Consumer Corner
Hyundai Vehicles Available to “Add to Cart” on Amazon Autos
- Customers in the U.S. can buy new Hyundai vehicles directly on Amazon Autos and schedule pickup through participating dealers
- Hyundai is the first and currently only brand available on Amazon Autos
- National program launch kicks off with all-new marketing campaign highlighting the convenience of “Add to Cart”
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Car buyers around the U.S. can browse, order and finance any new Hyundai vehicle through a participating Hyundai dealer directly on Amazon Autos, and schedule a pickup from the dealer. Amazon’s online vehicle sales experience is available nationally in 54 markets, representing 71 percent of Hyundai’s sales volume.1 This creates another way for Hyundai dealers to build awareness of their inventory and offer more convenience to their customers. Additional dealer participation, markets and functionalities will continue to roll out throughout the year.
“At Hyundai, we put the customer at the center of everything we do, and we are always looking for ways to improve the vehicle purchasing experience,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company. “We’re thrilled to be the first brand enabling our dealers to sell vehicles through Amazon Autos. This collaboration allows customers to conveniently discover, learn about, and purchase their preferred Hyundai model from their local dealer through one of the world’s most trusted shopping experiences. It represents the future of automotive retail and our commitment to redefining how cars are marketed and purchased.”
National Marketing Campaign
To support the launch, Hyundai is announcing an extensive marketing campaign that includes integrated partnerships, TV and digital video advertising, social extensions and more. All-new ads highlighting the joy and simplicity of “Add to Cart” begin airing across television, social and digital channels today.
The ad, set in an Amazon fulfillment center, showcases iconic toys and merchandise typically ordered from Amazon, culminating in the reveal of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe from an Amazon shipping box. The creative then fades into showing how seamless it is to add the Santa Fe to an Amazon Cart on your phone via Amazon Autos. 
The content will air nationally, including during upcoming professional football and basketball games, and on Amazon Prime Video properties. Beyond video, Hyundai is diversifying the channel mix to demonstrate the ease of purchase on Amazon through out-of-home (OOH), audio, website content, paid search and media partnership integrations.
Furthermore, Hyundai is also spotlighting key consumer benefits such as ease and convenience in a mini-campaign series titled “In the Time it Takes”, which will run on digital and social channels beginning in mid-January through March. The creative highlights various scenarios in life that should be simple but take longer than expected (i.e. finding the remote or teaching your parent the newest slang term) and then shows how purchasing a Hyundai vehicle on Amazon Autos is even easier than these tasks and could have been completed in this time.
The integrated program was developed in collaboration with Hyundai’s creative agency of record, INNOCEAN USA, while its media agency, Canvas, coordinated the media buys.
Amazon Autos Vehicle Purchase Experience
The following Amazon Autos information is from About Amazon.
With Amazon Autos, customers have a simple, end-to-end online experience to purchase their next Hyundai vehicle, allowing them to:
- Browse and search for available vehicles at their local dealer by make, model, trim, color, and features
- Get an instant valuation and trade-in their existing vehicle toward the price of the new car
- Select their preferred car
- Secure financing or pay in full
- Complete the checkout process online with their chosen payment option
- Schedule a pick-up time at the dealership
All of this is done within the convenient Amazon experience that customers know and trust, providing a streamlined and transparent car buying process from search to purchase.
Convenient, streamlined experience
With Amazon Autos, customers can search available vehicles from local participating dealers by model, trim, color, features and more—all in one place. Once they select a vehicle, they can secure financing, e-sign paperwork, and complete their order in a matter of clicks.
After finalizing their payment information, customers will select a day and time to pick up their new car at the local participating dealership.
Transparent, haggle-free pricing
Amazon Autos provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing set by the dealer, eliminating the need for negotiation. The price customers see at check-out is the price they pay, inclusive of all taxes and fees.
Seamless vehicle trade-ins
Customers can get a firm trade-in value for their current vehicle by answering a set of questions about the vehicle’s condition and uploading images of their car. The value, which is provided by an independent third-party, can then be applied towards purchasing their new car through Amazon Autos – streamlining the upgrade process within the familiar Amazon shopping experience. At the dealership, customers complete the process by dropping off their trade-in when picking up their new vehicle.
Trusted Amazon shopping experience customers know and love
Vehicle shopping and purchases happen directly within the Amazon store with familiar features like customer reviews, seller (dealership) reviews, add to cart, and the simplicity of the Amazon checkout process.
“At Fred Beans Automotive Group, we take pride in making sure each customer vehicle delivery is a special occasion, in fact we refer to them as events,” said Beth Gilbert Beans, vice president of Fred Beans Automotive Group, which owns five Hyundai dealerships in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “The decision to buy a car is significant, and no matter how many years I’ve been in this business, the thrill of handing over a set of car keys never fades. We’re excited to continue providing that feeling through this new sales channel and connecting with the millions of shoppers on Amazon through this new, convenient experience.”
