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Autobytel.com Continues Momentum in Multi-Billion Dollar Online Insurance With Addition of Four New Insurance Providers

4 December 2000

Autobytel.com Continues Momentum in Multi-Billion Dollar Online Insurance With Addition of Four New Insurance Providers

   New Auto Insurance Partners Solidify Autobytel.com's Position as Leading
        Aggregator of Auto Insurance Among Online Car Buying Services

    IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 4 Autobytel.com , the
global leader in automotive e-commerce, today announced the addition of four
new insurance providers to its comparative, real-time quoting auto insurance
system(1).  The agreements with Instant Auto, Kemper Auto and Home Insurance
Company, Tri-State and Electric Insurance further strengthen Autobytel.com's
position as the leading aggregator of automotive insurance among online car
buying services and also continues to demonstrate the company's commitment to
providing the most comprehensive suite of automotive products and services to
its consumers.
    According to Forrester Research, online auto insurance sales will surge to
$12 billion in 2004-up from just over $1 billion this year; while $35 billion
of insurance purchasing decisions will be affected by online research.  By
aggressively developing its auto insurance program through strategic, mutually
beneficial partnerships with leading automotive insurance providers,
Autobytel.com is poised to capture a significant amount of this future
business through its growing customer base.
    "Autobytel.com had nearly 5.7 million unique visitors during Q3 2000
alone.  Ours is an ideal portal for insurers, providing access to an enormous,
highly-focused demographic," said Mark Lorimer, President and CEO of
Autobytel.com.  "By adding more insurers, we're furthering the competitive,
consumer-focused environment we've created, allowing our customers to save
both time and money on automotive and related purchases.  This is what the
Internet is all about: creating more efficient markets to the benefit of all
participants."
    These latest insurance program partnerships are part of an on-going
strategy to diversify company services and revenues, capitalizing on
Autobytel.com's market-leading online car-buying consumer base.  In addition
to insurance, Autobytel.com also offers automotive financing and service
products and is developing an Aftermarket Program to penetrate this
$20 billion industry, enabling Internet car buyers to view, customize and
request vehicle-specific aftermarket products and accessories when they
purchase vehicles online.
    "Autobytel.com's rapid ascension to becoming one of the largest online
automotive insurance resources on the Internet underscores the company's
commitment to developing diverse affiliate revenue streams, while empowering
customers through every phase of the car-buying experience," added Lorimer.
    With the addition of Instant Auto, Kemper Auto and Home Insurance Company,
TriState Consumer Insurance and Electric Insurance, Autobytel.com offers
consumers ten of the nation's leading auto insurance providers.  The company
has also established relationships with an extensive network of insurance
agents through a live lead distribution system established by InsurQuote
Systems.  Using contracted independent agents that guarantee a quick response,
InsurQuote's distribution system connects consumers with local
Internet-enabled agencies that can issue the policies and provide further
service.

    About autobytel.com inc.
    Autobytel.com inc. , the global leader in online automotive
commerce, brings car buyers, owners, and sellers together in a trusted
environment, empowered by the Internet.  Through its extensive automotive
content and multiple purchasing, financing, insurance and service options,
Autobytel.com offers consumers choice and peace of mind throughout the
automotive lifecycle, while providing its network of accredited dealers and
automotive services partners the most efficient way to reach online car buyers
and owners.  Autobytel.com and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CarSmart.com, have
a network of over 5,000 Dealers nationwide and are the seventh largest
generator of automotive sales in the United States, just behind GM, Ford,
DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan.  Autobytel.com has been ranked #1
in Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services for three years in a row by
J.D. Power and Associates.*  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), Japan
(http://www.autobytel-japan.com) and Australia (http://www.autobytel.com.au).  Headquartered
in Irvine, California, Autobytel.com is recognized as the company that
transformed the $1 trillion new car industry when it invented online car
buying.

    (1) Insurance services are provided through Autobytel.com's wholly owned
subsidiary, Auto-By-Tel Insurance Services, Inc.

    * J.D. Power and Associates 1998 - 2000 Dealer Satisfaction With Online
Buying Services Studies(SM).  2000 study conducted among dealership Internet
specialists who completed 2,144 evaluations of individual services.
http://www.jdpower.com.

    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.  Investors are strongly encouraged to review the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, and quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a
discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect operating results and
the market price of the Company's stock.