Autobytel.com Names Three Vice Presidents
13 December 1999
Autobytel.com Names Three Vice Presidents; Leading Automotive E-Commerce Provider Experiences Rapid Corporate Growth
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 13 -- Autobytel.com , the
leading international e-commerce provider, today announced the promotion of
three key employees to top-level vice president positions. In light of recent
successes and rapid growth, Autobytel.com is naming Jason Tuschman as Vice
President of Consumer Product and Website Development; Tim Walker as Vice
President, Dealer Product Development; and Gregg Loberstein as Vice President
of Dealer Sales. All three are now heading their respective departments.
"These promotions are based on the impressive expertise and experience
these three bring to Autobytel.com, as well as their recent, stellar
successes," said Mark Lorimer, Autobytel.com's President and CEO.
Jason Tuschman was elected to his current position of Vice-President of
Consumer Product and Website Development by Autobytel.com's board of directors
earlier this year. He lends years of strategic planning, product development
and marketing experience to Autobytel.com. Already, Tuschman's comprehensive
analysis of the market has led to significantly increased product
diversification and revenue for the company.
In his position as Vice President, Dealer Product Development, Tim Walker
oversees the development of dealer products and services including
Autobytel.com's Banking Center, Dealer Real Time(TM), and the Autobytel.com
Certified Pre-Owned CyberStore. Walker is also responsible for the successful
recent launch of the Autobytel.com Auction, the most comprehensive online
national automotive auction program to date.
Gregg Loberstein was promoted from National Sales Director to Vice
President of Dealer Sales. As National Sales Director, Loberstein spearheaded
the development and growth of the Autobytel.com Dealer Network into the most
successful online automotive sales force in the industry. In his new
position, Loberstein takes his relations with Autobytel.com Accredited Dealers
a step further -- focusing on the strategic planning and development of new
dealer acquisitions, as well as on dealer product sales expansion.
About autobytel.com inc.
Internationally-branded Autobytel.com (http://www.autobytel.com) is the
acknowledged leader in online automotive commerce(1). The most comprehensive
automotive Internet site, Autobytel.com offers consumers a positive purchasing
and ownership experience, while providing its Accredited Dealer Network with
the most efficient way to reach online car buyers. As it assists consumers
through every aspect of the automotive lifecycle, Autobytel.com provides
continuity into the next vehicle purchase. Launched in March 1995,
Autobytel.com's low-cost, no-haggle car-buying program is available in the
U.S., Canada (http://www.autobytel.ca), the United Kingdom (http://www.autobytel.co.uk),
Sweden (http://www.autobytel.se) and Japan (http://www.autobytel-japan.com). In 1999,
Autobytel.com was ranked #1 in Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services
for the second year in a row(2).
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel.com
undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the
important factors that could cause Autobytel.com's actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking
statements are changes in general economic conditions, increased or unexpected
competition, the failure to close the acquisition of A.I.N. Corporation,
changes in A.I.N. Corporation's financial performance, and other matters
disclosed in Autobytel.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(1) As reported by J.D. Power and Associates, Autobytel.com accounts for
45% of all new vehicles sold through an online service. (8.23.99).
(2) J.D. Power and Associates 1998-1999 Dealer Satisfaction With Online
Buying Services Studies(SM). 1999 study conducted among dealership Internet
specialists who completed 1,024 individual evaluations.
Contacts: Autobytel.com/Media Relations
RBI Communications
323.960.1360
Cassandra Cavanah, ext. 30 (cassandra@rbicom.com)
Jenni Balsam, ext. 14 (jenni@rbicom.com)