Car Buyers in Europe Like the Internet 13/07/00 The second wave of the Cartrack survey from French research company AMT Research confirms the growing role of the Internet for car buyers in Europe. More than 35% of prospective car buyers (ranging from 30% in the UK to 41% in Germany) are ready to purchase online reflecting the acceptance of the medium as a new channel for car sales. Manufacturers' sites are visited more than the newer online auction or specialist car sites. However, the newer players are fast gaining in consumer awareness as witnessed by the fact that: 42 % of UK car buyers know Autobytel, and 87% would recommend the site, 11% of French car buyers know Autovalley, and 60% would recommend the site, 52% of German car buyers know Autoscout24, and 81% would recommend the site. The survey found that the principal benefits of buying a new car via the Internet are: Better provision of information in terms of prices, special offers and specifications. Less wastage of time and effort when researching the purchase of a new car. For UK consumers, in particular, the opportunity of purchasing at lower prices. Cartrack questions more than 2,500 Europeans in car buying phase (France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK) logged on to the Internet. The aim is to provide a barometer on attitudes of online car buyers as well as comparing the potential of the Internet as a distribution channel across the five countries under review. Several car manufacturers, including Peugeot, General Motors Europe, Ford Europe and Renault, have subscribed to the service. AMT Research is a French research agency specialising in surveys on the Internet and online benchmarking. Founded in 1996, the company is reportedly growing turnover by 50% a year.