Vending machine for cars opens in Orlando.

By Automotive Editor

Carvana's vending machine for cars.
Photo: Carvana.

Move over, Disney World and Universal—because Orlando just earned a new distinction as the home of the latest vending machine for used cars.

Carvana, an e-commerce platform for used car purchases, opened their latest “vending machine for cars” yesterday in Orlando, Florida, following an opening in the Washington D.C. area two days earlier.

The Orlando vending machine, which is eight stories high and stores up to 30 vehicles, is Carvana’s 11th Car Vending Machine in the U.S.

Is it a marketing gimmick? Of course. Buy you’ve got to give credit where credit is due for creativity.

Here’s how it works. Once customers complete an e-commerce used car purchase on Carvana.com, they select a convenient day and time to pick up the vehicle from a Car Vending Machine. On arrival, Carvana provides an oversized coin to place in a slot, activating a process that transports the vehicle into the delivery bay.

No, it’s not quite a “drop and drive” process because, as with any car purchase, there is some paperwork required. But it’s “quick paperwork,” according to Carvana, after which the customer can take the vehicle home.

Customers who use the Car Vending Machine option can still take advantage of Carvana’s seven-day return policy, which Carvana describes as “an upgrade to the traditional dealership test drive” that gives motorists the opportunity for a more in-depth assessment of how well a vehicle fits into the realities of everyday living.

Carvana promises customers that their vehicles have completed a 150-point inspection process, have no reported accidents on record, and are free of frame damage. The online description page for each vehicle also includes a disclosure of imperfections and any open safety recalls.

“A little over two years ago, we launched our free, as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in Orlando. In that short time, Orlando has shown its enthusiasm for the new way to buy a car,” said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana. “We’re proud to bring our newest Car Vending Machine to a city that has welcomed us from day one.”

Located at 3511 Rio Vista Avenue,  the Car Vending Machine in Orlando is open Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicle pickup at any of Carvana’s Car Vending Machines is free for all Carvana customers. For customers that live outside of the Orlando area but would still like to pick up their car at the Vending Machine, Carvana will subsidize $200 in airfare and arrange transportation from the Orlando International Airport.

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