More Hyundai dealers will continue to be added to Amazon Autos. Functionality like leasing and expanded financing options will continue to roll out early this year.
Visit Amazon.com/Autos and HyundaiUSA.com/Amazon to learn more.
Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok
1 Amazon Autos is available at select Hyundai dealers in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Birmingham, Boston, Champaign/Springfield, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, El Paso, Fond Du Lac, Ft. Myers/Naples, Harrisburg-York, PA, Harrisonburg, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis St., Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Sheboygan, Springfield, MA, St. Louis, Tampa, Traverse City, MI, W. Palm Beach, Washington, D.C.
SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
Health
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips you can use to make your home safer all year round.
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
(Feature Impact) Outsmarting a baby can be harder than it sounds – especially when it comes to transforming your home into a safe place for them to explore. Through their eyes, a coffee table becomes a climbing opportunity, a dangling phone charger looks like a teething toy and a cabinet of cleaning supplies could be an exciting travel destination.
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips to make your home safer all year round.
Install Gates and Doorknob Covers
Crawling babies and stairs are a bad combination. Make sure the two never have the chance to meet by securely installing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to thwart young explorers. Gates or doorknob covers can also block access to other rooms and areas you’d prefer to keep off limits, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Use Safety Latches Wisely
Cabinets and drawers can contain a myriad of dangerous items, from cleaning products to sharp objects and medications. Even if you have rooms gated off, treat safety latches and locked storage receptacles as a second line of defense to make sure babies and toddlers can’t rummage where they shouldn’t.
Stress-Test Furniture
As babies and toddlers transition from crawling to walking, they often try using furniture to pull themselves up. Tall or unstable objects like TV stands, small tables and bookshelves can tip over if they aren’t properly secured. Try giving these objects a shake to see whether they’re easily moveable or wobbly; if so, anchor them to the floor or wall when possible. While you’re at it, check for sharp corners at the right height to bonk little heads and cover them with softer edge protectors.
Cover Outlets and Stow Cords
Electrical outlets can be tempting targets for curious fingers. Outfit them with covers or plastic safety caps, especially if you don’t already have tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in mechanisms to block foreign objects from entering the slots. As you’re going about your outlet audit, pay attention to cords as well. When possible, tuck them away or secure them with cord organizing systems, and block access to objects like lamps where cords can be used for tugging and toppling.
See the World at Their Level
Although it might feel silly, one of the best ways to spot hazards around your home is to scout for them from a baby’s perspective. Try getting as close to the floor as you can then look around each room for anything that could interest a young child and pose potential danger. In particular, keep an eye out for small objects that could become choking hazards, like dropped coins, batteries or loose toy pieces.
As children grow, so do the needs of your space. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more ideas on designing your home to fit your family.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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Economy
U.S. Consumer Confidence Slips as Americans Grow More Cautious About the Future
U.S. consumer confidence edged lower in August as Americans became more pessimistic about jobs, income and business conditions over the next six months, despite improved views of the current economy.
NEW YORK — U.S. consumer confidence edged lower in August as Americans expressed greater concern about future business conditions, jobs and household income, even as their assessment of the current economy improved.
The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index fell 0.8 points to 89.4 in August, down from 90.2 in July.
The relatively small decline, however, masks a widening gap between how consumers view conditions today and what they expect in the months ahead.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, climbed 6.8 points to 121.2, reversing three consecutive months of declines.
Meanwhile, the Expectations Index, which measures the short-term outlook for income, business and employment conditions, dropped 5.8 points to 68.2.
“Consumer confidence moderated slightly in August for a second consecutive month,” Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, said in the organization’s Aug. 25 release.
Jobs Look Better Today — But Consumers Worry About Tomorrow
Americans’ perceptions of the current labor market improved considerably during August. About 27% said jobs were plentiful, up from 24.4% in July, while 19.5% said jobs were hard to get, down from 21.7%.
The outlook for the next six months was considerably weaker.
Only 14.6% expected more jobs to become available, compared with 16.4% in July. At the same time, 26.1% expected fewer jobs.
Consumers were also less optimistic about their incomes. About 17.6% expected their income to increase, down from 19.5% in July, while 13.8% expected their income to decline.
Prices Remain on Consumers’ Minds
Inflation continues to influence how Americans feel about the economy. According to The Conference Board, consumers’ written responses frequently mentioned prices, oil and gasoline, food and groceries, trade, jobs, and war or conflict.
Average and median expectations for inflation over the next 12 months also increased slightly.
Interest rates remain another concern. More than six in 10 consumers — 61.3% — expected interest rates to rise over the next year, although that was slightly lower than the 62% recorded in July.
Consumers Are Still Planning to Spend
The softer outlook hasn’t eliminated Americans’ willingness to make purchases.
Auto-buying expectations remained strong on a six-month moving-average basis, while homebuying expectations declined slightly in August but remained on a longer-term upward trend after hitting decade lows in early 2024.
