| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Internet |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder(s) | Reg Rix and Louis Rix |
| Headquarters | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Vehicle advertisements |
| Website | http://www.netcars.com/ |
Netcars.com is the trading name of JLR Digital Ltd and was launched to the motor trade in the UK in January 2011. Netcars is an online motoring portal for buying and selling used cars[1].
Contents |
Netcars was founded in 2009 by brothers Reg and Louis Rix, who between them have over 20 years experience in the motor industry[2]. The brothers began work in the automotive sector with their father's car dealership, Rix Motor Company, in Warrington, Cheshire[3]. In 2010, Netcars secured an investment from Airtours founder, David Crossland, which prompted the company to re-launch to the motor trade in December 2010 and consumers in March 2011[4].
The business re-launched to consumers with a celebrity car convoy in Trafalgar Square on Tuesday 8th March 2011[5]. The event, which positioned 'the cars as the stars', saw five classic television cars, KITT, Ghostbusters Ecto 1, The General Lee, Del Boy's Three Wheeler and the Batmobile, create a convoy through Pall Mall, past Buckingham Palace.
With the strapline 'the UK's fastest growing car sales website', Netcars is the first automotive classified website to offer the used car market the Google inspired 'payment by results' billing model, where dealers can list their entire stock for free and only pay when they receive an enquiry through the Netcars website[6]. Private sellers are also featured on the website.
Through the website, users can search for cars under a number of different criteria, including make and model, location of the seller, price, fuel type, body type, colour, mileage and engine size. The website's additional Car Advisor function also allows motorists to leave reviews of models they have previously driven and ask other reviewers questions or advice about future purchases.
In July 2011, Netcars launched Dealer Manager[7], an online portal that allows trade sellers to track and monitor results and manage their account, once stock has been uploaded.
The company picked up a highly commended 'Special Achievement' award in Car Dealer's Power Awards 2011, for its 'no contracts' and 'payment-on-results' charging policy[8].
Netcars has also been awarded the title 'Best Online Car Sales Portal 2011' by the Institute of Transport Management (ITM)[9].