Dealers Can Drive Summer Sales With More Sports Cars on Their Lots

Cars.com Report Identifies Popular, Difficult-to-Locate Models

CHICAGO, June 9 -- Nine of the top 10 used vehicles most sought-after by cars.com shoppers -- but not readily available on dealer lots -- are sports cars, according to the latest cars.com Inventory Demand Index.

The Cars.com Inventory Demand Index tracks the top 50 used vehicle searches on cars.com against actual inventory on dealer lots to help dealers determine which models to buy at auction and to better merchandise from their existing inventory. Dealers can obtain free copies of the national report or a report specific to their local market from their cars.com account executive.

"Our close connection with automotive shoppers positions cars.com to support our dealers with real-time market information," said Ralph Ebersole, training director at cars.com. "Knowing the exact vehicle make and model that buyers want enables our dealers to make the well-informed business decisions that keep their inventory moving."

   May 2006 Inventory Demand Index
   1.  Acura Integra
   2.  Toyota Supra
   3.  Honda Prelude
   4.  Toyota Pickup
   5.  Nissan 300ZX
   6.  Mitsubishi 3000GT
   7.  Nissan 240SX
   8.  Mazda RX-7
   9.  Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
   10. Toyota MR2

  About cars.com

Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their Web sites, cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 1.5 million vehicles from 11,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.