Amazon will sell new cars on its platform in the United States next year. The e-commerce giant made this announcement this Thursday, November 16 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in collaboration with Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, which will be the first brand sold on the site.
The e-commerce platform specified that customers will be able to choose their preferred models and features online. They can then pick up the car at their local dealership or have it delivered to their home. Financing options will also be available on Amazon.
“Hyundai is a highly innovative company that shares Amazon’s passion for trying to make our customers’ lives better and easier every day,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement.
Until now, car buyers could search for deals on Amazon, but couldn’t make their final purchase on the site.
The virtual assistant Alexa in the association
The partnership with Hyundai includes Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant, which will be present in car models from 2025.
Although Amazon’s plan includes cooperation with dealers, direct sales to customers have increased in recent years in the United States, led by Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers that cut out traditional dealer middlemen.
Automakers like Ford are trying to take advantage of the commercialization of electric vehicles to reduce their dependence on dealers, which end up making vehicles more expensive.
US companies that sell used cars online saw their share prices fall following Amazon’s announcement. Shares of auto retailers CarMax and Carvana plunged more than 5%.
Source: BFM TV
