Fiat and Alfa Romeo have launched two interactive online buying service websites as part of a five-year £32 million e-commerce strategy.

The service has been developed from a project launched in Italy in July and offers a virtual forecourt with used car information and availability across the dealer network.

Jim Blades, managing director of Fiat Auto UK, said: 'The importance of the internet as a new sales, information and research tool in the car buying process is now paramount. Fiat wants to be a pan-European leader in this technology and will therefore be launching a number of internet related programmes which strongly support the dealer/ customer relationship over the next two years.'

• To access the Fiat and Alfa sites, click on the Buyers' guide menu button and go to the Car manufacturers section.