According to a recent JD Power and Associates study, there's been a substantial increase in the number of people who turn to the internet for their used-car shopping needs, and the number who ultimately buy vehicles they find online.
The automotive authority says their 2008 Used-Vehicle Market Report study, released yesterday, represents a significant increase since last year- with over 60 percent of online used-car shoppers now purchasing a vehicle they find on the internet. The same study in 2007 saw less than 50 percent of shoppers ultimately purchasing a used vehicle discovered on the web.
The Used-Vehicle Market Report study provides a comprehensive look at the late-model used-vehicle market that's intended to provide automotive manufacturers and marketers with insight into the purchasing habits of used car shoppers.
The study says that despite only a marginal increase in those searching for a vehicle online, shoppers are spending more time conducting research and visiting websites, compared to last year.
"Although there hasn't been a large increase in the percentage of used-vehicle buyers using the Internet to shop in 2008, those who do use it are spending more time online, visiting more sites and are utilizing the features and benefits of automotive Web sites to a greater degree than ever before," said Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power and Associates. "The Internet has emerged as a particularly effective medium for used-vehicle shoppers to find the specific vehicles they desire, as well as for dealers and private parties to get their used vehicles sold."
The most popular websites for automotive shopping are third-party independent sites.
photo:J.D. Power and Associates, Jupiter Images
The automotive authority says their 2008 Used-Vehicle Market Report study, released yesterday, represents a significant increase since last year- with over 60 percent of online used-car shoppers now purchasing a vehicle they find on the internet. The same study in 2007 saw less than 50 percent of shoppers ultimately purchasing a used vehicle discovered on the web.
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The Used-Vehicle Market Report study provides a comprehensive look at the late-model used-vehicle market that's intended to provide automotive manufacturers and marketers with insight into the purchasing habits of used car shoppers.
The study says that despite only a marginal increase in those searching for a vehicle online, shoppers are spending more time conducting research and visiting websites, compared to last year.
"Although there hasn't been a large increase in the percentage of used-vehicle buyers using the Internet to shop in 2008, those who do use it are spending more time online, visiting more sites and are utilizing the features and benefits of automotive Web sites to a greater degree than ever before," said Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power and Associates. "The Internet has emerged as a particularly effective medium for used-vehicle shoppers to find the specific vehicles they desire, as well as for dealers and private parties to get their used vehicles sold."
The most popular websites for automotive shopping are third-party independent sites.
photo:J.D. Power and Associates, Jupiter Images