Torrance, California – The merger of automotivetechnology and telematics continues as Honda will give Amazon the ability to deliver packages directly to your car. Cars equipped with the HondaLink Remote Services telematics system can unlock doors or trunks to allow Amazon In-Car Delivery to drop off packages in the vehicles.
“The addition of Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery to our HondaLink Remote Package of in-vehicle services comes at no additional cost to subscribers, yet another way we are creating new value for Honda customers,” said Daniel Tiet, project leader, connected business development for American Honda Motor Co..
The delivery service only applies to Amazon Prime members if 50 U.S. cities. It’s similar to trial programs that Volvo has been running in Europe for several years. It can also create a revenue stream for connectivity services for Honda and other automakers by giving consumers a reason to opt for monthly subscription fees.
Amazon will contact car owners when a package is on its way to the car. Using the car’s GPS system, the online retailer will identify where the car is (within two blocks of the selected delivery location) and use the telematics system to unlock the car’s doors.
The service could be especially useful for urban, apartment-dwelling car owners who want larger packages stored securely in a locked car instead of dropped off near a mailbox.
Vehicles compatible with the delivery system are 2018 to 2019 models of the Accord, Insight, Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot. To use it, owners must subscribe to the $110-per-year Remote level of services in HondaLink. That service level also includes parental control features such as geofencing drivers and speed alerts.