GM-eBay program launching this week

Today General Motors and eBay are going to announce the start of their previously reported trial that will allow hundreds of GM’s California dealers to sell new cars and trucks through the online marketplace. Buyers will be able to bargain about the prices and trade in their old car for money toward a new one under the government's just-refilled "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus program.

The program that is set to start Tuesday will include about 225 of California's 250 GM dealers. They will be selling Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles on cobranded Web sites through eBay's online auto marketplace, eBay Motors, until Sept. 8. Starting tomorrow eBay visitors will be able to visit Web pages like gm.ebay.com and chevy.ebay.com, where they can browse new 2008 and 2009 vehicles, ask dealers questions and figure out financing.

These cobranded sites will also include the tool currently available at eBay Motors to figure out if the buyers are eligible for the government’s "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus.

Customers who decide to purchase a vehicle will be offered two options as it is the case at eBay Motors: they will be able to negotiate a price with a dealer through the site or buy right then at a fixed price. Cars will be picked up at the dealerships.