SUV Fuel Economy Increases While SUV Pricing Drops in 2006 Model Year, According to Autobytel's AIC

Latest AIC Quarterly QuickView Also Uncovers 860% Increase in Availability of Backup Cameras; Reports 12 Time Jump in Vehicles With MP3 Capabilities

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 31 -- Autobytel Inc.'s Automotive Information Center (AIC) division today released data from its upcoming research report, the Q3 2005 AIC Quarterly QuickView(1), which features updated industry statistics on vehicle equipment and new vehicle models. The updated data in this Q3 report reveals significant trends in fuel economy, pricing and new vehicle technologies.

Fuel Economy Increases in SUVs

With fuel prices continuing to rise, fuel efficiency is an ongoing concern for new vehicle purchasers. While SUV owners are feeling considerable heat at the gas pump, there is good news to report. AIC analysts studied the effects of SUV curb weight and horsepower on miles per gallon in recent years.(2) The study revealed that decreasing curb weight and increasing horsepower, in addition to other technology advances, have resulted in greater fuel efficiency in SUVs. From 2003 to 2006, average curb weight declined 2.7%, while average horsepower increased 6.7%.(3) Based on these changes, as well as other vehicle factors, SUV fuel efficiency has increased 10.5%, from 19 miles per gallon in 2003 to 21 miles per gallon among the current crop of 2006 models.

SUV Pricing Drops

While AIC analysts uncovered fuel economy increases, the data also showed that SUV pricing dropped year over year from 2005 to 2006, bringing SUV owners more good news. Based on AIC research, the average SUV MSRP declined $36 from 2005 to 2006.

However, among individual makes, the top three price reductions from 2005 to 2006 for available SUVs were significant:

   *  Mercury Mountaineer -- down $2446 (average of eight trims)
   *  Ford Explorer -- down $2281 (average of 14 trims)
   *  Lincoln Navigator -- down $1345 (average of four trims)

  New Technology Represents High Growth Area

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) more than 152 million Americans -- about 70% of the total U.S. adult population -- own portable entertainment devices.(4) This rapid adoption of entertainment devices is supported by a recent Autobytel online survey in which 81% of respondents said they, or someone in their family, owns an iPod. Carmakers are already responding to this trend, as AIC analysts are seeing a significant increase in MP3-capable vehicles with either full or partial integration options. From 2003 to 2006, the MP3 capability increased by 12 times as a standard feature, appearing on 25 vehicles in 2003 and appearing on more than 320 vehicles in the 2006 model year. In total for 2006, 598 vehicles listed

the MP3 player capability as either a standard or optional feature, versus just 65 vehicles including it in 2003.

Also growing in popularity is the availability of vehicles equipped with backup cameras, which are systems designed to detect obstacles that may be encountered when a vehicle is backing up. AIC found the number of backup cameras available on all models and trims has grown 860 percent in the past four years, from appearing as either a standard or optional feature in five trims in 2003 to appearing as a standard or optional feature on 48 trims in the 2006 model year. These numbers support a continuing trend toward safety concerns in vehicles.

"Our recent consumer surveys have shown fuel efficiency is the top concern for car buyers today, so conventional wisdom would indicate SUVs are facing a tough sales battle," said Autobytel President and CEO Rick Post. "However, these AIC QuickView results demonstrate that automakers have already made great strides in proactively addressing these issues. Based on the state of the market, it is clear consumers will keep a close eye on future innovations when determining which vehicles to purchase."

Additional information about the topics studied in the AIC Quarterly QuickView may be found on Autobytel.com, Autosite.com and CarTV.com, including:

* When Fuel Economy Matters: CLICK HERE

* Employee Pricing Primer: CLICK HERE

* Connecting your iPod to your Car: CLICK HERE

A pioneer in providing the industry with vehicle specification data and technology for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers, AIC manages and analyzes up to 3.3 million data points covering every vehicle sold in the U.S.

The AIC Quarterly QuickView is distributed to all AIC customers via hard copy. For complete results, please contact Crystal Hartwell at 949.437.4755 or hartwellc@autobytel.com.

   (1)  AIC Quarterly QuickView results are based on a study of 6,669 trims
        from 2003 - 2006 in the AIC database and available for sale in the
        U.S. as of 10/01/05

   (2)  Results are based on miles per gallon for Highway Travel and
        standard engine/transmission configuration, as reported by the
        United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

   (3)  All information is based on trends in vehicles for sale in the
        United States 2003 - 2006.  2006 Model Year Data is incomplete.
        Figures are based on Models available for sale at dealers as of
        10/01/05

   (4)  According to a report issued on October 3, 2005

   The study is based on information supplied to AIC by external sources
   believed to be reliable, but no responsibility is assumed by AIC or its
   affiliates for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.  The study is provided
   strictly on an "as is where is" basis, and AIC further expressly
   disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any implied
   warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
   regarding the study.

  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, AutoSite.com, Autoahorros.com, and CarTV.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. Autobytel was the most visited new car buying and research destination in 2004, reaching millions of car shoppers as they made their vehicle buying decisions. Autobytel Inc. is the only company to achieve top rankings for both its lead management and lead generation services among the nation's top 100 Internet dealers.