The Impact of the Internet on Consumers' Use of Information Sources for Automobiles: A Re-Inquiry

Abstract

Using three cohorts of data from field surveys of new car buyers in 1990, 2000, and 2002, this study seeks to determine how the Internet fits into patterns of information search for recent car buyers. We believe that our study provides the most complete analysis to date of how the Internet is being integrated with other product information sources. Specifically, we find that the Internet substitutes for time spent at the dealer and time spent in negotiating prices. We also find that it substitutes for print third-party sources. Manufacturer/dealer Internet sources are the most widely used and appear to substitute the most for traditional sources.