Finding the right vehicle is not always easy. While exploring the various dealerships and auto dealers is tedious, many consumers prefer to do their research online, and sometimes their purchase, even if it means traveling their car for thousands of kilometers. Because platforms tend to cut prices…
More offers
Long gone are the days when car offers on the Web were limited to classified ads posted by individuals. While a million cars were sold on the Internet in China in 2016, according to consultancy Frost & Sullivan, professionals are concreting their offers to develop the market in Europe. 100% online car dealers and distributors are flourishing on the Internet to offer second-hand and new models for sale, with all the necessary guarantees.
Thanks to batch purchases, these new players can also display discounts ranging from 10 to 20% compared to market prices. And the demand is there. On AutoScout24, one of the largest online vehicle sales sites, more than two million are offered in Europe, including 150,000 used in France. As for the Aramisauto platform, it sold 40,000 vehicles in 2018. Even manufacturers are embarking on this emerging market, like PSA, which opened Peugeot Webstore and Citroën Carstore, two "virtual concessions".
Already in 2014, a study by Frost & Sullivan had sensed the potential of the Web by estimating that seven out of ten new car sales in the world would be concluded on the Internet by 2020. Although too optimistic, this survey had put in relief this vein.
The added value of additional services
The rise of online car sales has also given ideas to start-ups, which offer additional services aimed at simplifying and securing this purchase. PayCar, for example, replaces the bank check with an instant and irrevocable transfer which guarantees transactions between individuals. As for the vehicle, it can be delivered to dealerships or to homes within a few weeks. Zanzicar, the digital used vehicle platform of the Parot group, undertakes to bring it to your home within fifteen days, from the time of the appointment.
While an investigation by the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir revealed at the end of 2017 that it took an average of 51 days to receive a new car purchased from the dealership (and up to 91 days for an electric model), this type of logistics solution can be a commercial asset to convince motorists.
Automobile
Tesla: One million cars produced in twelve years, the second million should be reached… in one year
Economy
Abandoning a vehicle can cost even more than before
Your protections
Guarantees: all new cars benefit from the manufacturer's guarantee. On the other hand, for occasions, only certain specialized sites offer to guarantee the vehicle from three months to two years. In all cases, the law gives you two years to turn against the seller in the event of a lack of conformity or hidden defects, such as faulty braking, a broken engine or an accidented and repaired car without notifying you.
The withdrawal period: you have fourteen days to change your mind when buying online or by phone. This deadline is necessary even if you had ordered a vehicle by personalizing it with options, as confirmed by the Court of Cassation on January 17, 2018.
- Internet
- Car
- Consumption