DEALER group D C Cook plans to win business away from new internet import companies such as OneSwoop and Virgin Cars after launching a rival online operation. The venture comes as Perry Group prepares to reveal its direct sales set up, to be linked to a call centre in north London. Customers will be able to compare models, book demonstrator cars and buy online.

D C Cook chairman Derek Cook confidently predicted the import business, which will source cars exclusively from Totalise Eurekar's European dealer network with claimed savings of up to 40%, would take conquest sales from its rivals. 'We may take a little bit of business from other dealerships, but most sales will be incremental, taken from competitor importers,' he said. 'They are only concerned with new car sales, but our strength comes from also providing an aftersales service.'

Cook believes that two types of customer are developing - those who will continue to buy at showrooms, and those happy to purchase online - and dismissed suggestions that dealers would be edged aside in favour of virtual sales, and forced to focus instead on aftersales and used car retailing.