Autobytel Inc. Receives CIO-100 Award for Innovative Business Practices and Services

    IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 15 Autobytel Inc. is
winner of the prestigious CIO-100 from IDG's CIO magazine.  The 2001 CIO-100
recognizes organizations around the world that excel in positive business
performance through innovative practices and products.  Other award recipients
include Visa International, Royal Caribbean Cruises, SBC Communications, Nokia
Corp., IBM Corp. and Intel Corp.  For more, visit CIO's website at
http://www.cio.com.
    "In order to survive in the competitive business world, companies rely on
innovative ideas and development of those ideas into sound business
processes," says Abbie Lundberg, Editor in Chief, CIO magazine.  "Honorees of
this year's CIO-100 have done just that and are being recognized for their
ingenuity and success."
    Autobytel has revolutionized the online car-buying sector with its
innovative business practices, including its work to connect the consumer,
dealer and manufacturer.  Recently, General Motors contracted Autobytel for a
test of their locate-to-order business model in the Washington D.C. area.
This involved developing and integrating technology between twenty-two
Chevrolet dealerships, GM and Autobytel.com's website.  This is the first time
a manufacturer, dealers and an independent online buying site have partnered
to develop a more effective way for consumers to shop for vehicles online.
    "In a sector that is still so new, Autobytel has to rely on innovative and
advanced thinking not only to succeed but to survive," said Dennis Benner,
Autobytel's Executive Vice President, Corporate Development.  "Our business
practices have enabled us to remain at the top of our industry and this award
recognizes our efforts and successes in doing so."
    The recipients of this year's CIO-100 were selected by an expert panel of
CIO editors and writers.  The award is in its 14th year.

    About Autobytel Inc.
    Autobytel Inc. is one of the world's largest, most
diversified online automotive commerce and information companies.  As the
company that owns and operates Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com,
Autosite.com, and AIC (Automotive Information Center), Autobytel Inc.'s
mission is to provide marketing, data, technology and management services to
benefit every manufacturer and dealership.  The company powers manufacturer
and portal auto channels with data and tools to help customers buy cars;
provides advertising programs for manufacturers and dealers to target
customers; develops technology to drive one of the most advanced
inventory-based manufacturer's online car selling program to date; and
generates billions of dollars in car sales for dealers through the company's
popular websites.
    Serving approximately 6,000 subscribing dealers and 25 international
automotive manufacturer customers, Autobytel Inc. websites are receiving
approximately three million unique visitors a month (1), and Autobytel Inc.
content and technology has potential exposure to over 90 percent of total web
traffic (2).  It is estimated that the vast majority of the 60 percent of all
Americans who go online to research and shop for a car will encounter
Autobytel Inc. content or technology, or an Autobytel Inc. brand, during the
process.

    (1) Media Metrix July 2001 Digital Media Audience Report (Autobytel Inc.
        websites include Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com,
        Autoweb.com/Lycos co-branded pages and Autosite.com.)

    (2) Media Metrix July 2001 Digital Media Audience Report (Autobytel Inc.
        provides content to Yahoo.com, AOL websites, MSN.com and Lycos.com.
        The unduplicated audience of these four sites accounts for over
        90 percent of total traffic.)

    The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws.  These
forward-looking statements, including statements about projected revenues and
expense savings, are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or
implied by, such forward-looking statements.  Autobytel undertakes no
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Among the important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in
general economic conditions, increased or unexpected competition, the failure
to realize anticipated synergies, costs related to the merger, failure of the
combined company to retain and hire key employees, difficulties in
successfully integrating the businesses and technologies and other matters
disclosed in Autobytel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors are strongly encouraged to review Autobytel's annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and other reports on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and
uncertainties that could affect operating results and the market price of
Autobytel's stock.

    Contacts:    Media Relations
                 Melanie Webber, Autobytel Inc., 949.862.3023
                 (melaniew@autobytel.com)
                 Joe Foster, RBI Communications, Inc., 323.960.1360 ext. 13
                 (joe@rbicom.com)

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