Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with out a journey to the seller or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail large introduced on Tuesday that consumers might purchase their subsequent automobile by way of Amazon in the event that they lived in considered 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 further producers and cities within the coming 12 months, the corporate stated. The automobiles 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 different on-line automobile retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally characteristic used automobiles on the market; in the meanwhile Amazon solely presents new automobiles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged after I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that consumers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disillusioned. Clicking right into a automobile, 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 way of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of 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 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 simply promoting Hyundai autos, so automobiles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it’ll add automobiles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can also be restricted in worth, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and seller costs. There aren’t any used automobiles 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 buying on Amazon, so I felt proper at residence. There have been classes like worth, mannequin 12 months, and trim colour on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by worth within the heart.
Despite the fact that the automobile 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 should purchase a automobile and full my whole 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 nerve-racking 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, in the end dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
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