Independent British new car importer broadspeed.com is extending its online car buying service to left hand drive models in four EU and five CE countries.
The multi-language service officially opens for business on Wednesday 1st August 2001.
New car prices differ substantially across Europe due to massive differences in tax rates.
However, Broadspeed claims that big savings can be made – if buyers know the best country in which to buy a particular model.
EC residents can buy a car tax-free in a Member State and pay only the tax rate applicable to their country when the new vehicle is imported.
The new Broadspeed website will provide car prices for buyers in the UK, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
It will be possible to compare cars with similar specifications across a range of neighbouring markets to identify the cheapest country in which to buy the car.
A potential buyer can configure a car online and request a no-commitment quote. Only the payment of a deposit to a main dealer – together with a signed order form – results in a binding contract.
No money is paid online and all funds are passed directly to the dealer by Broadspeed.
“The power of the Internet enables car buyers to see beyond the taxes to discover how car manufacturers charge different prices for the same cars in neighbouring countries,” Broadspeed said in a statement.
British customers ordered more than 7,000 new cars online from Broadspeed.com last year and the company claims to be on track to supply over 12,000 in 2001.
This rapid growth prompted managing director Simon Empson to develop similar online businesses – based in Holland and Hungary.
“The time has clearly arrived to introduce the 21st century way of buying a new car to consumers and companies in mainland Europe,” Empson said.
Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Slovenia will be added to the system within two months.
To view related research reports, please follow the links below:- Automotive b2b – Strategic threats and opportunities in the automotive supply chain |
