Ford Teams Up with Amazon to Supercharge Used Car Sales

Ford has partnered with e-commerce giant Amazon to boost its used car sales through the online retailer's Autos platform. The move marks a significant expansion of Amazon's car sales business, which was initially launched with Hyundai last year. As part of the partnership, customers will be able to shop for, finance, and purchase certified pre-owned Ford vehicles directly on Amazon Autos. According to Ford, customers can browse a participating local dealer's inventory directly through Amazon's website, complete most of the paperwork online, and then schedule a time to pick up the selected vehicle. The partnership still maintains dealerships as a key revenue driver for Ford, ensuring that the company's traditional sales channels remain intact. Any certified pre-owned vehicle sold by dealers on Amazon Autos comes with a money-back guarantee, allowing customers to return the vehicle within 14 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first. The partnership is expected to give a significant boost to Ford's used car sales, which have been a growing segment in the automotive industry. According to a report by Cox Automotive, the used car market in the United States is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025, up from $1.1 trillion in 2022. The partnership with Amazon is expected to help Ford tap into this growing market, with the company's certified pre-owned vehicles being made available to a wider audience. Amazon Autos functions like the rest of the broader Amazon e-commerce ecosystem, allowing shoppers to search for available vehicles from participating dealers by model, trim, color, and features. Customers can also secure financing and e-sign paperwork via the Amazon Autos site, making the car-buying process more streamlined and convenient. The partnership with Ford marks a significant expansion of Amazon's car sales business, which has been growing rapidly since its launch last year. The company's Autos platform has already made available a range of new and certified pre-owned vehicles from various manufacturers, including Hyundai. The addition of Ford's certified pre-owned vehicles to the platform is expected to give customers more options and increase the platform's appeal. Ford's partnership with Amazon is also seen as a strategic move to stay ahead in the competitive automotive industry. The company has been investing heavily in digital transformation, with a focus on creating a seamless and connected customer experience. The partnership with Amazon is expected to help Ford achieve this goal, while also providing customers with a more convenient and accessible way to purchase certified pre-owned vehicles. In terms of numbers, Ford's certified pre-owned vehicles are expected to be available on Amazon Autos in all 50 states, with over 1,000 participating dealerships. The company has also stated that it plans to make its certified pre-owned vehicles available on Amazon Autos in other countries in the future. Overall, the partnership between Ford and Amazon is expected to have a significant impact on the automotive industry, with the potential to disrupt traditional car sales channels and create new opportunities for customers. As the used car market continues to grow, the partnership between Ford and Amazon is likely to be a key player in shaping the future of car sales.