Nearly every new car dealer in the nation has a web site, and most have managed to sell a car online, according to a survey by the McLean VA-based National Automobile Dealers Association’s Industry Analysis Division.
94% of new car and light truck dealerships are operating web sites, up from 93% last year, the NADA says. 74% had sites in 1999, and 47% in 1997, according to the association.
Of the sites now up, 98% are interactive, with most allowing shoppers to check what’s in stock, sort throughmManufacturer’s suggested retail prices, fill out finance forms, and schedule sales and service appointments.
Dealers report that the most common web interactions come from customers asking for price quotes and setting up appointments. 68% of dealers with web sites have completed a sale there, excluding delivery and payment.
Of the 6% of dealerships without web sites, 37% plan to have an Internet presence within the next six months, the NADA says.
Among dealer web sites, 92% enable shoppers to view stock, 79% allow customers to check out suggested retail prices, 71% link to manufacturer web sites, 67% schedule service appointments, 63% set up sales appointments and 62% offer finance forms that shoppers can fill out.
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