TMS Motor Group was selling new TVRs via its www.tmstvr.co.uk website within 24 hours of the Birmingham motor show unveiling.

The group took gold in this month's Automotive Management Awards new media category for its enterprise on the website. Dealer staff of the Melton Mowbray, Leics, company used digital cameras, laptop computers and mobile phone links to provide photos and details of the Tamora entry-model. A spokesman said three orders were placed by the end of the week. Similar success has been achieved by posting the TVR parts catalogue online at www.tvrgear.com and emailing details to owners clubs around the world.

Within three weeks TMS has generated more than £10,000 of incremental sales and most have been exports.

Peter O'Connor, TMS deputy chairman, said aspects of the group's eComcars initiative had surprised him. “Most people presume the only way you can sell cars online is by piling them high and selling them cheap,” he said. “By being careful to qualify the sales leads we have been selling Volvos and Land Rovers at similar margins to those we achieve in the showroom.”