I am a firm believer in the free enterprise system, but we all need a liitle fresh air to breath. Not necessarily green but fresh.

Wal-Mart continues their march to use every square foot of the United States and turn us into one gigantic indoor box store. Who needs to worry about energy when you can use your shopping cart for all of your transportation needs.

In another Wal-Mart first, the mega retailer is hooking up with a company called Live X to create the “Live X Auto Exchange,” an electronically enhanced auto trading service that will set up shop on the floor of two Phoenix area stores. Instead of buying Rice Krispies and Fruit of the Loom, you can now buy Chevrolets and Scion’s.

I guess you can shop for cars, on your computer, in the privacy of your own home, but some people just need to get pushed around in a crowded hot store with their parka zipper stuck to the top.

The virtual “showroom” will feature music, televisions and computer screens to bring sellers and buyers together. And just to make sure you understand that this “experience” is somewhat automotive related, there will be one car on each showroom floor to attract potential buyers into the environment.

Trading assistants will be at the two test showrooms to help people navigate through the online inventory of automobiles, which will feature new and used cars from dealerships around the Phoenix area.

Live X Auto has an exclusive arrangement with Wal-Mart. It is an electronic trading platform that combines a virtual trading experience bringing car buyers and sellers together. Financing can be approved on the spot with several lenders including Wal-Mart's local phoenix partner, Desert Schools Credit Union.

 There is a three-day, 500-mile exchange policy on most cars.

If you think this idea is new and creative look to Sears back in the early 1950’s. In a little automotive history nugget, Sears contracted with Kaiser to build a version of Kaiser’s Henry J sedan. The cars carried the Allstate brand and appeared in the 1952 and 1953 Sears Catalog. The compact 2-door sedan was not what post-war Americans wanted and the contract with Kaiser was cancelled. Still almost 2,500 cars were sold via catalogue.

Still the whole thing is pretty amazing. You can go on a casual shopping visit to Wal-Mart and end up leaving with a $30,000 bill. I wonder if they take pennies?