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News Releases

Autobytel Reports Results for Second Quarter 2004

IRVINE, Calif., July 22, 2004 -- Autobytel Inc. (ABTL)


   -- Revenues increase 45% year over year to a record $31.5 million

        -- EBITDA increases 31% year over year to $2.2 million

Leading Internet automotive marketing services company Autobytel Inc. (ABTL) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004.


    Highlights for the quarter:

    --  Completed two acquisitions in early April - iDriveonline, Inc.
        and Stoneage Corporation (Car.com)

    --  Revenues at a record $31.5 million, a 45% increase year over
        year, and a 27% sequential growth

    --  Net income of $1.3 million, a 13% increase year over year, or
        $0.03 per diluted share

    --  EBITDA of $2.2 million, a 31% increase year over year, or
        $0.05 per diluted share

    --  Integration costs of $1.0 million, amortization of intangibles
        at $0.4 million

    --  Domestic cash generation of $2.6 million, excluding cash used
        for acquisitions

    --  Domestic cash balance of $46.0 million

    --  Total Purchase Request volume at 1.2 million, a 45% sequential
        increase

    --  Dealer closing ratio increases to a record 18.5%

    --  Advertising revenue increases 10% sequentially; CPM increased
        to $40

"We are pleased with our accomplishments during the quarter," said Jeffrey Schwartz, president and CEO of Autobytel Inc. "We completed two acquisitions, grew the business 45%, saw improvements in pricing and margin, and finished the quarter with a record closing ratio. We remain on track to achieve our financial objectives for the year."

Revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004 totaled $31.5 million, a 27% sequential increase over revenues of $24.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004, and a 45% increase over revenues of $21.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003.

In line with prior guidance, Autobytel reported GAAP net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004 of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, versus $2.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, reported for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. The net income of $1.3 million in the second quarter represents a 13% increase over net income of $1.1 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003.

In line with prior guidance, GAAP results for the second quarter of 2004 include integration and amortization expenses of $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, Autobytel reported EBITDA of $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, versus $2.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. This compares to EBITDA of $1.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003, a 31% increase year over year. Results for the second quarter of 2004 include integration expenses of $1.0 million.

The Company generated $2.6 million in domestic cash, excluding $20.6 million used during the quarter for acquisitions. The Company's cash balance was $54.0 million, of which $46.2 million was for domestic operations, including long-term marketable securities of $15.0 million.

Highlights for the Second Quarter

Revenues: Second quarter revenues were $31.5 million, of which $21.5 million was related to Lead Fees; $3.4 million was related to Advertising; $5.3 million was related to CRM Services, and $1.3 million was related to Data, Applications & Other.

Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses in the second quarter, including depreciation and amortization, were $30.4 million. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $18.8 million, product development and technology costs totaled $6.4 million, and general and administrative costs totaled $5.2 million.

Purchase Requests: The Company delivered approximately 1.2 million Purchase Requests during the second quarter of 2004, including 139,000 Finance Requests, a 45% sequential increase, compared to 860,000 Purchase Requests delivered in the first quarter of 2004.

Dealer Count: The Company added approximately 1,400 retail dealer relationships to its core business in the second quarter, including those added through the acquisition of Stoneage Corporation. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of net dealer additions in the Company's core business.

The Company added approximately 400 dealer relationships to its CRM services business, including those added through the acquisition of iDriveonline. The Company recently announced CRM accounts with Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

The Company reported approximately 35,800 dealer relationships. Included in this number are about 30,400 relationships in the Lead Fees category and about 5,400 relationships in the CRM Services category.

Quality Initiatives: Closing ratios for Autobytel's retail dealers, excluding Car.com, increased to 18.5%, representing continued improvement from the first quarter 2004 closing ratio of 17%.

Capital Expenditures: Total capital expenditures in the second quarter were $0.6 million compared to $0.4 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. The increased expenditures reflect the spending on the integration of the acquisitions. The Company expects additional capital expenditures of approximately $1.4 million for the second half of 2004.

