Hyundai to Power Consumer Comparator Website Feature with AIC's AutoComparator Tool
IRVINE, Calif.--July 9, 2002--Leading Auto Comparison Tool to Showcase Hyundai Vehicle Strengths
vs. Competitive Models; Designed to Help Hyundai Engage Today's
Feature-Driven Online Auto Shoppers
Automotive Information Center (AIC), Autobytel Inc.'s vehicle data and content division, today announced that Hyundai has selected AIC's leading competitive comparison tools, AutoComparator(TM) and AutoGallery(TM), to power its consumer website.
AutoComparator will enable www.hyundaiusa.com visitors to conduct feature-by-feature comparisons between Hyundai vehicles and a range of similarly-equipped competitive models. The tool also showcases pricing, specification and performance advantages of the Hyundai line during the comparison process. AIC's AutoGallery(TM), the most comprehensive library of digital automotive photos for side-by-side comparisons, lets Hyundai shoppers view 19 different interior and exterior shots of Hyundai models vs. competing models.
"One-third of all new car shoppers are literally ruling vehicles in and out of consideration while conducting research at auto websites, making comparison modules critical marketing tools for manufacturers," said Andrew Donchak, executive vice president of Autobytel Inc. "As the industry's most flexible comparison tool, AutoComparator can help Hyundai engage and capitalize on more of America's information-savvy online car shoppers."
"AIC has created a tool that addresses the way today's consumers are shopping for cars -- evaluating vehicles across the board in terms of price, incentives, performance, features and specifications, as opposed to shopping by brand," said James Fabin, Internet Marketing Manager for Hyundai Motor America. "We believe it will make a difference in converting people from being Hyundai shoppers into Hyundai buyers."
Backed by AIC's comprehensive automotive information, which includes over 500 data points on every model and trim level sold in the U.S., the AutoComparator offers a unique "apples-to-apples" comparison capability, automatically equipping numerous competitive makes and models to match the configuration of the vehicle being considered. AutoComparator can also showcase Hyundai vehicle advantages during these comparisons in either icon or complete sentence form -- e.g., "top fuel efficiency in class" -- enabling the manufacturer to present its vehicles' strengths, clearly and objectively, during the pivotal research phase of the shopping process.
The AutoComparator and AutoGallery are components of AutoSuite, an integrated set of hosted data and software research tools designed to help manufacturer, dealer and automotive portals meet the information needs of online car buyers -- who today comprise the majority of all auto consumers. AutoSuite provides website visitors with an exceptionally fluid shopping experience as they progress from customized searches to configuring a "buyable" vehicle (based on actual manufacturer options and packages) and, finally, to comparing, and even viewing, that specific vehicle vs. other models that meet their expressed search criteria.
About AIC
Automotive Information Center (AIC) is a division of Autobytel Inc. , a leading Internet automotive marketing services company that helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. AIC (www.aicautosite.com) is a leading provider of automotive manufacturer web sites (20 of the 26 major manufacturers currently use AIC data). AIC researchers rely on decades of industry experience to create one of the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date research platforms in the auto industry. Visitors to sites powered by AIC technology are able to configure a vehicle by manufacturer, make, model, trim specifications and other option packages, as well as perform side-by-side competitive vehicle comparisons.
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the U.S. by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 575 dealers nationwide.