Dotcom first for fleet sales

27 July 2000

INTERNET-based new car supplier Showroom4cars.com has announced the creation of a fleet sales department, designed to cater for the growing number of company buyers and fleet operators logging on to its site. The new department - believed to be the first offered by any internet-based car retailer - will liaise with a network of more than 500 UK and European dealers already collaborating with showroom4cars.com.

During the next few months Showroom4cars.com is looking to work in conjunction with around 50 UK-based dealers. However, the ultimate aim is to increase dealer coverage to around 1,000 in the UK, with a similar number in Europe, within two years.

For fleet users, the site will offer a multi-order service within its supply of European UK-specification vehicles so that, for example, 20, 30 or 40 vehicles of one type can be sourced in one go. The department expects to give advice to buyers, fleet and procurement managers on bulk availability of popular fleet models, many of which can be sourced within seven days, either from the UK or Europe. Information will also be given on specifications and colour choices, as well as the level of savings available from the site. Site publisher Paul Meakin said: 'We recognise UK fleet and company purchasers, although traditionally able to command better discounts than their private counterparts, still prefer to deal with an organisation that can provide a superior service, as well as lower prices.

'Because the site promises to locate vehicles from the cheapest possible sources, whether UK or European, fleet operators will receive savings of at least 30% on UK list, in addition to benefiting from a superior choice.'

Cars bought through the seven-day rapid delivery service come with a free three-year AA warranty. Others, known as 'design and build' because the purchaser asks for a particular specification or colour, will come with the manufacturers' standard pan-European warranty with the option to buy the AA cover.