Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — with out a journey to the vendor or perhaps a check drive.
The retail large announced on Tuesday that customers may purchase their subsequent automotive via Amazon in the event that they lived in one among 48 main U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland via “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.
Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans so as to add further producers and cities within the coming yr, the corporate stated. The vehicles are all new and begin at $22,500 in value. They embody 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 other online car retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally characteristic used vehicles on the market; in the intervening time Amazon solely gives new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automotive from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged once I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that customers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disillusioned. Clicking right into a automotive, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be in a position to see an in depth value breakdown, all the way down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the vendor charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing via Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally in a position to estimate the month-to-month fee based mostly on the down fee 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.
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Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is simply promoting Hyundai automobiles, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it’s going to add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, 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 accessible on the market on the time of writing.
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Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automotive via Amazon Autos felt like buying on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like value, mannequin yr, and trim shade on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in an inventory sorted by value within the middle.
Though the automotive product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos appears to be like.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automotive and full my total order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the value and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less irritating to have the entire course of on-line, it is usually much less private. And I can not assist questioning if I am getting one of the best deal on-line or if I might be higher off moving into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automotive from Amazon — for now.
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