Online Company Offers Spanish Version Auto Information
IRVINE, Calif.--June 20, 2002-- Autobytel Inc.'s vehicle data and content division, Auto Information Center (AIC), today announced the launch of AutoEspanol(TM), the first integrated suite of Spanish-language vehicle research and shopping tools for the Internet. AutoEspanol represents the latest in Autobytel's and AIC's pioneering efforts to help auto manufacturers and retailers capitalize on the enormous revenue opportunities presented by the exploding Hispanic car-buying segment.
"There continues to be a disconnect between the revenue potential of the Hispanic market and the available Internet marketing resources to attract and engage that market," said Andrew Donchak, executive vice president of Autobytel Inc. "With AutoEspanol, Autobytel and AIC are once again taking the lead in addressing the needs of a segment our industry can no longer afford to ignore."
Autobytel first reached out to Hispanic car buyers when it added a range of Spanish instructions to its site after commissioning a survey on this market's automotive website usage last summer. Seventy percent of U.S. Hispanic Internet users polled for the landmark Roslow Group study(a) indicated that they planned to use the web during the car purchasing process. A full 84 percent, moreover, indicated that they would be more likely to do their automotive shopping and research online if they could do so in Spanish. Autobytel has recently expanded its Spanish language instructions to include all of its online car-buying sites.
An online survey of Autobytel's Spanish-language web visitors helped determine their specific Internet car buying needs and preferences, in terms of resources, tools and technology. AutoEspanol is the resulting product and will be available this fall on all four of Autobytel's consumer websites -- Autobytel.com, CarSmart.com, AutoWeb.com and Autosite.com -- along with expanded Spanish language automotive content.
AutoEspanol, a hosted package of vehicle research, comparison and viewing tools, is a Spanish-language version of AIC's AutoSuite(TM), a product that integrates the AIC tools and data. Currently AIC tools and/or data powers 20 of the major manufacturer websites and major portals, such as AOL, Yahoo and Lycos. Powered by AIC's industry-leading price and specification data, AutoSuite, and in turn AutoEspanol, are unique in that they enable consumers to fluidly move back and forth from one tool, or shopping phase, to the next, without having to re-enter information about the vehicles they are considering. The individual modules can also stand-alone or integrate with other online research applications.
AutoEspanol has already generated widespread interest among major manufacturers. "Manufacturers are finally beginning to recognize that the Hispanic market is a huge piece of the car-buying pie, one that continues to grow even as the rest of the market flattens," adds Donchak. "AutoEspanol provides our industry with what it's been missing for far too long -- the tools and information to connect with these consumers, and realize a new world of revenue opportunities."
About AIC
The Automotive Information Center (AIC) division of Autobytel Inc. is a leading provider of automotive content, data and intelligent tools used to power Internet services, portals and manufacturer web sites. AIC researchers rely on decades of industry experience to create some of the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date research platforms in the business. AIC data and tools feature proprietary optimal price capabilities, which enable consumers to configure and compare vehicles on the basis of lowest possible price. Visitors to sites powered by the 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. This proprietary technology provides a competitive advantage for dealers and enhances the shopper's experience by offering realistic, actionable information.
About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc., a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) programs. Autobytel Inc. owns and operates the popular websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com and Autosite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a leading provider of automotive marketing data and technology. Autobytel Inc. generated an estimated four percent of all domestic new vehicle sales -- $17 billion in car sales in 2001 -- for dealers through its websites. Autobytel Inc. is the largest syndicated car-buying content network, reaching millions of unique visitors as they are making their vehicle buying decisions. Autobytel Inc. content and technology has potential exposure to over 90 percent of total web traffic(b).
(a) Results of the survey are based on telephone interviews conducted August 3-7, 2001 with a randomly selected sample of adults 18 years and older with Spanish-surnames who defined themselves as "Hispanic" according to the Census definition, and who speak Spanish at home as much or more than English. (b) Jupiter Media Metrix October 2001 Digital Media Audience Report (Autobytel Inc. sites is the unduplicated audience of the Autobytel and Autoweb properties and Carsmart.com. The car-buying and ownership category as defined by Autobytel. Autobytel Inc. provides content to Yahoo! Inc., AOL websites, MSN.com and Lycos.com. The unduplicated audience of these four sites accounts for over 90 percent of total traffic.)
