Autobytel.com Nominated for Computerworld Smithsonian Award
3 April 2000
Autobytel.com Nominated for Computerworld Smithsonian Award; Automotive Internet Leader Placed in 2000 Computerworld Smithsonian Collection
IRVINE, Calif., April 3 Autobytel.com is
pleased to announce its nomination for the 2000 Computerworld Smithsonian
Award, widely considered the most prestigious international awards program in
the information technology (IT) industry. Autobytel.com today joins
technology leaders from 38 states and 21 different countries at a gathering on
the National Mall in Washington, DC to receive their Medal of Honor citing the
Company as one of the world's leading technological innovators.
Autobytel.com was selected alongside companies like Compaq, Cisco, eBay,
Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems as Laureates for 2000 in the
"Business and Related Services" category of the prestigious Innovators
Collection. "This honor shows how far the Internet has come in such a short
period of time and it's gratifying to be one of the few pure Internet
companies to receive such an honor," said Mark Lorimer, Autobytel.com's
President and CEO. "Autobytel.com's mission has always been to revolutionize
the automotive industry by empowering consumers through Internet technology.
This award validates our mission."
As a Computerworld Smithsonian Laureate, Autobytel.com's case study will
become part of the Permanent Research Collection on Information Technology,
housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The
Computerworld Smithsonian Information Program was founded in 1988 to publicly
honor those individuals and organizations that have demonstrated vision and
leadership in the innovation and implementation of information technology.
Each year the Chairmen and CEOs of 100 leading IT companies from around the
world work together to nominate the most innovative IT applications that
benefit society.
Autobytel.com submitted an in-depth case study summarizing its innovative
use of information technology, originality, concrete evidence of its benefits
to society and success, and a full description of the obstacles that had to be
overcome to achieve this success. This, combined with a "time capsule"
display comprised of documents, photos, video and other relevant media, will
be in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's permanent research
collection. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution, founded in
1846, a complex of 16 museums, 7 research facilities and a national Zoo.
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, 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.