The world's most profitable company is dipping its toes into car sales, Automotive News reports. Wal-Mart is partnering with several dealership groups including AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest new-vehicle retailer, to introduce car sales in 25 Wal-Mart stores across the southwest.
There will be staffers on hand to help buyers through the process, but the experience will happen at a CarSaver kiosk. Wal-Mart shoppers will be able to peruse their options, apply for financing through Ally and shop for insurance. The system then connects shoppers with a dealership within 15 miles of the Wal-Mart. The kiosks are meant to take some of the stress and pressure out of car shopping
Wal-Mart and CarSaver already ran a pilot program in Stuart, FL, last year and found customers saved $3,000 off the car's sticker price on average, CarSaver's CEO Sean Wolfington told Automotive News. While Wal-Mart would not comment on the roll out, Wolfington said 80 percent of customers who set up appointments at the kiosks with a dealer made a car purchase at the end. That makes the CarSaver kiosks a powerful tool for dealerships. In two years, CarSaver expects to expand in Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
Link: http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/wal-mart-is-going-to-start-selling-cars/ar-AAm8VnW