Internet Car Retailing Grows

More vehicles are being offered for sale on the internet, according to a motor trade survey published today.

Motor Trader‘s ‘Business Monitor’ questioned 100 of the country’s 300 largest dealer groups and found that half had their own websites. 55% believed the internet would change the way they sold cars. Only 6% thought it would have no effect on their business.

Although probably less than one per cent of new and used cars sold in the UK are sourced on the internet, the technology appears to be gaining much wider acceptance. Surveys by Motor Trader during 1996 and 1997 found widespread scepticism towards opportunities afforded by the internet with few dealers believing it could ever offer an alternative route to the market from conventional retailing methods. It is expected that the arrival of digital TV this year will give the online market a further fillip, allowing consumers increased access to web sites.

Motor Trader c/o Reed Business: 0181 652 8174