Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.China's Geely Automobile Holdings, the new owner of Swedish car maker Volvo, will start selling vehicles on China's largest retail website Taobao later this month.
The online store, which was opened Monday for customer browsing, will initially offer the Geely Gleagle Panda compact car, and then gradually be expanded, Taobao said in a statement. Sales will begin on December 22.
China has the world's largest online population, with at least 420 million Internet users.
It also took over the title of the world's top auto market from the United States last year, and the nation's auto sales in 2010 are forecast to reach 17 million units - an increase of about 25 percent year-on-year.
Geely is the first carmaker to create an online dealership on Taobao, the Chinese e-commerce giant said. The car company also has plans to offer models that will only be available online, it added.
Consumers must put down a deposit of 288 yuan (43 dollars) online and then visit the nearest Geely showroom to test-drive the car and confirm the purchase, according to the statement.
Geely bought Sweden's Volvo from US auto giant Ford for 1.5 billion dollars in August, less than a quarter of what Ford paid for the company in 1999.
It has said it wants to expand Volvo's presence in China and other emerging markets, but Volvo was not immediately part of its Taobao initiative.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments