eBay and GM launch a trial of a ‘click and buy’ car website to boost sales.

eBay and General Motors Company (GM) have announced a joint venture that will enable consumers in the US to ‘click and buy’ new cars online.

From 11 August, through to 8 September 2009, a new car shopping website – gm.ebay.com – will be accessible, allowing consumers to browse a plethora of California dealership online showrooms.

Customers will be able to ask questions, haggle and arrange financing and payment to purchase new 2008, 2009 cars or select a 2010 model. They will also be given the option of the traditional “buy it now” and “best offer”.

Rob Chesney, Vice President, eBay Motors, said of the initiative: “Through this program, we are helping GM dealers to extend their physical showroom while at the same time delivering to our buyers the great deals and broad selection they expect from eBay.”

“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,” commented Mark LaNeve, GM Vice President of US Sales.

According to the 2008 Autoshopper.com survey by J.D. Power and Associates, more than 75% of new car buyers used the web during their shopping and research process, compared with 70% in 2007.

GM has suffered during the economic downturn and has been forced to sell some of its well-known brands including HUMMER and Opel. This initiative is part of GM’s continuing efforts to boost sales.

All four of GM’s existing brands – Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC – will be available.