BMW are set to be the first car manufacturer to sell directly to the public via an online store.
Thanks to a new partnership with the famous auction website eBay, BMW are to become the first ever car manufacturer to sell parts and accessories for their cars direct to owners, with a new online store called 'BMW Direct'.
There has been growing demand over recent years from motoring enthusiasts who want to be able to buy original parts and accessories over the internet. BMW now plan to satisfy this demand with a new online store which will be the company's first venture into the world of e-commerce, and which they hope will be able to reach customers who cannot or do not want to visit a BMW dealer on a regular basis.
Before now owners of BMW cars who wanted to buy original parts would have to make an order through an official dealership, but now parts and accessories such as brake discs or car care products will be available to buy direct from the manufacturer.
BMW are the first car manufacturer to open an eBay UK store, but they join over 100 other household name fashion and home brands who are already selling new products direct to customers, at a fixed price, through the eBay website. Motor parts and accessories are currently one of the most popular categories of goods amongst the 96 million active eBay users around the world.
Everything sold on the BMW Direct site will be delivered with free postage and packaging, and will be covered by the usual 2 year warranty. BMW UK will run the shop front themselves, with BMW Park Lane in London being responsible for processing orders.
The General Manager of Aftersales Development at BMW, a man called Carl Sanderson, said of the new development: "As a premium car manufacturer, we are always interested in understanding customer preferences when it comes to buying products. We recognise that there are customers who wish to buy BMW products but do not necessarily want to travel to a BMW dealer to make a purchase.
"As such we see eBay as the perfect solution for them. By embracing this modern retailing approach, we believe we can engage with and satisfy a number of additional customers through what is a new retail channel for BMW."
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