Web steering users to online car deals

NEWS People buying new cars are welcoming the Internet as a way to research their options and eventually bring down prices, according to a recent survey. The latest report by Fletcher Research predicts that the Web will influence 500,000 new car-buying decisions by 2003. 'Dream Machines: Selling New Cars Online' found that two-thirds of consumers disliked pressure sales and feared they were being overcharged. Over 80 per cent believed the Web would bring prices down, encouraging more open information and better exchange deals. In particular, affluent buyers are using the Web to research luxury cars. Online purchases are not expected to soar, as customers will always need to test-drive their cars. But Fletcher Research predicts there is money to be made in online car retail from support services such as insurance. The research relies on data from 40,000 UK Internet users and 1,000 car-buying adults. The full report is available for £1,395 from http://www.fletch.co.uk.