Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with no journey to the vendor or perhaps a check drive.
The retail large announced on Tuesday that consumers might purchase their subsequent automobile by means of Amazon in the event that they lived in one among 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 12 months, the corporate mentioned. 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 other online car retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally characteristic used vehicles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely affords new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed below 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 upset. Clicking right into a automobile, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be capable of see an in depth worth breakdown, right down to the carpeted flooring mats ($210) and the way a lot the vendor charged in comparison with the Producer Recommend Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing by means of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of 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 just promoting Hyundai automobiles, 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 also be restricted in worth, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and vendor prices. There are not any used vehicles accessible on the market on the time of writing.
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Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automobile by means of Amazon Autos felt like buying on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like worth, mannequin 12 months, and trim coloration on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in an inventory sorted by worth within the middle.
Despite the fact that the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos appears.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits 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 worth and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less demanding 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 stepping into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
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