Does Amazon Sell Cars, Scooters, Or Motorbikes In 2026?
The short answer? No, Amazon does not currently sell cars, scooters or motorbikes directly to customers in the United States.
However, the retail giant‘s limited vehicle offerings reveal an ambition to tap into auto sales. In this 2800+ word guide, we’ll explore how customers can buy vehicles through Amazon, research trends in online car buying, and speculate on Amazon’s future automotive retail plans.
Introduction: Amazon‘s Vehicle Catalog is Extremely Limited
When you think of what you can buy on Amazon, vehicles probably don’t come to mind. After all, the site is known for convenience shopping – not big-ticket car purchases!
However, savvy shoppers may have noticed a few two and four-wheeled offerings tucked away in Amazon’s massive online catalog:
- A small selection of Fiat cars in Italy
- Scooters and motorbikes more widely available
- The research site Amazon Vehicles (but no sales)
But this just scratches the surface of selling vehicles directly to consumers, which Amazon currently does not do in its largest market, the United States.
Below we’ll analyze these limited programs in detail, as well as the market forces that have (so far) kept the e-commerce giant from fully entering automotive retail.
First, let‘s look at the key facts on Amazon vehicles:
- No direct car sales in the US – franchise laws prohibit it
- Only Italy has limited Amazon Fiat sales
- Scooters and bikes sold more widely, including the US
- Research only – Amazon Vehicles doesn’t sell
- Must pick up at dealers, no delivery
However, before we explore specifics, it’s helpful to understand current trends in online vehicle shopping…
The Gradual Shift to Online Car Buying
Once upon a time, the only way to buy a new car was to go down to the dealership lot and haggle in person. But consumer expectations have been shifting.
According to a Cox Automotive study, the pandemic accelerated interest in handling more of the car buying journey digitally:
- 72% now want to research online before visiting a dealer
- 57% are interested in completing paperwork online
- 51% would even buy a vehicle online without test driving
And analytics firm J.D. Power reports that shoppers want dealers to adopt more transparent e-commerce like processes:
- Post fixed pricing online
- Add online payment options
- Improve website user experience
This data reveals a growing appetite for handling vehicle purchases online, especially among younger demographics.
As an e-commerce pioneer, Amazon is well positioned to capitalize on this trend if they can overcome existing barriers like franchise laws. Their early foreign and domestic programs provide clues into a future US automotive marketplace.
But first, let‘s analyze if and how consumers can currently buy vehicles on Amazon.
Can You Buy a Car on Amazon?
In most countries, the answer remains ‘no.‘ But there are a few exceptions:
Amazon Italy: Direct Fiat Sales
The only place in the world where Amazon sells cars directly to consumers is Italy, through an exclusive partnership with Fiat Chrysler.
Launched in 2019, this localized program represents the first toe dip into direct automotive sales for Amazon.
The models available are:
- Fiat 500
- Fiat 500L
- Fiat Panda
These smaller Fiats can be ordered on Amazon Italy just like any other product:
- Search for the car you want
- Pick trim, features, and options
- Purchase right on Amazon
- Get support arranging dealer pickup
According to Fiat Chrysler, over 50% of Italian customers are open to buying a car online.
But 97% still want the peace of mind of picking it up locally and having dealer service options.
So Amazon handles the e-commerce transaction, while Fiat handles fulfillment through existing dealer assets. This allows them to experiment with direct sales under Italy‘s regulations.
By the Numbers: Fiat Panda on Amazon Italy
To make things more concrete, let‘s explore pricing and options for the popular Fiat Panda city car available on Amazon Italy:
| Trim | Price (Euros) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Panda 1.2 "Easy" | €12,100 | 69 HP, Manual Transmission |
| Panda 1.2 "City Cross" | €14,400 | 4-Door Hatchback |
| Panda 1.0 "Sport" | €15,100 | Apple Carplay, Sporty Styling |
In addition to trim, you can customize with:
-
Exterior Color: 21 options like pastel white or vibrant coral
-
Interior Upholstery: Black or gray cloth or leather
-
Options Packages: Navigation system, winter package, parking sensors and more. From €600-1800 additional.
