BMW eyes super sales at eBay

Car manufacturer BMW has opened an Internet shop on eBay UK which is selling parts and accessories direct to consumers for the first time, reports The Independent.

The German carmaker hopes it can accelerate sales. Previously, BMW owners wanting to purchase genuine parts, such as brake discs and car care products, had to place orders through a dealership, but now they can buy them at BMW Direct on the popular auction Web site.

While BMW is the first carmaker to open a store on eBay UK, more than 100 high-street retailers use the site as an additional sales channel.

Carl Sanderson, GM of after-sale development at BMW, says: “We recognise there are customers who wish to buy BMW products but do not necessarily want to travel to a BMW dealer to make a purchase.”

All items sold through BMW Direct are offered with free postage and packaging and are covered by a two-year BMW warranty, he added.

The fact that there are 600 000 searches a month on eBay UK for BMW shows the size of the potential customer base for the car maker, writes e-Consultancy.

There are already plenty of sellers dealing with this demand, but the fact that parts are official and come with a two-year guarantee will no doubt persuade many customers to switch.

BMW joins a growing number of established retail brands that have begun selling on the site over the last few years, as eBay continues to expand beyond its original auction model.