Cars.com Study Shows Dealerships' Online Advertising Strategies Are Evolving

Cars.com to Release Study Findings, Present Workshop Sessions and Host Booth #3675 at the 2005 NADA Convention and Exposition

CHICAGO, Jan. 20 -- A new cars.com study reports sixty-five percent of dealerships surveyed report a change in why they advertise online in the last year. Scheduled for release at the 2005 National Automobile Dealers Association's (NADA) 88th Annual Convention and Exposition in New Orleans, the report shows dealerships' online advertising strategies are evolving. In addition to a change in why they advertise, the dealers voice clear strategies for maximizing their Internet investment and see definite areas for growth and improvement collectively. The study's findings show how dealerships are using online advertising solutions to brand their dealership, merchandise their inventory and gain a competitive edge.

"While 2004 marked record growth in the number of dealerships using online services to attract buyers to their showrooms, it also marked an evolution in how dealerships integrate these solutions into their sales and marketing strategies" said Mitch Golub, president of cars.com. "As we will present at NADA, we are seeing dealerships hone their online strategies, placing greater emphasis on the tactics and partners that help to drive sales."

The report, based on in-depth dealer interviews and cars.com site analysis, will be released at an NADA press conference led by cars.com President Mitch Golub, Vice President, Alex Vetter, and Director of Training, Ralph Ebersole:

   Cars.com Press Conference:
   Monday, January 31
   8:00 A.M.
   Room 256, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

  Cars.com To Lead NADA Workshops:

Also focused on how dealerships are honing their Internet strategy for the greatest impact, cars.com's Director of Training, Ralph Ebersole, will present the NADA Workshop Transforming Internet Advertising Dollars Into Vehicle Sales. In this session, dealers will learn how to make their advertising work harder by understanding online consumers, effectively merchandising online and supporting their efforts with a strong offline sales process. The goal of the session is to help dealers better leverage their Internet presence to turn online shoppers into buyers.

  Workshops are scheduled to take place throughout the show:
   Sunday, January 30:      11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
   Sunday, January 30:      3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
   Monday, January 31:      10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
   Tuesday, February 1:     11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

  Cars.com Makes Sixth NADA Appearance in Booth #3675

Cars.com will make its sixth consecutive appearance on the NADA show floor. Dealers can visit booth #3675 to learn more about cars.com and its unique audience, and to pick up a copy of the company's Tips for Converting Online Shoppers Into Buyers.

About cars.com

Partnered with 175 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their Web sites, cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site places vehicle listings from nearly 10,000 dealers alongside nationwide classified advertising and private-party listings to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of consumers connect with sellers each month. Launched in June 1998, cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, (http://classifiedventures.com/), which is owned by six leading media companies including, Belo , Gannett Co., Inc. , Knight Ridder , The McClatchy Company , Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company. .