Zerolight has teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to offer car manufacturers a way of launching new models with a configurator on the online retail platform.

Amazon Live is a streaming platform powered by the Cloud, where users can now explore and configure a car and its optional features digitally.

It follows a similar partnership between Zerolight and Facebook with Volkswagen Group brand, Skoda, last year.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is the first new model to be launched on the Amazon Live streaming platform, with the Japanese carmaker partnering with Zerolight and AWS to provide car buyers the opportunity to take a closer look at the SUV before it goes in sale in selected markets in April.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander will not be sold in the UK market after Mitsubishi Motors UK announced it had written to its UK franchised retail partners to inform them of the Japanese car manufacturer's plan to exit the UK and European new car markets.

The franchised retail partners are still waiting to be issued with new aftersales contracts seven months after the brand announced its “shock” plan to end new car sales in Europe.

There will be no u-turn of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK’s decision to transition away from new car sales, despite reports which suggest the Japanese carmaker could review its decision to withdraw from Europe.

The Amazon Live platform features a built-in 3D configurator from Zerolight. All content is rendered in the cloud and then streamed to the user’s mobile, tablet, or computer like an interactive video, with no on-device rendering or plug-ins required.

Zerolight said the 3D configurator enables customers to visualise a comprehensive range of options for any vehicle.

In 2020, Zerolight created what it claims is “the world’s most advanced car-buying journey” to deliver UK sales of the record-breaking Lucid Air – a Tesla rival claiming the world’s longest electric vehicle (EV) range.

With the 2022 Outlander on the plaftorm, users can move around the vehicle, switch between interior and exterior views, use pre-set camera angles, and transport the SUV to four environments.

Francois de Bodinat, CPO at Zerolight, said: “Modern customers now expect to engage with brands digitally in creative and interactive ways.

“It’s fair to say that the auto industry has been a slow learner, until the impact of COVID-19 gave carmakers and retailers no choice but to catch up.

“Showrooms re-opening across the UK in April won’t change these new shopping habits, the toothpaste cannot go back in the tube.”