Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with out a journey to the vendor or perhaps a check drive.
The retail large introduced on Tuesday that buyers may purchase their subsequent automobile via 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 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 mentioned. The vehicles 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 automobile gross sales, Amazon joins a market already occupied by different on-line automobile retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally characteristic used vehicles on the market; in the mean time Amazon solely gives new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged once I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that buyers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t dissatisfied. Clicking right into a automobile, 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 vendor charged in comparison with the Producer Recommend Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing via 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 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 may quickly disappear: Amazon says it is going to add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can also be restricted in value, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and vendor fees. 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 via Amazon Autos felt like buying on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim coloration on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the heart.
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 reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automobile and full my whole order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being concerning the value and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less demanding 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 perfect deal on-line or if I’d be higher off getting 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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