Irvine-based Autobytel Inc. paid $10 million for auto sales leads aggregator AutoUSA, a unit of AutoNation Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Autobytel operates various websites that provide information to visitors interested in purchasing a vehicle, passing along sales leads to dealers for a fee.
The deal adds about 1,400 new and used car dealers to Autobytel’s customer base, taking its total to about 5,200 nationwide, according to the company.
AutoUSA generated $30 million in revenue last year. It will be rebranded as Autobytel after a three-month transition period, said Jeff Coats, Autobytel’s president and chief executive.
The deal marked Autobytel’s third acquisition in the last six months—the company bought AutoWeb Inc. for $2.5 million in September, followed by the purchase of Advanced Mobile LLC for $2.5 million in October.
“We will continue to be proactive and look for the right kind of opportunities,” Coats said.
―Mediha DiMartino
