F&I Management & Training

Capgemini's annual research report - Cars Online 08/09 ¬- analysed consumer vehicle buying patterns in both emerging and mature markets in eight countries across the world.

Its main finding was the increasinglyimportant role the internet plays for car buyers - 75 per cent more respondents than a year ago now use the web as the primary source of information to help inform a vehicle purchase.

Over half of the 3,000 consumers surveyed said they were less likely to buy from a company without an online presence and over half would purchase parts and accessories online.

"Manufacturers and dealers cannot afford to ignore the opportunities for growth presented by the internet as a direct sales channel," said Nick Gill, head of automotive at Capgemini. 

"Manufacturers must also seek to address the needs of the individual emerging market countries in order to maximise growth in those areas, which is of particular importance as sales in more mature markets begin to stall."

The report also found that car buyers in India and Russia, alongside buyers in the mature western markets, were most likely to use the internet when researching a car.

DATED: 29.10.08

FEED: MT