From United Press International

DETROIT -- Automotive experts laughed when eBay began selling used cars online, but by 9 a.m. every day, eBay sells more cars than a dealership sells in a year.

The Detroit Free Press reported Monday eBay sells a sports utility vehicle every nine minutes, while a Ford Mustang sells every 40 minutes.

The average vehicle on eBay gets at least eight unique visitors -- more than a dealer enjoys. Last year, $4.5 billion worth of vehicles, automotive parts and accessories sold on eBay. And this year such sales are forecast to be more than $7 billion.

"We're extremely pleased," said Simon Rothman, vice president and general manager of eBay Motors. "I wish we could say we planned it all this way. But it's just sort of happened."

Copyright 2004 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

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