The Facts
Online retail giant Amazon last Thursday at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show announced that next year it would start selling Hyundai cars on its website.
Previously, Amazon allowed shoppers to research and compare vehicles in its digital showrooms, but there was no mechanism for purchasing one through Amazon.
The Spin
Narrative A
This move into car sales is part of Amazon's natural progression to making everything easier for consumers. The complex task of purchasing a vehicle will now be as simple as buying any product on the e-commerce giant’s site. Best of all, this market disruption will be done in partnership with local car dealers instead of against them. It's a win all around.
Narrative B
It remains to be seen how many people will feel comfortable purchasing a vehicle online. Vehicle options and financing can be complicated without an in-person dealer to assist with the shopping process. The simplicity of the interface is going to be key, as will managing the expectations of the users who are used to Amazon Prime seamlessly delivering their orders. Much remains to be known if Amazon can successfully lurch into the online auto industry.
