The e-commerce space is ever evolving, and Amazon is almost always at the forefront. What started off as a platform to buy books, has now become the go-to online platform to buy almost everything under the sun. But the company just doesn’t want to take a break. Throughout the year, there were rumblings about Amazon partnering with auto brands around the world (Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi, etc.) to offer virtual showroom and buying experiences on its online platform. The news soon died down, but now, it looks like Amazon has finally cracked the problem and has announced that starting next year, customers will be able to buy EVs on its online e-retail platform. Korean auto giant, Hyundai, will be the first brand to be offered to customers.
How will it work?
It looks like Amazon will open up a dedicated automotive section on its online platform. Here, carmakers, in this case, Hyundai, will build their own virtual showroom, where customers can get a virtual tour of the various EVs available for purchase, and if they like something, they will be given the option to make the purchase of the EV right then and there. Once the payment scheme has been finalised (more on this when we receive word), customers will be able to choose if they want the car delivered to their doorstep, or if they would like to collect it from the dealership.
Amazon will presumably tie up with all major Hyundai dealerships in order to make the program a success and also ensure the seamless availability of Hyundai EVs. If this works out, other automakers will definitely follow suit, and soon enough, we will be able to buy cars, the way we buy other stuff on Amazon.
When asked about why Hyundai was the one to partner first, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that “Hyundai is a very innovative company that shares Amazon’s passion for trying to make customers’ lives better and easier every day,”.
This deal will also allow Hyundai to tap into Amazon’s HUGE customer base and hopefully tap up a few new customers as well. This is definitely a head start for the brand, who are in the race to be a top EV manufacturer. This move is also a long term home run for the company as it has already announced its intention to integrate a full fledged Alexa experience into their cars as well as cars sold by its sister company, Kia.
Would you be interested in buying a car on Amazon, or will you still prefer the more personal dealership visit? Let us know in the comments. Stay tuned to this space for more updates on this.
