Amazon can now unlock your car and leave packages in the trunk

Amazon Prime members in 37 cities across the US can now have packages delivered to their parked car, even if it is locked and unattended.

Building on the company's Amazon Key in-home delivery service, where couriers can briefly let themselves in to drop packages in the hallway while you're out, Amazon Key In-Car takes advantage of the connected systems of certain vehicles.

By partnering with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Volvo, Amazon's delivery drivers can gain brief, one-time access to the customer's car. Once they have dropped the package and closed the door or trunk, the customer is notified via the Amazon Key app that everything has gone smoothly and their car is secure.

Packages can either be dropped in the trunk or anywhere in the cabin of the vehicle. For the delivery to be successful, the car must be parked in a public-accessible place, and near to an address linked to the customer's Amazon account, such as their home or office.

In-car Amazon deliveries are available to customers with compatible 2015 or newer vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac with an active OnStar account, and customers with a 2015 or newer Volvo with the car maker's On Call service. Amazon says support for more vehicles will be added over time.

Amazon says it uses "multiple layers of verification to ensure the security of in-car deliveries". The company goes on to explain: "Each time a delivery driver requests access to a customer's vehicle, Amazon verifies that an authorized driver is at the right location with the right package, through an encrypted authentication process."

In-car deliveries are available now and at no extra cost to Prime members with qualifying vehicles and who live in one of the 37 participating US cities. Amazon says it hopes to roll out in-car deliveries mode widely soon.

Peter Larsen, vice president of delivery technology at Amazon, said: "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.

"In-car delivery gives customers that same peace of mind and allows them to take the Amazon experience with them. And, with no additional hardware or devices required, customers can start ordering in-car delivery today."

Atif Rafiq, chief digital officer at Volvo Cars, said: "This intersection between transportation and commerce could very well be the next wave of innovation, and we intend to be at the forefront."