Autobytel's Car.com Triples Number of Finance Leads Customers for Dealers

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 21, 2004; Car.com, Inc., a subsidiary of Autobytel Inc. , reports that it tripled the number of Finance Leads customers channeled to its nationwide network of dealers in the first nine months of 2004 versus the same period in 2003. This strong growth in Car.com 's finance customer traffic is good news to dealers who can benefit from a direct channel of serious, ready-to-buy customers, many of whom may have been prevented from securing loans through conventional lending sources.

"With a broader segment of the buying public hindered by poor credit scores, financing is becoming a bigger barrier to buying," said Car.com's Jack Lintol. "Car.com's Finance Leads program represents a valuable online bridge between dealers and one of the most profitable, and fastest-growing segments of the auto market -- the sub-prime customer."

Car.com Finance Leads forwards directly to a local dealer online credit questionnaires completed by consumers who want to secure financing to purchase a vehicle. This places the customer relationships, as well as their highly valuable financing business, squarely in the dealer's hands. In addition, these online customers who commit to submitting an online credit application tend to be serious buyers, providing another benefit for Car.com dealers.

"We use TV, radio and print campaigns, but Car.com Finance Leads has quickly become our most productive marketing source -- delivering the most serious, ready-to-buy customers," said Brant Rogers, general manager of Mission Automotive in Cincinnati, OH. "Our dealership is currently bringing in approximately 200 finance lead customers a month through Car.com -- double the number from a year ago."

"As sub-prime customers represent a bigger piece of the car-buying pie, Internet-based auto financing will become an increasingly crucial lifeline for the auto industry," continued Lintol. "Generation of finance leads is another way that Autobytel is driving incremental, efficient business to dealers. We look forward to continuing to grow this segment of our business, and providing even better marketing value for our member dealers."