Autobytel Becomes First Third-Party Buying Service to Automate Long-Term Follow Up for Dealers

LAS VEGAS--Autobytel Inc. today announced at the 2007 National Automobile Dealers Association Conference the launch of its Email Manager program designed to completely automate long-term dealership follow up for customer leads generated through Autobytel’s online web buying services. Moving forward, whenever an Autobytel customer submits an online request to purchase a vehicle at a member dealership, Autobytel will automatically follow up with a series of up to five fully customized, dealership-exclusive branded emails broadcast periodically over a 90-day period. Email Manager is a value-added program exclusive to Autobytel program dealers.

“All dealers have to do is sign up, and we take care of the rest, including the unsubscribe process,” said Mark Garms, senior vice president, Dealer Operations and Strategy, Autobytel Inc. “So, with literally no additional costs or work, our dealers will benefit from a state-of-the-art email follow up program that lets their customers know that they’re ready to serve them.”

The program, which is just completing its beta testing phase, should come as a welcome service for dealers, who in general have focused on ‘now’ customers at the expense of longer-term prospects, essentially cutting off a huge segment of their potential customers. The average follow up period for Autobytel member dealers, for example, is only around 10 days – yet two-thirds of online car buyers purchase a vehicle more than 30 days after submitting an online purchase request.

Each personalized email will feature two beauty shots of the selected vehicle, and cover an area of interest to car buyers (model-specific information, leasing vs. buying, etc.). The emails will provide numerous calls to actions and channels into the dealership. To help dealers identify which customers are most likely to buy, the program will provide real-time reporting on recipient activity – giving dealers valuable data for a targeted, effective response.

“For years dealers have been asking third-party buying services to help them brand their dealerships for the customers we generate on our sites,” said Garms. “We’re pleased to take the lead on that front with a completely automated email campaign that keeps the dealership brand in front of the customer for 90 days, so dealers can focus on what they do best – selling and closing. We’re excited to put it into action and see how it pays off in terms of closing ratios and sales.”

In general, dealers who conduct a regular email follow up program for 90 days typically see close rates 30 to 50 percent higher than average.

K.I.T., Part II

Email Manager is the second phase of Autobytel’s “Keep in Touch” initiative, a series of value-added services that support a more effective customer follow up and, in turn, improved closing ratios and sales. The initial phase of the initiative, Rapid Response, automatically places phone calls to Autobytel dealers, immediately notifying them – generally within seconds – each time an Autobytel site customer requests a price quote from their dealership.

Visit “Autobytel Platinum Hour” to Learn More

Contact Rose Maciejewski at 310-717-3005 or maciejewskir@ruderfinn.com for a special invitation to “Autobytel Platinum Hour,” a daily offering of food, drinks and events at the nearby Misora Rooftop Terrace Bar of the Platinum Hotel and Spa. Complimentary limo service is available to and from NADA courtesy of Autobytel.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. is one of the largest online automotive marketplaces, empowering consumers to make smart vehicle choices using objective automotive data and insightful interactive editorial content. The result is a convenient car-buying process backed by a nationwide network of dealers who are committed to providing a positive consumer experience. Every day consumers choose Autobytel-owned and operated websites—Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Car.com, and CarTV.com – to facilitate their car-shopping decisions. Autobytel’s ability to attract millions of highly qualified, in-market car buyers and connect them with retailers has made it a leader in facilitating the entire customer car-buying lifecycle.

The Company’s innovative marketing, advertising and CRM products, including its Web Control® customer management system, Retention Performance Marketing (RPM®) service reminder program, and Special Finance Leads, are designed to enable dealers to offer a premium consumer experience. Since pioneering pro-consumer online automotive content and purchasing in 1995, Autobytel has helped more than twenty-seven million car buyers, generating billions of dollars in car sales for dealers.