Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Amazon Gets Even Easier With In-Car Delivery to Volvo and GM Vehicles

amazon key in car delivery 2
Amazon

There’s no doubt about it: Amazon is the cleverest e-commerce business when it comes to finding frictionless ways to consume products.

Over the years, Amazon has developed innovative procedures for buying and receiving goods, including one-click buying, dash-button re-orders, storage lockers, personalized door locks, and — some day soon — drone deliveries. There’s even a vice president of delivery technology at Amazon (his name’s Peter Larson). I wonder if and which universities offer that major.

Amazon never seems to tire of greasing the buyer funnel, which is part of the reason why Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, is the world’s richest man. Remove the obstacles and watch the cash pile in. The latest innovation in product delivery intersects with the automotive world, thanks to a partnership with Volvo and General Motors.

A new service called in-car delivery allows Amazon customers to register their Volvo or GM (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac) vehicle through Volvo On Call or GM OnStar, respectively, and choose “In-Car” delivery at checkout. Same-day, one-day, or two-day shipping is available.

How does it work? You need the Amazon Key device and corresponding app. To drop off the package, the delivery person can electronically unlock the car using the Amazon Key, hand off the goods, then lock the car. Buyers get a notification via the app when their package is set to arrive and after it has been placed in the car. Here are some reviews from first customers:

Amazon Key In-Car – First Customers

It isn’t a flawless system, however. The service is only offered in 37 U.S. metropolitan areas and delivery must occur at a preregistered address, meaning you can’t buy something while running errands and have Amazon track you down. Additionally, Amazon Key is only compatible with car models that are 2015 or newer. That being said, Amazon plans on adding more manufacturers and cities to the program in the future,

“Simplifying the customer experience is central to Volvo’s digital vision,” said Atif Rafiq, chief digital officer at Volvo Cars. “Receiving a package securely and reliably in your car, without you having to be there, is something we think many people will appreciate.”

Volvo has offered in-car delivery to its customers in Switzerland and Norway since 2015, but this is the first time any vehicle manufacturer has tried the process here in the U.S. Time will tell how comfortable Americans feel with letting a stranger access his or her vehicle, but the take right might be higher than anticipated.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Get this Milwaukee tire inflator while it’s 59% off for Black Friday
Someone using a Milwaukee M18 Inflator on Van

Black Friday deals are underway, and there are a lot of great savings you can land on life-saving equipment you might not have bought otherwise. One of those deals is on the Milwaukee M18 tire inflator, which you can currently get on the cheap at Amazon. It’s one of the best Milwaukee Black Friday deals you’ll find, in fact, as it’s marked down from its regular price of $310 to a Black Friday sale price of just $139. That’s a savings of $171, which is pretty substantial even for Black Friday. Free shipping is included with a purchase.

Why You Should Buy the Milwaukee M18 Tire Inflator
Whether you are working on mastering the trail or simply want to keep your vehicles ship-shape throughout the year, a tire inflator makes a worthy investment. Milwaukee has been making electric tools for nearly 100 years, and all of that experience can be found in the Milwaukee M18 tire inflator. It delivers fast, accurate inflation and it has the portability to go anywhere with you. The high efficiency motor is rated to deliver max PSI of 150, which allows it to top-off 33-inch light truck tires in under one minute. The Milwaukee M18 tire inflator is optimized for passenger, light truck, and other medium-duty tires.

Read more
Get a Lamborghini Countach for $17 (with one big catch)
A Lego Lamborghini Countach with associated driver in front of its box.

You may have laughed at us when we asserted that Lego is worth more than gold, but now we're the ones driving Lamborghinis. Lego Lamborghinis, that is. As we combed through the nearly 300 Lego Black Friday deals, we knew we had to emphasize this one a bit more. Right now, you can get the Lego Lamborghini Countach for 15% off, bringing it down to $17. It'll make a great stocking stuffer, gift to your nephews or cousins, or a great addition to your own adult Lego collection. Just tap the button below and you'll find yourself at the page to buy it.

Why you should buy the Lego Lamborghini Countach
There are two reason why you might want to get this product. The first is the highly-renowned brand. This is a Lamborghini after all. And not just any Lamborghini, but a Lamborghini Countach, famed for being 1989's fastest car. If you know someone that's about 34 right now, this can be an awesome memento of how much you care for them or a bit of well-wishing for their speedy route to success. Sports car enthusiasts that always wanted a chance to drive the one that got away are equally good recipients.

Read more
Hyundai and Amazon team up for online car sales (and no, you can’t get your car via Prime)
Hyundai and Amazon just made it super easy to buy a new car
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 parked outside.

If you shop on Amazon for guitar strings, luggage, and electronics, how do you feel about buying your next car on the mega e-commerce platform? At the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, Amazon and Hyundai Motor Company jointly announced an online sales collaboration beginning in 2024. Other car brands come later, but Hyundai will be the first brand you can buy on Amazon.

The new strategic partnership has three facets: online vehicle sales, cloud services, and integrating Alexa in future Hyundais. Amazon will begin online sales of Hyundai models on Amazon.com. Amazon Web Services (AWS) will be Hyundai's preferred provider of cloud services for the vehicle manufacturer's digital transformation. The two companies will work together to integrate Alexa voice response into Hyundai's driver infotainment and vehicle management system.
Find my car
Amazon's new partnership with Hyundai doesn't cut out auto dealerships. Dealers will be able to list on Amazon vehicles currently available for purchase.

Read more