More than one third -- 34 percent -- of used-vehicle buyers log on to the Internet to help them during the shopping process, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Used Autoshopper.com(SM) study just released.

This represents an 8 percentage point increase over 1999 study results when only 26 percent of used-vehicle buyers turned to the Web. New-vehicle shoppers continue to lead used-vehicle shoppers in Internet usage, 54 percent versus 34 percent.

"Although new-vehicle buyers are still more likely to use the Internet to shop, the Internet may ultimately have a greater impact on the used-vehicle market," said Chris Denove, partner at J.D. Power and Associates and director of the study. "This is because most used-vehicle buyers who go online are looking for specific vehicles for sale, and new-vehicle buyers who go online research facts and figures such as vehicle pricing or vehicle specifications. As a result, used-vehicle Internet shoppers are more likely to use online services to facilitate the actual sales process."

The study finds traditional newspapers already feeling the pinch of the Web. During the past year, the number of people finding their used vehicle through classified ads decreased, while the number of people finding their vehicle online nearly doubled.

"Currently, 4 percent of all late-model used-vehicle buyers find their vehicle through the Internet," Denove said. "While this number may seem small, the percentage is growing fast and is likely to surpass newspaper classifieds within four years."

AutoTrader.com is the leading Website for shoppers seeking a used vehicle online, with 21 percent of used-vehicle buyers who located their vehicle online using this site. For used-vehicle pricing and specifications, Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) is the most frequently visited site, with more than one-half of all online used-vehicle shoppers having visited.

The study finds that used-vehicle buyers who used the Internet to help them shop are more likely to arrange their own financing independent of a dealer. They are independent in others ways, also, being more likely to purchase through private parties and to already have an exact vehicle or narrow set of vehicles in mind at the beginning of the shopping process.

Internet buyers are less likely to rely on the advice of friends and family to help them decide what make and model to purchase. The study also identifies a small but distinct segment of the population that is open to purchasing their vehicle direct from an Internet seller such as iMotors.com, or even from an online auction such as those offered through eBay.com.

"The survey results show that the Internet will never become the dominant source of used-vehicle sales," Denove said. "Instead, the Internet's primary role will be to serve as a matchmaker to put buyers together with sellers who otherwise may never find each other. However, there may still be a place for direct Internet used-vehicle sellers, as long as the company is geared toward being a niche player. The probable emergence of companies providing third-party vehicle certification and inspection should serve to make more consumers comfortable with online buying in the future."

The study is based on responses from more than 6,000 consumers who recently purchased a 1995 to 2000 model-year vehicle. J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the Internet at www.jdpa.com.