Autobytel Inc. Names Michael Hunsche Chief Technology Officer

Company Taps Technology and E-commerce Veteran to Lead IT Organization


IRVINE, Calif., Jun 30, 2008 -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL), a leading automotive Internet marketing services company, announced today that Michael Hunsche has assumed the position of Chief Technology Officer. Hunsche brings twenty years of technology and IT leadership to Autobytel, including building and managing high volume e-commerce websites and a wealth of expertise with major technologies across a wide variety of industries. In addition to overseeing Autobytel's award-winning technology organization, Hunsche is charged with improving and scaling the MyRide.com consumer website and audience, as well as innovating and growing the Company's leading marketing products and services for dealers and manufacturers.

"Michael's leadership in strategic technology planning and execution on a range of projects -- from niche projects to multi-million dollar global technology initiatives -- combined with his track record of creating a shared vision, makes him an ideal member of the Autobytel team," said Autobytel president and CEO Jim Riesenbach. "Michael's e-commerce background and ability to build and manage high performing IT organizations will be invaluable as we continue our drive to innovate the automotive Internet to the benefit of consumers, auto manufacturers and auto retailers."

Prior to joining Autobytel, Hunsche served as CIO at Arbonne International, a multi-million dollar global network marketing company, where he led the company's efforts to upgrade and stabilize their technology infrastructure, built an organization to position the company for global expansion, and oversaw the launch of e-commerce websites in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Prior to Arbonne, Hunsche held senior technology leadership roles at KinderCare Learning Centers, The Walt Disney Company, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, among others.

"Autobytel has a legacy of breaking new ground in the online automotive industry, offering manufacturers and dealers solutions to increase sales, while at the same time offering consumers a rich and valuable car buying and research experience," said Hunsche. "I am impressed with Autobytel's history, momentum and appetite for real innovation, and I look forward to being a member of this dynamic team."

About Autobytel Inc.

Since launching the first car-buying website in 1995, Autobytel Inc.'s mission has been to empower automotive consumers with the tools and information they need to make smart, well-informed vehicle purchasing and ownership decisions. The company has helped millions of car shoppers and generated billions of dollars in car sales for dealers. Today, the company's innovative, consumer-driven flagship site, MyRide.com, expands the company's mission across the automotive purchase and ownership life cycle. As the first vertical search experience for the automotive marketplace, MyRide.com is designed to help Internet-savvy consumers FIND, SEE, BUY and LEARN anything automotive and BELONG to a diverse community of people who have similar automotive interests.

By providing a convenient and comprehensive automotive consumer experience across the purchase and ownership lifecycle, Autobytel provides new value and touch-points for automotive marketers. Through MyRide.com and Autobytel's marketing network, the company connects dealerships with a steady, diverse stream of motivated, serious shoppers, while providing both dealers and manufacturers with precision-targeted brand and product marketing opportunities. The company's advanced web-based advertising and marketing programs also help dealers and manufacturers build relationships with customers, as well as help them to efficiently manage and convert online business.



            

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