Autobytel.com Partners With Mothers Against Drunk Driving
9 February 2000
Autobytel.com Partners With Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) To Prevent Underage Drinking and Encourage Responsible Driving
Automotive E-Commerce Giant Leads Online Campaign for Parents and Teenagers
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 9 -- Autobytel.com , the
company that controls nearly 50% of all online car-buying purchases, today
announced its new relationship with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the
non-profit organization dedicated to pursuing effective solutions for drunk
driving and underage drinking problems and supporting victims. By joining
MADD in this effort with "The Key," a web-based program for teens and parents,
Autobytel.com underscores the importance of safe and responsible driving to a
vast online audience.
"As the leader in automotive e-commerce, we have a responsibility to
encourage safe and responsible driving," said Mark Lorimer, President and CEO
of Autobytel.com. "We are proud to be working with MADD in their efforts to
educate families on the perils of underage drinking and impaired driving."
Autobytel.com is providing MADD information and resources via its website
in an effort to extend the message of road safety to its broad audience.
Autobytel.com's first initiative with MADD is the hosting of a web-based
version of MADD's "The Key," a program that helps parents and teens open the
lines of communication about alcohol and other illicit drug use and the
responsibilities of being a young driver. "The Key" ends with a covenant that
is designed to shed light on and, ultimately, deter teenagers from driving
while under the influence of alcohol. "The Key," which can be accessed from
Autobytel.com's home page or via the recently launched Autobytel.com For Her
site, provides parents and their children with the ability to uphold the terms
of this "contractual agreement" to abstain from drinking and driving.
To encourage participation in "The Key," Autobytel.com will be running
"The Key Sweepstakes" from February 7 to June 30. Key users are automatically
entered to win a new Chevrolet SUV, truck or sedan upon agreeing to the terms
of the covenant.
"It takes everyone -- teens, parents, teachers, law enforcement, corporate
America -- to help change the social environment that gives kids easy access
to alcohol," said MADD National President Millie I. Webb. "We thank
Autobytel.com for helping to promote safety with sponsorship of 'The Key'."
"Autobytel.com's goal is to provide information and services to better the
consumer's automotive ownership experience," said Lorimer. "Our relationship
with MADD enables us to communicate the message that family and safety come
first, and we are pleased to offer 'The Key' at Autobytel.com For Her."
Autobytel.com and MADD share a mutual goal -- to educate and advocate the
need to be safe when on the road. In addition to hosting a web-based version
of "The Key," Autobytel.com will list a calendar of upcoming national
MADD-sanctioned events. Additionally, Autobytel.com plans to co-sponsor
educational events in the future, including the MADD National Youth Summit
which will be held in Washington DC in October 2000.
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) and
Sweden (http://www.autobytel.se). In 1999, Autobytel.com was ranked #1 in Dealer
Satisfaction with Online Buying Services for the second year in a row(2).
About madd.org
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization with
more than 600 affiliates across the country. Started in 1980, MADD is
celebrating its 20th anniversary in year 2000. MADD's mission is to stop
drunk driving, support the victims of violent crime and to prevent underage
drinking. For more information about MADD, visit http://www.madd.org.
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.