Autoworld eyes 250 car dealers, franchises

Petaling Jaya: Autoworld, the country’s first and largest one-stop auto-shopping site, is targeting to sign on 250 used car dealers and all auto franchises by the end of 2000.

The website, which can be reached through http://www.autoworld.com.my, was launched yesterday by the Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Amar Leo Moggie.

Autoworld was developed by Autoweb Sdn Bhd, a strategic partnership between Interbase Holdings and Heritage Vest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Leong Credit Bhd.

Richard Tan, director cum general manager of Autoweb, told reporters after the launch that since the last one and a half month, Autoweb has managed to attract 83 car dealers to participate and advertise in the site.

Autoworld now has 1400 cars in the database, of which 700 were attached with photos, he added.

Now, 80% of the advertisers at the site are car dealers but it hopes to eventually have a 50:50 mix between dealers and individuals.

Asked how many cars were expected to be sold via Autoworld, Tan said the company was targeting between 25% and 40% of the cars advertised here.

James Lim, director of Hong Leong Credit, said for the time being there would be no charges for car dealers and individuals wanting to place their car advertisements in Autoworld but minimal fee might be charged in the future.

Lim said: “A unique feature of the service is that it providers an easy search and comparison service for new and used car buyers. Buyers are able to search for a car by its make, model, year, price range and location.

“This system allows car buyers to customise their budget, location and type of car. Buyers can also interact directly via e-mail or telephone with the seller if they decide to do so.”

Lim said the site also allowed buyers to apply for loans from Hong Leong Finance through the site and the rate would be cheaper by about 0.2%.

Autoworld also provides information on car insurance schemes and insurance coverage according to vehicle model, auto news and car fashion accessories, chat services to discuss individual auto ideas with other car enthusiasts as well as on-line Automotive Association of Malaysia (AAM) membership registration and renewal.

Jason Lim, director, consumer and commerce group of Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., said the company welcomed Autoworld into the family of MSN Malaysia, Microsoft’s portal site in this country.

Autoweb and Microsoft Malaysia yesterday signed a partnership agreement for development of Autoworld, which was also witnessed by Moggie – Bernama