Trilogy Enterprises Announces Cash Tender Offer for Autobytel at $0.35 Net per Share

AUSTIN, TX, Apr 20 (MARKET WIRE) --
Trilogy Enterprises, Inc. ("Trilogy"), a provider of technology powered
business services to the automotive industry, today announced that its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Infield Acquisition, Inc., has commenced a
tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of
Autobytel Inc. (NASDAQ: ABTL) for $0.35 net per share in cash.

The offer represents a 32% premium over the trailing 30-day average
closing price of Autobytel's common stock.

"We are pleased to offer a significant premium to Autobytel's
shareholders," stated Sean Fallon, Senior Vice President of Trilogy. "The
automotive industry is experiencing an unprecedented decline and we
believe that Autobytel must take steps now to ensure its shareholders
receive the highest value. Given the significant risks of this business
and the Company's history of operating losses, we believe the premium
offered is very attractive."

"As Autobytel's second largest stockholder and the beneficial owner of
approximately 7.4% of Autobytel's outstanding common stock, we have
studied this business carefully. We have concluded that Autobytel's
ability to execute a turnaround and realize significant value for its
stockholders is subject to significant and unacceptable risk. We believe
that a high-premium, all-cash tender offer is the most effective way to
maximize value for all stockholders. As a result, we have determined it is
necessary to take the offer directly to our fellow stockholders in order
to deliver significant value to them as expeditiously as possible," added
Mr. Fallon.

"We are confident our fellow stockholders will find that this compelling
offer reflects a superior value for their shares, both in light of
Autobytel's current and recent trading history, as well as any realistic
near or long term assessment of Autobytel's prospects. We are committed to
completing this offer and remain willing to work cooperatively with
Autobytel," concluded Mr. Fallon.

The tender offer is scheduled to expire at 12:01 A.M., New York City time,
on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, unless extended. The tender offer documents,
including the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal, will be
filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Autobytel's stockholders may obtain copies of the tender offer documents
when they become available at www.sec.gov. Free copies of such documents
can also be obtained when they become available by calling Morrow & Co.,
LLC, toll-free at (800) 662-5200.

The tender offer was detailed in a letter dated April 20, 2009 from
Trilogy to Autobytel's President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey H.
Coats, and Autobytel's Board of Directors. The full text of the letter is
set forth
below.

--------------------------------------

April 20, 2009

Autobytel Inc.
18872 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 200
Irvine, California 92612-1400
Attention: Mr. Jeffrey H. Coats, President and Chief Executive Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Trilogy Enterprises, Inc. ("Trilogy"), through its affiliates, owns
approximately 7.4% of Autobytel Inc.'s ("Autobytel" or the "Company")
stock and is Autobytel's second largest stockholder. We have successfully
created and delivered innovative solutions to the automotive industry for
more than a decade.

We believe Autobytel is facing a crucial period in its corporate
existence. The automotive market is undergoing a crisis so severe that it
is difficult to adequately describe. Strong companies may find a way
forward. Weak companies will undoubtedly fail.

Unfortunately, Autobytel has historically struggled to create an
independently viable business. For example:

-- In 2006, Autobytel incurred operating losses of $40MM on $85MM in
revenue;
-- In 2007, Autobytel incurred operating losses of $35MM (not including
litigation settlement costs) on $84MM in revenue; and
-- In 2008, Autobytel incurred operating losses of $36MM (before
impairment charges and litigation settlement costs) on $71MM in revenue,
which declined by 15% from the prior year.

Autobytel has itself acknowledged that the market is "extremely
challenging" and it expects the U.S. automotive industry to decline more
than 20% in 2009. Given the market outlook, what should stockholders
reasonably expect from a company that has not proven itself viable
historically?

We recognize that Autobytel has taken steps to address this crisis.
However, we do not believe the steps taken are adequate to address the
severity of the situation. Autobytel facing another corporate
reorganization during potentially the worst market in history seems highly
unlikely to prevail. The current plan appears akin to "let's give this
one last shot." Unfortunately, shareholder cash and value is at stake.

Given Autobytel's business prospects and the significant historical and
recent operating losses, the Board should take steps now to preserve as
much shareholder value as possible. We believe the only means to
accomplish this is the immediate sale of the business.

We are aware that Autobytel had engaged a financial advisor to evaluate
the possible sale of the Company. Autobytel announced that its advisor
conducted an extensive process which resulted in Autobytel concluding that
shareholder value could not be maximized in the current environment. We
assume this means no buyer desired to pay a price required by the Board.

Today, our wholly-owned subsidiary has commenced a tender offer that
provides stockholders with an opportunity to sell shares at $0.35 per
share in cash. We believe this price is likely lower than the share price
the Board aspired to obtain during the recent sale process. However, we
believe it is a full and fair value for the Company and offers both an
attractive premium for stockholders, as well as immediate liquidity for a
stock that is thinly traded.

