Amazon expands its automotive business into the used car market, piloting a full-process e-commerce car purchasing in Los Angeles

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Amazon (AMZN.US) is accelerating the advancement of its online car platform business, expanding its service scope to the used car and certified used car sectors. According to the latest announcement, this e-commerce giant will partner with Hyundai dealers to open its used car and certified used car inventory to consumers in Los Angeles starting August 4, further deepening its layout in the automotive sales field. The Amazon Automotive platform is dedicated to providing customers with a transparent and convenient one-stop car buying experience. Users can complete the entire process from selecting a car to transaction directly through the Amazon website, which sharply contrasts with Costco's (COST.US) car program that only offers member inventory searches and pre-negotiated price recommendations. Fan Jin, Global Director of Amazon Automotive, stated: "Customer satisfaction with the car buying experience on the platform continues to rise, and in the current macroeconomic environment, the demand for online car purchases is showing an upward trend, creating a favorable development environment for us." Since its launch at the end of 2024, the platform has expanded from an initial testing phase with select Hyundai dealers and internal employees to 130 cities across the United States. However, Amazon has not disclosed the specific number of cooperating dealers or platform transaction data. Fan Jin pointed out that for dealers to achieve a complete e-commerce experience, they need to complete technical system integration, including real-time inventory synchronization, dynamic pricing updates, and deep integration of transaction processes with dealer management systems. This expansion marks a strategic upgrade for Amazon in the automotive sales sector. By integrating online resources with dealer networks, the platform not only simplifies the traditional car buying process but also attempts to redefine consumer expectations for automotive e-commerce. With the addition of the used car market, Amazon is gradually building a comprehensive automotive sales ecosystem covering new cars, certified used cars, and regular used cars