Hyundai Taps Autobytel's RPM(R) to Power Nationwide Dealership Service Reminder Program

RPM Helps Hyundai Build Brand Loyalty Through Increased Customer Retention

IRVINE, Calif., May 20 -- Autobytel Inc.'s innovative service customer retention program, Retention Performance Marketing (RPM(R)), has been selected by Hyundai Motor America to provide a custom service reminder program for Hyundai's nationwide network of more than 600 dealers. The Hyundai/RPM program is designed to help Hyundai dealers increase service retention by targeting each customer with strategic, targeted service reminders and by providing free personalized service customer web pages on dealership sites, where each customer can manage his or her service records.

"We believe that the RPM program will integrate well into our comprehensive mission to build loyalty at the dealership level," said Hyundai's Director of Service, Ray Schroth. "It is designed to help Hyundai owners optimize their vehicles' performance and longevity, while helping franchises increase fixed operations profitability. All of it adds up to a stronger, more efficient franchise network and satisfied, loyal Hyundai owners."

"Innovative automakers like Hyundai are recognizing the critical role that service retention plays in building long-term market share," added Autobytel President and CEO Jeffrey Schwartz. "We're proud to provide the industry with an efficient program to help win back the billions lost to aftermarket competitors each year, while providing car owners with user-friendly resources to keep their cars and trucks in top running form."

Developed by Autobytel Inc., the RPM program combines intensive, continuous customer database management and three direct marketing media (digitally printed mail, live phone calls, and email) to help dealers target customers with timely, personalized service reminders based on each recipient's specific ownership profile and driving habits. RPM also enables each participating dealership to provide personalized, dealer/manufacturer- branded service web pages on their dealership sites, where each service customer can manage his or her individual service records and check for upcoming scheduled services. Dealers utilizing RPM, on average, report a 21:1 return on investment as well as a 29% response rate, which is more than five times the national average for service reminder programs.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. , a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising, data and CRM (customer relationship management) products and programs. The Company owns and operates the automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Car.com and AutoSite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a trusted industry source of automotive marketing data and technology for over 20 years. Autobytel is also a leader in dealership lead management and CRM solutions and owns and operates AVV, Inc., a top provider of dealership CRM and sales management products, and Retention Performance Marketing, Inc., (RPM(R)), which powers dealerships with cutting-edge customer loyalty and retention marketing programs. 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 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. Autobytel's car-selling sites and lead management products are used by more of the nation's top-100 e-dealers than any other program.

About Hyundai

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 sold and serviced by more than 600 dealers nationwide.