When we hear the word “Hyundai”, many of us still think “Sunday“. Now, the South Korean automaker wants you to think “Amazon”, too.
Last week, Hyundai announced that some functions in its Genesis line of luxury vehicles could be controlled via Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa. But for a limited time, the company has also teamed up with another popular Amazon offering, Amazon Prime, to offer test drives to shoppers.
The program runs through Amazon Prime Now, the speedy-delivery service designed for shoppers who can’t wait the two days that Prime usually takes. By visiting Amazon.com/PrimeDriveNow, Hyundai shoppers can have a car brought to their location, whether that’s a home, business, or cafe. They’ll then have up to an hour to take the car for a spin. (If they like it, though, they’ll have to visit a dealership to make a purchase.)
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As nice as that might sound to harried souls, the program has a couple of limitations.
For starters, Hyundai is only offering consumers one model to test drive via Amazon Prime Now: the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. If that’s not on your must-have list, this isn’t going to benefit you.
Also, the program is limited to Orange County and Los Angeles, California. If you’re itching to get behind the wheel of a 2017 Elantra and live somewhere else, we’re afraid you’re going to have to do this the old-fashioned way: by visiting a dealership.
That said, if the program goes well, it could encourage Hyundai to broaden its offerings and geographical reach in the future. Amazon subscribers in Prime Now’s 24+ other markets would probably appreciate that.
It might also encourage other automakers to get onboard with similar programs. Given the fact that many consumers seem happy to skip most of the dealership experience–apart from the test drive, of course–programs like this could become commonplace down the road.
The “Prime Now. Drive Now” promotion runs this Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28. Test drives can be scheduled between the hours of 9am and 7pm.
