Autobytel Inc., an Internet automotive marketing services company, announced Sept. 4 that it has launched a new multi-level program developed to further qualify customers the company sends to the thousands of dealers using its services. The Autobytel Quality Verification System validates Purchase Requests submitted to the company's websites by calling every customer's primary phone number; using proprietary technology to delete requests submitted with false names; testing each email address; and implementing website screening designed to separate car shoppers from buyers.

As online car buying approaches mass-market adoption, Autobytel says it has taken the lead in developing a customer verification system designed to send only Purchase Requests from serious buyers to its dealer network. Statistics from Autobytel's own websites (Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and Autosite.com) indicate that by 2003 the online car buyer will be a different customer, one more reflective of the general population and less familiar with shopping online. This new system is designed to allow dealers to spend more time with serious buyers and less time educating non-serious customers about the process, according to the company.

"Autobytel prides itself on providing high-quality, ready-to-buy customers to its dealers and, in turn, giving consumers a positive car-buying experience," said Jeffrey Schwartz, Autobytel Inc.'s president and CEO. "Ensuring that customers submitting Purchase Requests on our web sites are serious buyers is key to Autobytel's success. Last year, it cost the Autobytel dealer an average of $114 to sell a car through Autobytel, over $300 less than the cost of using traditional media. We believe that our new Quality Verification System should help to drive this number even lower, reinforcing our pricing strategy and further increasing dealer satisfaction with our service."

"Many of our dealer and manufacturer customers are already experiencing increased closing ratios. While we may experience some short term loss in Purchase Request volume, the long term benefits of our Quality Verification System should benefit Autobytel and its drive to generate 10 percent of all car sales," concluded Schwartz.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc, an Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. Autobytel Inc. owns and operates the websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and Autosite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a provider of automotive marketing data and technology.