All About Japan Autos

People have been buying cars on eBay for years. Now Kia and eBay are simplifying the process by joining forces.

“Kia Motors America (KMA) and eBay Motors have created a nationwide new vehicle online shopping experience, the first for a major OEM brand on eBay,” Kia Motors reports in a press release. “Through the program, more than 345 Kia dealers have signed up to list their entire stock of new Kia vehicle inventory online. From the comfort of their own home environment, consumers can search and shop new Kia vehicle inventory across all participating dealers and make offers online through eBay’s ‘Best Offer’ option.”

The Associated Press thinks this is a smart move. “Kia, quoting research firm J.D. Power and Associates, said Internet auto shopping is up 17 percent so far this year, and 79 percent of all auto shoppers use a third-party website before making a purchase.” Kia’s sales are also up 14.6 percent this year, and the automaker hopes eBay will increase growth.

Edmunds cautions that “[w]hile this removes the face-to-face negotiating that most people dread, buyers will still have to visit the dealership and conclude the deal in the finance and insurance office where additional products and services will be pushed on them. Also, it’s important for consumers to make an educated offer — one that is low enough to leave negotiating room but high enough to let the dealer know they are serious buyers.”

Also, as a new shopping medium, buyers need to read the fine print before they buy online. For example, if someone makes an offer on a car, and the seller accepts it, the buyer must pay.

Edmunds continues, saying, “While the Kia eBay program isn’t perfect, it is another tool for car shoppers. If Kia makes the pricing attractive and expedites the delivery process, this will be a major step forward for car buyers.”

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