JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Driving along I-95 near Butler Boulevard you've probably noticed a unique structure going up. Construction is complete and Carvana launched its much anticipated car vending machine on Wednesday. It's the first of its kind in Florida.
"We wanted to give customers another option to come pick up the car from us but we want to do it in a way that didn't feel or look like a traditional dealership," said Ryan Keeton, co-founder, chief brand officer for Carvana.
Carvana turns that dream into a reality with this eight-story car vending machine on the Southside. It can hold about 30 cars and it took several years to get it just right.
"It started out in Atlanta with version 1.0," Carvana employee David Briggs said. "Basically you go in and there's bays and you buy your car."
Carvana's newest vending machine is fully automated. Customers who purchase a car online can opt to pick it up from this vending machine using a special coin. The machine comes to life, sliding the platform holding the car and transporting it down to the pickup bay on the ground floor. The reaction from customers?
"I've gotten high fives, I've gotten hugs. Everyone's happy to be here," said Briggs.
All cars in Carvana vending machines have already been purchased, they serve as a pick up option for customers who prefer this instead of having the car delivered directly to their door.
Carvana co-founders said they are changing the car-buying industry with no salesman and an online-based dealership. Customers can have their new cars delivered as soon as the next day, or they can pick them up at the vending machine.