Starting in 2024, people in the market for a car for the first time will be able to buy a vehicle on Amazon, the e-commerce giant and Hyundai Motor Co. announced on Thursday.
Dealerships will be able to sell the Korean company's vehicles directly to customers on Amazon's website, which currently lets people pick a vehicle from multiple manufacturers but not actually make the purchase. Customers who buy a Hyundai on Amazon will have the choice of picking their vehicle up at a nearby dealership or having it delivered. 
"This new shopping experience will create another way for dealers to build awareness of their selection and offer convenience to their customers," Amazon and Hyundai said in a blog post. 
The developments are part of a trend of "offering up digital automotive retail channels, which are seamless and familiar experiences for today's consumers," Edmunds told CBS MoneyWatch in emailed comments. 
"Our experts say the Amazon collaboration wouldn't be starting that trend since digital retailing has already grown significantly, spurred on by the pandemic. Rather, Amazon is simply a well-known name playing in that space," a spokesperson for the online car reviewer said.
"Consumers want to buy cars online but also want the option to use digital tools while at the dealership," Lori Wittman, president of retail solutions at Cox Automotive, told CBS MoneyWatch
Overall, the collaboration between Amazon and Hyundai represents a strategic move to tap into the growing trend of online car shopping while addressing legal constraints. The success of this initiative will likely depend on factors such as consumer acceptance, the convenience offered by the new shopping experience, and the ability to adapt to evolving consumer preferences in the automotive retail sector.