Irvine Internet Car Company Rated No. 1

Auto-By-Tel Corp., the Irvine-based Internet car shopping service, scored a coup this month when it was ranked tops in its industry in dealer satisfaction by rating guru J.D. Power & Associates.

The company is duking it out with a number of competitors, including software giant Microsoft Corp.’s CarPoint. So getting J.D. Power’s seal of approval gives it a big leg up in competing for dealers who will pay Auto-By-Tel for the rights to a market territory. The Internet shopping service refers customers to dealers who have signed exclusive agreements.

The breathtakingly named “J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Dealer Satisfaction With Online Buying Services Study” asked dealers who use online buying services to rate their sales effectiveness, technology, dealer support and several other items. Its ability to send dealers customers who were ready to buy won Auto-By-Tel the No. 1 ranking.

The company, started in 1995 by former car dealer Pete Ellis, claims to be responsible for $500 million in car and truck sales each month.

John O’Dell covers major Orange County corporations and manufacturing for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5831 and at john.odell@latimes.com