Autobytel.com generates more vehicle sales online than any other Web site according to the recently published J.D. Power and Associates 2001 New Autoshopper.com Study(SM). This marks the third year that Autobytel.com has been cited by J.D. Power and Associates as the market share leader among independent online research and buying services. Autobytel.com is one of the four Web site properties of Autobytel Inc.

"We're extremely pleased that, once again, it's been demonstrated that consumers prefer to price and buy vehicles through Autobytel," said Mark Lorimer, Autobytel Inc. president and CEO. "In fact, we believe Autobytel's market share is nearly three times that of any other independent or manufacturer site."

The study also indicated that automotive Internet users have a preference for independent, third-party web sites. Manufacturer sites were the preferred choice only for looking up vehicle facts, such as options and features information. Independent sites were preferred for anything related to pricing or buying.

Currently, 62 percent of all new-vehicle buyers are turning to the Internet for automotive information while shopping for their vehicle, representing an eight percentage-point growth in automotive Internet usage this year, up from 54 percent in 2000. Industry-wide, 6 percent of all new vehicles were sold through an online buying service up from 4.7 percent in 2000.

According to the study, the Internet provides automotive shoppers with information of real value that not only continues to attract new users, but also keeps them coming back for more.

For 2001, the New Autoshopper.com Study was expanded to capture a larger sample size providing a more in-depth analysis of industry-wide sites. The study is based on responses from more than 26,400 consumers who purchased new 2001 and 2002 model year vehicles.

About J.D. Power and Associates

With headquarters in Agoura Hills, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction.

The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on actual responses from millions of consumers annually.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc., an online automotive marketing and information company, owns and operates Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Autosite.com, and AIC (Automotive Information Center).