Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is foraying into car sales through partnerships with dealership groups, including AutoNation Inc., USA’s largest new-vehicle retailer.
CarSaver, an online auto retail platform will launch the program on April 1 at about 25 Wal-Mart Supercentres.
Customers will be able to select a new, used or certified pre-owned vehicle and apply for financing and insurance on the kiosk at the CarSaver Center.
CarSaver, Wal-Mart and auto lenders conducted a pilot version of the program in Stuart, Florida in April 2016. Ally Financial has signed onto the program as the preferred lender after participating in the pilot.
The Wal-Mart program gives Ally an opportunity to build another channel and improve the customer experience. Wal-Mart is expanding itself in a market no one expected it to enter. This is what competition does to companies, it compels them to wade into uncharted waters.
