When you think "innovation," a vending machine isn't really the first thing that comes to mind. Unless, of course, that thing you're buying with a couple coins weighs over 4,000 pounds.
Today, Carvana, the Tempe-based e-commerce company for used cars, is bringing its Car Vending Machine to D.C., it's tenth location and first on the east coast.
The fully-automated, coin operated vending machine, which is at 15710 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland, is an eight-story, all-glass tower that holds up to 20 cars.
Customers order a car from the vending machine online and then pick it up on-site by inserting a commemorative, oversized coin into the tower. The car is then transported into the delivery bay and customers can drive it right off the lot. The vending machine is open Monday through Saturday, 9AM to 7PM.
“Growing our presence on the East Coast is a great way to kick off the summer," said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana, in a statement. "We’re looking forward to bringing the fun car-buying experience we’re known for to even more people in the area.”
In 2016, Carvana brought another unique car-buying experience to the D.C. area, offering online shoppers free, as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery to metro area residents.
Carvana's vending machines are now available in a total of ten cities - Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Nashville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Tampa and D.C. The district, to date, marks the company's most north eastern location and it's the third vending machine the business has opened this year.