We hereby request that the Board support the proposed tender offer, and in
doing so, consider the following:

-- The offer represents a 32% premium on the stock's trailing 30 day
closing price;
-- The offer provides immediate liquidity for all stockholders;
-- The trading volume reported for April is less than 65,000 shares per
day, on over 45 million shares outstanding;
-- The Company is a sub-scale public company and may not be able to
continue to bear the costs and obligations of a public company;
-- The Company cannot withstand another shift in strategy during what may
be the worst market in history;
-- The Company may not be able to continue to bear the costs of its
management team, including the lucrative packages offered to its recent
hires;
-- The Company recently issued executive stock options at $0.35 per
share, which the Company must believe is fair value;
-- The Company had $32MM in cash in September and only $27MM in December;
-- The Company continues to burn cash and is likely to do so for the
foreseeable future. It is reasonable to believe that the Company may run
out of cash by the end of 2010;
-- Without at least breakeven results, stockholder value will only
continue to deteriorate until no stockholder value remains;
-- Any acquiror must take on the Company's cash burn and fund the Company
in a highly uncertain environment; and
-- Any acquirer may have to invest significant additional funds into the
Company to make it operationally efficient and competitive.

It is time to stop the erosion in stockholder value. Looking at where
Autobytel's stock price traded a year ago is not indicative of the true
value of the Company, but it should serve as a reminder of the value that
was destroyed. Autobytel's management should realistically evaluate the
prospects for its business. A candid assessment of that situation should
lead management to conclude that an all cash offer at a significant
premium to all Company stockholders is in the best interests of the
stockholders.

We are pleased to make this proposal to our fellow stockholders. We
believe they will find it to be attractive in light of both the Company's
trading history, and a realistic assessment of the Company's prospects. We
are committed to completing this offer and hopeful that we will be able to
work cooperatively with the Company in doing so.

We look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Trilogy Enterprises, Inc.

About Trilogy Enterprises, Inc.

Trilogy creates technology-powered business solutions that deliver
profitable new customers to companies worldwide. Trilogy, through its
affiliates, has enjoyed decades of success by delivering innovative
solutions to the world's largest companies.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Trilogy disclaims
any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. All
statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature or
that may necessarily depend on future events are forward-looking, and the
words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar
expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual
results may differ materially due to various factors such as Trilogy's
ability to complete the tender offer as expected; Trilogy's ability to
promptly and effectively integrate Autobytel's business with Trilogy's
business and any necessary actions to obtain required regulatory
approvals; anticipated capital expenditures; Trilogy's intent, beliefs or
current expectations, primarily with respect to future operating
performance; expectations regarding growth, gross margins, productivity,
capital expenditures and effective tax rates; and expectations regarding
Autobytel's financial condition and liquidity as well as future cash flows
and earnings. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.

Important Additional Information about the Tender Offer

Security holders and investors are advised to read the tender offer
statement, including the related Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal
and other tender offer material, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission carefully in its entirety because it contains important
information. Security holders and investors are advised that they can
obtain the tender offer statement and other filed documents for free at
the Commission's web site at www.sec.gov. Copies of such documents can
also be obtained for free from the offeror(s) by directing a request to
the information agent for the offer, Morrow & Co., LLC, toll-free at (800)
662-5200.

Important Additional Information about a Potential Proxy or Consent
Solicitation

This press release is not a substitute for any disclosure documents,
including any proxy or consent statement, that may be filed with the SEC
and sent to Autobytel stockholders in connection with the solicitation of
such stockholders or any business combination transaction with Autobytel,
as required. Investors and security holders are urged to read any such
disclosure documents filed with the SEC, including any proxy or consent
statement and related documents, carefully in their entirety when they
become available because they will contain important information.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of any
such documents filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the
SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of any such documents (when available) can
also be obtained by directing a request to Morrow & Co., LLC, toll-free at
(800) 662-5200.

Infield Acquisition, Inc., Trilogy Enterprises, Inc., Trilogy, Inc. and
certain of their directors and executive officers and other persons may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies or consents in
respect of any business combination transaction or other solicitation of
the stockholders of Autobytel. As of the date hereof, Trilogy, Inc.
beneficially owns 3,346,003 shares of Autobytel common stock. Information
regarding the directors and executive officers of Infield Acquisition,
Inc., Trilogy Enterprises, Inc., and Trilogy, Inc. will available in the
tender offer documents that will be filed with the SEC today.

Contact:
Julie Hill
Trilogy
Email Contact

EXECUTIVE OFFICES
Trilogy Enterprises, Inc.
6011 West Courtyard Drive
Austin, Texas 78730

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-