General Motors has further detailed its plan for selling cars online through its Shop-Click-Drive program.
“We want people to start buying cars over the internet.” CEO Dan Akerson said in a conference call with industry analysts, reports the Detroit Free Press. Akerson noted the method was “a potential half-step away from our (General Motors) traditional channels.”
About 1,000 customers have bought GM vehicles through the Shop-Click-Drive pilot program launched in January of this year, but fewer than 10 used the program to buy a car without ever visiting a dealership. GM is currently testing the waters with the program, with only 100 dealers in eight states selling cars online. The plan is to extend the program to GM’s 4,300 dealers by the end of the year.
Unlike luxury electric automaker Tesla, GM’s online sales program does not bypass its dealers. Instead, customers can build a car to their desired specification using the program, arrange financing and schedule a test drive, but the sale will still be done through a local dealership.
This new way of buying cars is meant to appeal to a younger generation of car buyers, who research and browse the internet for hours before coming to buy a car.
“We’re trying to evolve, not only from an internal perspective but from an external perspective, to a more 21st-Century information-based marketing company,” said Akerson.
Comments
I wonder how this will impact negotiating? Just this week I was pricing out 2014 Impalas (preliminary, not really looking to purchase) and the dealer I spoke with came down several thousand over the phone apart from any incentives. That’s the type of service I enjoy and the dealerships I’ve spoken with in the past have always been very personable. It seems to me that in a world of instant gratification the car dealership is the final refuge for this type of service.
I have purchased several cars Via E mail.
It let me shop around for the best deal and did not leave me in the dealer being pressured.
My last car I bough I did while at work. I sent them what I wanted and asked for a price. They sent me an Offer. I countered with what I researched as a very good price and told them I would buy it today. They came back and told me I just bought a car.
My first one saved me $8-9K off sticker on a GTP.
I think this would be good if they offer competitive pricing on line. But if they do not give a good price it will fail at least with those who know how to buy from a dealer. It is shocking how many already over pay on a car and have no clue how o shop for a car.
Your idea is very good if the online selection is augmented by offers from several dealers. The salespersons will still get their commissions.
In this day and age much of todays purchases are now on line. Most sales this year for Christmas will be web sales.
It is only natural that the dealers and GM work to sell online.
The only kink in the system is how many shoppers really know what they want or like. They need to make sure cars are available to people who need to test drive them. I am lucky the dealer I work with will toss me the keys to what I want to drive and tell me we will see you later today. Too many people either spend no time or too little time to know if they have chosen the correct car. By the time I buy I know what I want and what I want to pay as I have already done the home work.