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Searches for Large SUVs on Cars.com Continue to Rebound as Gas Prices Decline


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CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2006 -- Large, truck-based SUVs continue to see an increase in search activity on Cars.com as gasoline prices fall to their lowest level in nearly a year. According to the most recent Cars.com Consumer Search Index, cars like the Nissan Armada, Jeep Commander and Infiniti QX56 topped the list of vehicles experiencing the largest increase in searches last month.

For the second month in a row, subcompact cars and hybrid vehicles -- which were some of the most popular cars a few months ago -- top the list of cars experiencing the largest decline in searches.

"At this point, it seems like some of those searches are translating into sales, as most automakers reported upticks in truck and SUV sales," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com's managing editor. "It will be interesting to see if SUV sales keep their momentum as we head into 2007."

   Vehicle Searches (October)
   Models with the most searches performed on Cars.com.

    Top New-Car Searches           Top Used-Car Searches
    1   Honda Civic                1   Honda Civic
    2   Toyota Camry               2   Honda Accord
    3   Honda Accord               3   Ford Mustang
    4   Acura MDX                  4   BMW 325
    5   Honda CR-V                 5   Toyota Camry
    6   BMW 325                    6   Ford F-150
    7   Toyota Corolla             7   Toyota Tacoma
    8   Toyota RAV4                8   Toyota Corolla
    9   Chevrolet Silverado        9   Chevrolet Corvette
    10  Ford Mustang               10  Jeep Grand Cherokee

   Search Increases (September - October)
   Models with the largest increase in the number of searches performed on
   Cars.com.

    Top New-Car Search Increases   Top Used-Car Search Increases
    1   Honda CR-V            72%  1   GMC 2500                25%
    2   Jeep Wrangler         22%  2   Nissan Armada           24%
    3   Chevrolet Silverado   15%  3   Jeep Commander          20%
    4   Acura MDX             15%  4   Lincoln Aviator         18%
    5   Acura TL              9%   5   Chrysler 300C           18%
    6   Dodge Charger         8%   6   Infiniti QX56           18%
    7   Jeep Grand Cherokee   7%   7   Acura MDX               17%
    8   Infiniti G35          5%   8   Chevrolet 3500          17%
    9   Dodge Ram             3%   9   Cadillac DTS            16%
    10  Nissan 350Z           2%   10  Volkswagen Touareg      16%

   Search Decreases (September - October)
   Models with the largest decrease in the number of searches performed on
   Cars.com.

    Top New-Car Search Decreases   Top Used-Car Search Decreases
    1   Nissan Versa          28%  1   Honda Insight          26%
    2   Toyota Yaris          24%  2   Toyota Echo            25%
    3   Toyota Prius          22%  3   Toyota Yaris           19%
    4   Honda Civic           16%  4   Geo Metro              18%
    5   Volkswagen Jetta      16%  5   Nissan Versa           17%
    6   Toyota Camry          16%  6   Volkswagen Cabrio      17%
    7   Toyota Corolla        16%  7   Toyota Prius           16%
    8   Chevrolet Cobalt      12%  8   Toyota Camry Solara    15%
    9   Hyundai Sonata        11%  9   Jeep CJ-7              15%
    10  Scion tC              11%  10  Cadillac Catera        14%

   Top Dealer Email Inquiries (October)

    New Cars Yielding the          Used Cars Yielding the Most Dealer
     Most Dealer Inquiries          Inquiries
    1   Honda Civic (2006)         1   Honda Accord (2003)
    2   Toyota Camry (2006)        2   Honda Civic (2000)
    3   Toyota RAV4 (2006)         3   Infiniti G35 (2003)
    4   Honda Accord (2006)        4   Ford F-150 (2004)
    5   Toyota Sienna (2006)       5   Honda Accord (2002)
    6   Honda Odyssey (2006)       6   Ford Mustang (2003)
    7   Toyota Corolla (2006)      7   Honda Civic (1999)
    8   Honda CR-V (2006)          8   Ford Mustang (2004)
    9   Toyota Tacoma (2006)       9   Honda Civic (2002)
    10  Honda Pilot (2006)         10  Volkswagen Jetta (2003)

   Top Cars Listed for Sale by Owner (October)

    1   Honda Accord
    2   Ford Mustang
    3   Chevrolet Corvette
    4   Ford F-150
    5   Ford Explorer
    6   Honda Civic
    7   Jeep Grand Cherokee
    8   Dodge Ram
    9   Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    10  Porsche 911

  About the Cars.com Consumer Search Index

The Cars.com Consumer Search Index offers a comprehensive look at the internet search behavior of Cars.com visitors. The statistical information is compiled by tracking the more than 8.3 million unique visitors that log on to Cars.com each month and the vehicles that are most popular. The lists are based off a minimum of 10,000 searches for new cars and 15,000 searches for used cars. Dealer inquiries measure the volume of emails consumers send to dealers seeking information about a particular vehicle. The information is supported by expert analysis from the Cars.com editorial staff.

More statistical information to support automotive-related stories is available upon request. Please contact Steve Nolan directly at 312-601-5163.

About Cars.com

Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their websites, Cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 1.8 million vehicles from 12,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, ( http://classifiedventures.com/ ), which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo , Gannett Co., Inc. , The McClatchy Company , Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company .