Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with out a journey to the supplier or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail large introduced on Tuesday that consumers might purchase their subsequent automobile via Amazon in the event that they lived in certainly one of 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 12 months, the corporate stated. The vehicles are all new and begin at $22,500 in worth. 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 characteristic used vehicles on the market; in the intervening time Amazon solely affords new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged after I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that consumers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disillusioned. Clicking right into a automobile, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be in a position to see an in depth worth breakdown, all the way down to the carpeted flooring mats ($210) and the way a lot the supplier 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 automobile, 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 barely promoting Hyundai automobiles, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it should add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can also be restricted in worth, with the most cost effective automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier fees. 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 automobile via Amazon Autos felt like procuring on Amazon, so I felt proper at dwelling. There have been classes like worth, mannequin 12 months, and trim shade on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in an inventory sorted by worth within the heart.
Although the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos seems.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I can purchase a automobile and full my complete order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being concerning the worth and attempting to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less nerve-racking 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 might be higher off moving 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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