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IRVINE, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: [ ABTL ]), the company dedicated to helping dealers and car-buyers connect online, and AutoPacific, an automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm, today announced the 16^th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. Based on the largest single-model-year survey of automotive owners, the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are designed to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions with a true aword of moutha survey. More than 75,000 vehicle owners across all major manufacturers were surveyed based on their satisfaction of the current vehicle they own.

"The 48 vehicle attributes we survey is detailed information that only a vehicle owner can provide, and that most consumers would want to know. Cars that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction survey appear to be delivering the highest value and consumer satisfaction across a wide range of attributes."

According to George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, aIn todayas market, itas difficult to find a low-quality vehicle. The quality of vehicles from all manufacturers has risen to the highest level in history and what delineates a car or truck is owner satisfaction.a He continued, aConsumer purchases are often influenced by objective awards especially when they are based on consumer sentiment. It was our goal to get the input from as many consumers as possible because ultimately, itas the consumeras opinion that counts.a

Autobytel and AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction survey measures how satisfied an owner is with his or her new vehicle. New vehicle owners provide input on 48 individual attributes that objectively measure the ownership experience such as driveras seat comfort, power and acceleration, interior styling, exterior styling, cargo space/capacity, ease of getting in and out, and quietness inside the vehicle.

aWith hundreds of 2012 model year vehicles available, consumers need assistance to find a vehicle thatas right for them,a said Autobytel Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey H. Coats. aThe 48 vehicle attributes we survey is detailed information that only a vehicle owner can provide, and that most consumers would want to know. Cars that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction survey appear to be delivering the highest value and consumer satisfaction across a wide range of attributes.a He added, aWe are pleased to announce this yearas winners and congratulate them on their ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction.a

Autobytel and AutoPacific Highest Satisfaction Premium Brand (2012 Model Year)
Mercedes-Benz

Autobytel and AutoPacific Highest Satisfaction Popular Brand (2012 Model Year)
Buick

Category Winners

Additionally, the vehicle - car or truck - registering the highest overall satisfaction in 2012 is the Cadillac Escalade Luxury SUV.

While Buick and Mercedes-Benz took the top spots as overall winners for the highest satisfaction brands, multiple top-ranked award winners include General Motors with six awards; Mercedes-Benz with three awards; Volkswagen with four awards; and Honda with three awards.

For more information about Autobytel and AutoPacificas Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, please visit[ www.Autobytel.com ]. Watch exclusive videos on [ Autobytelas YouTube page ] or join the conversation on the [ Autobytel Facebook Fanpage ].

About Autobytel Inc.
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 and its respected online affiliates, 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.

Investors and other interested parties can receive Autobytel news releases and invitations to special events by accessing our online signup form at [ http://investor.autobytel.com/alerts.cfm ]

About AutoPacific ([ www.autopacific.com ])
AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific's websites: [ http://www.autopacific.com ] and [ http://vehiclevoice.com/ ]