AOL Autos to Build Interactive Car Dealership Directory

NEW YORK--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) announced today that it will launch a platform on AOL Autos (www.aolautos.com) to create a comprehensive digital catalog of car dealerships in the U.S. This extensive directory, which will begin with 25 major U.S. cities, will include original video, reviews, consumer ratings and local maps. Today’s news is another example of AOL executing on its strategy to deliver high quality content at scale, creating engaging and helpful online experiences for consumers and advertisers alike.

“Through a combination of our expert team of journalists, our video capabilities and syndication strength, advertisers and dealers can reach virtually every consumer looking to buy or lease a car.”

This announcement follows the company’s recent launch of the 2010 City's Best program, which provides a guide to the best local food, entertainment and lifestyle options in 25 major U.S. cities. It is another step in AOL’s ongoing efforts to serve local communities with a depth of premium content offerings. This first-of-its-kind multimedia directory will be an excellent industry-leading solution for consumers shopping for a new car. Before even leaving home, car buyers will have the ability to virtually visit the dealerships in their area, compare offerings, and read first hand reviews from other customers.

“AOL is uniquely positioned to create this extensive directory of content that is national in scope and relevant on a local level,” said Rudi Thun, General Manager of AOL Autos. “Through a combination of our expert team of journalists, our video capabilities and syndication strength, advertisers and dealers can reach virtually every consumer looking to buy or lease a car.”

This dealership directory will complement the already robust 100% original content on AOL Autos and Autoblog that appeals to a wide range of consumers – from in-market shoppers looking to buy a car in the next seven days on AOL Autos to the auto influencers who follow Autoblog obsessively to keep up with the latest news. While Autoblog is focused on covering the auto industry -- including breaking auto show coverage, spy shots and industry analysis – AOL Autos covers the entire lifecycle of buying, owning, maintaining and selling a car. AOL Autos recently added a “Repair Estimator” feature on the site that provides consumers with an immediate estimate, based on their location, for a range of automotive maintenance procedures and repairs. This product brings real transparency to a common car owner pain point.

In addition to AOL Autos and Autoblog, the dealership directory will also be integrated into MapQuest, a leading online mapping brand that offers both maps and directions to 47 million users in the U.S.*; and into the Directory Listings of Patch, AOL’s local content and advertising platform that allows community members to comment on stories, share their opinions, post photos and announcements, and add events to the community calendar. The Directory will also be integrated into AOL Search and Yellow Pages.

About AOL

AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.

* September 2010, according to comScore Media Metrix.