China Car Sales Slump 92% in First Half of February on Virus

Chinese automaker Geely [GEELY.UL] has launched a service for customers to buy cars online and get them delivered directly to their homes, in a bid to drum up sales as the coronavirus outbreak prompts buyers to stay away from showrooms. FILE PHOTO: A building of the Geely Auto Research Institute is seen in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China August 4, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Other carmakers like Tesla ( TSLA.O ), BMW ( BMWG.DE ) and Mercedes-Benz ( DAIGn.DE ) have also started to promote products heavily online in recent weeks as the health crisis escalated and authorities warned people to stay away from public places. Consumers can order and customize their cars on Geely’s website, it said in a statement. It will also offer test drives where potential consumers will be able to arrange a drive starting from their home address in coordination with local dealerships. […]