Park and Click: Autos on the Web

Whether savvy shoppers or wheel-obsessed looky-loos, Web surfers have an abundance of choices these days in seeking vehicle news and information. Witness the growth in the last few years in manufacturer Web sites.

A recently released survey by Automotive Marketing Consultants Inc. of San Diego rated 40 such sites, with a panel of auto and computer industry experts assessing some three dozen measures of quality. Toyota Motor Sales USA was named best site for its ease of navigation, extensive product information and virtual showroom.

In the two years since its first survey, AMCI (on the Web at https://www.amcitesting.com) has found that many sites have reduced clutter while maintaining such popular features as price calculators, online credit applications and dealer locators.

How do you get started? Just boot up and check out the following list of selected auto manufacturer URLs:

AM General (https://www.hummer.com)

Audi (https://www.audi.com)

BMW (https://www.bmwusa.com)

Buick (https://www.buick.com)

Cadillac (https://www.cadillac.com)

Chevrolet (https://www.chevrolet.com)

Chrysler (https://www.chryslercars.com)

Daewoo (https://www.daewoous.com)

Daimler-Benz (https://www.daimler-benz.com)

Dodge (https://www.4adodge.com)

Eagle (https://www.eaglecars.com)

EV-1 (https://www.gmev.com)

Ferrari (https://www.ferrari.com)

Fiat (https://www.its.it/its/html/WelcomeEng.html)

Ford (https://www.ford.com)

General Motors (https://www.gmbuypower.com) or (https://www.gm.com)

GMC (https://www.gmc.com)

Honda/Acura (https://www.honda.com)

Hyundai USA (https://www.hyundaiusa.com)

Infiniti (https://www.infinitimotors.com)

Isuzu (https://www.isuzu.com)

Jaguar (https://www.jaguarcars.com)

Jeep (https://www.jeepunpaved.com)

Kia North America (https://www.kia.com)

Lamborghini (https://www.lamborghini.com)

Land Rover (https://best4x4.landrover.com)

Lexus (https://www.lexususa.com)

Lincoln (https://www.lincolnvehicles.com)

Mazda (https://www.mazdausa.com)

Mercedes-Benz (https://www.mbusa.com)

Mercury (https://www.mercuryvehicles.com.)

Mitsubishi (https://www.mitsucars.com)

Nissan (https://www.nissan-usa.com)

Oldsmobile (https://www.oldsmobile.com)

Panoz (https://www.panozauto.com)

Peugeot (https://www.peugeot.com)

Plymouth (https://www.plymouthcars.com)

Pontiac (https://www.pontiac.com)

Porsche (https://www.porsche.com)

Rolls-Royce/Bentley (https://www.rolls-royceandbentley.co.uk)

Saab (https://www.saabusa.com)

Saturn (https://www.saturncars.com)

Subaru (https://www.subaru.com)

Suzuki (https://www.suzukiauto.com)

Toyota (https://www.toyota.com)

Volkswagen (https://www.vw.com)

Volvo (https://www.volvocars.com)