Ford Motor (NYSE:F) appears to be getting into the online market in the hopes of selling its cars online, specifically in China. Ford is planning to partner with Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) to test car sales through the Chinese giant’s online retail platform.
In particular, Ford is interested in the “Automotive Vending Machine” retail concept from Alibaba’s Tmall. This is where cars are stored in a multi-story parking garage, and then picked up vending machine style after a client has browsed through the options on their smartphone. When the client arrives at the garage, the car selected is delivered down to them on the ground floor. The client will be able to test the vehicles on site before buying.
Through this model, China’s Ford dealers would still get to service cars sold through Tmall.
An Alibaba executive has said that the company wants to “make buying cars as easy as buying a can of Coke.” The company predicts the model could help customers buy new cars in just five minutes.
Earlier in the week, Ford said that it plans to launch 50 new cars in China by 2025, including eight all-new SUVs, at least 15 electrified vehicles and an all-electric vehicle partnership with its Anhui Zotye joint venture.
Ford is also in the process of developing self-driving cars with China’s top online search provider Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU).
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