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AMAZON has just launched a virtual car dealership with Hyundai – and drivers think the move is long overdue.
Drivers can now buy a whole car on Amazon for the first time ever.
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The company’s first move into the world of car shopping is called Amazon Auto.
It is partnering with Hyundai dealers in 48 cities across the US to list the vehicles on its website.
Customers can browse for their car, order it, find financing and sort delivery, all on Amazon.
For now, Hyundais are the only vehicles available on Amazon, but more may be rolled out in the future.
The company announced the move in a statement.
“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,” Fan Jin, global head of Amazon Autos, said in a statement.
“We’re excited to have Hyundai as our exclusive launch partner and look forward to welcoming more brands and expanding our selection to customers as the program grows.”
Amazon first announced it was getting into the auto market last year.
Previously, customers could browse car showrooms and compare prices on Amazon, but couldn’t buy a car.
Now, Amazon will act as the middleman between the customer and the dealership.
Many customers expressed support for the move, and said they were surprised it hadn’t come sooner.
“Buying a car was one of the worst customer experiences ever,” one user wrote.
“Can’t believe it took this long.”
“Kinda surprised this hasn’t happened sooner tbh,” said a second.
Although a third expressed a concern that they wouldn’t be able to test drive the vehicle first.
“I would like to drive a car before buying,” they said.
Tips on buying a used car
When looking to buy a used car, U.S. News & World Report experts have a few tips before walking onto the sales lot.
- Set a realistic budget. Some cars are more expensive to insure and register than others depending on engine type, body style, weight, and the amount of doors. Before being swindled by a crafty salesman, it’s important to know what you can and can’t afford.
- Researching what car would fit best into your lifestyle can save a lot of time. Would a sedan work better for your garage or narrow street? Would a truck meet hauling or towing needs? Knowing what suits your needs can narrow down your options.
- Look into certified pre-owned cars. Certified pre-owned cars are backed by the manufacturer and come with comprehensive warranties at affordable prices. Some manufacturers have better deals on CPO cars, so research diligently.
- Not all financing options are created equal. Depending on where you look to finance, if that’s on the table, be very careful about who you finance with. Your best option would be to get preapproved by your bank before going in to give you an idea of what rates are affordable, and to give a dealership incentive to meet or beat those rates.
- Consider a used car inspection. Depending on where you’re buying a vehicle from, you can opt to pay roughly $200 for a used car inspection to have key components examined by an expert.
- Consider a vehicle history report. When things get close to signing, buying a vehicle history report based on the VIN can help clarify the previous owners, maintenance records (if it was taken to a dealership), title status, and more.
Source: U.S. News and World Report
Amazon is making its pitch to car dealers by claiming it can offer “a new sales channel that connects them with millions of Amazon customers,” the company said.
In an added perk to new customers, Amazon is offering a $2,300 gift card for anyone who buys a car through the site.
The card can be applied to vehicle purchases, but customers have to act fast.
Amazon’s offer ends on January 10, 2025.
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