Amazon Autos expands to used vehicles in Los Angeles market

Amazon Autos launches used and certified pre-owned vehicle sales starting in Los Angeles, expanding automotive e-commerce with dealer inventory integration.

Amazon Autos platform showcases Hyundai electric vehicle with beta branding for online car sales
Amazon Autos platform showcases Hyundai electric vehicle with beta branding for online car sales

Amazon expanded its automotive retail platform to include used and certified pre-owned vehicles on August 4, 2025. The company announced that dealers can now list their used vehicle inventory on Amazon, providing customers with more choices among popular cars and trucks at various price points.

Used and certified pre-owned vehicles are now available to customers, starting in Los Angeles and expanding to additional cities across the country in the coming months. This expansion builds upon Amazon Autos' new vehicle sales offering, which launched in December 2024 and has dealers participating in more than 130 cities across the United States.

"We look forward to bringing the convenience of Amazon Autos to used vehicle sales," said Fan Jin, global leader of Amazon Autos. "This expansion is driven by strong interest from our dealer partners. By including certified pre-owned and used vehicles, we're meeting dealer demand for broader online reach while offering customers a wider selection of high-quality vehicles to fit your budget and unique lifestyle needs."

The announcement represents a significant expansion of Amazon's e-commerce capabilities into the used automotive market. Digital marketing professionals have closely watched Amazon's automotive initiatives since the platform first entered direct vehicle sales. PPC Land previously reported on Amazon's initial move into new vehicle sales in December 2024, marking the company's first direct entry into automotive retail.

The expansion demonstrates Amazon's continued investment in e-commerce platform diversification. The company currently operates Amazon Autos in more than 130 U.S. cities, initially launching with Hyundai as the exclusive partner for new vehicle sales.

"We're excited to be an early participant in Amazon Autos' expansion," said Weslie Metcalf, managing partner of Premier Hyundai Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, California. "We're optimistic about the opportunity to showcase our used and certified pre-owned inventory through Amazon Autos. We believe this collaboration has the potential to help us reach more customers and enhance our online sales process."

The used and certified pre-owned program incorporates several consumer protection features. All vehicles include a 3-day/300-mile return policy and a minimum 30-day/1,000-mile Limited Warranty. The platform maintains transparent pricing with no hidden fees and provides comprehensive vehicle information including Vehicle History Reports for all listings.

Selection of quality pre-owned vehicles starts with Hyundai dealers, with more dealers being added in the coming months. The platform integrates seamlessly with participating dealerships for test drives. Used and certified pre-owned vehicle listings appear alongside new vehicles across the Amazon Autos storefront, with customers having the option to filter results to show new or used vehicles.

All vehicles must be available within a 75-mile sales radius of the customer. This geographic limitation ensures practical access to physical inspection and pickup processes that remain essential components of the automotive retail experience.

The technical implementation preserves Amazon's established e-commerce framework. The platform incorporates familiar elements such as customer reviews, dealership ratings, shopping cart functionality, and standardized checkout procedures. The system maintains the traditional dealer-customer relationship for vehicle delivery and subsequent service needs.

Amazon Autos maintains transparent pricing structures that include all taxes and fees, eliminating traditional price negotiation processes. The platform integrates trade-in valuations through an independent third-party system. Customers can receive firm trade-in values by providing information about their current vehicle's condition, with the amount directly applicable to their new car purchase.

The platform's financing options integrate directly into the checkout process. Credit applications receive responses within 90 seconds of submission to the dealership. Customers can also opt to pay in full for their vehicle purchase. Additional services available through the platform include optional protection products such as extended warranties, gap insurance, and maintenance plans.

The move into used vehicle sales addresses a substantial market opportunity. The used car market typically represents a larger volume of transactions compared to new vehicle sales. By expanding into this segment, Amazon positions itself to capture a broader share of automotive retail activity.

