Amazon also starts selling used cars online

Amazon continues its development in the automotive sector with an important step forward. After launching Amazon Autos for the sale of new vehicles, the platform now introduces the possibility of purchasing used and certified cars directly online. An evolution that represents another piece in the diversification strategy of the company led by Andy Jassy.|

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The innovation fits into a much broader context of Amazon’s interest in the automotive world. The company has already demonstrated its willingness to invest in this sector through the acquisition of the self-driving startup Zoox and its investments in Rivian, a manufacturer of electric vehicles. However, until now, the possibility of directly purchasing a car on the platform had remained a pipe dream.

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First tests in Los Angeles

The service dedicated to used cars will debut in Los Angeles, becoming a test to assess the response of the American market. Once again, it is clear that this is not a random geographical choice. The Californian metropolis is in fact one of the most dynamic automotive markets in the United States, with a population attentive to technological innovations and accustomed to online shopping.

Dealers in the area are now allowed to list their used vehicle inventory on the Amazon platform, allowing customers to browse the available offers with the same ease with which they would purchase any other product. The integration takes place within the existing Amazon ecosystem, thus offering a familiar shopping experience to users already accustomed to using the platform for their daily purchases.

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What guarantees for consumers

Naturally, to overcome possible resistance, Amazon has decided to differentiate itself from the competition by focusing on particularly advantageous guarantees for consumers. The platform offers a return policy of either

• 3 days
• 300 miles (about 482 km)

allowing buyers to effectively test the vehicle before finalizing the purchase.

In addition to the return policy, Amazon guarantees a minimum limited warranty of

• 30 days
• 1,000 miles (about 1,609 km)

on all vehicles listed on the platform. These conditions far exceed the standards offered by traditional dealerships, demonstrating the company’s intention to build trust in the new market segment and attract initially skeptical customers to online car purchases.

The partnership with Hyundai as a starting point

It should be noted that the launch of the used car service is based on the already existing partnership between Amazon and Hyundai, strengthening a collaboration that had already led to the creation of digital dealerships in 48 U.S. cities for new vehicles. This synergy with the South Korean brand thus offers Amazon a solid base from which to gradually expand the service.

The choice to start with Hyundai is also strategically interesting given the current commercial context. The brand is in fact navigating a complex period for the international automotive sector, with the Trump administration’s trade policies introducing 15% tariffs on products from South Korea. The partnership with Amazon therefore represents an opportunity for Hyundai to diversify its sales channels and, additionally, a tool to reach new customers through an already established platform.

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Plans for future development

Amazon has also clarified that the current launch in Los Angeles is only the beginning of a very large project. The company has announced its intention to extend the service to other U.S. cities, and that new car brands will gradually be added to its offering. This gradual expansion strategy should allow Amazon to refine the service based on feedback from early users.

It is also clear that, despite Amazon’s large size and firepower, geographical and brand expansion is a major challenge for the e-commerce giant. As such, building new partnerships with dealerships and car manufacturers will be essential. However, Amazon can rely on its proven experience in managing complex markets and, of course, on the trust the brand inspires in American consumers.

There is therefore considerable optimism that Amazon will achieve its ultimate goal — becoming a benchmark for car purchases as well, leveraging the convenience and reliability that already characterize the other sectors in which the company operates.