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J.D. Power and Associates Study Says Autobytel Generates More Online Sales Than Any Other Automotive Site for Fourth Year in a Row
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| Irvine, CA-October 16, 2002 |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:13:12 |
| Rating |
 40 ( -6 -15% ) |
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Description:
-For the fourth year in a row, J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com StudySM has found Autobytel (NASDAQ:ABTL) to be the most popular online buying service with car buyers. According to the 2002 study, Autobytel generates over twice as many car sales as any other independent online site included in the study. In addition, car shoppers who visit Autobytel.com are more than twice as likely to submit a Purchase Request* for a vehicle, as compared to the industry average.
"This study demonstrates once again that consumers prefer Autobytel, an independent car-buying service, over other automotive sites," said Jeffrey Schwartz, Autobytel Inc. President and CEO. "It's also particularly rewarding to note that online automotive shoppers find value across the entire spectrum of sites, including manufacturer and dealer sites. We've long asserted that a positive online presence is a key element to effective automotive marketing."
Founded in 1995, Autobytel Inc. has relationships with thousands of dealers coast to coast and with nearly all of the major manufacturers. Manufacturers market their brands through the Autobytel Network, which includes Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com and Carsmart.com, and also use Autobytel's research and data platforms on their own sites.
The study showed that nearly 90% of automotive Internet users go online before visiting a dealership and many of these car buyers begin the shopping process two months before making a purchase. "An effective online presence goes a long way to build brands and drive sales with these shoppers-especially at the crucial moment when consumers are making their final make/model decisions," continued Schwartz.
According to the study, visitors to all three Autobytel car-buying sites (Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com and Carsmart.com) are more likely to buy a vehicle once they submit their Purchase Request, as compared to the industry average.
*Consumers who wish to buy a car through Autobytel's websites submit an online order for a vehicle, which is, called a Purchase Request. This purchase request is immediately routed to a participating dealer in their area. |
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