Hyundai cars to be sold on Amazon from next year

Amazon’s ever-expanding online store may soon offer an unexpected big-ticket item alongside its array of oddities – brand new vehicles. While South Africans can’t purchase cars on Amazon yet, a new Hyundai partnership will allow Americans to buy directly on the platform starting next year.

Under the collaboration, Hyundai becomes the first automaker enabled for Amazon sales in a dealership-like experience. Shoppers can browse localized inventory, select vehicles, trims and options, then checkout via Amazon’s existing payment mechanisms.

Cars can either be collected personally or delivered to a specified dealership. The deal also brings Alexa integration to Hyundai’s US models. And while not confirmed, it potentially opens the door for Amazon to distribute Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics’ infamous Atlas and Spot robots.

For now, South Africans will have to watch from afar as Amazon tests automotive waters Stateside with Hyundai as its inaugural guinea pig. But once operational kinks are smoothed, expanded automotive offerings seem inevitable as the retail giant continues aggressively expanding its boundless online supermarket.

Given Hyundai’s global presence, South African orders through Amazon could one day become reality too. But in the interim, locals can only imagine securing their next vehicle alongside homewares and the latest bestsellers.