You can now buy a car from Amazon

In the United States, Amazon has officially launched a new initiative that allows customers to purchase vehicles online. As of December 10, 2024, shoppers can browse for Hyundai cars directly on Amazon's website. This new service is currently available in 48 cities and is designed to create a seamless shopping experience for potential car buyers. Customers can search for their desired Hyundai model, choose various features like color, and even arrange financing through the site. The process aims to simplify significant purchases by making it easy for users to select their vehicle and complete their order in just a few clicks. According to Fan Jin, Amazon's global head of automotive, this initiative improves the customer experience while also providing local Hyundai dealers with a new way to reach a broader audience. By listing their inventory on Amazon, dealers can leverage the e-commerce giant’s extensive customer base. Once a selection is made, customers can sign all necessary paperwork digitally and choose a convenient time and date to pick up their vehicle at a local dealership. Moreover, the initiative includes a smart trade-in option whereby customers can drop off their old vehicles when collecting their new Hyundai. Although this move by Amazon may reflect a growing trend toward online car buying, it is important to note that it is designed to work in conjunction with existing local Hyundai dealerships, not to replace them. As Steven Suh, a general sales manager for Hyundai, remarked, having their inventory listed on Amazon represents a significant transformation in how they engage with car buyers in an increasingly digital economy.