Restaurants, bars and takeout; utilities; and streaming, internet and mobile services ranked among consumers’ leading planned service expenses.
Consumers were less enthusiastic about discretionary activities including movies, personal-travel hotels, airfare, amusement parks, museums and historical sites.
Why It Matters
The August numbers paint a mixed picture of the American consumer.
People are seeing some improvement in the economy they are experiencing today, particularly in the labor market. But their expectations for the next six months are becoming noticeably more cautious.
That divide matters because consumer spending represents a major part of U.S. economic activity. If concerns about employment, inflation and household income begin translating into reduced spending, weakening confidence could eventually become more significant for the broader economy.
For now, the August survey suggests Americans haven’t stopped spending — but they’re increasingly keeping an eye on what may be coming next.
The preliminary August Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted online for The Conference Board by Toluna. The survey period was Aug. 3–16, 2026.
Source: The Conference Board, August 2026 Consumer Confidence Survey®, released Aug. 25, 2026.
STM Daily News Economy News Brief
Sources
- The Conference Board — U.S. Consumer Confidence, August 2026 — Primary source for the August Consumer Confidence Index, Present Situation Index and Expectations Index.
- The Conference Board — Consumer Confidence Survey & Data — Consumer confidence survey information, methodology and release schedule.
Related Economic Data
- Bureau of Economic Analysis — Consumer Spending — Official U.S. data tracking personal consumption expenditures. Consumer spending increased 0.2% in July 2026.
- BEA — Personal Income and Outlays, July 2026 — Tracks household income, disposable income, consumer spending and saving.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index — Official inflation data. The July 2026 CPI was up 3.4% from a year earlier; August CPI is scheduled for release September 11.
- Federal Reserve — Consumer Credit — Federal Reserve data covering revolving and nonrevolving consumer credit.
Automotive
Avoiding a Costly Lockout: 4 Reasons to Duplicate Your Car Key
Duplicate Your Car Key: Losing your keys may be frustrating, but realizing you’re locked out of your car – without a spare key – can be truly panic-inducing. Consider these four common reasons drivers make duplicate keys, and how planning ahead can help prevent a lockout from becoming a costly problem.
Avoiding a Costly Lockout: 4 Reasons to Duplicate Your Car Key
(Feature Impact) Losing your keys may be frustrating, but realizing you’re locked out of your car – without a spare key – can be truly panic-inducing. The price of getting back on the road can depend on several factors, including your vehicle make and model, the type of key that needs replacing and whether the situation calls for emergency roadside assistance.
Avoiding a potentially pricey and stressful lockout, which occurs for nearly 4 million Americans each year, starts by planning ahead. According to KeyMe Locksmiths, a service that makes it easy to duplicate car keys at up to 70% off dealership prices, creating a spare before the original is lost, addressing worn keys before they break and keeping backups in secure locations can reduce the need for emergency locksmith services.
“A good rule of thumb is to have at least two working keys for your vehicle,” said Samantha Jahnke, chief experience officer for KeyMe Locksmiths. “If you’re down to one, make a spare while you still have a working key. It can save you stress and expense if you’re ever locked out.”
Consider these four common reasons drivers make duplicate keys, and how planning ahead can help prevent a lockout from becoming a costly problem.
Have a Backup for Lost or Damaged Keys
One car key isn’t enough, because all it takes is one accident or memory lapse to disrupt your day. Maybe you already had a spare key, but it’s been a while since you’ve seen it. Or perhaps you have a habit of locking your key inside your vehicle, so you’d feel better with an extra. Having a spare – or a spare for the spare – gives you peace of mind you have another way to get back on the road without additional hassle.
Give Another Driver Convenient Access
If you share a vehicle with another member of your household, it makes life more convenient for each driver to have their own keys. Instead of passing the primary set back and forth, or arguing over who saw them last, both of you will have reliable access to the car when you need it. Plus, a spare set of keys makes a nice surprise when it’s time to give a new driver in the house access to the car.
Keep a Spare Set for Travel
When you’re far from home, it can be especially risky to only have one set of keys with you. If they happen to fall out of your pocket or get misplaced at the hotel, you could wind up stranded hundreds of miles away, facing the stress of finding a replacement service in an unfamiliar area. Bring a spare to keep in a secure location, like a purse or backpack that always stays on you, so you can focus on enjoying your vacation. If you realize before a trip you don’t have a spare, plan ahead and get a duplicate made before you hit the road.
Make an Extra for a Used Vehicle
Sometimes buying a used vehicle means the previous owner has already done the work of losing the spare key. If your car only comes with one key, make a backup as soon as possible. Having two working keys can also pay off when it’s time to sell or trade in your vehicle, as a missing spare may reduce its value or give a buyer another reason to negotiate.
Learn more about duplicating keys for more than 40,000 different vehicle makes, models and years at CopyKeys.com.
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