The Euro mobilises the car market / The first step towards a unified car market in Europe

Munich, Germany (PROTEXT/ots) - The introduction of the Eurocurrency on 1st January 2002 will lead to the alignment of newcar prices in Europe and will possibly be the first step towardsa unified car market in Europe. This is what Dr. NicolasCarbonari, founder and manager of the European AutoScout24-Gruppe(www.autoscout24.com), is expecting to happen. Consequently, newvehicles will probably be significantly cheaper in Germany andAustria as the pressure on car dealers increases. Carbonarianticipates that "in the future, there will no longer be hugedifferences in prices of between 20% and 25% between individualEuropean countries". Consumers will no longer accept the factthat models such as the VW Golf or the Audi A4 are 20% moreexpensive in Germany than in Finland or Spain for example. Alsofor the EU competition commissioner, Mario Monti, the huge pricedifferences have been a thorn in his side for a long time.

"With the introduction of the single currency, the Europeanmarket for car buyers will also become more transparent," saysCarbonari explaining the impact on consumers. Customers can thenlook for the model of their choice according to the cheapestprice in Europe without having to laboriously compare and convertten different currencies. When the customer has found his"bargain", he can then go to his dealer with this price andhaggle a little bit. Indeed, some car buyers have already beendoing this for a few years now - particularly when searchingonline for a new or a second-hand car using an independent carportal - but from January it will certainly be easier and clearerto find the cheapest price thanks to the single Europeancurrency.

It is expected that the importance of the Internet as amedium for information and comparison for buying cars will groweven more. Carbonari is convinced that "the online car marketwill grow further as vehicles and buyers can be matched to eachother more quickly and easily in this way. This also appliesabove all for pan-European Internet offers, such as AutoScout24,"which today have already achieved Europe-wide transparency andso anticipate a unified car market for the whole of Europe."

About AutoScout24

AutoScout24 provides Europe-wide access to a database ofaround 500,000 of all kinds of vehicle for sale at present. Alongwith the virtual car market, users can also find finance andinsurance offers on the site as well as detailed information onthe subject of cars and transport

AutoScout24 has opened efficient sales channels for itspartners from the automobile industry in the most importantEuropean markets. More than 9,000 dealers Europe-wide already usethis cross-border opportunity to purchase and sell vehicles amongthemselves as well as selling to private car buyers.

ots Originaltext: AutoScout24 Deutschland GmbH Internet:http://www.presseportal.de Contacts Sabine Wilhelm AutoScout24Deutschland GmbH Rosenheimer Str. 145 e 81671 Munich Tel.: +49(0)89-450 990-832 Fax: +49 (0)89-470 1774 Email:swilhelm@autoscout24.de Andreas Reich FAKTOR 3 AG Kattunbleiche35 22041 Hamburg Tel.: +49 (0)40-679 446-34 Fax: +49 (0)40-679446-11 Email: autoscout24@faktor3.de

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