On Thursday, August 25, the e-commerce giant Amazon.com issued a press release announcing the official launch of its new car hub ‘Amazon Vehicles.’ Customers will be able to research for automobiles from various automakers, read reviews and ask questions. Nonetheless, the purchase or selling of any car through the website is not definitive yet.
The move follows an ongoing campaign by Amazon aimed at piercing further into the automotive market. The online retailer is getting closer to supporting actual car sales on its popular platform, but in the meantime vehicle parts and accessories is all it actually offers.
The Director of Automotive at Amazon.com, Adam Goetsch, expressed his views on the potential of the new research tool, claiming that a community-driven portal was an ideal way of helping customers make up their minds.
“Our goal is to support customers during one of the most important, research-intensive purchases in their lives by helping them make informed decisions every step of the way,” Goetsch said.
‘Amazon Vehicles’ guides car buyers almost every step of the way
‘Amazon Vehicles’ revolves around three main features as an extension of the original ‘Amazon Automotive’ online store: research, community, and shopping.
The fundamental aspect of the new platform is its detailed search integration, which offers everything from vehicle specifications to customer reviews supported by photo and video evidence. Furthermore, a wide range of cars is registered in the ‘Amazon Vehicle’ database, including new popular models by renowned automakers as well as old-time classics for discussion and research on parts and accessories.
Amazon users have already registered over 30 million cars in the ‘Amazon Garage’ for auto parts searching, so it is expected that a massive community gathers at the new hub to offer some insight and request information about cars they own, intend to purchase, or are simply interested in.
Amazon is paving the way to support a car sales platform
While Amazon still won’t sell any cars online, it certainly isn’t due to a lack of wishes to do so or recent efforts aimed towards it.
Earlier last week Amazon announced a limited program set to roll out exclusively in the Los Angeles area and Orange County, consisting of the delivery of test-drives of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra to Amazon Prime Now subscribers.
Following the completion of the hour-long experience, customers have the option to join Hyundai representatives aboard the vehicle to the nearest dealership to purchase the $17,000 new Elantra.
Amazon has also shown interest in infotainment systems included in last-generation cars, as it recently offered support for its own digital assistant Alexa through home-developed devices in vehicles of the Genesis series.
Source: Amazon