Autobytel Inc. Announces Gold Medal Dealer(SM) Program to Recognize Dealerships for Exceptional Customer Service

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 31, 2004 -- Autobytel Inc. , the Internet's most visited new vehicle buying and research destination, announced today the launch of its new Gold Medal Dealer program at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas. The Gold Medal Dealer program identifies franchised auto dealers who have achieved exceptional customer service standards for Internet car sales and is the first public recognition of customer service by an independent multi-brand online car buying service. According to Autobytel, the designation was created to recognize and reward dealers who are committed to outstanding customer relations, ongoing improvement and continuing education.

"Our goal is to help all dealers who work with Autobytel become Gold Medal Dealers, which is what consumers expect," said Jeffrey Schwartz, CEO and president of Autobytel Inc. "Putting these dealers in the spotlight rewards them for their dedication to customer service, and helps the millions of customers who visit our websites easily identify dealerships with outstanding track records when it comes to serving online customers."

The customer satisfaction program sets clear goals for an outstanding customer experience. Each Gold Medal Dealer must achieve an excellent rating in Autobytel's Dealer Management Report, an individual performance analysis measuring the dealership's sales performance and responsiveness to customers. The Dealer Management Report is provided monthly, at no charge, to members of the Autobytel dealer network. Gold Medal status is reviewed, and dealers are re-certified, every six months to ensure that certification is based on timely, accurate performance information. In addition, Gold Medal Dealers must complete Autobytel's eLearning program or Autobytel's Training and Professional Service Course. The curriculum is based on best practices at dealerships nationwide and helps dealers understand the expectations of today's Internet car shoppers.

Autobytel's Account Managers, who are certified as Best Practices Trainers, review the Gold Medal criteria with dealers and validate that dealership customers are being served according to recommended best practices. After successful completion of the evaluation, the dealership is certified as a Gold Medal Dealer. All dealerships that are members of the Autobytel Dealer Network are eligible to earn Gold Medal Dealer status. Dealers who attain Gold Medal status have the opportunity to earn points towards additional Autobytel products and services.

Car buyers who submit a purchase request through Autobytel's websites, www.autobytel.com , www.autoweb.com and www.carsmart.com , will know they are working with a dealer, identified by a Gold Medal Dealer icon, who has achieved the highest performance rating from Autobytel Inc.

"Autobytel is in a unique position to help dealers and car buyers build better relationships," said Schwartz. "We were founded to improve the car buying and selling process for dealers and consumers. Our Gold Medal Dealer program is an important feature in that ongoing dialogue."

Autobytel, which is credited with inventing online car buying in 1995, first appeared at NADA in 1996. The company has since led the industry to help dealers better serve Internet auto shoppers, who now comprise 64% of all car buyers. Autobytel currently provides customer referral, marketing and CRM services to more than 25,000 franchised dealers throughout the United States, as well as automotive marketing and data services for the majority of auto manufacturers operating in North America.

According to comScore Media Metrix, Autobytel Inc. received an average of 7.7 million unique visitors each month in 2003, the highest among new vehicle buying and research websites. The company was also the most visited new car buying and research destination among U.S. Hispanic Internet users in 2003.

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. Autobytel generates over a billion dollars a month in car sales for dealers through its services and was the most visited new car buying and research destination in 2003, reaching millions of car-shoppers as they made their vehicle buying decisions.