Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — with no journey to the supplier or perhaps a check drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that customers may purchase their subsequent automotive by Amazon in the event that they lived in one in every of 48 main U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland by “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.
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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; for the time being 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 after I tried out the brand new function.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that customers 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 in a position to 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 Recommend Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing by Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally in a position to 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.
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is just promoting Hyundai autos, so automobiles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it would add automobiles from different producers in 2025.
Nonetheless, the choice can be restricted in value, with the most affordable automotive promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier 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 Amazon Autos felt like purchasing on Amazon, so I felt proper at dwelling. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim shade on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in a listing 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 seems to be.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automotive and full my complete order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the value and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less disturbing to have the entire course of on-line, it is usually much less private. And I can not assist questioning if I am getting the perfect deal on-line or if I’d be higher off getting in 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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