General Motors To Sell Car On eBay
Is it going to be cheaper than walk-in?
DETROIT, Aug 10 (Reuters) – General Motors Co and eBay Inc are launching a test program in California that will allow consumers to negotiate with dealers and buy new vehicles online, the companies said on Monday.
The car shopping website — gm.ebay.com — marks a departure from the way new vehicles have traditionally been sold in the United States and is aimed at helping GM recapture lost market share a month after it emerged from bankruptcy.
The online marketplace provides the No. 1 U.S. automaker with a new venue to sell new vehicles as it cuts the number of U.S. dealerships by more than 40 percent to 3,600 by the end of 2010 as part of its efforts to return to profitability.
It also expands an existing partnership covering GM’s certified used vehicles sold through eBay. Most of the vehicles sold on eBay Motors — a site that sells various types of vehicles and auto parts — have been used.
More than 225 GM dealers in California are participating in the program, which will run from Aug. 11 through Sept. 8. GM said it intends to expand the program nationwide if the pilot helps it reach new customers and gain market share.
The website allows consumers to compare pricing across models and participating dealerships, negotiate prices, and arrange financing and payment. Consumers can agree to pay the advertised price or indicate the price they are willing to pay and can negotiate online with the dealer for the vehicle.
More than 20,000 new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac vehicles will be listed initially on the site.
