billions of dollars in car sales for dealers.