Acura RL and Infiniti M Lead Industry in Advanced Safety Features

ORLANDO, Fla.--Feb. 11, 2006--Autobytel Inc.'s Automotive Information Center (AIC) division today released data from its upcoming research report, the Q1 2006 AIC Quarterly QuickView(1). The QuickView shows the Acura RL and Infiniti M have three of the four advanced safety features AIC researched, followed by the Mercedes-Benz (S-Class, E-Class, CLS-Class, and SL-Class) and Lexus (IS, GS, LS), with two of the four safety features researched. AIC also researched new digital features to decrease driver distractions when using MP3 and DVD players.

To assess vehicle safety, AIC analysts studied a variety of vehicle safety features including: collision mitigation braking, brake/seatbelt accident prep, lane departure system and laser guided cruise control. Less than 10 percent of the year's available trims included the safety features AIC studied. The Acura RL and Infiniti M lead the industry with three of the four safety features, and the Mercedes-Benz (S-Class, E-Class, CLS-Class, and SL-Class) and Lexus (IS, GS, LS) follow with two of the four safety features, according to the following breakdown:

-- Acura RL - Collision Mitigation Braking(2), Brake/Seatbelt Accident Prep, Laser Guided Cruise Control

-- Infiniti M - Brake/Seatbelt Accident Prep, Lane Departure Warning System, Laser Guided Cruise Control

-- Mercedes-Benz (S-Class, E-Class, CLS-Class and SL-Class) - Brake/Seatbelt Accident Prep, Laser Guided Cruise Control

-- Lexus (IS, GS, LS) - Brake/Seatbelt Accident Prep, Laser Guided Cruise Control

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving behaviors are responsible for 20 to 30 percent of all traffic crashes. In today's digital world, consumers want to be connected at all times, but juggling cell phones and iPods while driving will always be dangerous. Studying these safety hazards, AIC analysts found that automakers are responding with new ways to decrease digital distractions. AIC assessed the following new vehicle features serving as a means to reduce driver distractions: navigation systems with traffic alerts, radios with MP3 ports, and DVD players located only in the rear of the vehicle.

Navigation systems with traffic alerts, which remove the need for traffic alerts via wireless handheld devices, are increasing as an option. Also increasing are radios with direct MP3 ports, simplifying what had been a multi-step hook-up and allowing MP3 players to be operated by the vehicle's more-accessible stereo. Both are still emerging features with available trims comprising less than two percent and seven percent, respectively.

DVD players continue to gain in popularity as a vehicle feature as 417 of the year's available trims offer DVD players with 88 percent located only in the rear of the vehicle. An Autobytel online survey showed that while DVD players can be a distraction, the overall function it serves to keep kids entertained and quiet in the backseat is valuable.

"Innovations in vehicle safety features are important to consumers and it's encouraging to see manufacturers are responding with numerous offerings," said Autobytel President and CEO Rick Post. "By providing information about the latest car trends and important data about the vehicles with the most advanced safety features, our consumers can balance price and safety when buying a car."

The AIC Quarterly QuickView will be featured today at the 89th Annual NADA Convention. AIC executives will be available at Autobytel Booth #4000 to answer questions on the research report.(3)

A pioneer in providing the industry with vehicle specification data and technology for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers, AIC manages and analyzes up to 3.3 million data points covering every vehicle sold in the U.S.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. , 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 Web sites -- 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) AIC Quarterly QuickView results are based on a study of all 1,898
    vehicles available for sale in the U.S. as of 1/27/06 (at the trim
    level) and account for both standard and optional features.

(2) Collision Mitigation Braking is an automated feature that applies
    braking power without driver interaction to reduce the
    probability/severity of an impending crash. Brake/Seatbelt
    Accident Prep includes an automated feature that only builds up
    brake pressure, but requires manual driver interaction for the
    actual braking function.

(3) Autobytel executives are available for expert media commentary on
    what these trends indicate and how they might play out in the
    industry as a whole. To arrange an interview, please see the
    contacts below.

    The study is based on information supplied to AIC by external
    sources believed to be reliable, but no responsibility is assumed
    by AIC or its affiliates for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.
    The study is provided strictly on an "as is where is" basis, and
    AIC further expressly disclaims all warranties, express or
    implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability or
    fitness for a particular purpose regarding the study.