In the current global market environment, where Internet-related business alliances are becoming the order of the day, one big-name firm after another is getting on the bandwagon.
In a flurry of activity that could presage more new rounds of mergers and partnerships between non-Net and Internet companies, the world's two largest automakers have signaled to the marketplace that they plan to sell cars on their Web sites.
Soon after the world ushered in the new year, General Motors Corp. struck a deal with America Online Inc. to help consumers buy GM vehicles over the Internet. Ford Motor Co. has followed suit and signed a similar agreement with Yahoo! Inc., the world's largest Internet portal and search engine. Then came news that Time Warner Inc. has joined hands with AOL.