Tesla Motors (TSLA) has announced plans to partner with Alibaba's Tmall.com service, used in the same vein as eBay but only with verified sellers, to ship its Model S cars. This will be one of the many ways for Chinese customers to buy the Model S.

This is not the first time Alibaba has sold cars through its Tmall service, but Tesla Motors is one of the first supercar sellers in the country using the service. The majority of car sales still go through car dealerships, similar to the U.S. and Europe.

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Tmall.com has been a small revenue source for other car manufacturers, such as General Motors (GM) and Ford (F), who both have large stakes in the Chinese motor industry. The most recent figures from General Motors point to China as their strongest market, above the U.S. in overall sales.

Tesla Motors also sells the Model S at their own showrooms in China - their biggest source of customers. China is one of Tesla's top-markets, but the car manufacturer still receives most of its revenue from U.S. customers.

The Chinese government currently has rather low regard for electric vehicles, making it harder for Tesla Motors to scrape a profit in the country. In Norway, for example, the government has implemented new sales tax cuts, gives free parking for all Tesla cars, and allows Tesla drivers to use the bus lane.

This has allowed Tesla to bring their motors and stations into the country without having to worry about huge expenses. Other European countries are looking to adopt similar policies for electric cars, giving customers more reason to go gas-free with their next car purchase.

Tagstesla motors, Tmall.com, Model S, China cars