More than 140 franchised dealers are involved in the new internet service car-now.com targeted at small to medium businesses operating a fleet of up to 100 vehicles.

It aims to cut the traditional buying process from two or three days to a matter of minutes. The potential purchaser inputs all their requirements and receives a range of quotes from dealers within four hours. The information is provided in a simple format to enable the quotes to be easily compared.

Director Kevin Duck said: “Buyers are guided through an intuitive system which provides them with access to a huge choice of vehicles available from dealers all over the UK.” Online fleet buyers can compare the whole life costs of all new cars and light commercial vehicles through the topcalc.co.uk website operated by software specialist Henley Systems.

The company already supplies automotive data systems and information used by 75% of contract hire and leasing companies and 80% of the largest fleet operators.

Topcalc provides an independent assessment of the lifetime costs of over 17,000 vehicles. It incorporates factors such as the manufacturer's retail price, service, maintenance, repair and fuel costs, plus depreciation and residual value.