Where once buying a car meant travelling to a dealership and speaking directly with forecourt dwellers, this is changing. It is estimated that at least 2,800 dealerships could disappear in the US alone by 2020. So in 2014, how exactly are people going about purchasing a new set of wheels?

Research has found that 65% of global online users across 60 countries intend to buy a car in the next two years, with an "emotional love of driving" being the main reason behind this. But with less and less people applying for a driving license, is car ownership only a dream?

The desire to own and drive your own car used to be a life-defining characteristic for young Brits – but its importance is fading. And it’s the same case in other countries too, from the US and Germany to Japan and Australia. But why? And how is the car industry responding?

The stereotypical car salesperson puts people off, with 40% of Brits saying they’d be more likely to buy a car if they could avoid talking to staff. With this in mind, Hyundai has partnered with online retailer Rockar to open the UK’s first digital dealership in Bluewater.