Amazon is about to add cars to the massive product range that it already sells online. Hyundai has signed a partnership with Amazon, as announced by both companies ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Starting next year, the deal will enable the carmaker to sell cars on Amazon.
The car purchase experience as we know it is about to end. We will soon resort to buying them online and having them delivered home. Tesla is doing it, Rivian is doing it, too. And this is where Hyundai is going.
The multi-year agreement signed with Amazon makes the South Korean automaker the first-ever car brand available on Amazon. Customers will benefit from a new shopping experience and will be able to simply purchase the car online, pick it up, or have it delivered by their local dealerships at a convenient moment for them.
They will be able to check certain filter boxes, choosing their preferred area, model, trim, color, and equipment. They will also be able to choose the payment method and financing options, everything online, with just a few clicks, like buying a book or a microwave oven, for instance.
The move will help Hyundai prioritize business cases, such as manufacturing and supply chain, optimze production, and reduce costs, all while increasing focus on development.
Hyundai also partnered up with AWS as its preferred cloud provider. Therefore, the next-generation Hyundai models will integrate Alexa Built-in. The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, which has just made public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, as well ast he new Hyundai Sonata, are two of the cars that will get this feature. The first examples will be delivered starting in March 2024.
This will make life easier on board, as drivers will be able to select various methods of entertainment, do online shopping, check their calendar, and do smart home adjustments. Therefore, starting in 2025, Hyundai owners will access the hands-free Alexa experience they have at home also in their car. They can ask Alexa to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
Alexa will be able to assist them with setting reminders and update to-do lists or will warm up their house on the way home when asked to do so. Double-checking door are locked and managing smart lighting will also be on the menu. All will be carried out with voice control. That is also how the drivers will be able to command the infotainment system or media player, for instance.
Before they roll out cars with Alexa Built-in, AWS and Hyundai designed and implemented a Master Builder training and certification program, which will introduce Hyundai engineers to critical cloud skills.
The Hyundai dealers will not be forced to join the Amazon online sales program, but will be welcome to opt in. Right now, eBay is one of the platforms that sells cars online.
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