Starting Tuesday, GM dealers throughout California will begin selling their new cars on eBay. Consumers will be allowed to bid on Chevy, Pontiac, Buick and GMC brand vehicles. They will also be able to compare prices from other California dealerships, browse showrooms, ask questions, and arrange financing. Buyers will also be able to find out the worth of their trade-in, and if it qualifies for the Cash for Clunkers government rebate program.

Though some GM dealers have been using the internet to sell cars for some time, this new step makes the practice more official. As a part of GM's financial turnaround project, the partnership with eBay means easier access to new cars for consumers.

"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," said Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of U.S. sales.

eBay has been selling used cars for some time now, through eBay Motors. This will be the first time, however, that new cars will be sold.

"With 12 million individual car shoppers visiting our site every month, eBay Motors has unique insight into how people prefer to buy their cars," said Rob Chesney, vice president, eBay Motors. "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."

Consumers will be able to buy GM cars on eBay through September 8th. GM and eBay have both said that if this trial run is successful, they would like to expand the program nationwide.

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