Under the program, which will start on August 11, GM will sell Chevrolet, Pontiac, GMC and Buick models on the popular auction site, with the transaction being handled by a nearby dealership. It will begin on a trial basis initially, with 225 GM dealerships in California participating for now.

GM says the site will enable consumers to "browse hundreds of California dealer online showrooms, ask questions, negotiate prices, and arrange financing/payments" on selected 2008, 2009, and 2010 models.

eBay's familiar "Buy It Now" and "Best Offer" options will also be in play. "Buy It Now" will allow consumers to purchase a vehicle at a pre-set price while "Best Offer" gives room for consumers to negotiate with the dealer. Another unique feature is the ability to compare pricing across models and participating dealerships

According to GM's vice president of U.S. sales, Mark LaNeve, "Together with eBay Motors, GM and our dealers are reinventing the car-buying experience for our California customers. As the dealer showroom expands from the parking lot to the laptop, this makes it easier for a customer to browse available new-car inventory, make an offer, buy it now, or send a message asking for more information from a dealer - all at the customer's convenience."

Buyers can enter the 'virtual dealership' at gm.ebay.com and chevy.ebay.com, and also access them from the main eBay site. The trial will run in California from August 11 to September 8.