FEATURE/Autoweb.com Celebrity Panel Offers Fresh Perspective on Tomorrow's Cars From Today's Trend-Setters

    IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--April 3, 2002--

    Reviews of Year's Hottest Concept Cars Range from the Incisive to the Irreverent -- Definitely Not Your Father's Automotive Reviews

    Question: What self-respecting automotive critic would describe the GM Autonomy concept car as "something that would look great reflected in an astronaut's mirrored goggles?" Answer: probably none. But when Autoweb.com assembled its celebrity panel of artists, athletes, filmmakers and designers to review 10 of the year's hottest concepts (as an eventful auto show season wraps up at this week's New York Auto Show) they weren't looking for technical analysis. The goal, rather, was to provide a hip, cutting-edge, unconventional perspective on tomorrow's cars from one of the automakers' most coveted audiences -- today's fashion and cultural trend-setters. The results are posted at www.autoweb.com and range from the astute to the surreal ... Be prepared, these are definitely not your father's automotive reviews.
    Autoweb's panel of "motor trendies" represents a diverse cross-section of important young style-makers, including U.S. tennis phenom Andy Roddick, award-winning filmmaking team Scott McGehee and David Siegel ("The Deep End," "Suture"), All-Star power forward Elton Brand, Emmy-nominated animation designer Todd Frederikson ("Power Puff Girls," "Samurai Jack"), visionary production designer Kristen Vallow ("LaChapelle Land," "Hotel LaChapelle") and official CART pace car driver Allison McKeever. All were asked to provide their unique aesthetic insights into 10 of the year's most buzz-worthy concept and production vehicles -- the Cadillac Cien, Chrysler Crossfire, Ford F-350 Tonka, Ford GT-40, GM Autonomy, Lincoln Continental, Maybach Saloon, Mercedes Vision GS-T, Saab 9X and Toyota ccX.
    The pointedly un-scientific study queried the panel on their overall top pick, their unedited first impressions, and which car from the past they'd like to see manufacturers re-issue (which elicited answers as far-flung as the '78 Honda Accord to "KITT," the talking '82 Trans-Am from "Knight Rider"). Autoweb also asked the filmmakers which star or starlet they'd "cast" behind the wheel of each car; the animator which cartoon character best fits each vehicle; and the production designer which setting or backdrop would work best behind each concept for a photo shoot. (Just to paint a quick picture, the Lincoln Continental ends up, doors playfully ajar, ballooning over the Loire Valley.)
    The results are forthright, unconventionally observant -- and above all, fun. Four like-minded panelists, for example, described the Saab 9X as a shoe -- Vallow dubbing it a "Gucci loafer," Frederikson, Brand and Roddick likening it to a sneaker -- while our filmmakers (Siegel and McGehee) expressed an abiding desire to `cast' Reese Witherspoon behind the wheel -- as "Barbie 2000"!!! Trends were predictably difficult to quantify, but cars that scored consistently high on our fashionistas' "passion-meters" include the Saab 9X (shoe-like qualities notwithstanding), the Ford GT-40 and the Cadillac Cien (which Roddick described as "the Andre Agassi of cars"). Overall, sports cars -- both in futuristic and literal retro stylings -- were well received. For complete celebrity rants and raves, log on to www.autoweb.com's "Research" or "Enjoy" sections.
    Of course, if you're looking for comprehensive, late-breaking -- and strictly professional -- coverage of this week's New York Auto Show, where these and other new 2003 production models and concepts will be on display, Autoweb.com has that covered, too. Up-to-the-minute coverage -- with splashy photos straight from the showroom floor, factory buzz, product unveilings, and features capturing the spirit and flavor of The Show -- will be posted at each of Autobytel Inc.'s websites: not only Autoweb.com, but also at www.autobytel.com, www.carsmart.com, and www.autosite.com. From the debut of the Acura DN-X hybrid, to the launches of the Nissan Murano and Toyota's Scion division -- the auto experts at Autobytel are reporting all the important stories as they unfold.

    About Autobytel Inc.

    Autobytel Inc. , the world's largest Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. Autobytel Inc. owns and operates the popular websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and Autosite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a leading provider of automotive marketing data and technology. Autobytel Inc. generated an estimated four percent of all domestic new vehicle sales -- $17 billion in car sales in 2001 -- for dealers through its websites. With approximately 8,800 dealer relationships and 30 international automotive manufacturer customers, Autobytel Inc. is the largest syndicated car-buying content network, reaching millions of unique visitors as they are making their vehicle buying decisions. Autobytel Inc. content and technology has potential exposure to over 90 percent of total web traffic.(a)

    (a) Jupiter Media Metrix October 2001 Digital Media Audience Report (Autobytel Inc. sites is the unduplicated audience of the Autobytel and Autoweb properties and Carsmart.com. The car-buying and ownership category as defined by Autobytel. Autobytel Inc. provides content to Yahoo! Inc., AOL websites, MSN.com and Lycos.com. The unduplicated audience of these four sites accounts for over 90 percent of total traffic.)

    NOTE TO EDITORS: For jpeg photos of concept cars and celebrity panelists, please contact Joe Foster at 323/960-1360, ext. 13, or send e-email to joe@rbicom.com.