A NEW Internet car buying system launched in the UK aims to revolutionise the relationship between franchised dealers and customers. Auto-By-Tel is already one of the fastest growing Internet car sale brokerages in the United States, displaying information and advertisements on new and used vehicles for sale.

Car buyers surf the Net, find a vehicle they want, and Auto-By-Tel puts them in touch with the relevant dealership. Dealers pay a monthly fee for these referrals. Auto-By-Tel is now starting in the UK, under chief executive Kevin Turnbull, formerly chief executive of car security company Toad.

He said the operation would be up and running by the end of this year, ready to capitalise on the burgeoning UK Internet market. 'Nearly one million UK households connect to the Net, while 2.2 million people have access at work,' said Turnbull. 'This means the internet is poised to grow significantly in the UK over the next couple of years.'