Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with no journey to the supplier or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that customers might purchase their subsequent automobile by way 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 way 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 12 months, the corporate mentioned. 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 automobile gross sales, Amazon joins a market already occupied by different on-line automobile retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally function used vehicles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely presents new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged once 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 upset. Clicking right into a automobile, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be in a position to see an in depth value breakdown, right down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the supplier charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing by way of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally in a position to 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 automobile, how a lot mileage it had on it, and the phrases of the producer’s guarantee.
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is just promoting Hyundai autos, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it would add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nonetheless, the choice can be restricted in value, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier 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 automobile by way of Amazon Autos felt like purchasing on Amazon, so I felt proper at dwelling. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim coloration on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the middle.
Despite the fact that the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method straightforward to navigate.
How Amazon Autos seems to be.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automobile and full my complete order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being concerning the value and attempting to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less traumatic to have the entire course of on-line, it’s also 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 entering into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, in the end dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
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