US-based automotive portal Carvarna.com put a twist on traditional car buying when it launched a world first car vending machine in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee in 2016. Now they’re decided to expand to Philadelphia.
A new car vending machine will be set up on an acre in Fishtown. Officials with Philadelphia’s industrial-development agency voted last week to authorize the sale of a segment of the block, but the transaction must also be approved by City Council.
The move is in line with Carvana’s attempt to disrupt the traditional car buying business models. While the car vending machine is original and eye catching, it’s part of a larger strategy to store the bulk of used-auto inventory away from — but within easy delivery distance of — the densely-populated areas where most customers live.
According to a statement from Carvana co-founder Ryan Keeton, Philadelphia could be the first of many more vending machine locations in the US.
“While we do have plans to bring car vending machines like the ones launched in Houston and Nashville to as many markets as possible over the next few years, we’re not able to confirm any specifics at this point,” Keeton said.
