Ford has made a huge decision toward modern car buying by allowing people to buy their vehicles directly through Amazon. This means that you will be able to buy a Ford car the same way you buy clothes, books, or home products (and on the same platform). This update was especially thought of for those who want to avoid the long (and sometimes uncomfortable) process of visiting a dealership. So, let’s see why Ford is doing this in more detail.
Ford and Amazon
Ford, one of the most important vehicle brands in the world, announced that people will be able to buy certified used vehicles directly on the Amazon website. With this decision, the company becomes the second brand to sell vehicles on that platform, since Hyundai did it before.
The most striking thing is that this option is thought for people who prefer saving time by not going to a dealership, because it’s way more comfortable to check the cars and buy the one you want by clicking.
It’s important to mention that the actual sale still goes through Ford’s authorized dealerships. Amazon simply provides the online storefront where the cars are displayed and purchased.
What vehicles will be available?
The company won’t offer all of its models on Amazon, at least by now. It will only be available certified used vehicles, which means used cars that have gone through detailed inspections and meet specific quality standards.
These vehicles come with special warranties and guarantees, giving buyers confidence that the used car they choose is in excellent condition. In other words, customers are buying used vehicles, but ones that have been checked carefully and approved by experts.
Since this is a new program, Ford is starting in just three major cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas. This way the company can study how clients react before spreading the project to more places.
Simpler and modern experience
Today many people prefer skipping spending hours at a dealership because some of them feel pressure, others don’t have enough time, and others just find it uncomfortable. So, many automotive companies are working to offer simpler and digital shopping experiences.
For example, Tesla already sells its cars directly to customers through its website, completely avoiding traditional dealerships. This gives Tesla a big cost advantage and makes the buying experience much simpler.
However, Ford and General Motors cannot use the same model because U.S. state laws require them to sell through franchise dealerships. Even so, Ford has been working to offer a more modern and online-friendly experience, especially with its electric vehicles.
How many dealerships will be part of this?
Ford reported that between 160 and 180 dealerships are interested in being part of the new program, and 20 of them are constantly working to start selling vehicles online on Amazon. This shows that, inside the Ford dealership network, there is strong enthusiasm to modernize the buying experience and reach customers in new ways.
Is the purchase completely online?
Even though most part of the process is done through Amazon, not everything is 100% digital. Clients could: browse available cars, view photos, check detailed information, and complete the purchase process.
However, the cars won’t be delivered to the clients’ homes as it happens with other products bought on Amazon. So, once you finish your purchase, you must go to the chosen dealership to pick up your vehicle. This is because dealerships still legally handle the final steps of the sale and must physically hand over the vehicle.
Do you think what Ford is doing should be more common because it is a positive change?