You Can Buy Cars On Amazon, Rivian Tops Satisfaction, Small Biz Sentiment Up

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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On this hump day, we’re covering the news that Amazon’s partnership with Hyundai has finally gone live for the general public. Plus, Rivian tops a recent survey of brand satisfaction, and small businesses are the most optimistic they’ve been in over 3 years.

Show Notes with links:

• Amazon has opened its car shopping marketplace, Amazon Autos, to 48 cities, including major hubs like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. The platform offers a streamlined buying experience, starting with Hyundai as its launch partner.
  • Shoppers can browse, finance, and schedule vehicle pickups entirely through Amazon's ecosystem.
  • Hyundai is the first automaker onboard, with more brands expected to join in 2025.
  • Amazon emphasizes that local dealerships remain integral to transactions. "Dealers are the sellers of record," said Fan Jin, Amazon Autos’ global head. “The online experience will drive happy customers to their dealerships,”
  • The platform promises upfront pricing and trade-in valuations handled online for a seamless checkout experience.
  • Amazon plans to integrate more features, such as test drives and expanded financing options, while adding more dealerships and cities.

• Rivian, BMW and Tesla top the Consumer Reports brand satisfaction survey, which shows that EV brands are excelling in owner loyalty while traditional automakers fight for consistency.
  • An impressive 86% of Rivian owners would buy again, cementing the brand’s status as a leader in owner satisfaction.
  • Tesla rose two spots in rankings but saw a slight dip in owner buy-again sentiment compared to last year.
  • The top five brands overall are Rivian, BMW, Tesla, Porsche, and Lexus. The bottom five are Ram, Chrysler, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Jeep.
  • The Consumer Reports survey highlights how automakers with broad, consistent lineups build long-term customer loyalty, while those with uneven lineups struggle.

• Small business confidence in the U.S. has surged to its highest level since mid-2021, driven by post-election optimism. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports significant improvements in economic expectations, hiring plans, and sales outlook.
  • The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 101.7 in November, marking an 8-point jump.
  • 36% of small business owners expect the economy to improve, the highest since June 2020.
  • Plans to hire increased to the highest level in a year, with 32% of businesses reporting compensation increases.
  • Fewer owners listed inflation as their top issue, though 28% still plan price hikes in the coming months.
  • However, industries like transportation, construction, and professional services report ongoing difficulties in filling positions.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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