Is this a sign of the future? Starting Monday, the Lincoln MKZ sedan, MKX crossover and new Navigator will be available on Amazon.com from their own pages where you can start the purchase process with a click of the mouse:
Doing so will connect them to a Lincoln page where they can select options and price their vehicle and connect with a live “Lincoln personal assistant” who will act as their go-between with a traditional bricks-and-mortar dealer to complete the transaction. Actual sales will be handled through the closest Lincoln dealership to the customer, based on the zip code they enter.
Since the actual sale will still happen at the nearest dealership, this is just another more advanced version of what already happens with many dealers who sell cars on the Internet, through their own web sites or ebay but for Amazon to step in with the blessing of the Lincoln Mercury division of Ford, this could be much bigger. It also recognizes the increasing comfort level many people have making major purchases over the Internet.
If the trial is successful, look for more cars to be offered in the future.
UPDATE: Amazon pages now live:
Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln Navigator
Link: Detroit News