After eBay rebutted General Motors’ announcement that the two would team up to “simplify” the car buying process, the automaker confirmed today that a trial online car buying program for California will begin tomorrow and last through early August. The program will set up participating Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac dealers with eBay auctions that allow buyers to “Buy it Now” or make offers.
GM says that more than 225 California dealers will participate, though apparently the program was not fitting with GM’s Cadillac, Saab or Hummer premium brands.
Dealer inventories will be put online with what GM calls “competitive” prices and buyers will have the option of either clicking “Buy it Now” (if they agree to the advertised price) or “Make Offer” to negotiate the price down further. Buyers will be able to compare participating dealer prices.
The cars will be listed on gm.ebay.com beginning August 11 and the program will run through September 8. If successful, the program will undoubtedly be spread to other states.
“Together with eBay Motors, GM and our dealers are reinventing the car-buying experience for our California customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM sales vice president in a statement released by the automaker. “As the dealer showroom expands from the parking lot to the laptop, this makes it easier for a customer to browse available new-car inventory, make an offer, buy it now, or send a message asking for more information from a dealer – all at the customer’s convenience.”
It is unclear how the new program will affect dealers that already list their inventories and conduct sales on eBay.