As you can see, Amazon Italy provides the full new car buying experience – right from the comfort of your sofa!
Local Dealer Delivery, Not Home Shipping
However, Amazon does not handle home delivery of vehicles purchased on their platform.
Instead, once you complete checkout, an Amazon associate reaches out to coordinate pick up at a local Fiat dealership within 1-2 weeks.
So you get to avoid haggling and buy online, but delivery still happens through traditional dealer channels. Likely a necessity under Italian regulations until Amazon obtains dealer licenses.
The Franchise Model Blocks Amazon Car Sales in the US
So why doesn‘t Amazon sell cars stateside? Blame longstanding franchise laws.
These regulations generally prohibit automakers from selling new vehicles directly to consumers. Instead, manufacturers must sell through independent franchised dealers.
This system originated to prevent unfair competition as the auto industry grew. But it creates a major hurdle for direct online sales.
Essentially, to sell new cars, Amazon would need to either partner with franchised dealers or acquire dealer networks themselves.
Their Italian program shows they are willing to innovate through partnerships abroad. But in the US, the franchise system still prevents Amazon from grabbing a share of the $1 trillion car market…for now.
Research Cars on Amazon Vehicles – But No Sales
Separate from the Italian marketplace, Amazon operates a car research site called Amazon Vehicles.
This platform provides specs, reviews, videos, owner forums and other information on a wide range of makes and models.
If you search for "Toyota Camry" on Amazon for instance, Vehicles will display helpful research content on that car.
However, you cannot actually buy a car on Amazon Vehicles. Think of it like Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book – for research only.
Amazon Vehicles aims to conveniently provide the information car shoppers want earlier in the buying journey. Then turn them over to dealers to complete the sale.
So don’t get your hopes up browsing Vehicles for the car of your dreams just yet! Amazon is still just in the business of selling car info, not the cars themselves in the US.
Buying a Scooter or Motorbike on Amazon
Two-wheeled electric vehicles operate under less stringent regulations than cars. As a result, Amazon does sell a decent selection of scooters and motorbikes that can ship directly to customers.
Wider Selection Beyond Cars
You won’t find Honda Civics or electric BMWs, but Amazon does offer many affordable mobility options:
- Electric scooters starting around $800
- Gas scooters from $1,000-$2,000
- Mini motorcycles ranging $1,200-$5,000
Think Vespa style scooters, small displacement motorbikes, and electric Razor models. These provide basic transportation for one or two people.
And unlike cars, these ship to most addresses in the US and beyond.
Sample Models and Pricing
To give you an idea, here is a sampling of scooters and bikes readily available on Amazon today:
| Vehicle | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| X-Pro 150cc Moped | $949 | Gas scooter, up to 55 mph |
| Hover-1 Alpha Electric Scooter | $799 | Electric, up to 18 mph |
| Razor Miniature Euro Electric Bike | $999 | Child‘s electric bike |
| TaoTao CY50A1 49cc Scooter | $1,199 | 49cc gas scooter |
| Cooltra Electric Scooter Sharing | $129/mo | App-based rental |
As you can see, Amazon carries a range of affordable options between $800-$2,000 to suit different needs and budgets.
Financing Available on Some Models
Amazon also facilitates special financing through Affirm on select scooter purchases.
For example, the X-Pro 150cc Moped above has $91 per month financing available if you qualify. This makes higher priced models more accessible.
So if you have your eye on a scooter for urban commuting or recreational riding, Amazon has both variety and flexible payment options. Much more so than their extremely limited car inventory!
How Does the Amazon Vehicle Buying Experience Compare?
Now that we’ve explored what vehicles Amazon does offer, how does the experience compare to buying through a traditional dealer?
For most US shoppers, the difference is still night and day. But in Italy, Amazon is innovating with a hybrid model.
