Company

Founded

Unique Visitors*

Category

Autobytel.com, Irvine, Calif.

1995

1,417

For a fee, refers shoppers to dealers to make contact with customer. Backers include GE Capital Services and American International Group.

Carclub.com, San Francisco

2000

1,647

The site refers users to dealers and offers members discount on products like insurance and gasoline.  Revenue comes from membership and transaction fees.  Rating company JD Powers is an investor.

Carpoint; Redmond, Wash.

1995

3,077

Buyers submit model preferences and site refers buyer to a local dealership.  Revenue comes from referrals.  Backers include Microsoft and Fort Motor.

Cars.com; Chicago

1998

1,519

Buyers submit model preferences and site refers them to local dealers, which pay fees.  Backed by Classified Ventures, a joint venture founded by six media companies.

Edmunds.com; Santa Monica, Calif.

1994

1,446

Information on new and used cars.  Revenue comes from referrals, dealers and other sites.  Backers include General Electric Pension Trust and Rare Ventures.

Kbb.com; Irvine, Calif.

1995

2,795

Backed by Kelley Blue Book, the venerable auto pricing guide, the site provides information about cars, as well as links to insurance and auto financing.  Banner ad sponsorships and referral fees  provide revenue.