Independent Automotive Websites Still Most Popular for New Car Buyers

Another major jump can be seen in the number of mature car buyers using the internet. Compared to the 39 percent of 60 plus

Used vehicle research is up by seven percent this year, with 54 percent saying they gathered information from the web. (Photo: Honda Canada)

year old car buyers that used the net for research in 2003, the 2004 survey shows a total of 47 percent.

And what about used vehicles? According to the same research firm's July 7, 2004 survey, internet use rose significantly with 54 percent of late-model used-vehicle buyers choosing the digital medium, which was up from 47 percent usage in 2003.

"This is the most explosive growth in the used-vehicle automotive Internet user rate we have seen in three years," commented Dennis Galbraith, senior director of research for J.D. Power and Associates. "Not only are shoppers using the Internet in greater numbers, but also

"This is the most explosive growth in the used-vehicle automotive Internet user rate we have seen in three years." (Photo: Nissan Canada)

far more of them are finding their purchase decisions are impacted by information found online."

A total of 36 percent of used vehicle purchasers stated that their final decisions on make and model were impacted by information researched online, which was up 29 percent the year prior. A total of 22 percent were chose their retailer based on information found on the net, which was up from 16 percent in 2003. A total of 85 percent of those who used the internet for researching their pre-owned vehicle said that the price they paid for the vehicle was impacted through their findings, while 66 percent commented that internet research made a difference with which make or model they bought.