Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL), the company dedicated to helping consumers research and find the information they need to purchase new and used cars and connect to dealers online, is pleased to announce its 2012 Car and Truck of the Year Awards. The editorial group of Autobytel, led by managing editor Michelle Naranjo, is a varied assemblage, ranging in age, driving habits and geography but the vehicle finalists chosen were almost unanimous. Over their 75 years of combined experience, Autobytel editors have driven hundreds of vehicles and have chosen this year's winners based on their game changing potential, advances in design and overall efficiency.

"The editors of Autobytel believe our 2012 Autobytel Car and Truck of the Year winners are true automotive game-changers," said Michelle Naranjo, managing editor, Autobytel.com. "Chosen for their new approach, each winner represents a forward-looking trend in their category. It is with delight we share this year's winners."

Autobytel 2012 Car of the Year
2012 Hyundai Veloster

Autobytel 2012 Truck of the Year
2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost

Category Winners

    

Autobytel 2012 Compact Car of the Year

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Autobytel 2012 Convertible of the Year 2012 Audi R8 Spyder
Autobytel 2012 Sedan of the Year 2012 Kia Optima
Autobytel 2012 Luxury Car of the Year 2012 Audi A7
Autobytel 2012 SUV of the Year 2012 Jeep Wrangler
Autobytel 2012 Luxury SUV of the Year 2012 Range Rover Evoque
Autobytel 2012 Crossover of the Year 2012 Mazda CX-5
Autobytel 2012 Sports Car of the Year 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Autobytel 2012 Alternative Fuel Car of the Year 2012 Toyota Prius V
Autobytel 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year 2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost
Autobytel 2012 Van/Minivan of the Year 2012 Honda Odyssey
Autobytel 2012 Wagon of the Year 2012 Cadillac CTS Wagon
 

Jeffrey H. Coats, Autobytel Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer expressed his appreciation for all winners, "in this improving and dynamic automotive marketplace, we celebrate the best of the best with our 2012 Autobytel Car and Truck of the Year and category awards. We congratulate all the winners."

Commenting on the top Car award winner, Autobytel managing editor Naranjo said, "Bringing progressive style and substance to the sport compact category, the 3-door hatchback Hyundai Veloster coupe is a win, appealing to fans from the college-bound to the empty nester. The design is a masterfully aggressive representation of Hyundai's design language." As Autobytel's own Lyndon Conrad Bell puts it, "this is a car you'll sit out in your garage and just stare at." Naranjo continues, "on the inside, the Veloster brings category leading interior space, comfort and technology - all standard equipment- including BlueLink for text messaging, turn-by-turn navigation, point of interest searches, music management and applications like Pandora and GraceNote. Starting at $17,300.00 Autobytel editors believe that the 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be leading the pack for the coming year."

Speaking about the top Truck award winner, Naranjo feels that, "when it comes to trucks, changing the game is about performance. By making more with less, the 2012 Ford F-150 takes a risk with its loyal F-150 buyers who expect V-8 power by giving them a twin-turbo charged V-6 engine in the form of EcoBoost, which combines fuel-efficiency and horsepower technologies , giving the 2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost the most towing capacity in its class of full-size non-hybrid pickups under 8,500 lbs." She continues, "When it comes to climbing in one of these high-performing trucks, the technology and comfort packages include MyFordTouch, SYNC and upgraded interiors, bringing refinement and the comfort of a car to those who like having a truck."

For more information about Autobytel's Car of the Year Awards, including the site's all-new online car buying experience, please visit www.Autobytel.com. Join the conversation on the Autobytel Facebook Fanpage at www.facebook.com/autobytel.

About Autobytel Inc. (www.autobytel.com) Autobytel Inc., an online leader offering consumer purchase requests and marketing resources to car dealers and manufacturers and providing consumers with the information they need to purchase new and used cars, pioneered the automotive Internet when it launched autobytel.com in 1995. Autobytel continues to offer innovative products and services to help consumers buy, and auto dealers and manufacturers sell, more used and new cars. Autobytel has helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Through its flagship website Autobytel.com®, its network of automotive sites, including Autoweb.com®, AutoSite.com®, Car.comsm, CarSmart.com®, DealershipJobs.comsm, MyGarage.com® and MyRide.com® and its respected online partners, Autobytel continues its dedication to innovating the industry's highest quality Internet programs to provide consumers with a comprehensive and positive automotive research and purchasing experience, and auto dealers, dealer groups and auto manufacturers with some of the industry's most productive and cost-effective customer referral and marketing programs.

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Autobytel Inc. Media Relations
MSC-PR
Michelle Suzuki, 310-444-7115
michelle@msc-pr.com
or
Jim Helberg, 949-862-1395
jimh@autobytel.com
or
Autobytel Inc. Investor Relations
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Roger Pondel/Laurie Berman
310-279-5980
investor@pondel.com