Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — and not using a journey to the supplier or perhaps a check drive.
The retail large announced on Tuesday that buyers might purchase their subsequent automobile by way 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 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 worth. They embody 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 function used vehicles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely gives new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed below 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 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 worth breakdown, all the way 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 fee primarily based 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 autos, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it is going to add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can be restricted in worth, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier fees. 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 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 middle.
Though the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method straightforward 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 total 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 irritating to have the entire course of on-line, it’s also much less private. And I am unable to assist questioning if I am getting one of the best deal on-line or if I’d be higher off getting in individual.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
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