Amazon has launched a new service — Amazon Autos — in partnership with Hyundai. Customers in 48 U.S. cities can now browse, order, finance and schedule pickup of new Hyundai vehicles from local participating dealers directly via Amazon.
The streamlined, end-to-end online experience includes vehicle search, trade-in valuation, transparent haggle-free pricing, financing options and online checkout.
While Amazon Autos has initially launched with new Hyundai vehicles only, the service will expand to include additional automotive brands next year, as well as additional cities and features,such as leasing and expanded financing options.
“We’re partnering with dealers and brands to redesign car shopping — making it more transparent, convenient and customer-friendly,” said Fan Jin, Global Head of Amazon Autos in a statement. “With Amazon Autos, we’re bringing the simplicity and ease customers expect from Amazon to car shopping, one of their largest purchases, while offering dealers a new channel to connect with a broad audience. We’re excited to have Hyundai as our exclusive launch partner and look forward to welcoming more brands and expanding our selection to customers as the program grows.”
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How Amazon Autos Works
Customers in the 48 cities where Amazon Autos is now available (listed at the end of this article) can shop for new Hyundai vehicles by visiting amazon.com/autos or searching “Amazon Autos” on the Amazon website or app.
Prospective car buyers can search for available vehicles from local participating dealers by model, trim, color, features and more. The platform includes features that will feel familiar to Amazon regulars, including customer reviews, seller (dealership) reviews and the standard Amazon checkout experience.
Once customers select a vehicle, they can secure financing, e-sign paperwork and complete their order, all on the Amazon platform. After finalizing their payment information, customers will select a day and time to pick up their new car from the local dealership. Amazon Autos promises transparent pricing from local dealers, eliminating the need for negotiation — the price customers see at checkout is the price they will pay, inclusive of all taxes and fees.
Customers also can get a firm trade-in value for their current vehicle by answering questions about the vehicle’s condition. The value, which is provided by an independent third party, can then be applied toward the purchase price of their new car directly within Amazon. At the dealership, customers will complete the trade-in process by dropping off their old car when picking up the new one.
A Potential Game-Changer for Car Dealers
For dealers, Amazon Autos offers a new sales channel that can help them connect with millions of Amazon customers.
“Listing our inventory on Amazon is a game-changer for how we connect with car buyers,” said Steven Suh, General Sales Manager of South Bay Hyundai in Torrance, Calif. in a statement. “It allows us to showcase our vehicles to millions of daily shoppers, while setting our pricing upfront. We can now reach a large local audience with the convenient and transparent experience customers expect when shopping with Amazon. Customers come in excited to pick up their new car and we can build on those customer relationships from there. This experience really positions dealers for success in the modernizing economy.”
The 48 cities where Amazon Autos is now available include: Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas; Birmingham, Ala.; Boston; Champaign/Springfield, Ill.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbia, S.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Denver; El Paso, Texas; Fond Du Lac, Wis.; Ft. Myers/Naples, Fla.; Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Pa.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Hartford, Conn.; Houston; Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Fla.; Los Angeles; Miami; Milwaukee; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; Providence, R.I.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Sheboygan, Wis.; Springfield, Mo.; St. Louis; Tampa, Fla.; W. Palm Beach, Fla.; and Washington D.C.
