You'll soon be able to buy Hyundai cars on Amazon

Amazon has partnered with Hyundai to sell cars online in the US starting next year. Customers can purchase a Hyundai model on Amazon and schedule delivery or pickup through a local dealer.

Jose Munoz, right, global chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor, and Marty Mallick, vice president at Amazon, take a photo with the new Santa Fe at the 2023 LA Auto Show in Los Angeles on Thursday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Amazon will begin selling Hyundai Motor cars online in the United States starting next year.

Customers will be able to shop for a Hyundai model on Amazon.com and schedule a delivery or pickup date through a local dealer.

Hyundai will be the first auto brand available on Amazon, which is the world's largest online retailer. The two companies finalized their partnership on Thursday at the 2023 LA Auto Show in Los Angeles.

The new agreement also will enable buyers of new Hyundai vehicles in 2025 to access Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. Drivers can utilize Alexa for various home control features. For example, they could double-check if a door is completely locked or make a room warm before they arrive home.

“Partnering with one of the world’s most customer-centric organizations unlocks incredible opportunities as we continue to expand our portfolio, grow our sales network, transition to electrification and realize the future of smart mobility,” said Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon in a statement.

The latest partnership came five years after Hyundai set up its first Amazon digital showroom in 2018. That platform enabled customers to configure a vehicle, calculate its price and locate a dealer to complete the sale.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]