Traditional Dealers Still Rule in America
Attempting to purchase a car on Amazon in the US remains futile. The purchase journey still involves:
- Researching online or in person
- Visiting dealership lots
- Haggling on pricing
- Finalizing paperwork
- Taking delivery from the dealer
Amazon only supplements very early research activities online. Any actual car buying still happens strictly through franchise dealerships.
Amazon Italy: Best of Online and Offline Worlds
In Italy, however, Amazon now handles the entire online journey:
- Browse vehicles online on Amazon
- Select features, color, packages
- Buy with one click checkout
- Get support arranging dealer pickup
This improves convenience while preserving the option for an in-person experience. Based on Italy‘s appetite for online car buying, Amazon is on the right track to blending e-commerce simplicity with helpful local dealer support.
As regulations evolve, expect Amazon‘s US model to increasingly mirror what they‘ve built in Italy – combining digital and real world elements into car buying.
How Shopper Personalities View Amazon Cars
Would all shopper types embrace buying through Amazon versus dealers? That depends on your priorities:
For convenience-focused buyers, the chance to handle everything online then quickly pickup a car would be appealing. No haggling, no pressure sales tactics.
But for hands-on car enthusiasts, they may still value inspecting options at the lot and taking traditional delivery. Though some paperwork relief might be welcomed.
And budget-focused shoppers would appreciate Amazon‘s new e-commerce models applying pressure to keep prices in check without painful negotiations.
The takeaway? Different shopper personalities stand to gain from Amazon mixing online car buying with helpful dealer support. More digitization could improve the journey for all.
The Future: Amazon‘s Growth Potential in Vehicles
It’s evident that Amazon wants to edge their way into automotive retail, leveraging early experiments in Italy and beyond. What might the future hold as online adoption expands?
If Laws Evolved, Amazon Could Disrupt Car Sales
Amazon has a proven track record of aggressively grabbing market share when sectors shift online. They already did this with:
- Books
- Consumer electronics
- Grocery and household basics
- Streaming entertainment
Many experts argue it’s only a matter of time and legislation before Amazon takes the same approach with cars. AlixPartners projects up to 25% of 2026 car sales could happen online.
If US franchise model laws evolved to allow direct sales, Amazon would be poised to claim a chunk of that market.
Amazon‘s Possible Advantages in EV Sales
Another potential opportunity is electric vehicles (EVs). As consumer interest in EVs grows, Amazon could leverage strengths in supply chain, delivery, and infrastructure to gain an edge in getting EVs to customers.
Managing EV test drives, education, charging networks and home installation plays right into Amazon‘s e-commerce wheelhouse. Traditional dealers may struggle adapting to the operational complexities of EV adoption.
So if you‘re shopping for an EV in 10 years, Amazon having a hand in the process seems more and more likely.
How Could Amazon Break into Car Sales?
When evaluating possible auto industry disruption strategies, you can imagine Amazon may:
- Allow dealerships to list inventory in Amazon‘s online marketplace
- Launch an Amazon-branded online dealership
- Acquire or partner with existing dealership groups
- Offer EV delivery and charging support services
- Enable on-site test drives in partnership with dealers
- Leverage Alexa and other tech to improve purchase experience
With deep pockets and fierce competitive intensity, expect Amazon to explore creative options for offering US car buying in the years ahead.
The Takeaway: Amazon is Experimenting but Not Selling Cars Yet
It‘s clear from Amazon‘s early moves in select markets that they aim to be in the vehicle business. But substantial barriers in their largest market, the United States, still exist.
While you can‘t buy a car from Amazon today, savvy consumers should pay attention to how they continue testing and expanding offerings as online adoption increases.
Amazon‘s track record of bold experiments means we likely shouldn‘t count them out of disrupting automotive retail long term. The company clearly has their eyes on the massive auto industry.
For the moment, American car shoppers must still use traditional dealer networks. But the next time you purchase a vehicle, don‘t be shocked if your journey includes an Amazon stop along the way.
The e-commerce giant‘s capabilities align almost too perfectly with where the car buying process is headed. As the shift to online accelerates, expect Amazon to steer their uniquely massive platform into pole position.