Buyers beware, warns car equivalent of the ACT

CAR-SELLING ON INTERNET NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER, WARNS RETAIL MOTOR

INDUSTRY FEDERATION

London, England — (NEWSdesk) — 28 March 2000 — Today’s launch of

"carbusters.com" selling new cars on the internet is another symptom of

the current state of the British car market. The sooner the report from

the Competition Commission is in the public domain, the better for the

consumer and the car retailer, and we should see movement in the car

market,’ said David Evans, Chief Executive of the Retail Motor Industry

Federation (RMI).

The internet is about marketing, and the majority of car dealers now

have websites. When there is clarity on prices, the consumer will be

able to access these sites with full confidence in the product they are

buying. However, most consumers enjoy the tactile experience of buying

and test-driving a car. They also like the three-year warranties,

finance agreements and buying conditions they experience in the car

dealership. It is also important to remember that when purchasing a new

car, many people trade in their used car as part of the deal. This is

not available on these new internet sites.’

NOTES TO EDITORS

Press@rmif.co.uk

Press office: +44 (0)171 307 3424

RMI ISDN LINE: +44 (0)20 7637 0231

CONSUMER RMI MOTORLINE: +44 (0)8457 58 53 50

The Retail Motor Industry Federation represents the interests of

operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man

providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a

formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association

which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.