Jupiter MMXI found that an increasing number of Europeans online are using the Internet to research the purchase of their next car, find the quickest route and traffic updates and to get a loan or car insurance. The reach of automotive sites in Europe’s largest Internet markets doubled from April 2000 to March 2001. In the UK, the figure grew from 6.9% to 12.6% (1,724,000 unique visitors in March 2001), in France from 3.8% to 10.3% (809,000 unique visitors in March 2001) and in Germany from 6.8% to 15.3% (1,926,000 unique visitors in March 2001). In these markets the audience of automotive sites in March 2001 was more than 70% male and aged 25 to 34.

Popular sites in the UK included Autotrader.co.uk, Theaa.co.uk, RAC.co.uk and Jamjar.com. In Germany, Norway, and Spain, car manufacturers’ websites were also very popular with surfers. The websites of German car manufacturers Volkswagen, Opel (the German Vauxhall), BMW and Mercedes-Benz were amongst the popular automotive destinations.

According to Staffan Engdegard, analyst at Jupiter MMXI, "The Internet is clearly an established source of information for car buyers in Europe. This is very important from an advertising perspective. The automotive industry is one of the largest advertisers on traditional media, such as TV and publishing. This information shows that car manufacturers must target the ever increasing number of Europeans Internet users in order to influence their online, and more important, off-line car purchase decision."