Autoweb.com Announces the Top Ten Requested Automobile Models of 1997
30 December 1997
Autoweb.com, the Internet's Leading Car Buying Service, Announces the Top Ten Most Requested Automobile Models of 1997Honda Accord Takes the Lead in a Race for the Number One Slot SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 30 -- Autoweb.com, the nation's leading online car buying service, announces its list of the Top Ten Most Requested Cars of 1997. Topping this year's Autoweb.com list is the Honda Accord, selected as the preferred model among site users. The findings are among the first to reveal the year's most popular car model, and are based on a tally of Autoweb's purchase requests for new cars from throughout the year. Autoweb.com's purchase request results also indicate the early winner in a sales race between the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry that has been closely watched by the automotive industry in recent weeks. For Autoweb customers, the Camry ranks fourth in interest to the Honda's first-place ranking. Purchase requests are filled out by consumers interested in buying a car online through the Autoweb.com service. Completed forms are sent to Autoweb's top ranking member dealers, who in turn follow-up with the customer and offer a firm hassle free price based on the customer's specifications and make/model availability. "We are very excited Autoweb.com is among the first in the industry to announce year-end customer car preference trends for 1997," said Payam Zamani, co-founder of Autoweb.com. "Our purchase requests are serious sales leads for automotive dealers and provide useful, real data for the industry as a whole." In addition to the Honda Accord topping Autoweb.com's 1997 list, the following automobile models also scored highly, based on the Autoweb.com tally of hundreds of thousands of purchase requests: 1. Honda Accord 2. Honda Civic 3. Ford Explorer 4. Toyota Camry 5. Ford Expedition 6. Toyota 4Runner 7. Chevrolet Blazer 8. Ford F-150 9. Jeep Wrangler 10. Honda CR-V In November of this year, Autoweb.com became the first online car buying service ever to reach the one millionth purchase request mark, further confirmation of its market leadership. The fast-growing popularity of the site shows consumers are increasingly turning to its resources to answer a variety of automotive-related concerns. Available services to Autoweb.com users go far beyond car buying and selling to include online financing and leasing, automotive maintenance and repair information and referral, Kelley Blue Book pricing, and a number of other value-added conveniences for the online automotive enthusiast. "Industry findings now indicate that approximately four to five percent of all automotive sales are conducted through online channels," added Zamani. "And, an astonishing eight percent of all car buyers in the United States now visit the Autoweb.com site before making their car purchase. We believe Autoweb.com represents a new direction in car buying and a key indicator for the purchase trends that are already reshaping the automotive industry." Autoweb.com's industry leadership is supported by strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Yahoo!, USA Today, Bank of America, C/NET's Search.com, Netscape Communications, Infoseek, Lycos, CNN Interactive, Car and Driver, and CBS SportsLine. Founded in November 1994, Autoweb.com (http://www.autoweb.com) is the leading online brand for new and used cars, where informed, motivated buyers are put in touch with an exclusive network of the highest ranking dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Using Autoweb.com, consumers can inquire about car availability and pricing, secure a loan, finalize their purchase, schedule delivery, or advertise their used car for sale. Autoweb.com is a five time recipient of PC Magazine's "Top 100 Website Award." Autoweb.com currently has a member network of more than 1,400 auto dealers served by five offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, contact Autoweb.com, 3270 Jay Street, Santa Clara, Calif. Telephone: 800-707-9552, Fax: 408-554-9553, Email: info@autoweb.com. SOURCE Autoweb.com