Depreciation and Amortization: Second quarter expenses were $1.1 million compared to $0.7 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. The $1.1 million for depreciation and amortization consisted of $0.4 million for depreciation of fixed assets, $0.3 million for amortization of capitalized software, and $0.4 million for amortization of intangible assets associated with acquisitions. The Company expects this cost to increase to $1.3 million per quarter for the balance of 2004.

Headcount: The Company's headcount increased to 402, primarily due to the acquisition of iDriveonline and Stoneage. This compares to headcount of 328 as of March 31, 2004. The headcount from the acquisitions was reduced by about 40% during the quarter.

Autobytel.Europe: In accordance with FIN 46R, the Company consolidated Autobytel.Europe in the Company's financial statements. In the second quarter, Autobytel.Europe's cash balance decreased by $2.2 million, primarily for payments to licensees under agreements in connection with the restructuring in March 2002. Exhibit 1 shows the balance sheet with the amounts attributable to Autobytel.Europe.

Share Count: The Company estimates the fully diluted share count for the fourth quarter 2004 to be at 46.9 million shares and the fully diluted share count for fiscal year 2005 to be at 47.6 million shares.

Acquisitions and Integration: Commenting on the progress of the iDriveonline and Stoneage integrations, Schwartz noted: "We are making substantial progress. Integration of all finance, accounting, and sales systems and structures is complete and work on bringing together the IT platforms is steadily advancing. By accelerating the integration work, we have not increased expenses, only moved them forward. This will allow us to more quickly capture the financial benefits and synergies of the transactions."

Business Outlook: On a going-forward basis, the Company will use EBITDA as a supplement to its financial statements, which are presented in accordance with GAAP. Given the Company's current business strategy, the Company believes that EBITDA will assist investors in their understanding of Autobytel's operations, cash generation, and resources available for strategic opportunities, including reinvestment in the business and acquisitions.

The Company reiterates its previous guidance for 2004 of revenues between $120 million and $125 million and GAAP net income of $11 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. The Company estimates EBITDA for 2004 of approximately $15 million, or $0.33 per diluted share.

For 2005, the Company maintains its guidance of $150 million to $160 million in revenues, and $25 million of PBT (Profit Before Taxes), which equates to approximately $30 million in EBITDA.

Non-GAAP Measures: In addition to furnishing its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Autobytel discloses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and EBITDA per share, which are derived from results based on GAAP. Autobytel believes these non-GAAP measures assist users in understanding its results of operations, cash generated, and resources available for strategic opportunities, including reinvestment in the business and acquisitions.

The non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of Autobytel's current financial performance and its prospects for the future. As such, these measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the nearest GAAP measures is shown at Exhibit 2.

Conference Call

In conjunction with Autobytel Inc.'s second quarter 2004 earnings release, there will be a conference call broadcast live over the Internet today, July 22, 2004, at 4:30 PM EDT (1:30 PM PDT). The Webcast will be archived within 2 hours of the end of the call until the next quarter's earnings announcement. The link to the Webcast conference is as follows:


    http://www.irconnect.com/abtl/conf/2q2004.html

    About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. (ABTL), a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, helps retailers sell cars and manufacturers build brands through marketing, advertising, data and CRM (customer relationship management) products and programs. The Company owns and operates the automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Car.com, Carsmart.com, and AutoSite.com, as well as AIC (Automotive Information Center), a trusted industry source of automotive marketing data and technology for over 20 years. Autobytel is also a leader in dealership lead management and CRM solutions and owns and operates AVV, Inc., a top provider of dealership CRM and sales management products, and Retention Performance Marketing, Inc. (RPM(R)), which powers dealerships with cutting-edge customer loyalty and retention marketing programs. As the Internet's largest new car buying service, Autobytel generates over a billion dollars a month in car sales for dealers through its services and was the most visited new car buying and research destination in 2003, reaching millions of car shoppers as they made their vehicle buying decisions. Autobytel's car-selling sites and lead management products are used by more of the nation's top-100 e-dealers than any other program.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions, the economic impact of terrorist attacks or military actions, increased dealer attrition, pressure on dealer fees, increased or unexpected competition, the failure to realize anticipated synergies from acquired entities, costs related to acquisitions, failure to retain key employees at acquired entities, difficulties in successfully integrating the businesses and technologies of acquired entities and Autobytel, that actual costs and expenses exceed the expectations of the Company, changes in laws and regulations and other matters disclosed in Autobytel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect operating results and the market price of our stock.



