Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — with out a journey to the seller or perhaps a check drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that customers might purchase their subsequent automotive by way of 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 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 automobiles are all new and begin at $22,500 in value. They embrace fashions just like the Hyundai Kona, Sonata Hybrid, and Elantra.
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 characteristic used automobiles on the market; in the intervening time Amazon solely presents new automobiles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automotive from Amazon? Listed below are the professionals and cons that emerged once I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that customers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t dissatisfied. 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 ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the seller charged in comparison with the Producer Recommend Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing by way of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of 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 automotive, how a lot mileage it had on it, and the phrases of the producer’s guarantee.
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is barely promoting Hyundai automobiles, so automobiles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it should 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 seller costs. There aren’t any used automobiles out there on the market on the time of writing.
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Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automotive by way of Amazon Autos felt like purchasing on Amazon, so I felt proper at residence. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim coloration on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in an inventory sorted by value within the heart.
Despite the fact that 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 total 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 hectic to have the entire course of on-line, it’s also much less private. And I can not assist questioning if I am getting the very 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 automotive from Amazon — for now.
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