Did you know that Costco in Mexico sells cars?  Not through their Costco Auto Program, but actually through the stores?  GS Motors imports 3 different body styles from First Auto Works in China, and they are currently selling the cars for just over $5,000.00 (USD).  They have sold 4,000 cars in Mexico through stores like Wal-Mart and Costco.   What’s interesting is that the president of GS Motors, Kathleen Ligocki (previously president of Ford of Mexico), believes that these Chinese-designed cars could be coming to a Costco near you.  Granted, she thinks it is about 5 years out and by that point the cars will be manufactured in Mexico, though still designed in China.  There is also talk of hybrids and plug-in electric cars from this same company being sold in the US too.

It’s an interesting idea to think that you could actually purchase your car at Costco.  I wonder how they handle it in the store.  Do you think that they have a car there on display?  Can you test drive it before you purchase?  How do they handle vehicle registration and licensing?  Can you buy it and take it home the same day or is it an order only kind of thing?  And do you get your 2% back if you have an Executive Membership?  And what about quality issues; can you take the car back to Costco if it has problems or you don’t like it?  Will they provide any maintenance services like they do if you buy your tires there?

Would you buy one of these Chinese cars at Costco?  Would you buy a car at Costco if it were a maker you were familiar with, like Toyota or Ford?

You can read more about this topic at either of these news stories:

• Cleantech Group: Chinese electric cars at Costco?
• Hybrid Cars: Coming: Cheap Chinese Cars at Costco?