This development follows Amazon's pattern of gradual market entry and expansion. The company initially launched with new Hyundai vehicles in December 2024, building operational capabilities and dealer relationships before expanding into additional vehicle categories.

From a digital marketing perspective, the expansion represents Amazon's continued integration of diverse product categories into its unified e-commerce platform. This move aligns with broader trends in retail media and e-commerce expansion that PPC Land has extensively covered in the evolving digital advertising landscape.

For participating dealers, the platform represents a new sales channel that connects them with Amazon's customer base. The service streamlines initial purchase steps online, allowing dealerships to focus on delivery and relationship-building during the pickup process.

The geographic rollout strategy begins with Los Angeles and will expand to additional cities in the coming months. Amazon has not announced specific timelines for additional market launches or details about which cities will receive the service next.

The implementation marks another step in Amazon's broader strategy to diversify its marketplace offerings beyond traditional retail categories. The company has systematically expanded into services ranging from grocery delivery to healthcare products.

Looking ahead, Amazon has announced plans to expand the program further in 2025. These expansions include adding more automotive brands beyond Hyundai, introducing additional leasing options, expanding financing alternatives, and increasing the number of participating U.S. cities.

The platform's customer protection features address common concerns associated with used vehicle purchases. The 3-day/300-mile return policy provides buyers with a trial period to evaluate their purchase. The minimum 30-day/1,000-mile Limited Warranty offers protection against immediate mechanical issues.

Vehicle History Reports provide transparency about previous ownership, accident history, and maintenance records. This information helps customers make informed purchasing decisions and reduces uncertainty typically associated with used vehicle transactions.

The pricing transparency eliminates traditional automotive retail friction points. By displaying total costs upfront, including taxes and fees, the platform reduces the negotiation process that often deters potential buyers from visiting dealerships.

The integration with existing dealership operations preserves established service relationships. Customers still interact with local dealers for test drives, vehicle inspection, and ongoing maintenance needs. This hybrid model maintains the benefits of physical dealership presence while adding digital convenience.

The expansion into used vehicles represents a natural progression for Amazon Autos. Used vehicle sales typically require less manufacturer coordination compared to new vehicle sales, potentially allowing for more rapid dealer onboarding and inventory expansion.

The announcement comes at a time when automotive retail continues adapting to digital consumer preferences. Online vehicle research and shopping have become standard practices, with many buyers completing significant portions of the purchase process before visiting dealerships.

For Amazon, the move represents continued growth in high-value transaction categories. Automotive sales typically involve substantially higher transaction values compared to most traditional Amazon marketplace categories.

The used vehicle expansion also positions Amazon to address diverse customer budgets and preferences. While new vehicle sales serve customers seeking latest model features and warranties, used vehicle sales accommodate budget-conscious buyers and those seeking specific model years or configurations.

The program's success will likely depend on dealer adoption rates and customer acceptance of online used vehicle purchasing. Traditional used car buying involves significant tactile evaluation, test driving, and negotiation processes that differ from typical e-commerce transactions.

Amazon's approach maintains essential in-person elements while digitizing administrative and research processes. This balance attempts to preserve customer confidence while improving convenience and transparency.

The expansion into Los Angeles specifically targets one of the largest automotive markets in the United States. California's automotive regulations and consumer protection laws provide a robust framework for online vehicle sales.

The state's environmental regulations and electric vehicle incentives also align with Amazon's sustainability initiatives and could support future expansion into electric vehicle categories.

Timeline

  • December 10, 2024: Amazon announces Amazon Autos launch with new Hyundai vehicles in 48 U.S. cities
  • December 2024: Amazon Autos begins operations with Hyundai partnership across major metropolitan areas
  • August 4, 2025: Amazon announces expansion to used and certified pre-owned vehicles starting in Los Angeles
  • August 2025: Used vehicle program launches with 3-day/300-mile return policy and minimum 30-day/1,000-mile warranty
  • 2025 (planned): Expansion to additional cities, brands, and leasing options

PPC Land explains

Amazon Autos: The e-commerce giant's automotive retail platform that enables customers to browse, finance, and purchase vehicles through Amazon's familiar shopping interface. Launched in December 2024 with Hyundai as the exclusive partner, the platform has expanded to more than 130 U.S. cities and now includes used vehicle sales. The service maintains Amazon's signature transparent pricing and integrates traditional automotive retail elements with digital convenience.

