Since the mid-1990’s, numerous Web sites promised to revolutionize
auto retailing, but many have failed or have been absorbed by rivals.
Here is a look at how some have fared:
| COMPANY |
TYPE |
DESCRIPTION |
AUTOBYTEL.COM
March 1995 to present |
Dealer Referrals |
Allows consumers to buy and sell new and used cars
through a network of affiliated dealers. Generates the most sales
of any Web site. |
AUTONATION.COM
June 1999 to present |
Dealer |
AutoNation owns and operates 278 car dealerships
in 17 states. Its site includes listings and prices of some 100,000
vehicles offered at its dealerships. |
AUTOTRADER.COM
March 1997 to present |
Classified Service |
Lists nearly 2 million classified advertisements
of used cars for sale by private owners, dealers and manufacturers.
|
AUTOWEB.COM
March 1995 to present |
Dealer Referrals |
Lets consumers research and purchase new and used
cars through affiliated dealers. Acquired by Autobytel in 2001.
|
CARPOINT.COM
Oct. 1995 to present |
Dealer Referrals |
Owned by Microsoft. Helps consumers compare car features
and obtain price quotes from affiliated dealers. Purchased, then
shut, Driveoff.com, which sold cars directly. |
CARBARGAINS.COM
Nov. 1997 to present |
Dealer Referrals |
Carbargains, a division of Consumer's Checkbook,
a non-profit organization, charges a $190 flat fee for 5 confirmed
bids form local dealers. |
CARS.COM
June 1997 to present |
Classified Service |
Sells classified car advertising through its parent
company, Classified Ventures, which is owned by seven major newspaper
companies. |
CARSDIRECT.COM
May 1999 to present |
Direct Sales |
Negotiates prices for consumers within its network
of 3,000 dealers. Acquired Greenlight.com. in February 2001. Recently
began CarsDirectConnect, a dealer referral service. |
CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG
Nov. 1997 to present |
Information |
The auto section of Consumer Reports Online has pricing
guides, negotiating tips and car ratings. |
EDMUNDS.COM
May 1994 to present |
Information |
Provides consumers comparative pricing tools, estimates
of actual transaction prices, loan information and car reviews.
|
KELLYBLUEBOOK.COM
Dec. 1995 to present |
Information |
Gives consumers pricing information, including incentives
and rebates. The most-visited auto site on the Web. |
