MCC Smart is claiming a UK first - every car sold this year was purchased over the internet.

The virtual smart sales centre at www.thesmart.co.uk is now used to process all orders for the two-seat city car, including those placed at the five regional sales centres.

The award winning Smart website also offers customers a one-stop online shop. They can order their car, get insurance cover, arrange finance, pay online with a credit card, and arrange delivery direct to their front door.

The UK internet industry recently praised the site as "innovative, playful and fun", when it beat off stiff competition to walk away with the award, 'Best retail website' at the NewMediaAge Effectiveness Awards.

An average of 1,600 users per day visit www.thesmart.co.uk and each user session lasts for an average of 15 minutes.

Walter Scherg, Smart UK general manager, said: "This unique e-commerce service has to be the most efficient and innovative way to buy a car without leaving your home. As well as an online retail destination the site has now proved itself as an order-taking system for off-line sales.

"We find that customers are spending some time researching Smart on our web site before they buy, giving them an insight into the smart ownership experience."

The site has been developed specially for smart in the UK by V-Ten, an e-business venture set up by DaimlerChrysler UK.