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CarSmart Stakes Position as Leading Auto Information Site

13 December 2000

CarSmart Stakes Position as Leading Auto Information Site

         Revised Site Delivers Powerful Combination of Auto Content,
                    Products and Services to Car Shoppers

    SAN RAMON, Calif., Dec. 13 CarSmart.com, one of the
Internet's leading providers of objective automotive information and pricing,
today announced the launch of its revised website, dramatically enhancing the
information and tools available to help consumers in vehicle research, buying
and ownership.  The modular site boasts a new look and feel that makes it
easier for automotive enthusiasts and new car buyers alike to navigate and
access CarSmart.com's exhaustive automotive data.
    "With the addition of thirty new information modules, consumers need look
no further than CarSmart.com to find some of the most comprehensive automotive
information in the industry, information that was previously only available to
our financial institution clients," said Mike Gorun, President of
CarSmart.com.  CarSmart.com has been supplying its authoritative automotive
information to some of the world's most demanding clients -- including over
200 credit unions -- since 1990.  Today, CarSmart.com runs the auto content
areas on several major portals, including Looksmart, Go.com, Go2net, Alta
Vista, NBCi, Dogpile and WomanMotorist.
    With CarSmart.com's new modular design, users can pick and choose from
over 50 rotating information/content modules, including invoice pricing and
rebates, manufacturer recalls, resale values, complete vehicle performance and
safety data, and more.  CarSmart.com's library of automotive reviews has been
expanded to include coverage from industry experts dating back to 1994.
Powered by iPix imaging technology, the new site also provides continuous
360-degree views of new car interiors, as well as a digital photo gallery of
makes and models from 2000-2002.  Even future production and concept cars for
the new millennium can be digitally previewed.
    CarSmart.com's industry-leading vehicle data is complemented by a suite of
research and valuation tools, worksheets and resources, all of which help
shoppers find the car that fits their specific tastes and budgets.  For
example, car shoppers can automatically generate a short list of vehicles that
meet their criteria, such as year, body style, cost, monthly payment, etc.
Using the pricing comparison tool, a car shopper can compare the prices of
competing car models.  For example, the Chevrolet Suburban is compared against
its closest competitors, including the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, Lexus
Lx470, Lincoln Navigator, Toyota Land Cruiser, etc.  The safety comparison
tool allows consumers to pick various makes/models to include in a grid-like
chart, comparing general safety features, government crash injury ratings, and
even insurance premium ratings.  Financing shoppers, meanwhile, can pre-figure
everything from monthly payment estimates to leasing capitalization.
    With the launch of the revised site, CarSmart.com has also unveiled a host
of focused consumer resources.  My Garage, also available on Autobytel.com, is
an area of the CarSmart.com site dedicated to helping consumers manage the
ownership of their vehicles, providing information and advice on everything
from oil changes and maintenance schedules to insurance and warranties.
Subscribers are rapidly informed of all relevant manufacturer recalls, as well
as scheduled service reminders, via e-mail.  CarSmart.com's Women's Focus
area, meanwhile, is an online community specifically dedicated to meeting the
needs of women as they shop for and maintain their automobiles.
    Finally, CarSmart.com is now home to an online marketplace where consumers
can access free insurance, financing and warranty quotes, tips and information
and even shop for parts and accessories online.  Free "lemon checks" are also
available on pre-owned vehicles through an agreement with CarFax.

    About CarSmart.com
    CarSmart.com's parent company, A.I.N. (Automotive Information Network) was
founded in 1988 to provide financial institutions, automobile clubs and
vehicle manufacturers with definitive and accurate auto pricing information,
including rebates and resale value, as well as safety and cost of ownership
ratings.  In 1995, CarSmart.com was one of the first auto sites to hit the
web, empowering Internet users with unbiased, definitive automotive
information.  Based in San Ramon, CA, CarSmart.com became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Autobytel.com in 2000.