IRVINE, Calif. — Autobytel Inc., a provider of online consumer leads and marketing services to the auto industry, re-launched its Email Manager program.

The program is designed to help auto dealers easily and cost-effectively interact with today’s car-buyer across a lengthening purchase cycle — one that has doubled since 2001, according to a recent report from CNW Research.

The new Email Manager includes completely redesigned and automated e-mail campaigns developed — and proven — to increase consumer open rates and responsiveness and to directly reach the inbox of the target consumer. In addition, earlier and more frequent communications over a full 90-day period, starting at day 5, have been incorporated into the product.

“At a time when efficiency in dealership resources has never been more important — and car-buyers have never needed more attention — Email Manager’s automated features and real-time alerts enable dealerships to manage and close today’s more labor-intensive, longer term customers withoutstraining existing staff resources,” said Mark Garms, Chief Operating Officer of Autobytel Inc.

One of several “lead treatments” included with Autobytel’s new car lead program for dealers,Email Manager also features real-time “dealer alerts” sent as soon as a consumer clicks on any of the links in the e-mail. This important feature increases sales effectiveness and efficiency by enabling dealers to communicate with a potential car buyer precisely at the point when that consumer is engaged with a campaign e-mail — and armed with knowledge of the consumer’s specific vehicle interest and place in the buying cycle.

Email Manager sends out nearly 200,000 branded, customized emails a month for Autobytel Member Dealers and has an open rate more than 50 percent higher than traditional email campaigns.

How Email Manager Works

• Email Manager campaigns are automatically deployed on a strategic 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 day cycle, timed from the date the customer first submits a purchase request.

• Each e-mail is dealership-branded and customized by vehicle type and by the consumer’s position in the buying cycle.

• Each e-mail covers issues relevant to the car buyers (vehicle information, trade-ins, lease vs. buy, safety features, etc.).

• Dealers are instantly alerted by e-mail when a customer clicks on the e-mail campaign.

• Dealers are provided with detailed reports on consumer activity.