On May 20th, auto business unit of Alibaba announced to provide parallel imported cars and related services to customers. Shanghai Free Trade Zone, which is the first experimental unit of parallel imported cars in China will be cooperative partner of Alibaba. The flagship store on Tmall will be on line at the end of May.
Mr. Wang, the general manager of Alibaba auto business unit, told reporter they would focus mainstream models of 10 to 20 imported car brands and form a complete network of over 30 cities in half a year, solving the problems of product, component, after sales, license, installing and service. In fact, Mr. Wang and his team visited the auto market in Shanghai Free Trade Zone in March. He also told reporter there would be around 10 models at first and future target was 20 models. Alibaba will cooperate with trade centers and enterprises of parallel imported cars authorized by related government sectors, guaranteeing the quality and service standard at the same time.
In accordance with information, customers could place order of parallel imported cars on Tmall and get the cars in Shanghai or Shenzhen, enjoying three guarantees services. Alibaba will provide the quality guarantee of 3 years or 60,000 kilometers and free first insurance for customers, aiming to solve the concerns of customers.
Mr. Wang also said there would be more actions according to the schedule of Alibaba auto business unit, which were promotion in June, auto installment in early July, App for owners at the end of July, secondhand cars recycling in August and wholesale payment by the end of October.
