Link: Amazon’s online car dealership with Hyundai is now live

Today marks a significant milestone as Amazon introduces the option to purchase cars via its platform with Hyundai as its exclusive launch partner in 48 US cities. This new venture, called Amazon Auto, allows customers to explore, buy, arrange financing, and schedule deliveries from the comfort of their home.

Unlike previous services which only permitted browsing and price comparison, Amazon Auto now enables the complete purchase process. Amazon acts as the intermediary in these transactions, maintaining the dealership as the final seller.

The initiative not only simplifies car buying for consumers but also offers dealers a massive new sales channel. With over 310 million active users, Amazon’s appeal to both shoppers and dealers is clear.

To make the deal even more attractive, Amazon is offering a $2,300 gift card for vehicle purchases up till January 10th, 2025. This incentive is designed to draw early users to its new automotive sales platform.

Car buying has often been criticized for its frustrating dealership experiences. However, by partnering with dealers, Amazon is making the process more consumer-friendly without breaching the traditional dealership model.

Tesla's push for direct-to-consumer sales has begun changing laws and consumer expectations, paving the way for initiatives like Amazon Auto. While dealership associations have resisted such changes, Amazon’s model preserves the dealer’s role, potentially smoothing the transition for the industry. #

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.