                           Autobytel Inc.

                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
            (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

                                 ASSETS

                                         June       March     December
                                          30,         31,        31,
                                         2004        2004       2003
                                      (unaudited) (unaudited)
 Current assets:
     Domestic cash and cash
      equivalents                        $31,240     $49,270   $51,643
     International cash and cash
      equivalents                          8,225      10,425         -
     Short-term investments                    -           -     3,991
     Accounts receivable, net of
      allowance for bad debts
      and customer credits of $850,
      $2,117 and $1,764, respectively     17,213      10,597    10,889
     Prepaid expenses and other
      current assets                       2,677       1,146       833
       Total current assets               59,355      71,438    67,356
 Long-term investments                    15,000      15,000     6,000
 Property and equipment, net               3,141       2,123     2,138
 Capitalized software, net                   484         754     1,024
 Investment in equity investee               827         824     2,810
 Goodwill                                 69,477      16,830    16,830
 Intangible assets, net                    5,168         270       315
 Other assets                                121         554       155
       Total assets                     $153,573    $107,793   $96,628

                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                     $6,906      $4,255    $4,063
     Accrued expenses                      6,143       3,964     5,034
     Deferred revenues                     3,709       3,814     4,022
     Accrued domestic restructuring          168         212       258
     Accrued international licensee
      liabilities                              -       1,541         -
     Other current liabilities               587         405       441
       Total current liabilities          17,513      14,191    13,818
 Common stock due to former Stoneage
  shareholders                               685           -         -
       Total liabilities                  18,198      14,191    13,818

 Minority interest                         4,594       4,623         -

 Commitments and contingencies

 Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $0.001 par
      value; 11,445,187 shares
      authorized                               -           -         -
     Common stock, $0.001 par value;
      200,000,000 shares authorized;
      41,642,176, 38,570,537 and
      37,786,767 shares issued and
      outstanding, respectively               42          39        38
     Additional paid-in capital          279,584     238,962   236,544
     Accumulated other comprehensive

      income                               1,597       1,685         -
     Accumulated deficit                (150,442)   (151,707) (153,772)
       Total stockholders' equity        130,781      88,979    82,810
       Total liabilities and
        stockholders' equity            $153,573    $107,793   $96,628



                             Autobytel Inc.
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
     (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

                               (unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                 June 30,                June 30,
                             2004        2003        2004        2003
 Revenues:
     Lead fees             $21,478     $15,508     $38,325     $30,131
     Advertising             3,441       3,024       6,563       5,863
     CRM services            5,312       2,068       8,775       3,520
     Data, applications

      and other              1,284       1,121       2,609       2,460
         Total revenues     31,515      21,721      56,272      41,974

 Operating expenses:
     Sales and marketing    18,773      13,109      33,582      25,967
     Product and
      technology

      development            6,431       4,454      11,519       8,316
     General and
      administrative         5,172       3,106       8,101       5,891
          Total
           operating

           expenses         30,376      20,669      53,202      40,174

     Income from

      operations             1,139       1,052       3,070       1,800

 Interest income               219          61         405         130
 Income (loss) in equity
  investee                      18          14         (35)         67
 Foreign currency
  exchange gain                 20           -          20           -
 Other income                    -           -           1           -
     Income before
      minority interest
      and income taxes       1,396       1,127       3,461       1,997
 Minority interest             (62)          -         (62)          -
     Income before

      income taxes           1,334       1,127       3,399       1,997
 Provision for income

  taxes                        (69)         (5)        (69)         (7)
     Net income             $1,265      $1,122      $3,330      $1,990

