Autobytel’s AIC Names STS as Best Winter Weather Vehicle

New AIC Quarterly QuickView Lists Top Winter Weather Models; Uncovers 35% Increase in Vehicle Stability Control Feature and Nearly 20% Increase in 4WD/AWD

Irvine, Calif. – December 20, 2005 – Autobytel Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ABTL) Automotive Information Center (AIC) division today released data from its upcoming research report, the Q4 2005 AIC Quarterly QuickView1, which features updated industry statistics on vehicle equipment and new vehicle models. As much of the United States braces for a tough winter, this latest study names the top vehicle models, based on a study of available features designed to make winter driving easier. 2

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents.3 These accidents can sometimes be avoided if consumers travel in reliable cars with features such as Vehicle Stability Control, which is appearing on more and more vehicles in recent years. From 2003 to 2006, the number of trims that offer Vehicle Stability Control as either an optional or standard feature has increased more than 35%, from 444 to 687.

Another factor that enables drivers to maintain better control in the winter is whether or not a vehicle is equipped with four wheel drive (4WD) or all wheel drive (AWD). Studying this feature, AIC analysts found a significant increase of nearly 20%. In 2003, 600 trims offered 4WD or AWD as either a standard or optional feature. For the current crop of 2006 trims, 719 offer it.

Top Vehicles for Winter Weather To determine the top vehicles that make winter driving easier, AIC analysts studied a variety of data points including: Vehicle Stability Control, availability of 4WD or AWD, heated front seats, block heaters, heated exterior mirrors and washers. Based on the research, there are only nine models that meet all these specifications:

•2006 Cadillac STS •2006 GMC Envoy •2006 GMC Envoy XL •2006 Cadillac SRX •2006 Volvo S60 •2006 Volvo S80

•2006 Volvo XC90 •2006 Volvo V70 •2006 Volvo XC70 Cross Country

Perhaps one of the most convenient features for winter weather is remote ignition. Remote ignition is only available on one of the top vehicles, the Cadillac STS, leading Autobytel to name it as providing “best vehicle features for winter weather.”

“Driving concerns always multiply when winter weather approaches, and Autobytel is committed to providing our consumers with information about the cars we believe have the best features to help them deal with winter driving issues,”said Autobytel President and CEO Rick Post. “It’s positive to see how manufacturers are taking note of these important issues, borne out in a steady increase in the availability of features like stability control.”

Additional information about the topics studied in the AIC Quarterly QuickView may be found on Autobytel.com, Autosite.com and CarTV.com, including a list of the top 10 winterizing tips for helping drivers get winter vehicle maintenance “down cold.” Access this article and more at: http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/307

A pioneer in providing the industry with vehicle specification data and technology for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers, AIC manages and analyzes up to 3.3 million data points covering every vehicle sold in the U.S.

The AIC Quarterly QuickView is distributed to all AIC customers via hard copy. For complete results, please contact Crystal Hartwell at 949.437.4755 or [email protected]. 1AIC Quarterly QuickView results are based on a study of 7214 trims from 2003 – 2006 in the AIC database and available for sale in the U.S. as of 12/01/05

2 Top Car results are based on a study of 2006 models available for sale as of 12/1/05. Current model count for 2006 is 392. 3 According to FEMA’s Factsheet: Winter Driving, most recently updated in December 2004

The study is based on information supplied to AIC by external sources believed to be reliable, but no responsibility is assumed by AIC or its affiliates for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The study is provided strictly on an “as is where is”basis, and AIC further expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the study.

About Autobytel Inc. Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL), a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising, data and CRM products and programs. It’s estimated that every 7.4 seconds* an American car shopper requests a vehicle through Autobytel, which owns and operates the automotive websites— Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, Car.com, AutoSite.com, Autoahorros.com, and CarTV.com. This automotive research and buying network reaches millions of car shoppers each month as they make their vehicle buying decisions, generating billions of dollars in sales for dealers. A leader in dealership customer management and CRM solutions, Autobytel also owns and operates AVV, Inc., a top provider of dealership CRM and sales management products, and Retention Performance Marketing, Inc., (RPM®), which powers dealerships with cutting-edge customer loyalty and retention marketing programs. Autobytel’s (Automotive Information Center) has been a trusted industry source of automotive marketing data and technology for over 20 years. Autobytel Inc. is the only company to achieve top rankings for both its lead management and lead generation services among the nation’s top-100 Internet dealers.

*Based on 2004 Autobytel purchase request data.