AutoTrader.com, an Internet auto classifieds destination and marketplace, on Dec. 11 announced the addition of certified pre-owned cars and trucks from Acura and Lincoln-Mercury to AutoTrader.com's Certified Vehicle listings program.

These are the most recent partnerships on AutoTrader.com's growing list of top automotive companies who have already begun offering their certified inventories on the site, including Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Ford and Audi.

Consumers searching for a used vehicle on

AutoTrader.com will be offered the option to search exclusively from a database of thousands of certified Acura, as well as Lincoln-Mercury

vehicles currently listed on the site.

After only seven months into its Certified Vehicles Program, AutoTrader.com says it has seen large increases not only in certified searches, but also in the number of vehicles listed by dealers.

Lexus, one of the original certified partners, had more than 3 million certified cars viewed by consumers in October, an increase of more than 131 percent since their first full month, which started in April.

AutoTrader.com said its certified inventory has increased from 11,600 cars in April to more than 27,000 in November.

AutoTrader.com said it attributes the success of its certified program to the popularity of certified used cars among consumers who are looking for the benefits of a like-new car at an affordable price.

According to recent industry research, there were more than 41 million used cars sold in the

United States last year alone. A growing portion of these sales included low-mileage, certified used vehicles, backed by the manufacturer and that have undergone a thorough inspection and are available to consumers with

financing options and a certified limited warranty.

According to AutoTrader.com's research, half of the site's more than 5 million monthly visitors indicate that they are interested in certified cars.

"In the current economic climate, many dealers and manufacturers are turning to their certified vehicle programs to boost their used car sales, with aggressive advertising to consumers and added incentives to dealers to

encourage sign-ons," said Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com. "As a new component of their marketing programs, many top manufacturers like Acura and Lincoln-Mercury, as well as all of our other partners, are

recognizing the benefits of Internet classifieds as a highly targeted and cost effective way to showcase their high quality certified inventories to the huge audience of car buyers now searching online for their next vehicle.

According to Perry, AutoTrader.com's goal is to meet the needs of manufacturers, dealers and consumers by matching the largest inventory of vehicles with the largest number of buyers and sellers, "without getting in the way

of the sales process."

"With 10 major pre-owned brands now using our

certified only search engine, AutoTrader.com is well ahead of the competition in the certified field just like we are in the overall used-car

market," Perry said.

According to Perry, AutoTrader.com has a one-of-a-kind technical approach which matches inventory data from manufacturers and their registered dealers with AutoTrader.com's own

independent data to allow consumers to conduct a certified-only search for a high-quality, factory-backed, certified used car from top manufacturers.

Perry said ll certified search results on AutoTrader.com include detailed vehicle descriptions, as well as color photos of the vehicles. In addition, consumers can learn more about each manufacturer's certified program through a hyperlink to their homepage.

Auto manufacturers and dealers who post their

certified listings on AutoTrader.com also receive more exposure for their inventory across AutoTrader.com's extensive monthly user base, resulting in increased leads and potential sales, according to Perry.

AutoTrader.com expects to announce additional manufacturers offering their certified inventories on the site in the near future, Perry said.

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com says it is the Internet's largest and busiest auto classifieds

marketplace and a comprehensive main source for consumers interested in buying or selling a new or used vehicle, or seeking information on price

comparisons, safety tips, financing, insurance or warranty information.

Through its strategic alliances with Manheim Auctions; Trader Publishing Co.; ADP, Inc.; America Online; and eBay, AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location a database of nearly 2 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which it says provides consumers the largest selection of used vehicles in their local market.

AutoTrader.com was created in 1997 and is a majority-owned subsidiary of Manheim Auctions, Inc., billed as the world's largest operator of wholesale auto auctions since 1945.

Manheim Auctions, a wholly owned subsidiary of media conglomerate Cox Enterprises, Inc., is AutoTrader.com's principal stockholder and a key investor along with Landmark Communications; ADP, Inc.; eBay, Inc; and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield &

Byers.

For more information, visit

www.autotrader.com or call (404) 269-7359.