Ford Motor Company has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon, enabling dealers to sell the automaker’s certified used vehicles on the e-commerce platform. This collaboration provides consumers with an innovative way to shop for cars and arrange financing online, potentially transforming the car-buying experience.
Starting this week, residents in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas will be the first to test this new shopping framework. Customers will be able to browse local dealerships’ selections of pre-owned Ford vehicles through Amazon Autos, completing most of the necessary paperwork online. After finalizing their choices, shoppers can schedule an in-person pickup for their vehicles. However, Ford has humorously noted that “No Amazon Prime delivery for cars!” will be available, highlighting that the only step that must be completed offline is the vehicle retrieval.
Ford stated that approximately 180 dealers have expressed interest in participating in the program, with 20 already signed up to offer their inventory on the platform. Amazon Autos initially started providing used vehicle listings in August, responding to the growing demand from its dealer partners. It’s important to note that all vehicles sold through Amazon Autos are offered by participating dealerships, with Amazon serving merely as a facilitator for these transactions.
The partnership coincides with a notable rise in new car prices, which hit a record high in September according to Kelley Blue Book. The average cost for a new car reached an unprecedented $50,080 during that month. Although that price has since dropped below the $50,000 mark, the trend indicates a shifting landscape in vehicle sales and consumer purchasing power.
Ford’s initiative follows similar moves in the industry, as other automakers, notably Hyundai Motor Co., have also entered partnerships with Amazon to sell vehicles online. The trend reflects the ongoing evolution of retail in the automotive sector, driven by technological advancements and consumer preferences for more convenient shopping experiences.
