You can now buy a new car on Amazon. The retail giant has launched Amazon Autos, enabling people across the U.S. to purchase their next vehicle via the online shopping platform like ordering groceries.
Announced on Tuesday, Amazon Autos allows customers to browse vehicles which are available at local participating dealers. Users can also filter results according to model, trim, colour, fuel type, and other features. Though Amazon Autos only offers Hyundai vehicles at launch, Amazon plans to add more automotive brands next year, allowing people to browse by make as well.
Amazon states that Autos customers can choose a vehicle, secure financing, electronically sign the relevant paperwork, and place their order "with a few clicks," "streamlining" the process of buying a car. The company's famous delivery service doesn't apply to Amazon Autos, though. Once a purchase is finalised, shoppers will be directed to choose a date and time to pick up their new car from a local dealership themselves.
“We’re partnering with dealers and brands to redesign car shopping — making it more transparent, convenient, and customer-friendly," said global head of Amazon Autos Fan Jin. "With Amazon Autos, we’re bringing the simplicity and ease customers expect from Amazon to car shopping, one of their largest purchases, while offering dealers a new channel to connect with a broad audience."
Of course, the nature of online shopping does mean Amazon Autos eliminates a few previously ubiquitous elements of purchasing a new car, for better or for worse.
Amazon Autos offers no opportunity to haggle, with set prices keeping costs "transparent" but preventing customers from attempting to negotiate a better deal. There also seems to be no option to test drive vehicles to see if you like how they feel, or any sales associates to consult about whether a different car might better fit your transportation needs. Some may miss that human interaction, however others will no doubt consider the lack of salespeople to be a point in Amazon Autos' favour.
Customers can trade in their current car by answering questions about its condition to have it valued, then dropping it off when they pick up their new one. New functionality such as leasing and additional financing options will also be added next year.
Amazon initially announced that it had partnered with Hyundai to sell its cars online in the U.S. last November. The retail giant's move into the auto market has been predicted since at least 2017, when it struck deals with several auto parts vendors.
Amazon Autos is only available across 48 U.S. cities at launch, with plans to expand to more locations next year. As of Dec. 2024, Amazon Autos is available in:
Atlanta
Austin
Baltimore
Beaumont-Port Arthur
Birmingham
Boston
Champaign/Springfield
Charlotte
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbia
Columbus
Dallas
Denver
El Paso
Fond Du Lac
Ft. Myers/Naples
Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York
Harrisonburg
Hartford
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Los Angeles
Miami
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Nashville
New York
Orlando
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Portland
Providence
Raleigh-Durham
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Sheboygan
Springfield
St. Louis
Tampa
W. Palm Beach
Washington D.C.
