Three ex-Kwik-Fit managers have launched a UK-wide online tyre sales operation for retail car owners.

Net-A-Tyre has recruited 350 independent workshops and tyre fitters as fitting agents and is aiming for a total network of 700-800.

The service is part of Scottish independent repairer D&G Autocare, which is owned by George Simpson and David Hunter.

The third ex-Kwik-Fit member of the team is Stuart Burns, the Net-A-Tyre manager.

D&G Autocare has two garages in Dunfermline and one nearby at Inverkeithing, close to the Forth road bridge. A fourth centre has just opened in Perth.

Burns said: “There are other internet tyre sellers but we have many years’ experience between us from working for Kwik-Fit.

“We understand what it is like to run a garage and understand what our agents require.”

Net-A-Tyre is investing in links from the Google and Yahoo search engines to its website.

Car owners key in the details of the tyres they require, select the garage in the network they want to use and make the purchase, which includes the cost of fitting.

Burns said: “Customers also specify when they want the tyres fitted and we send the tyres to the garage, which invoices us at the end of the month for the fitting fee. This varies according to the size of the tyre.”

Net-A-Tyre was launched in June. Burns said sales were ahead of target over the first two months but he did not give details.

“We think the downturn in the economy will work to our benefit,” said Burns.

“More people will be wanting to save money when they have to buy tyres.”