Marque to sell cars through Amazon
Hyundai Motor Company and Amazon have announced a strategic partnership to create a digital storefront for selling the carmaker’s vehicles.
Under the collaboration, Amazon will launch online sales of the South Korean marque’s models in the US next year.
The deal also sees Hyundai naming Amazon Web Services as its preferred cloud provider to help facilitate digital transformation, and the Alexa Built-in experience coming to its next-generation vehicles.
Andy Jassy, Amazon’s chief executive officer, says: “Hyundai is a very innovative company that shares Amazon’s passion for trying to make customers’ lives better and easier every day.
“Our broad, strategic partnership should do just that, from changing the ease with which customers can buy vehicles online, to making it simple to use Alexa in Hyundai vehicles for entertainment, shopping, smart home adjustments, and calendar checks.”
The deal between the companies was announced at the recent 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Dealers will be able to sell vehicles in Amazon’s US store from 2024 and Hyundai will be the first brand available for customers to purchase.
The digital shopping experience will allow consumers to buy a new car online and either pick it up or have it delivered by their local dealership.
Hyundai explains shoppers will be available to search for vehicles in their area based on a range of preferences, including model, trim, colour, and features. They can then choose their preferred car and check out online with their chosen payment and financing options.
The partnership will also see customers who purchase Hyundai’s next-generation vehicles from 2025 able to access the hands-free Alexa experience, commonly used in people’s homes, while in their car.
Dealers have given a positive reaction to the development, reports Automotive News, saying they know they have to meet customers where they are “and much of that time that’s on their phone or laptop”.
Hyundai’s US Amazon “store” will showcase the retailers’ inventory and dealers will set their vehicle price but, like everything else on Amazon, consumers lose the ability to haggle or negotiate once the price is listed.
However, Amazon executives say dealers can adjust their prices anytime they want.
Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai’s president and chief executive officer, says Amazon is the ideal partner to help it improve how people and goods move more efficiently and sustainably.
“Hyundai is the first automotive company available for full end-to-end transactions in Amazon’s US store and this is another example of how we continue to push for ways to elevate the customer journey together with our outstanding retail partners.”
