Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — and not using a journey to the seller or perhaps a check drive.
The retail large introduced on Tuesday that consumers might 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 worth. 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 provides new automobiles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automotive from Amazon? Listed below are the professionals and cons that emerged after I tried out the brand new function.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that consumers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disenchanted. Clicking right into a automotive, 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 seller charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing by 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 automotive, 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 automobiles, so automobiles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it is going to add automobiles from different producers in 2025.
Nonetheless, the choice can also be restricted in worth, with the most cost effective automotive promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and seller expenses. There are not any used automobiles obtainable on the market on the time of writing.
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Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automotive by Amazon Autos felt like procuring 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 heart.
Though the automotive 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 reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automotive and full my whole order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the worth and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less traumatic to have the entire course of on-line, additionally it is much less private. And I can not assist questioning if I am getting the very best deal on-line or if I might be higher off stepping into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automotive from Amazon — for now.
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