Automotive Information Center (AIC), Autobytel Inc.'s vehicle data and content division, announced July 9 that Hyundai has selected AIC's comparison tools, AutoComparator and AutoGallery, to power its consumer website.

According to AIC, AutoComparator will enable www.hyundaiusa.com visitors to conduct feature-by-feature comparisons between Hyundai vehicles and a range of similarly-equipped competitive models. The tool also showcases pricing, specification and performance advantages of the Hyundai line during the comparison process. AIC's AutoGallery, a library of digital automotive photos for side-by-side comparisons, lets Hyundai shoppers view 19 different interior and exterior shots of Hyundai models vs. competing models, according to the companies.

"One-third of all new car shoppers are literally ruling vehicles in and out of consideration while conducting research at auto websites, making comparison modules critical marketing tools for manufacturers," said Andrew Donchak, executive vice president of Autobytel Inc. "As the industry's most, flexible comparison tool, AutoComparator can help Hyundai engage and capitalize on more of America's information-savvy online car shoppers."

"AIC has created a tool that addresses the way today's consumers are shopping for cars, evaluating vehicles across the board in terms of price, incentives, performance, features and specifications, as opposed to shopping by brand," James Fabin, Internet marketing manager for Hyundai Motor America. "We believe it will make a difference in converting people from being Hyundai shoppers into Hyundai buyers."

Backed by AIC's automotive information, which includes over 500 data points on every model and trim level sold in the U.S., AIC says the AutoComparator offers a unique "apples-to-apples" comparison capability, automatically equipping numerous competitive makes and models to match the configuration of the vehicle being considered.

The AutoComparator and AutoGallery are components of AutoSuite, an integrated set of hosted data and software research tools designed to help manufacturer, dealer and automotive portals meet the information needs of online car buyers who today comprise the majority of all auto consumers.

About AIC

Automotive Information Center (AIC) is a division of Autobytel Inc., an Internet automotive marketing services company that says it helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. AIC (www.aicautosite.com) is a provider of automotive manufacturer web sites (20 of the 26 major manufacturers currently use AIC data). Visitors to sites powered by AIC technology are able to configure a vehicle by manufacturer, make, model, trim specifications and other option packages, as well as perform side-by-side competitive vehicle comparisons, according to the company.

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the U.S. by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 575 dealers nationwide.