Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. has announced a new partnership with Amazon to sell used vehicles online through the Amazon Autos platform. Hertz is taking this step to enhance its retail business. The hope is to increase financial performance once recovering from setbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lengthy partnership will give consumers the option to shop for thousands of pre-owned Hertz vehicles directly on Amazon Autos. With this new complimentary service, customers can e-sign paperwork and finalize their purchase remotely, adding increased safety, convenience and ease to their car-buying experience. Alternatively, buyers may take delivery of their vehicles from designated Hertz locations. These sites, including the legacy, toxic-looking sites, are in important cities such as Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Rent-to-own is booming! It allows customers to rent a used car for three days and then purchase it if the rental experience is satisfactory. The company has been gaining strong momentum in this program. This success fits well with its overall “Back-to-Basics Roadmap,” unveiled last year as part of its turnaround plan after filing for bankruptcy in 2020.
Jeff Adams, executive vice president of Hertz Car Sales, hailed the program as a smart move. He specifically focused on how the company is working to improve the customer experience.
“Our goal is to reimagine the car-buying experience and meet customers where they are — whether online or in person — with convenience, confidence and scale.” – Jeff Adams, executive vice president of Hertz Car Sales.
Hertz, meanwhile, is looking forward to broadening its new, fleet-as-a-service offerings through the revamped TNC partnership. They intend to expand from those starting first four cities to 45 total markets in the U.S. Consumers who live within a 75-mile radius of these major U.S. metropolitan cities are able to browse Hertz’s vehicle selection on Amazon.com. In addition, they’ll enjoy the fruits of a more streamlined purchasing process.
The shift follows Hertz’s prior struggles, like a botched electric vehicle (EV) plan after the pandemic. Now, Hertz is working with Amazon to expand its consumer outreach even further. This partnership will enhance its retail sales reach and position the firm for continued growth.
This collaboration exemplifies the increasing movement towards integrating physical retail with e-commerce marketplaces. It smartly empowers businesses that rent cars, such as Hertz, to better reach and serve customers in our increasingly dynamic digital economy. As consumers continue to seek convenient online purchasing options, Hertz is adapting its business model to meet these evolving preferences.