 Net income per share:
     Basic                   $0.03       $0.04       $0.08       $0.06
     Diluted                 $0.03       $0.03       $0.08       $0.06

 Shares used in computing net income per share:

     Basic              41,123,593  31,814,364  39,733,775  31,525,905
     Diluted            44,695,148  33,950,507  43,643,296  33,138,530

 EBITDA                     $2,215      $1,686      $4,781      $3,095

 EBITDA per share:
     Basic                   $0.05       $0.05       $0.12       $0.10
     Diluted                 $0.05       $0.05       $0.11       $0.09



                             Autobytel Inc.

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     (Dollar amounts in thousands)

                               (unaudited)

                                   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                        June 30,           June 30,
                                      2004     2003     2004     2003
 Cash flows from operating activities:

    Net income                       $1,265   $1,122   $3,330   $1,990
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
       Non-cash charges:
          Depreciation and
           amortization               1,100      620    1,788    1,228
          Provision for bad debt       (317)      72     (240)     314
          Customer credits              551      443      584    1,294
          Loss on disposal of
           property and equipment        20        -       20        -
          Stock based compensation        -       51        -       51
          (Income) loss in equity
           investee                     (18)     (14)      35      (67)
          Minority interest              62        -       62        -
       Changes in assets and
        liabilities:
          Accounts receivable        (1,725)  (1,000)  (1,457)  (2,289)
          Prepaid expenses and
           other current assets        (438)     443     (722)   1,536
          Other assets                  412       12       13       23
          Accounts payable              995       74    1,082      449
          Accrued expenses               83      419   (1,639)  (1,022)
          Deferred revenues            (386)     113     (594)      66
          Customer deposits               -      (69)       -      (76)
          Accrued domestic
           restructuring                (44)     (58)     (90)    (126)
          Accrued international
           licensee liabilities      (1,541)       -   (1,541)       -
          Other current liabilities      98       42       60       24
              Net cash provided by
               operating activities     117    2,270      691    3,395
 Cash flows from investing
  activities:
    Acquisitions of businesses, net
     of cash acquired               (20,630)  (4,952) (20,630)  (4,952)
    Maturities of short-term
     investments                          -        -    3,991        -
    Purchases of long-term
     investments                          -        -   (9,000)       -
    Consolidation of
     Autobytel.Europe cash balance        -        -   10,425        -
    Purchases of property and
     equipment                         (566)    (114)    (923)    (145)
              Net cash used in
               investing activities (21,196)  (5,066) (16,137)  (5,097)
 Cash flows from financing
  activities:
    Payments of capital lease
     obligations                       (225)      (8)    (225)      (8)
    Net proceeds from sale of
     common stock                     1,238   25,673    3,657   25,809
              Net cash provided by
               financing activities   1,013   25,665    3,432   25,801
 Effect of exchange rates on cash      (164)      36     (164)      63
 Net increase (decrease) in cash
  and cash equivalents              (20,230)  22,905  (12,178)  24,162
 Cash and cash equivalents,
  beginning of period                59,695   28,828   51,643   27,571
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of
  period                            $39,465  $51,733  $39,465  $51,733

 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    Cash paid during the period for
     income taxes                       $69       $5      $69       $7
    Cash paid (refunded) during the
     period for interest                 $-       $2      $(1)      $2



                                Exhibit 1

                             Autobytel Inc.

