A Missouri mom made Internet history by becoming the 10 millionth customer of online car-buying site, Autobytel Inc. The milestone follows four years of exponential growth of Autobytel's customer base. Autobytel celebrated its one-millionth customer in December 1997 after 28 months live on the Web. In less than twice that much time the company has grown that number 10-fold.

"We're deeply gratified to have made such a sweeping impact in so short a time," said Autobytel Inc. President and CEO Jeffrey Schwartz. "To put this achievement into perspective, Autobytel's 10 million consumers represent a virtual nation of people redefining the way cars are bought and sold. This populous 'Autobytel' nation is now the size of Portugal — and growing."

According to Autobytel, it's appropriate that its 10 millionth customer hails from Missouri, one of the most Internet-savvy regions in the nation. J.D. Power and Associates' recent 2001 New Autoshopper.com study found the Kansas City region as having the seventh-highest rate of automotive Internet users in the nation — ahead of New York and Atlanta, among other major urban areas. An April 2001 Nielsen/NetRatings report, meanwhile, named Kansas City and St. Louis among the top 12 "most wired" U.S. cities — weighing in ahead of both Los Angeles and New York.

Beth Richardson, who lives near St. Joseph, Mo. — birthplace of The Pony Express — became Autobytel's 10 millionth customer when she submitted a purchase request to www.autobytel.com for a 2002 Hyundai Accent. The history-making vehicle - a college present from Beth and her husband Larry for their son Tim - was delivered to the Richardsons' doorstep by St. Joseph's Car City Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Hyundai, one of the very first Autobytel accredited dealers in the entire Midwest.

Autobytel is memorializing the event by donating a computer lab equipped with 30 computers to one of St. Joseph's new community-based Learning Resource Centers. The "Autobytel Computer Lab" will serve students at Neely Elementary School, as well as local residents after school hours. The company consulted School District COO Rick Hartigan in selecting Neely Elementary, which has a large underprivileged student base.

"It's hard to think of a more fitting site for our 10 millionth customer than the St. Joseph area, home of another communications revolution, The Pony Express," Schwartz said. "Like The Pony Express 140 years ago, Autobytel is all about connecting people with information to improve their lives. The Autobytel Computer Lab can further this ideal by utilizing technology to deliver empowering information to those in St. Joseph who need it most."

"This event underscores the scope and impact of communications technology in America's rural heartland," added St. Joseph Mayor Larry Stobbs. "We're proud to be a part of Internet history, and grateful for a tremendous educational resource that will benefit our kids and the entire community."

In addition to Autobytel.com, Autobytel Inc. operates the automotive websites Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com and bills itself as the largest syndicated car-buying content network, reaching over 4.5 million unique visitors in October.

Autobytel generates more vehicle sales online than any other web site according to the recently published J.D. Power and Associates 2001 New Autoshopper.com Study. This marks the third year that Autobytel has been cited by J.D. Power and Associates as the market share leader among independent online research and buying services.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc., an automotive marketing services company, owns and operates Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Autosite.com, and AIC (Automotive Information Center).

The company powers manufacturer and portal auto channels with data and tools designed to help customers buy cars; provides advertising programs for manufacturers and dealers to target customers; buily and implemented technology to drive an inventory-based manufacturer's online car selling program; and generates billions of dollars in car sales for dealers through the company's Web sites.

Serving approximately 6,700 subscribing dealers and 25 international automotive manufacturer customers, Autobytel Inc. says it is the largest syndicated car-buying content network, reaching over 4.5 million unique visitors.

Autobytel Inc. says its content and technology have potential exposure to more than 90 percent of total Web traffic and the company estimates 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.