Used and Certified Pre-owned Vehicles: Previously owned automobiles that dealers can now list on Amazon's platform, expanding beyond the initial new vehicle offerings. Certified pre-owned vehicles undergo manufacturer inspection and come with extended warranties, while used vehicles offer broader price points and model availability. This category represents the largest segment of automotive retail transactions and provides customers with more budget-friendly options.

Dealerships: Physical automotive retail locations that maintain inventory, conduct test drives, and handle vehicle delivery through the Amazon Autos platform. These businesses serve as the bridge between Amazon's digital interface and traditional automotive retail requirements. Dealers showcase their inventory to Amazon's customer base while preserving established service relationships and local market presence.

Los Angeles: The initial market for Amazon's used vehicle expansion, representing one of the largest automotive retail markets in the United States. The city serves as a testing ground for the expanded service before rollout to additional metropolitan areas. California's robust consumer protection laws and environmental regulations provide a comprehensive framework for online vehicle sales operations.

E-commerce Platform: The digital infrastructure that enables online vehicle browsing, comparison, financing, and purchasing through Amazon's established technology systems. The platform incorporates familiar elements such as customer reviews, shopping cart functionality, and standardized checkout procedures adapted for high-value automotive transactions. This system bridges traditional automotive retail with modern digital commerce expectations.

Customer Protection Features: Safeguards implemented to address concerns specific to used vehicle purchases, including a 3-day/300-mile return policy and minimum 30-day/1,000-mile Limited Warranty. These features also encompass Vehicle History Reports, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and comprehensive vehicle information disclosure. Protection measures aim to build consumer confidence in online automotive transactions.

Financing Options: Credit application systems integrated directly into the checkout process, providing responses within 90 seconds of submission to dealerships. Customers can access customized financing terms, explore payment plans, or opt to pay in full for their vehicle purchase. The platform also integrates trade-in valuations through independent third-party systems to reduce overall purchase costs.

Transparent Pricing: Amazon's no-haggle pricing model that displays total vehicle costs upfront, including all taxes and fees, eliminating traditional automotive negotiation processes. This approach reduces friction points that often deter potential buyers and provides clear cost breakdowns throughout the purchasing process. The pricing strategy aligns with Amazon's broader e-commerce philosophy of straightforward, predictable costs.

Hyundai: Amazon's exclusive automotive partner for the initial platform launch, serving as the primary brand for both new and used vehicle offerings. The partnership established operational frameworks and dealer relationships that enable the platform's expansion into additional vehicle categories. Hyundai dealers were among the first to participate in the used vehicle program rollout.

Fan Jin: Global leader of Amazon Autos who oversees the platform's strategic development and expansion initiatives. Jin has guided the platform from its initial new vehicle launch through the recent expansion into used and certified pre-owned vehicle sales. Under Jin's leadership, Amazon Autos has grown to operate in more than 130 U.S. cities and continues expanding its service offerings and geographic reach.

Summary

Who: Amazon and participating automotive dealers, led by Fan Jin, global leader of Amazon Autos

What: Expansion of Amazon Autos platform to include used and certified pre-owned vehicle sales with consumer protection features

When: Announced August 4, 2025, with Los Angeles launch and planned expansion to additional cities

Where: Starting in Los Angeles, with existing Amazon Autos operations in more than 130 U.S. cities

Why: Meeting dealer demand for broader online reach while offering customers wider vehicle selection at various price points, driven by strong dealer partner interest