Data from Experian Hitwise shows the leading motor retail groups in the AM100 continue to have the most visited dealer websites.
It'll be little surprise to industry observers, given that the major groups have the IT and digital infrastructure and spend that matches their scale, however aggressive independents also feature strongly.
In the March plate-change month Arnold Clark ranked most visited, with 5.7% of all automotive dealership visits.
Pendragon’s Evans Halshaw brand ranked third with 4.02%. Pendragon has a stated aim of becoming the UK’s number one online motor retailer, so Arnold Clark looks set to have a fight looming.
Vertu Motors’ Bristol Street Motors brand captured a 2.1% share, Perrys took 1.7%, while Lookers and Sytner Group both took 1.5%.
Franchised dealers continue to face competition online from large independent chains, with Carcraft taking 4.97%, Motorpoint 2.5%, Buyacar 2.2% and Cargiant 2.1%.
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM's multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
Irishboy4 - 12/04/2012 11:25
The virtual showroom exists, but not as we knew it Jim!