Autobytel Named Finalist for 1st Annual Webby Business Awards

IRVINE, Calif.--Nov. 6, 2003--Leading Internet automotive marketing services company Autobytel Inc. has been named a finalist in the "Best Automotive" category for the 1st Annual Webby Business Awards, produced and judged by the prestigious International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The Webby Business Awards honor companies that excel at using the web as a mature tool to achieve critical business goals.

Academy judges were particularly impressed by Autobytel's business integration and auto industry scope. "Not only is Autobytel.com filled with useful content, but also it has constructed an integrated business that can generate money on many fronts," reads a released judge's statement. "As a publicly traded company, it appears to have weathered the dotcom storm and will continue to be a major player in this space."

Autobytel's websites currently represent the most visited new vehicle buying and research network on the web. In addition to its core dealership customer lead referral business, Autobytel provides automotive marketing and data services for the majority of the OEMs operating in North America. The company is also the leading provider of dealership CRM solutions.

"It's a genuine honor to be selected as a finalist by The Academy," said Autobytel Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Donchak. "This serves as a testament to our vision and to the hard work of our entire team."

The Academy, which also presents the annual Webby Awards, launched the Webby Business Awards last fall as a separate awards program aimed at recognizing the best business practices online. Spotlighting both powerful blue-chip companies like UPS (Best Cost-Cutting), Sprite Remix (Best Food & Beverage), and Cisco Systems (Best IT & Technical Services) as well as successful upstarts like POM Wonderful (Best Branding & Design) and Orange Exposure (Best Online/Offline Experience), the roster of finalists reveals how companies of all sizes and in all industries have built profits, increased market share, and reduced costs by making the web a pillar of their business.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. , a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising and CRM (customer relationship management) tools and programs. The company owns and operates the automotive 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 is the industry leader in dealership lead management and CRM solutions and owns and operates AVV, Inc., a leading provider of dealership CRM and data extraction services. As the Internet's largest new-car buying service, Autobytel generates over a billion dollars a month in car sales for dealers through its services. Autobytel Inc. is also among the largest syndicated car-buying content networks, reaching millions of unique visitors as they are making their vehicle buying decisions.

About The Webby Awards

Founded in 1996, The Webby Awards is the leading international honors for consumer web sites and individual achievement in technology and creativity. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences selects the nominees, winners, and presents the awards event. Sponsors of The 8th Annual Webby Awards include media partners Business 2.0, Fortune and Fortune Small Business magazines; Event partners PricewaterhouseCoopers and Nielsen//NetRatings; Official Sponsors The Creative Group, IDG, Semaphore Partners, Comstock Images, and Rackspace Managed Hosting. For more information, visit http://www.webbyawards.com/.

About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences

The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and evolving forms of interactive media. The Academy's goal is to assemble a brilliant panel of leading new media experts, visionaries, journalists, and luminaries to propel the Internet and Interactive Technology into the future. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 480 members such as musicians Beck and David Bowie, Internet inventor Vint Cerf, political columnist Arianna Huffington, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening, "Smart Mobs" author Howard Rheingold, Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, and The Body Shop president Anita Roddick. Members also include web developers, internet experts and technology writers and editors from publications such as The New York Times, Business 2.0, Fortune, Spin, Fast Company, Travel + Leisure, the Los Angeles Times, Dwell and AdAge. For more information, visit http://www.iadas.net/.