Ford partners with Amazon for dealers to sell used vehicles online

DETROIT — Ford Motor is partnering with Amazon allowing the automaker’s franchise dealers to sell certified pre-owned vehicles through the online retail giant.

The new program will allow customers to secure financing, start paperwork and schedule a pickup time for vehicles at participating Ford dealers, the companies announced Monday. Some steps, such as final signing, may still need to be completed in person, Ford said.

The deal comes two years after Amazon said it would allow car dealers to sell cars through its site, starting with vehicles from South Korean automaker Hyundai.

The deals between Amazon and the two automakers differ because Hyundai’s deals involve new vehicles rather than certified pre-owned vehicles. CPO tools used but inspected, refurbished and certified by the manufacturer or dealer. These are considered higher quality used vehicles than no-name cars and have warranties like a new vehicle.

Amazon also partnered with the car rental company earlier this year Hertz Selling second hand vehicles through the website.

On Monday, Ford said more than 160 of nearly 2,900 U.S. retailers had “raised their hands” and started the process with Amazon. The company said about a dozen vehicles have been fully commissioned and launched so far, with about 10 more to be launched next week.

“The addition of Ford certified pre-owned vehicles to Amazon Autos represents an exciting expansion of our store, giving customers access to thousands of quality vehicles backed by Ford’s comprehensive inspection and warranty programs,” Fan Jin, global leader of Amazon Autos, said in a statement. he said.

Ford said it will offer a 14-day or 1,000-mile (whichever comes first) money-back guarantee on vehicles sold through an Amazon link. The automaker will also offer three CPO certification levels of vehicles with different warranty coverage.

Ford said CPO vehicles are now available at Amazon Autos in Los Angeles, Seattle and Dallas, and they plan to expand to other cities in the coming months.

Thanks to Amazon’s partnerships with Hyundai and Ford, the franchise dealer is still the seller of last resort. Traditional automakers have complicated relationships with dealers, backed by laws in many states that make it difficult or illegal to bypass franchised dealerships and sell new vehicles directly to consumers.

There are less stringent laws regarding the sale of second-hand vehicles, making it easier for companies such as: to the caravanHertz and others will sell used cars and trucks online directly to consumers.