Eurekar, the internet-based car importer, wants to set up a series of strategic partnerships with automotive retailers after cutting its ties with Jamjar.com, the online car retailing venture established by Direct Line and Dixon Motors. It says it aims to get back to its roots and work with dealers as a car-importing partner.

Over the next 18 months, Eurekar hopes to link up with as many as 80 garages in a bid to sell 400 cars a month. It claims it already has one partner - a yet undisclosed dealership in Yorkshire. With most of the firm's work done online, director Peter Tregory says working with dealers will give the firm a “proper retail face”.

“There is nothing to stop a dealer talking to another dealer on the continent but it's about knowing the right people to talk to,” says Tregory. “We have the contracts, we have the experience and we have the know-how to deliver an extra £400-£600 saving per car to dealers.”

Eurekar had previously worked with DC Cook to import cars from Europe and continued to work with retailers during its partnership with Jamjar.com. Sources close to the deal say problems started when Royal Bank of Scotland, the firm that owns Jamjar.com backer Direct Line, bought Dixon Motors. Insiders say that both companies were moving forward - but in different directions.