Amazon now selling used Hertz rental cars online

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Cars line up outside a Hertz Rent a Car location. Hertz Car Sales has partnered with Amazon Autos to sell used vehicles online, beginning in select U.S. cities. (Photo by Matthew Staver/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - Hertz Car Sales is joining forces with Amazon to sell pre-owned vehicles online, allowing shoppers to browse, finance, and purchase cars through Amazon Autos.

The partnership, announced this week, will initially roll out in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with plans to expand nationwide to Hertz Car Sales’ 45 U.S. locations.

The move is part of Hertz’s broader strategy to reinvent its business and expand digital retail offerings, the company said. 

What the partnership means for car buyers

Shoppers can now browse thousands of Hertz-certified vehicles directly on Amazon Autos, complete financing online, and schedule pickup at a Hertz Car Sales location.

Vehicles available through the platform include models from Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and other major brands.

By the numbers:

Benefits of purchasing include:

• A rigorous 115-point inspection on Hertz-certified vehicles
• A 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• A 7-day/250-mile buy-back guarantee
• Financing options through top lenders

What they're saying:

"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, said in a statement.

Fan Jin, global head of Amazon Autos, said the collaboration expands options for customers. "This allows us to offer an expanded selection of well-maintained vehicles from more dealerships across the country, while maintaining the simplicity that customers expect from Amazon."

The backstory:

Amazon launched Amazon Autos last year to expand into used and certified pre-owned car sales. The platform now includes dealerships in more than 130 U.S. cities.

For Hertz, which also operates Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly rental brands in 160 countries, the partnership highlights its push to transform its business model. In addition to its rental operations, Hertz is among the country’s largest used car sellers, selling thousands of vehicles each year.

What's next:

Hertz and Amazon plan to expand beyond the initial four cities, with a nationwide rollout to all Hertz Car Sales locations expected in the coming months.