BCA is predicting a big rise in sales through its internet-based trading service BCA Direct over the next few months as the remarketing system rolls out across the UK and into Europe.

The specialised e-business service, administered by BCA AutomotiV, was previewed at the Fleet Show before the official launch at the end of May 2000. The service enables selected retail motor dealers to buy vehicles online from a variety of sources and some major vendors have committed vehicles to the service, including manufacturers, contract hire, rental and fleet operators.

Robert Barr, managing director of BCA AutomotiV, said: 'The software has proved to be robust enough to deliver a range of services to a large number of remote users without any technical hitches and both buyers and sellers have supported the system strongly.'

With the work of many internet vehicle remarketing companies continuing to create headlines, Barr is confident that BCA Direct is the right product delivered into the right marketplace at the right time.

He said: 'Unlike the majority of dotcom operators in the vehicle market, BCA Direct is built on many years of experience of the wholesale used car market, both in the physical and virtual sense.

'BCA has sold hundreds of thousands of cars electronically during the past 10 years, through a variety of systems including electronic auctions and fixed price purchase, satellite sales and now internet sales.

'This means customers can buy stock with confidence, secure in the knowledge they are dealing with the biggest brand in the used car market.

'While many operators have promised much and delivered little more than lists of vehicles, BCA Direct is backed with BCA's infrastructure and logistics expertise, giving access to a superb selection of vehicles and ensuring real benefits are delivered.'