Autobytel Inc. has announced that its vehicle data division, Automotive Information Center (AIC), is powering the recently launched multi-brand vehicle cross-comparison tools at lincolnvehicles.com and mercuryvehicles.com.

According to Autobytel, the AIC solutions are custom-designed to make it fast and easy for online shoppers to evaluate Lincoln and Mercury

brands/models/trim levels versus multiple similar

competitive brands in terms of pricing, specifications, features and options. The rollout is part of Ford’s ongoing mission to provide the 64 percent of all car-buyers who now research and shop on the Internet with the objective multi-brand vehicle data they demand.

According to Ford, one of the key advantages of the AIC tools is client flexibility. The Lincoln/Mercury cross comparison solutions will be delivered via flexible Extensible Markup Language (XML) schemas. XML, an open format that enables the integration of diverse data, makes

it easy and cost-effective for the various Ford divisions to customize the way the AIC data is presented to shoppers in terms of branding, layout, etc.

With the launch of the new AIC tools, Autobytel is expanding its relationship with Lincoln and Mercury’s parent company, Ford Motor Co. Last month, Ford Division launched similar AIC XML cross-comparison solutions at fordvehicles.com, both in English and Spanish.

"Ford has earned tremendous brand loyalty over the years across its brand divisions, but they also understand the needs of today’s more feature-driven Net buyers," said Autobytel Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Donchak. "We're proud to help Ford provide a state-of-the-art multi-brand research environment where shoppers can really drill down and evaluate the advantages of the Lincoln and Mercury model lines versus the competition."

AIC provides automotive data services to the majority of OEMs operating in North America, powering initiatives ranging from internal product planning to consumer marketing/research solutions. AIC said its products and programs are built around a comprehensive, continually updated

vehicle database featuring up to 500+ data points on every car and truck sold in North America.

AIC's suite of auto research tools, AutoSuite(TM), and its Spanish-language analog, AutoEspañol(TM), power numerous Internet portals and OEM Web sites.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc., an Internet automotive marketing services company, specializes in helping retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising and CRM (customer relationship management) tools and

programs.

The company owns and operates the automotive Web sites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and AutoSite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a provider of automotive marketing data and

technology.

Autobytel also specializes in dealership lead management and CRM solutions and owns and operates AVV, Inc., a provider of dealership CRM and data extraction services. As an Internet new-car buying service, Autobytel says it generates more than a billion dollars a month in car sales for dealers through its services.