Agreement with Vast.com Provides Autobytel Dealers with High Conversion, Inventory-based New Car Leads

IRVINE, Calif. – Autobytel Inc. has expanded its New Car Leads Program to include inventory-based leaded provided by Vast.com. This expansion is intended to generate higher lead conversion for its network of dealers and is designed to help member dealers reach today’s online in-market car buyers.

"Autobytel is pleased to join with Vast to be one of the first to offer dealers new car leads from the growing number of in-market car buyers who are searching and requesting a vehicle from their existing inventory on the Web's top automotive sites, such as AOL, CarDomain and AutoMedia," said Autobytel COO Mark Garms.

"With the specificity of these leads providing the opportunity for higher closing ratios and more efficient use of dealer resources, an industry shift to include inventory-based new car models is clearly on the horizon,” Garms added.

As part of Autobytel's New Car Leads Program, the vehicle inventory of dealers will be automatically listed across the Vast.com network, which includes the inventory sections of leading automotive websites such as AOL Autos, Overstock Cars, and AutoMedia. Because the VIN number is included in each inventory-based consumer lead transmitted to Autobytel dealers, they will know which specific vehicle in their inventory consumers are considering, and each inventory-based lead is guaranteed to be exclusive.

In addition, Autobytel's Inventory-based new car leads will be processed through the company's Quality Verification System(R) and will benefit from Autobytel's multi-pronged lead follow-up treatments, including Rapid Response, Custom Messaging and Email Manager. The program is pay-for-performance, meaning that dealers only pay for the leads that they get.

Vast.com, Inc. works within the auto, travel, and real estate industries to create online marketplaces. Vast offers a search and advertising platform optimized to match buyers with ideal, available inventory and sellers with buyers who are interested in their unique products. The Vast network currently reaches over 15 million consumers per month.