Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

GM Launches EBay Car Sales

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 11, 2009 4:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – GM is hoping to boost its sales in California with a trial program selling new cars and trucks on eBay, AP reports. Most of the company's dealers in the state have signed up for the program, which will let buyers haggle over the price of new vehicles and determine online whether they qualify for "cash-for-clunkers" using a microsite designed in partnership with eBay Motors.

Customers will be able to buy the vehicles at a fixed price or submit a bid. The trial program will run for a month. Execs hope to expand it nationwide if sales take off in California. Dealers—whose participation in the program is voluntary—say the move is long overdue, while eBay spokesmen say it fits the trend of people becoming more comfortable about making big purchases online.  "New cars are like the next frontier of that," said an eBay Motors spokesman.

General Motors Corp. Chairman Edward Whitacre Jr. addresses the media during a news conference at the company's headquarters in Detroit last month.
General Motors Corp. Chairman Edward Whitacre Jr. addresses the media during a news conference at the company's headquarters in Detroit last month.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
This screen shot provided by eBay, Inc. shows a sample page of GM cars for sale through the eBay online auto marketplace, eBay Motors.
This screen shot provided by eBay, Inc. shows a sample page of GM cars for sale through the eBay online auto marketplace, eBay Motors.   (AP Photo/eBay Inc.)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

EBay is the only way you can buy a car on the Internet without coming to the dealership. It's about control. When the consumer is able to take back to control, that's when they feel empowered. - Nicole Easton, sales director for a California Chevrolet dealer

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
The_Pinkston
Aug 11, 2009 11:40 AM CDT
I would never buy a car on ebay.
newsrmandan
Aug 11, 2009 4:17 AM CDT
The dealership model of business has been outdated in the internet age. I want to order my new car directly from the manufacture. I want to build it piece by piece on a web site put in all the dodads I want and have it delivered in about a weeks time. Or use company outlets/ old dealerships and go pick it up. No more inventory issues because you build them as they are ordered. I think the ebay option is a good step that should have been done years ago.
wwwonderer
Aug 11, 2009 4:00 AM CDT
Exactly. I've seen legitimate companies use eBay as their 'outlet store'. Your buying from a reputable company, I guess. If it reduces costs and eliminates some of the 'middleman costs', then cool. I have a feeling car salesman are the ones getting screwed. Dealerships and Gm should be ok.

More Newser Stories

Automakers Pushing 'Connected' Cars

GM Reclaims World's No.1 Spot

Worst-Selling Cars of 2011

US Has New Luxury Car Champ

Saab Declares Bankruptcy


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne