In a significant development, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Hyundai announced on Thursday that they would commence selling Hyundai vehicles online in the United States, with the service set to launch in 2024. This collaboration builds upon a previous agreement announced two years ago, which aimed to enhance Hyundai’s digital showroom on Amazon.com, offering customers the ability to configure vehicles, calculate prices, and locate dealers for finalizing purchases.
Under the upcoming initiative, customers will have the convenience of shopping for, customizing, and purchasing a Hyundai vehicle directly through Amazon.com. After making their selections, customers can then schedule delivery through a local Hyundai dealer, streamlining the online car-buying process.
Hyundai’s initial foray into the digital space with Amazon occurred in 2018, establishing its first digital showroom. The latest version of this collaboration was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, signaling an expansion of the partnership between the tech giant and the automotive company.
Furthermore, as part of the newly announced agreement, buyers of new Hyundai vehicles in 2025 will gain access to Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, directly from their cars. This integration aims to enhance the in-car experience for users, offering voice-activated capabilities for a variety of functions.
Hyundai Motor CEO Jay Chang expressed excitement about the expanded partnership, stating, “Partnering with one of the world’s most customer-centric organizations unlocks incredible opportunities as we continue to expand our portfolio, grow our sales network, transition to electrification, and realize the future of smart mobility.”
The move underscores the ongoing trend of automakers and tech giants joining forces to redefine the car-buying experience and integrate cutting-edge technologies into vehicles, marking a significant step toward the future of automotive retail.
Featured Image: Unsplash @ The Punisher
