Citroën is reported to be preparing to make cars for sale online next year, with fixed prices - and the only point of contact for the dealer being the test drive.

AutoExpress is reporting Citroën chief executive Linda Jackson saying online purchasing is being rolled out in selected markets “and it will eventually get to UK – hopefully next year”. She said dealers will be consulted on the plan.

“You can look at the car, configure the car, get your finance, sort your deposit and then go into the dealer to get your test drive.

“In that way, there is still a link to the dealer.”

Fixed prices will also be part of the new process, leaving the customer to pay what would normally be achieved in negotiations with the dealer.

“The online sales have been designed to be very transparent for the customer because when you’re selling online, your prices tend to be very obvious,” she told the consumer brand," said Jackson.

“It removes this concern that we get back from customers that they don’t want to negotiate on price.

“You’ll pay the same price you could have got at the dealer, so it’s totally transparent, and also you have the possibility to get a quote on your existing car, which is less fixed. But the price for the new car is totally visible.

“We call it ‘fair pricing’ where you get a clear price and you don’t have to negotiate.

“We’re testing this idea. And we have to work it through the dealer networks to make sure they’re onboard with it.”