Hyundai has strengthened its collaboration with Amazon by expanding their digital retail partnership, offering customers a seamless online car buying experience in 48 U.S. cities. Building on their initial partnership in 2018, the automaker and the e-commerce giant have launched a program through Amazon Autos that allows customers to configure and price Hyundai vehicles before completing the sale at a local dealership. This initiative enhances transparency and convenience in the car-buying process while adhering to state dealer franchise laws.
The partnership, which began with Hyundai’s digital showroom launch on Amazon in 2018, has now grown to include a comprehensive online vehicle configuration tool. Customers can select trim and color options, calculate pricing, and schedule pickup times at Hyundai dealerships. Jin, an Amazon representative, expressed enthusiasm for the exclusive partnership with Hyundai, highlighting plans to expand the program with additional brands.
“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,” – Jin
Transparent Pricing and Simplified Trade-Ins
A key feature of the program is its transparent pricing model, which eliminates the need for negotiation—a significant advantage for buyers who prefer straightforward transactions. The trade-in process is also simplified, allowing customers to drop off their old vehicles at the dealer when collecting their new Hyundai models. An independent third party provides trade-in values, which can be applied toward the purchase price.
The initiative is available in major metropolitan areas including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and San Francisco. By listing inventory on Amazon Autos, Hyundai dealers can connect with millions of potential Amazon customers. Steven Suh of South Bay Hyundai in Torrance, California, described this move as transformative for dealership-customer relationships.
“Listing our inventory on Amazon is a game-changer for how we connect with car buyers,” – Steven Suh
Amazon Autos not only enhances customer convenience but also circumvents state dealer franchise regulations that have historically restricted direct sales models like that of Tesla. Customers pick up vehicles from local dealerships, ensuring compliance with local laws. This strategic approach aligns with Hyundai’s broader digital transformation efforts, including plans to integrate Amazon’s Alexa in vehicles by 2025.
The partnership has demonstrated its potential to streamline the car-buying journey while maintaining transparency and customer satisfaction. Amazon’s commitment to feedback from both customers and dealers underscores its dedication to continually refining this innovative shopping experience.
“We’re partnering with dealers and brands to redesign car shopping—making it more transparent, convenient, and customer-friendly,” – Fan Jin
Author’s Opinion
The expanded Hyundai-Amazon partnership is an exciting step towards modernizing the car-buying process, offering consumers greater convenience, transparency, and a more straightforward purchasing journey. By combining the reach and technological innovation of Amazon with Hyundai’s established market presence, the collaboration creates a win-win for both customers and dealerships. The elimination of price negotiations and the simplification of trade-ins will undoubtedly appeal to many buyers, while the partnership’s careful adherence to state laws ensures that the model can be scaled successfully. This initiative signals a future where digital retailing is seamlessly integrated into industries traditionally reliant on in-person transactions, setting a new standard for how we approach major purchases like automobiles.
Featured image credit: DennisM2 via Flickr
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