With the launch of BMW‘s next-generation i-models, the German car manufacturer is also looking for new ways to sell its lineup of green machines. Tim Abbott, BMW’s UK Managing Director, has expressed an interest in more flexible test drive times, a mobile sales force for the i-models, and turning to the Internet for online sales.

Abbott spoke about how test drives could become more flexible, with catering to customers at odd hours of the day and taking the vehicle to them for a test drive. But more importantly is BMW’s hope to turn online for future car sales for the BMW brand. “That could even stretch to selling cars online, with the back up of our existing dealers of course. eBay manages it, so why can’t manufacturers sell cars online too?” Abbott said.

Lastly, BMW is also looking into changing the usual three-year buying cycle around, possibly offering customers the ability to swap out their electric vehicles for a more flexible sedan (5-Series for example) when the customer wants to take a long trip. Essentially a system of car swapping could be possible with just a 12-hour notice.

Will BMW successfully spearhead the change of convention dealerships and having to deal with a physical salesperson to purchase a car? We sure hope so, everything else can be bought online these days.

GALLERY: BMW i3 and i8

[Source: BMWBlog]

We know the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is more affordable than last year’s car, but really, $5995? That’s the price that three individual cars will be offered when sold through the Gilt Groupe as part of a special promotion.

The first car will be available for sale in a three-day flash sale program (December 15, 16 and 17).

On the first day, the sale will only be accessible via Gilt mobile phone apps on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices; from December 16th it will be made available on Gilt.com.

Volkswagen is the first automaker  to offer vehicles for sale on Gilt, ,a flash based website that peddles ‘premium’ products to its members. Perhaps it’s a sign of things to come.