Dive Brief:
- Hertz Car Sales is now selling pre-owned vehicles on the Amazon Autos marketplace, the company announced in a press release.
- Customers can browse a nationwide inventory of thousands of used Hertz rental fleet vehicles, apply for financing and finalize their purchase directly on Amazon Autos. Available vehicles within 75 miles of the customer will be shown, and once a purchase is complete, buyers can schedule for pickup at a nearby Hertz Car Sales location.
- The initial rollout of online Hertz used vehicle sales is available in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle, with plans to expand to all 45 of Hertz Car Sales locations nationwide, per the release.
Dive Insight:
Hertz Car Sales is a division of the Hertz Corporation that sells used vehicles that were previously part of Hertz car rental fleet in the U.S. Its partnership with Amazon Autos aligns with Hertz’s strategy of expanding its digital retail presence and making its used vehicle inventory more accessible to customers nationwide.
“Our goal is to reimagine the car-buying experience and meet customers where they are – whether online or in person – with convenience, confidence and scale,” Jeff Adams, executive vice president of Hertz Car Sales, in the release.
Hertz is offering its used inventory at competitive prices, often below Kelley Blue Book suggested retail value, according to the release. The company lists all vehicles with a no-haggle price.
The majority of vehicles offered by Hertz Car Sales are late models, including sedans, compact SUVs and other luxury vehicles selected from Hertz’s rental companies, including Dollar Rent-a-Car, Thrifty Rental and Donlen, according to the company. Hertz also operates a wholesale business-to-business platform called “Hertz Dealer Direct” that sells vehicles directly to automobile dealerships. Its new partnership with Amazon Autos will help Hertz reach a larger number of potential car buyers.
“Amazon Autos is the ideal partner to help us deliver on this as customers can shop our expansive inventory of high-quality used cars on the same trusted marketplace where millions shop every day,” Adams said.
For greater transparency, all Hertz used vehicles undergo a 115-point inspection prior to being listed and are be backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Amazon Autos also offers detailed vehicle history and condition reports for each marketplace listing. In addition, customers receive 24-hour roadside assistance, and a 7-day/250-mile buy-back guarantee if they are unhappy with the vehicle.
“This collaboration allows us to offer an expanded selection of well-maintained vehicles from more dealerships across the country, while maintaining the simplicity that customers expect from Amazon,” said Fan Jin, global head of Amazon Autos, in the release.
The retail partnership between Amazon and Hertz follows Hyundai Motor America’s announcement this month that it would begin selling certified pre-owned vehicles on Amazon Autos. Hyundai became the first automaker to offer new vehicles on Amazon Autos when the online marketplace launched last December.
Jin told Automotive Dive earlier this month that customers have been asking for more choices on Amazon Autos, including purchasing vehicles from other OEMs besides Hyundai, since the marketplace launched in December.
Amazon Autos is now available in 130 U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and other major metropolitan areas.
