GM, eBay team up to auction cars online

LOS ANGELES eBay is the nation's most popular online marketplace. And eBay Motors has been the place to wheel and deal on used cars online. But starting Tuesday consumers were able to do that negotiating on new cars and trucks from General Motors.

Tech-savvy Californians were the guinea pigs for the experiment.

"California has been a tough market for General Motors, there's no question about that," said GM spokesman Alan Alder. "It's also a great market for General Motors if we can get people who are experiencing life 'the eBay way,' as they say, to experience the GM product that way."

Just like if you were buying an antique or piece of jewelry on eBay, consumers will be able to click and buy a new vehicle from the comforts of their living room couch.

"They will be able to shop across dealerships. They'll be able to do it from the convenience of their own home," said eBay Motors VP Rob Chesney.

This is one attempt by GM to jump start their business after filing bankruptcy. There are about 225 GM dealers in California participating.

Michael Caudill, who is with the National Automobile Dealers Association, thinks a gimmick like this might not bring the success the auto dealerships are hoping for.

"Going to the dealership is key. People want to touch that vehicle. The second largest purchase a person will make is a car next to their home," said Caudill.

Only this experiment in time will tell if GM has a better idea.

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