Will Amazon commit to auto retailing?
23 November 2016
Internet giant Amazons move into auto retailing has taken a new turn with news that its Italian website will be selling Fiats Panda, 500 and 500L models. According to Business Insider, Amazon will be selling the vehicles at prices up to 30 percent lower than traditional auto retailers.
Once a purchase has been made, buyers will be directed to a conventional retailer to collect their vehicle. The publication was unable to confirm if Amazon was acting as an intermediary or was responsible for securing the physical stock itself.
This isn’t Amazons first foray into auto sales, as the company has previously sold special edition models such as Seats Mii by Mango in France, and its currently promoting a limited edition Mini through its Indian operation. The existence of longer established Amazon sales channels offering car accessories and consumables, plus this current toe in the water approach, have led analysts to believe Amazon is slowly building up to become a fully-fledged auto retailer.