IRVINE, Calif., Nov 27, 2007 -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) today officially launched one of the largest and most sophisticated used vehicle programs for dealers on the web. The dramatically re-vamped program, which leverages the new MyRide.com platform, features preferred listing placement for subscribing dealers, pay-for-performance pricing*, and increased local advertising opportunities. While Autobytel is known primarily for its new vehicle program for dealers, its used program consistently rates as one of the industry leaders in driving business to dealers.
"The dealers have spoken, and we have listened. A used pay-for-performance model is what they want and that is what we are providing, plus a whole lot more," said Mark Garms, Autobytel Inc.'s senior vice president, dealer operations and strategy. "Millions of used-car shoppers are able to efficiently search and sort through the millions of used vehicle listings on our new MyRide.com platform. We have designed our new used vehicle program to connect our member dealers first with those car shoppers in their area who are searching for the specific used vehicles that they have on their lot. We think the result is going to be more, and higher quality leads - all of which will be backed by a pure performance-based pricing model*."
Used Vehicles Increasingly Important to Dealer Profits
According to recent data compiled by the National Automobile Dealers Association, the gap between per-vehicle profits on new and used vehicles is the greatest it has been in at least 25 years, and the profits from used vehicle sales are increasingly important to dealers, particularly as the sub-prime fall-out continues to impact the overall economy. Autobytel's expanded used car program offers dealers more advertising opportunities and enhanced services to help attract and close these profitable used customers.
How the new Used Vehicle Program Works
Dealer inventory receives free premium placement and enhanced listings during consumer searches on all of Autobytel's car sites, including Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Car.com, and Carsmart.com, as well as the company's new flagship site, MyRide.com, which features a unique automotive search tool that allows shoppers to quickly sift through millions of listings to find the exact vehicle they're looking for.
Each program dealer listing includes a trackable toll-free phone number that allows shoppers to phone the dealership directly. Dealers pay only for quality phone leads (calls lasting more than 30 seconds) generated through these numbers, in addition to quality verified purchase requests.
"This functionality brings dealers an exceptionally strong marketing value, given the high closing ratios associated with phone-in customers," added Garms.
Garms noted that dealers also receive detailed reporting on phone activity and recordings of calls to help dealership managers monitor their teams' performance. Other unique, pro-dealer features include automatic lead de-duplication and automatic routing through Autobytel's highly successful Rapid Response program, which works to immediately connect the dealership to online customers via phone within minutes of a purchase request submission.
*Not available in all states.
About Autobytel Inc.
Since launching the first car-buying website in 1995, Autobytel Inc.'s (Nasdaq:ABTL) mission has been to empower automotive consumers with the tools and information they need to make smart, well-informed vehicle purchasing and ownership decisions. The company has helped millions of car shoppers and generated billions of dollars in car sales for dealers. Today, the company's innovative, consumer-driven flagship site, MyRide.com, expands the company's mission across the automotive purchase and ownership life cycle. As the first vertical search experience for the automotive marketplace, MyRide.com is designed to help Internet-savvy consumers FIND, SEE, BUY and LEARN anything automotive and BELONG to a diverse community of people who have similar automotive interests.
By providing a convenient and comprehensive automotive consumer experience across the purchase and ownership lifecycle, Autobytel provides new value and touch-points for automotive marketers. Through MyRide.com and Autobytel's marketing network, the company connects dealerships with a steady, diverse stream of exceptionally motivated, serious shoppers, while providing both dealers and manufacturers with precision-targeted brand and product marketing opportunities. The company's advanced web-based advertising and marketing programs also help dealers and manufacturers build relationships with customers, as well as help them to efficiently manage and convert online business.