IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 1999-- Craig Ima Comes to Autobytel.com From Experian, Bringing More Than 13 Years of Database Marketing Experience to the Company. Autobytel.com (Nasdaq:ABTL), the leader in automotive e-commerce, Monday announced the appointment of Craig Ima as director of database marketing. In this newly established position, Ima will be responsible for leveraging Autobytel.com's vast database, culled from more than 3 million customer purchase requests, to strengthen the company's understanding of Internet automotive consumer behavior and to create innovative marketing opportunities. Prior to joining Autobytel.com, Ima was director of marketing for Experian's Automotive Information Services, a former unit of TRW, where he managed the marketing activities and was responsible for business strategies for the organization. "The Internet takes database marketing to a new level. Autobytel.com is uniquely positioned to learn valuable information about consumer buying trends, far more than traditional dealers or manufacturers could ever discover," said Ima. "Autobytel.com's consumer database, containing information pertaining to consumers who are buying the second biggest purchase of their life, is one of this company's key resources and I look forward to utilizing it to the benefit of our customers." In addition, Ima will also be focusing on potential revenue opportunities for Autobytel.com with partners, such as vehicle manufacturers, that can benefit from Autobytel.com's consumer data. For instance, Autobytel.com can easily provide manufacturers with customer preference trends, including specifics on what model, color, and option packages are most desired. By providing this type of information, Autobytel.com's customers can become a driving force in helping manufacturers plan, order and allocate products more efficiently. "Craig's database marketing expertise promises to bring Autobytel.com an even deeper understanding of our customers' needs and desires, an understanding that furthers our ability to make informed product development and marketing decisions," said Ann Delligatta, chief operating officer of Autobytel.com Inc. "In addition, the revenue generation plans Craig is proposing gives us the opportunity to leverage one of our most important assets." Prior to Experian, Ima spent almost 10 years with The Polk Co., one of the nation's oldest consumer marketing information providers, where his most recent position was managing director of the Transportation Marketing Group. Ima holds an M.B.A., with focus on management and global business, from the University of California, Irvine. About Autobytel.com Internationally-branded Autobytel.com is the acknowledged leader in online automotive commerce(a). The most comprehensive automotive Internet site, Autobytel.com offers consumers a positive purchasing and ownership experience, while providing its Accredited Dealer Network with the most efficient way to reach online car buyers. As it assists consumers through every aspect of the automotive lifecycle, Autobytel.com provides continuity into the next vehicle purchase. Launched in March 1995, Autobytel.com's low-cost, no-haggle car-buying program is available in the United States, Canada (www.autobytel.ca), the United Kingdom (www.autobytel.co.uk) and Sweden (www.autobytel.se). In 1999, Autobytel.com was ranked No. 1 in Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services for the second year in a row(b). The statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel.com undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause Autobytel.com's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions and increased or unexpected competition. (a) As reported by J.D. Power and Associates, Autobytel.com generates nearly as many new-vehicle sales as its two closest competitors combined. (b) J.D. Power and Associates 1998-1999 Dealer Satisfaction With Online Buying Services Studies(SM). 1999 study conducted among dealership Internet specialists who completed 1,024 individual evaluations.  