Autobytel Inc. Announced as Finalist for Innovative Product Award

IRVINE, Calif.--April 27, 2006--Autobytel Inc. was announced Wednesday as a finalist for Innovative Product (2005) by the Orange County council of AeA--the largest technology trade association in the United States.

Autobytel was recognized for the development of its advanced proprietary search engine marketing technology, named "Black Condor," which plays an essential role in funneling in-market auto shoppers from Internet search engines to the company's nationwide network of auto dealers - at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. In 2005, the company's search engine marketing generated an estimated $1.4 billion in gross revenue for its member dealers, and twenty million Autobytel web pages were listed on major search engines in January 2006.

Search engine marketing has become a highly competitive market as search engines such as Google and Yahoo! conduct online auctions to sell popular search words (keywords) to businesses that want to present their ads and information to Internet searchers. Autobytel's search technology is capable of sorting through 500,000 of the most sought after automotive keywords on the major search engines, making bids for the keywords 1,600+ times an hour. Black Condor also creates dynamic landing pages with relevant make and model information for most of the 500,000 key words.

According to the Pew Internet Life and American Project, nearly 60 million U.S. Internet searchers used search engines daily in 2005. J.D. Power & Associates, the global marketing information firm, reports that in 2005 ninety percent of all Internet new vehicle shoppers used a search engine during their shopping process.

"We are extremely proud that our technology has been recognized by a prestigious organization like AeA," said Autobytel CEO and President James Riesenbach. "Black Condor has been instrumental in furthering our mission of efficiently connecting millions of in-market car shoppers to auto dealers across America, making the car shopping experience easier for consumers and car retailers alike."

Autobytel's technology was developed by Autobytel's Internet technology and marketing teams, led by Senior Director of Search Operations Zane Rathwick.

The winner will be announced May 18, 2006 at AeA's 13th Annual High Tech Innovation Awards, which will be held at the Westin South Coast Plaza. Other awards categories include: Outstanding Company, Outstanding Public Company CEO, Outstanding Private Company CEO, Outstanding Woman in Technology, High Impact Person of the Year, Innovative Product of 2005, and the Greg Ross Community Service Award. For the first time in the event's history, education awards also will be given for District Leadership, Innovative School Program and High Impact Teacher of the Year (all in Science, Math and Technology).

The event will feature John Gage, Chief Researcher and Director of the Science Office for Sun Microsystems, Inc., as keynote speaker along with prominent leaders of Orange County technology companies as presenters. Messages from business, education, and political leaders will develop this year's theme, "The Race to Innovate." Jonathan Lansner, business columnist for the Orange County Register, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The education awards, sponsored by Project Tomorrow--the nation's leading non-profit group promoting science, math and technology in schools--reflect both organizations' push for a more competitive U.S. workforce.

To register for the event, visit www.aeanet.org/hightechawards.

For more information on Project Tomorrow visit http://tomorrow.org

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 products and programs. Autobytel owns and operates the automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Car.com, AutoSite.com, Autoahorros.com, and CarTV.com. This automotive research and buying network reaches millions of car shoppers each month as they make their vehicle buying decisions, generating billions of dollars in sales for dealers. A leader in dealership customer management and CRM solutions, Autobytel also 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's AIC (Automotive Information Center) has been a trusted industry source of automotive marketing data and technology for nearly 24 years. 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.