Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — with no journey to the supplier or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that buyers may purchase their subsequent automotive via Amazon in the event that they lived in considered 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 extra producers and cities within the coming 12 months, the corporate stated. The automobiles 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 different on-line automotive retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally function used automobiles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely presents new automobiles.
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 function.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that buyers 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 capable of see an in depth value breakdown, right down to the carpeted flooring mats ($210) and the way a lot the supplier charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing via 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.
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Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is simply promoting Hyundai autos, so automobiles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it can add automobiles 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 supplier expenses. There are not any used automobiles 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 dwelling. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim colour on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the middle.
Although 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 can purchase a automotive 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 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 one of the best deal on-line or if I might be higher off getting 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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