Renault takes wraps off new generation of online car buying

PARIS - French carmaker Renault has unveiled a new generation of websites that will act as a one-stop shop for people wishing to purchase a car and will link dealers permanently with the company.

Renault's commercial director Francois Hinfray told reporters the group would invest a total of 250 million francs ($NZ84.35 million) in the program, which it said was at the core of its e-commerce strategy.

The new site, launched initially in France, Germany and Britain, will allow car buyers to put together their own vehicle, obtain real-time financing options and put in their purchasing requests to the nearest Renault dealer.

That dealer will respond within 24 hours to all queries.

Renault said final purchase negotiations would continue to take place on a person-to-person basis given the continued reluctance of carbuyers to commit to purchases over the internet.

Hinfray said the new site, which will replace the 29 sites currently operated by the brand and its subsidiaries, had scope to create business for Renault dealers, boost the firm's brand image and offer better service to clients.

Renault also hopes that through its dealers, which will control their own pages on the site, the firm can get a better idea of who its clients are and how best to cater to them.

"We are not in a position to make forecasts about what the site will bring us in financial terms," said Hinfray.

"But we intend to make it the best automobile website around."

He said the site would complement Caradisiac.com, a multi-brand site in which Renault holds a stake, and Renault.com which will continue to act as the brand's corporate showcase.

The site was being launched in Britain and France today and in Germany on Tuesday.

- REUTERS

Links:

Renault.com

Renault UK

Renault France

Renault Germany

Caradisiac.com