I know what you are thinking GM is trying to sell cars every way they can. GM just got out of bankruptcy protection a few days ago. They have formed a joint venture with eBay. This is just a trial venture for right now.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — More than 225 General Motors dealers in California will sell vehicles through the eBay online auction site in a four-week trial, the companies announced Monday.
Under the program, which begins Tuesday, consumers will be able to bargain with the dealers for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac cars and trucks from model years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The program ends Sept. 8.
The new car shopping website, gm.ebay.com, will feature a “wide selection” of up to 20,000 new GM vehicles at “competitive prices,” the companies said in a press release.
Customers will be able to buy cars outright at the advertised price using the Web site’s “Buy It Now” option. Alternatively, customers can suggest a price under the “Best Offer” option, which may then be negotiated with the dealer.
“Together with eBay Motors, GM and our dealers are reinventing the car-buying experience for our California customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of U.S. sales, in a statement.
Will this be the way of the future for people that are looking to buy a car? It is a great idea, but it will pit GM dealers against other GM dealers to compete with price. I do not think that a one-month trial will be long enough for this venture unless they go ahead with a lot of advertising in California. Everyone should look for the best deal on the Internet when they are looking for a car.
I know a lot of dealers already advertise on eBay and other auction sites. This allows GM to get all their current dealers on the same playing field. Will this work? Only time will tell.
-John Botch
laserburnmedia.com
john@laserburnmedia.com
