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ABTL News Autobytel and Van Tuyl/Automotive Investment Group, Nation's Largest Privately Owned Auto Dealer Group, Sign National Marketing Agreement

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL), a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, and Van Tuyl (VT/AIG, Inc.), the nation's largest privately owned automotive dealership group, today announced that the companies have signed an agreement to create a national online customer referral program from Autobytel to VT/AIG’s dealerships. The marketing agreement will encompass Van Tuyl's franchises in ten states.

“This relationship creates one of the industry’s largest automotive marketing channels,” said Autobytel Inc. President and CEO Jim Riesenbach. “Van Tuyl is considered one of the premier automotive operations in the world. We’re excited that a top-tier Fortune 500 company recognizes the benefits of Autobytel's proven online marketing expertise."

In addition to receiving Purchase Requests for new and used cars and trucks from Autobytel’s vast audience of monthly web car buyers, VT/AIG dealerships will benefit from Autobytel’s proprietary 7-step Quality Verification System^SM, one of the industry’s most rigorous programs to verify the purchase-intent of online customers and a critical component in the conversion ratio of Autobytel.com’s leads which have the highest closing ratio among large new-car lead services.* Autobytel also provides members of its dealer network with personalized on site Internet sales training.

“We understand that today’s online customers are serious about buying,” said Van Tuyl Director of Customer Retention and Marketing Cassie Broemmer. “Autobytel is known for not only providing large numbers of customers but, more importantly, for bringing dealers in-market, ready-to-buy car and truck shoppers. We expect positive results from our new marketing alliance with Autobytel."

* Autobytel.com’s Closing Ratio Is Highest Among Large New-Car Lead Services According to J.D. Power and Associates Dealer Satisfaction Study, Autobytel press release 9/25/06

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) is one of the largest online automotive marketplaces, empowering consumers to make smart vehicle choices using objective automotive data and insightful interactive editorial content. The result is a convenient car-buying process backed by a nationwide network of dealers who are committed to providing a positive consumer experience. Every day consumers choose Autobytel-owned and operated websites — Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Car.com, AutoSite.com, Autoahorros.com, and CarTV.com – to facilitate their car-shopping decisions. Autobytel’s ability to attract millions of highly qualified, in-market car buyers and connect them with retailers has made it a leader in facilitating the entire customer car-buying lifecycle.

The Company’s innovative marketing, advertising, data and CRM products, including its Web Control® customer management system, Retention Performance Marketing (RPM®) service reminder program, Special Finance Leads^SM, and AIC® data center, are designed to enable dealers to offer a premium consumer experience. Since pioneering pro-consumer online automotive content and purchasing in 1995, Autobytel has helped more than twenty-seven million car buyers, generating billions of dollars in car sales for dealers.