Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — with out a journey to the vendor or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that customers may purchase their subsequent automotive by means of Amazon in the event that they lived in one in every of 48 main U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland by means of “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.
Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans so as to add extra producers and cities within the coming yr, the corporate stated. The vehicles are all new and begin at $22,500 in value. They embrace fashions just like the Hyundai Kona, Sonata Hybrid, and Elantra.
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In turning to on-line automotive gross sales, Amazon joins a market already occupied by different on-line automotive retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally function used vehicles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely affords new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automotive from Amazon? Listed below are the professionals and cons that emerged after I tried out the brand new function.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that customers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disenchanted. Clicking right into a automotive, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be capable of see an in depth value breakdown, right down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the vendor charged in comparison with the Producer Recommend Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing by means of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of estimate the month-to-month cost primarily based on the down cost and mortgage time period.
The product web page additionally transparently outlined the situation of the automotive, how a lot mileage it had on it, and the phrases of the producer’s guarantee.
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is barely promoting Hyundai autos, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it’ll add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nonetheless, the choice can be restricted in value, with the most affordable automotive promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and vendor prices. There aren’t any used vehicles out there on the market on the time of writing.
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Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automotive by means of Amazon Autos felt like procuring on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like value, mannequin yr, and trim coloration on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the heart.
Although the automotive product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos seems to be.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I can purchase a automotive and full my total order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the value and attempting to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less anxious to have the entire course of on-line, it is usually much less private. And I am unable to assist questioning if I am getting the very best deal on-line or if I’d be higher off entering into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, in the end dissuaded me from shopping for a automotive from Amazon — for now.
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