SEATTLE, WA - In a new wave of convenience innovation, Amazon is taking a back seat in grocery delivery—literally. After launching Amazon Key last year to deliver groceries inside of consumers’ homes, the e-tailer is taking online delivery up a convenience notch by offering consumers the option of receiving deliveries inside of their vehicles. With Amazon Key In-Car, Prime members with OnStar or On Call accounts and compatible vehicles, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and Volvo, can now have Amazon packages delivered to the inside of their vehicles parked at home, work, or other locations in their address book.
"Since launching Amazon Key last November, we've safely delivered everything from cameras to collectable coins inside the home. Customers have also told us they love features like keyless guest access and being able to monitor their front door from anywhere with the Amazon Key App," said Peter Larsen, Vice President of Delivery Technology, Amazon. "In-car delivery gives customers that same peace of mind and allows them to take the Amazon experience with them.”
With the Amazon Key App, consumers can sync their Amazon and connected car service accounts to select the “In-Car” delivery option at checkout. On delivery day, the Amazon Key App lets customers check if they’ve parked within range of the delivery location and provides notifications with the expected 4-hour delivery time window, when the delivery is en route, when delivery has been completed, as well as when the car was unlocked and relocked.
"Unlocking Amazon Key In-Car delivery for more than 7 million Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac owners is another great example of how we are leveraging the embedded connectivity in our vehicles to provide our customers with services that make their ownership experience more valuable," said Alan Batey, President of General Motors North America.
And, for those of us still weary of the new service, Amazon is assuring Prime members by using multiple layers of verification to ensure the security of in-car deliveries, including verifying authorized delivery drivers are in the right location with the right package when they request access to a customer’s vehicle through an encrypted authentication process, according to a press release. And only once drivers are confirmed authorized, are the cars unlocked. No special keys or codes are ever provided to delivery drivers, and for added peace of mind, in-car delivery is backed by Amazon’s Happiness Guarantee.
"Simplification of experience for our consumers is central to Volvo's digital vision. Receiving a package securely and reliably in your car, without you having to be there, is something we think many people will appreciate. Our partnership with Amazon now makes this possible for a majority of our customers in the U.S.," said Volvo Cars’ Chief Digital Officer Atif Rafiq. "This intersection between transportation and commerce could very well be the next wave of innovation, and we intend to be at the forefront."
Starting in 37 cities and surrounding areas across the U.S. with more cities to be added over time, Amazon’s In-Car delivery is available on tens of millions of items sold on its website and at no extra cost for Prime members for Same Day, Two-Day, and Standard Shipping. For more information on Amazon’s latest grocery delivery service, visit www.amazon.com/keyincar.
For more on what innovations are changing the face of grocery, AndNowUKnow will continue to report with the latest.
