Amazon, Hyundai Partner On Online Car Sales, In-Car Services

Amazon and Hyundai recently announced a partnership that will see the carmaker become the first brand in Amazon's planned entry into online auto sales through the inclusion of Amazon-Alexa built-in apps to future Hyundai vehicles.
According to the automaker's announcement, "next-generation" Hyundai vehicles will offer the same Alexa experience as users get at home beginning in 2025. Alexa will allow drivers to control smart-home functions as well as play music podcasts or audiobooks, set reminders, update to-do lists and check calendars.

Real-time traffic and weather information, as well as voice control for navigation systems, will be built into the Alexa functionality. Even when internet access is limited, "certain" features will be available.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) was also named as Hyundai's "preferred cloud provider." It is part of Hyundai's goal to "become a more data-driven organisation with a cloud-first technology strategy.”



Nikkei Asia recently reported that the carmaker will be the first brand to participate in Amazon's online car sales push, beginning in 2024. 

Hyundai customers will be able to use Amazon to search for Hyundai cars in their area, including petrol cars, hybrids and the company's growing portfolio of electric vehicles such as the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kona EV, then check out online with their preferred financing or payment options and arrange delivery from a local dealership.

Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker told insideEVs that the automaker has about 150 million reasons to give this plan a shot.

"They've got about 150 million Amazon Prime customers, right?", Parker said in an interview with InsideEVs at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Thursday. He added that many millions more in America alone visit the e-commerce megastore every month. "That's a huge audience to tap into. And so I think this is a really good partnership to try to revolutionize the industry."
"If you want to add accessories, insurance, financing – it's an end-to-end car buying experience 100% on the platform," Parker said. "But if you really want to go kick the tires, you still have the option of going straight to the dealership."