Today Vauxhall claimed the title of the first manufacturer in the world to offer all its cars for sale on the internet.

The new online service, branded as VIP, or Vauxhall Internet Price, includes special prices for every specification, colour, option and dealer-fit accessory and every car, from the Agila to the Omega.

VIP is an expansion of Vauxhall's .com concept through which a limited number of special models have been offered during the last year.

Vauxhall appears to be pitching the new service directly against its dealer network, offering savings in promotional material of up to £865 through VIP when compare to the dealer price.

However, like Ford's online transaction site Fordjourney.com unveiled at the Birmingham motor show, Vauxhall utilises its dealer network at the late stages of the online buying process.

People wanting to buy a car on the website www.vauxhall.co.uk may select a car online, and arrange a test drive as well as trade in their car and arrange finance from Vauxhall.

The new car will be delivered to the buyer's door within a week of placing their order online, subject to availability.

Online customers are expected to contact Vauxhall or their dealer to seek individual guidance.

##Vauxhall dealer--left## Paul Confrey, Vauxhall new media manager, said: "Working with our dealers will ensure we can fully support our customers who are attracted by the prospect of buying online.

"They will also have the comfort of knowing that their car will receive the same lifetime support as one bought in the traditional way.

"Our dealers will also benefit from what we believe will be increased sales and the opportunity to build lifetime relationships with a new generation of Vauxhall customers."

Lower internet prices, Vauxhall said, are made possible from "savings in normal marketing and distribution costs".

Examples of on-the-road prices include a Vectra SXI 1.8 which from a dealer costs £14,345 and from VIP £13,480 (£865 saving) and a Frontera Sport 2.2 £15,495 from a dealer, £14,745 from VIP (£750 saving).

Ford is promising to have its entire model range available for sale on the internet, but at the moment you can chose from the Ka, Fiesta, Focus and Puma. Ford also promises to deliver the online purchased car within "10 working days".