Autobytel Inc. on Dec. 5 announced that Jeffrey Schwartz has been appointed president and chief

executive officer effective immediately. Schwartz succeeds Mark Lorimer, who resigned as chief executive officer, president and director.

Schwartz joined the company as vice chairman on Aug. 14, 2001 in connection with the acquisition of Autoweb.com, Inc., where he was president and CEO. Prior to joining Autoweb, Schwartz was corporate vice president at The Walt Disney Co., where he was responsible for corporate alliance business development.

"We are very excited at Jeffrey's appointment as president and chief executive officer," said Michael Fuchs, Autobytel Inc.'s chairman. "Jeffrey brings enormous experience in online automotive commerce and marketing, as well as in the development of strategic alliances. We are grateful for the service that Mark Lorimer has provided to Autobytel in developing the company from its initial public offering to its strong financial position today. We know Mark will be successful in his next business."

"I am honored by the Board's vote of confidence," Schwartz said. "Autobytel is a great company and I look forward to working with Autobytel's strong management team and employees to further expand the company's

leadership position."

"I am grateful to the company's board, management team and employees for all their support in building Autobytel from a concept to

the strong company that it is today," Lorimer said. "I am pleased to have been a part of the

company."

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc., the diversified online automotive marketing and information company, owns and operates Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com,

Carsmart.com, Autosite.com, and AIC (Automotive Information Center).

Autobytel Inc. says its mission is to "provide marketing, data, technology and management services to benefit every manufacturer and dealership." The company powers manufacturer and portal auto channels with data and tools to help customers buy cars; provides advertising programs for manufacturers and dealers to target customers; has built and implemented technology to drive an inventory-based manufacturer's online car selling program, and, according to company officials, generates billions of dollars in car sales for dealers through the company's popular Web sites.

Serving approximately 6,700 subscribing dealers and 25 international automotive manufacturer customers, Autobytel Inc. sites are currently

receiving approximately 3.9 million unique visitors a month -- more than any other car-buying site, according to Autobytel -- and Autobytel Inc. says its content and technology has potential exposure to more than 90 percent of total Web traffic.

Autobytel says that the vast majority of the 60 percent of all Americans who go online to

research and shop for a car will encounter Autobytel Inc. content or technology, or an Autobytel Inc. brand, during the process.

Autobytel Inc. provides content to Yahoo.com, AOL Web sites, MSN.com and Lycos.com.