You can now buy cars on Amazon

The next time you’re scrolling through Amazon, you might add something much bigger than electronics or home goods to your cart: a brand-new car.

With the launch of Amazon Autos, the online retail giant has officially entered the automotive market, allowing customers in 48 U.S. cities including New York, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Miami, San Antonio, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa, to buy new Hyundai vehicles directly through the e-commerce website.

This marks a bold leap for Amazon, which has spent years integrating its technology into cars with features like Alexa but has now shifted gears to sell the cars themselves.

Amazon is kickstarting its auto sales with Hyundai as the exclusive launch partner and collaborating with dealerships to ensure a seamless buying experience. The vehicles come from local dealers, but the buying process is now handled through Amazon's familiar interface.

The purchase is designed to function much like the rest of the Amazon ecosystem eliminating some of the headaches associated with traditional dealerships. There’s no negotiation or upselling—just transparent pricing that includes all taxes and fees.

You will be able to filter for the exact model, trim, colour, and features you want, secure financing, trade in your old vehicle, and even e-sign paperwork, all from the comfort of your couch. After finalizing the purchase, you can schedule a time to pick up your car from the dealership.

One thing Amazon says users need not worry about is accidentally buying a car with one click. The process requires a deliberate series of steps, starting with a “Begin Purchase” button so you can be sure not to cop a shiny new Palisade or Ioniq 5 from just scrolling on Amazon.

What does it mean for Amazon and the auto industry?

With the rise of platforms like Carvana and AutoTrader, online car shopping is nothing new, but those services largely focus on used cars. Amazon is shaking things up by offering only new vehicles, starting with Hyundai and planning to add more brands in 2025. The company is also working on expanding to leasing and international markets, which could open the door to a massive shift in the way cars are bought and sold.

This move positions Amazon at the forefront of a sector that’s expected to hit $39 billion in the U.S. alone by 2028 and a staggering $722.8 billion globally by 2030, according to according to Astute Analytica. And as demand for online car sales grows, Amazon has the infrastructure and reach to dominate.

Its promise of transparent pricing, no awkward negotiations, and an intuitive buying experience is likely to appeal to a new generation of car buyers. Automakers, too, could benefit from partnering with Amazon, gaining access to its massive audience while simplifying the buying process for customers.

If Amazon’s gamble pays off, a future where buying a car is as effortless as buying groceries might be closer than we think.

But for now, Amazon Autos is just getting started. With availability in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami and further collaboration with other car manufacturers, the question isn’t only whether Amazon’s model will change car buying, there is also the question of how quickly competitors will follow suit.