                       CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

                          As of June 30, 2004
            (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

                               (unaudited)

                                 ASSETS

                                    Autobytel.             Consolidated
                         Autobytel    Europe   Elimination   Autobytel

 Current assets:
    Domestic cash and
     cash equivalents     $31,240          $-          $-      $31,240
    International cash
     and cash

     equivalents                -       8,225           -        8,225
    Accounts
     receivable, net of
     allowance for bad
     debts and customer
     credits of $850       17,051         162           -       17,213
    Prepaid expenses
     and other current
     assets                 2,671           6           -        2,677
      Total current
       assets              50,962       8,393           -       59,355
 Long-term investments     15,000           -           -       15,000
 Property and
  equipment, net            3,140           1           -        3,141
 Capitalized software,
  net                         484           -           -          484
 Investment in equity
  investee                  2,817         827      (2,817)         827
 Goodwill                  69,477           -           -       69,477
 Intangible assets, net     5,168           -           -        5,168
 Other assets                 121           -           -          121
      Total assets       $147,169      $9,221     $(2,817)    $153,573

                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable       $6,833         $73          $-       $6,906
    Accrued expenses        5,993         150           -        6,143
    Deferred revenues       3,697          12           -        3,709
    Accrued domestic
     restructuring            168           -           -          168
    Other current
     liabilities              609         (22)          -          587
      Total current
       liabilities         17,300         213           -       17,513
 Common stock due to
  former Stoneage

  shareholders                685           -           -          685
      Total liabilities    17,985         213           -       18,198

 Minority interest              -           -       4,594        4,594

 Commitments and
  contingencies

 Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock,
     $0.001 par value;
     11,445,187 shares

     authorized                 -           -           -            -
    Common stock,
     $0.001 par value;
     200,000,000 shares
     authorized;
     41,642,176 shares
     issued and

     outstanding               42          18         (18)          42
    Additional paid-in
     capital              279,584      20,338     (20,338)     279,584
    Accumulated other
     comprehensive

     income                     -       3,566      (1,969)       1,597
    Accumulated deficit  (150,442)    (14,914)     14,914     (150,442)
      Total
       stockholders'

       equity             129,184       9,008      (7,411)     130,781
      Total liabilities
       and
       stockholders'

       equity            $147,169      $9,221     $(2,817)    $153,573



                                Exhibit 2

                             Autobytel Inc.

                 Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA
     (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

                               (unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended      Three Months Ended
                                 March 31,               June 30,
                             2004        2003        2004        2003

 Net Income                 $2,065        $868      $1,265      $1,122
  Interest income             (187)        (69)       (219)        (61)
  Provision for income
   taxes                         -           2          69           5
  Depreciation                 358         338         415         329
  Amortization of
   capital leases               15           -          13           5
  Amortization of
   software

   capitalization              270         270         270         271
  Amortization of
   intangible assets            45           -         402          15
 EBITDA                     $2,566      $1,409      $2,215      $1,686

 EBITDA per share:
  Basic                      $0.07       $0.05       $0.05       $0.05
  Diluted                    $0.06       $0.04       $0.05       $0.05

 Shares used in computing net income per share:

   Basic                38,343,958  31,234,243  41,123,593  31,814,364
   Diluted              42,583,103  32,167,910  44,695,148  33,950,507



                                Exhibit 2

                             Autobytel Inc.

                 Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA
     (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

                               (unaudited)

                                                       Six Months Ended
                                                               June 30,

                                                     2004        2003

 Net Income                                         $3,330      $1,990
  Interest income                                     (406)       (130)
  Provision for income
   taxes                                                69           7
  Depreciation                                         773         667
  Amortization of
   capital leases                                       28           5
  Amortization of
   software

   capitalization                                      540         541
  Amortization of
   intangible assets                                   447          15
 EBITDA                                             $4,781      $3,095

 EBITDA per share:
  Basic                                              $0.12       $0.10
  Diluted                                            $0.11       $0.09

 Shares used in computing net income per share:

  Basic                                         39,733,775  31,525,905
  Diluted                                       43,643,296  33,138,530
Contacts:  Autobytel Inc.
           Hoshi Printer (Investors)
           949-225-4553
           hoship@autobytel.com
 
           Melanie Webber (Media)
           949-862-3023
           melaniew@autobytel.com