Amazon is placing its personal spin on automotive gross sales — and not using a journey to the vendor or perhaps a take a look at drive.
The retail large introduced on Tuesday that buyers may purchase their subsequent automotive by Amazon in the event that they lived in one among 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 yr, the corporate stated. The automobiles 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 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 characteristic used automobiles on the market; in the intervening time Amazon solely presents new automobiles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automotive from Amazon? Listed below 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 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, all the way down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the vendor charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Worth (MSRP).
Pricing by Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally in a position to 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 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 should add automobiles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can also be restricted in value, with the most cost effective automotive promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and vendor costs. 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 buying on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like value, mannequin yr, and trim shade on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the middle.
Despite the fact that the automotive product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method straightforward to navigate.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I can purchase a automotive and full my whole order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the value and attempting to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less aggravating 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 very best deal on-line or if I’d be higher off entering into individual.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automotive from Amazon — for now.
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