Hyundai to sell vehicles on Amazon starting next year…Partnership.

Amazon Cloud Services Used for Research and Development
AI Assistant Alexa to be Featured in North American Car Models

Hyundai Motor Company has entered into a partnership with U.S. IT company Amazon to offer a new customer experience. Starting next year, Hyundai cars will be sold on Amazon, and future vehicles launched in North America will come equipped with Amazon’s voice-based AI assistant, Alexa.

Hyundai announced on the 17th that it had entered into a extensive and strategic partnership with Amazon at the ‘2023 LA Auto Show’ held at the LA Convention Center in the U.S. on the 16th (local time) to provide customers with innovative and new experiences.

The partnership includes △online car sales on Amazon △selection of Amazon Web Services as the preferred cloud provider △installation of Amazon’s AI assistant ‘Alexa’ in future Hyundai cars, among other areas of collaboration.

Hyundai and Amazon will begin selling Hyundai vehicles in the U.S. through Amazon starting next year, as part of this business agreement. Hyundai is the first brand to enable customers to purchase cars on Amazon.

Customers can complete the entire car buying process on Amazon, from finding cars available for purchase in their desired area based on various options such as model, trim, color, and features, to selecting and finalizing payment and financing options. Dealers can increase their recognition and provide convenience to customers through online car sales.

Hyundai has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS), which boasts the highest level of recognition in the cloud computing industry, as its preferred cloud provider.

Hyundai plans to transition its data operation methods from the current on-premises form to AWS’s cloud form in everything from research and development to customer service, with the aim of becoming a more data-centric company. On-premises refers to a computing environment where all IT resources are owned and operated directly by the user.

Hyundai has decided to prioritize the application of AWS in production optimization, manufacturing and supply chain management, security and disaster recovery, and connected car development.

Furthermore, starting in 2025, Hyundai plans to install Amazon’s AI assistant Alexa in new cars launched in the U.S. Customers can ask Alexa to play music, podcasts, audiobooks, set reminders, modify schedules, check calendars, and more. While driving home, they can ask Alexa to warm up their house, check if the front door is locked, control the lighting, and other various smart home features.

Customers can request Alexa for the latest traffic updates or weather forecasts, and control the car’s media player or navigation system via voice through Alexa. Some functions can still be used even when the internet connection is unstable or unavailable.

Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Our cooperation with Amazon, one of the most customer-centric companies in the world, offers an opportunity to expand Hyundai’s business and sales network and accelerate the transition to electrification, thereby realizing the future of smart mobility.”

He added, “Hyundai is the first car company to enable the entire purchase process, from car selection to delivery, on Amazon. This demonstrates that Hyundai continues to explore ways to enhance the customer experience in partnership with Amazon.”