AutoTrader.com Sees Spike in General Motors Vehicle Searches Following Super Bowl Ads

ATLANTA--AutoTrader.com, the ultimate automotive marketplace, observed a 30% spike in search activity Monday for the Chevrolet HHR, following the debut of the vehicle’s "Car Wash Dudes" spot and the Chevrolet-branded "Everybody Loves a Chevy" commercial in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

AutoTrader.com witnessed a similar Super Bowl phenomenon in 2006 when Cadillac aired its "Fashion Show" spot during the game to launch its new generation Escalade. Then, searches for the Escalade increased 18% the Monday following the Super Bowl compared to the Monday the week preceding the game.

"It’s been said baseball is America’s pastime, but football is America’s passion," said Shawn Tucker, manager of content, AutoTrader.com. "We’re also passionate about cars. It’s not surprising to see amplified interest for specific vehicles advertised during the Super Bowl given the record numbers of viewers and the anticipation of the ads shown during the game."

Searches for Honda’s CR-V and Ridgeline, also featured in Super Bowl television spots, increased Monday by 4.4% and 2.2%, respectively.

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location more than 3 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which provide the largest selection of vehicles attracting more than 11 million qualified buyers each month. Through innovative merchandising products such as multiple photos and comprehensive search functionality, AutoTrader.com unites buyer and seller online -- dramatically improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles.

AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. The venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.