Lexus to Be Premier Sponsor of Certified Channel on AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com enhances an already successful formula for merchandising CPO vehicles

ATLANTA, Jan. 26 -- AutoTrader.com, world's largest automotive marketplace, announced today that Lexus is becoming the premier sponsor of their newly updated certified pre-owned channel for all of 2004. The sponsorship package includes: permanent home page placement, sole sponsorship of Certified Channel on AutoTrader.com, capability to download all Lexus CPO inventory directly to the site, and advertising inventory exclusivity within Lexus used searches.

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AutoTrader.com pioneered this category online and has been the leader in CPO offerings since 2001. AutoTrader.com now hosts the most manufacturers and the most certified pre-owned vehicles (more than 200,000) of any online automotive site. AutoTrader.com's latest refinements to its certified offerings include: CPO search functionality on the home page where consumers can search posted certified inventory from 20 different auto makes, a new dedicated CPO Research and Compare area, an enhanced vehicle detail page with dedicated CPO information specific to vehicle make, and Certified Only sorting capability throughout the shopping process.

"Consumer interest in certified has grown significantly, but this category still has vast potential that can be realized with raised awareness, better information and search capabilities," said Chip Perry, president and chief executive officer of AutoTrader.com. "AutoTrader.com dominates the CPO category because we offer consumers the largest certified inventory and we effectively and efficiently elevate awareness and bring valuable exposure to our advertising clients' listings."

"An expanded, prominent presence for us on AutoTrader.com is a very important part of our new campaign to drive more qualified shoppers into our dealerships. This partnership allows Lexus to be in the right place, at the right time in the shopping process," said Marv Ingram, national certified pre- owned/fleet manager for Lexus.

"We are very proud that Lexus CPO has chosen to expand its advertising presence on AutoTrader.com this year. They have dominated online marketing in the luxury pre-owned category for several years, and this new sponsorship with AutoTrader.com is further evidence of their commitment to remaining the industry leader," Perry added.

Manufacturer certification provides confidence in vehicle quality. Raising awareness and generating leads for certified vehicles increases buyer interest, and helps dealers and manufacturers boost sales, raise their margins, enhance residual values, and attract new customers to their brands.

Overall, AutoTrader.com's more than 40,000 dealer customers have access to the largest online auto classified site, with the most in-market car shoppers, as well as a powerful set of cost effective and targeted advertising products. November 2003 site traffic was up 21 percent over the same month last year. October 2003 saw AutoTrader.com reach a record 550,000 unique visitors to the site on one day, and the site is currently averaging more than 7 million unique visitors per month who perform 40 million vehicle searches and view 80 million individual vehicles every month.

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location more than 2.4 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which provide the largest selection of vehicles attracting more than 7 million unique visitors every month. Through innovative merchandising products such as multiple photos and auction-style listings and comprehensive search functionality, AutoTrader.com unites buyer and seller online -- dramatically improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles.

AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Manheim, the world's leading provider of automotive services to commercial sellers and automobile dealers. Manheim is a wholly owned subsidiary of media conglomerate Cox Enterprises, Inc., and AutoTrader.com's principal stockholder and a key investor along with Landmark Communications, ADP, Inc., and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. For more information, visit http://www.autotrader.com/ or call 1-800-353-9350.

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