Autobytel to Sell Specialty Finance Leads Product to Internet Brands
Per the agreement, the SFL product will be sold for $3.2 million in cash, as well as additional transition licensing income that will total $1.6 million over a five-year period.
IRVINE, Calif. — Autobytel Inc., a provider of digital automotive services that connect in-market car buyers with dealers and OEMs, has signed a definitive agreement to sell its specialty finance leads (SFL) product to Internet Brands Inc.
Per the agreement, the SFL product will be sold for $3.2 million in cash, as well as additional transition licensing income that will total $1.6 million over a five-year period.
“This divesture will enable us to further dedicate time and resources to our fastest growing business initiatives — our core vehicle lead and click products,” said Jeff Coats, president and CEO of Autobytel. “We believe divesting this noncore asset is in the best interest of our stockholders as we redeploy the proceeds from the sale back into our core business.”
The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 31, 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, according to the company. For this calendar year, SFL revenue is expected to be $6.4 million, a slight decrease from the prior year’s $6.5 million.
More Auto Finance

Mastering Credit Friction
In this video, Josh Krach explains how to turn credit friction into an advantage.
Read More →
April Less Affordable
Based on prices, reduced incentives and slower household income growth, consumers found it more challenging to buy new last month, Cox Automotive reported.
Read More →
Auto Lenders, Consumers on a Tightrope
April borrowing data shows that more consumers are bending over backward to buy vehicles, though subprime lending cooled off for the month.
Read More →
Toyota Financial Services President Replaced
Scott Cooke has served in various roles with Toyota Financial Services for over 20 years, including president and CEO, which he retires from on June 30.
Read More →
Permission or Approval: When to Notify Finance Sources
Credit card down payments, multiple vehicle purchases and even straw purchases can be completed without committing bank fraud, as long as you tell the bank first.
Read More →
At-Risk Auto Borrowers Drive Looser Credit Access
Cox Automotive’s index shows the subprime segment, long loan terms, negative-equity borrowers and down payment amounts all grew in February despite ever-higher vehicle prices.
Read More →
Auto Loan Forecast Bucks Market Trend
Auto loan originations rose over 6% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, but TransUnion predicts a slight decline in auto loan growth this year, making it an outlier in the company's overall lending forecast.
Read More →
Auto Credit More Plentiful
Growing access shows greater lender appetite for risk as consumers take on heavier debt burden in an inflated market.
Read More →
Auto Loans Long as Stretch Limos
More consumers, faced with ever-rising car prices, are adapting by agreeing to longer loan terms despite the cost of added interest payments.
Read More →
AutoPayPlus Launches RePayPlus
The reinsured biweekly payment program offers auto dealers with customer retention and reinsurance structure.
Read More →