Houston Walmart Stores Will Begin Selling Cars on April 1

HOUSTON, TX — Many people shop at WalMart for daily staples, such as toilet paper and milk. But cars?

Yes. Beginning on April 1, Houstonians will be able to walk into select local Walmart stores and select, purchase, and insure an automobile of their choice.

Walmart has partnered with CarSaver on the venture, which will also launch in Dallas, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City (and nationwide within two years if all goes well), according to a news release from War-Mart. CarSaver kiosks will be set up in the stores and serve as the sales center for the car program.

New and used autos will be available through the program, which is following Costco's car sales program. According to Automotive News, Costco sells about 1,000 cars per year at each of its U.S. stores, a number that Walart hopes to match. After a customer selects the car of their choice at a Walmart store, CarSaver will connect them with a local dealership, where they will complete the deal.

CarSaver will be paid a "success fee" of $350 in most states for every car it helps sell, and in some states may charge a subscription fee. Walmart has also partnered with Ally Financial and AutoNation for the program.

— Image courtesy Creative Commons/Aled Betts