AOL Latino Launches Automotive Channel With Autobytel.

AOL Latino and Autobytel Inc. announced their partnership to launch a new channel called Automoviles (Automobiles). This new Spanish language autos channel, developed to provide AOL Latino members with comprehensive Spanish language car search and comparison tools, will include expert automotive content, dynamic data and tools, and the ability to submit an online request to buy from a local Autobytel dealer.

The new Automoviles channel will serve an exceptionally active online car buying segment. According to the most recent AOL/Roper ASW U.S. Hispanic Cyberstudy released this Spring, online Hispanic consumers are purchasing new cars at four times the rate of the general population. The study also finds that 46% of online Hispanics are using the Internet to design and customize their car of choice, as well as locate a dealer for that car. Also, about 48% of Hispanics have bought a new car within the last three years.

Utilizing Autobytel tools and data, AOL Latino members will easily be able to compare pricing, performance, safety and specifications data across all major auto brands in Spanish, while benefiting from additional consumer cost savings. (1)

“With so many Hispanics researching and purchasing cars online, we realized it was key for AOL Latino to provide comprehensive and dynamic automotive coverage in Spanish to all of its members,” says David Wellisch, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Latino. “With the launch of our new Automoviles channel and our partnership with Autobytel, we are providing our members with rich content and useful tools to help them make well-informed car buying decisions.”

The new Automoviles channel powered by Autobytel will include expert and driver reviews, car buying tips and advice, and late-breaking automotive news. A suite of specialized research tools developed by Autobytel’s data and software division, AIC (Automotive Information Center), will enable AOL Latino members to search for vehicles according to a range of criteria (auto make, category, price, etc.), then custom-configure an option package for a desired model. The shopper can then automatically compare that specific vehicle to similarly equipped competitive models in terms of safety, price and specifications. This in-depth research and comparison process is supported by up to 19 interior and exterior photos of each make and model on the market. Once buyers have made their choices, they can submit a request to receive a no-haggle price quote from a local Autobytel dealer.

“In 2001, when Autobytel launched Autobytel En Espanol, the company recognized the critical importance of Spanish-language automotive marketing,” says Michael Rosenberg, Autobytel Inc. Vice President of Marketing. “As the U.S. Latino population continues to represent an ever-larger piece of the overall automotive market, our investment and leadership in this area will continue to pay off. Aggressively expanding Autobytel’s Spanish language outreach to the U.S. Latino market not only helps bring consumer-friendly car-buying to an under-served segment; it also makes solid business sense. Joining with an outstanding consumer brand like AOL to substantially increase our reach within the Hispanic market is truly an incredible opportunity.”

(1) A study conducted by Yale University and U.C. Berkeley found that Autobytel.com saves shoppers as much as $450 per purchase.