Carvana to bring car vending machine concept to Nashville

Car buyers through website carvana.com will soon have a physical location in Nashville to pick up vehicles purchased online.

The Phoenix-based online used auto retailer plans to open a 7,192-square-foot customer center at 4270 Kenilwood Drive around mid-October.

Construction is underway on Carvana's car vending machine concept, which will include the customer center, vehicle delivery bays and a vehicle display tower.

The highlight of the operation here will be a five-story tower from which cars will be retrieved for customers who choose the option of picking up their purchased vehicle at the new location off Interstate 65’s Armory Drive exit.

In May 2014, Carvana began selling cars online to Nashville-area customers with delivery at their homes or offices.

“Generally speaking, we found that a lot of people enjoy the option of being able to go to a physical location rather than have it delivered to their house,” said JP Martin, real estate project manager with Carvana.

Using a password, customers will be able to retrieve the ordered vehicle from the tower using the automated delivery system. They can then do a final inspection, test-drive the car and drive off.

In Atlanta, Carvana has a similar vehicle vending machine with delivery bays, but without the tower.

Martin said the company plans up to 12 physical locations nationwide next year.

At the Nashville location off Sidco Drive next to European car repair shop Eurofix, Carvana plans to employ up to 20 people, he said.

Those will include advocates who will work in the back of the Nashville building answering phones and questions from customers who show up to pick up purchased cars. It also will house drivers who deliver vehicles to online customers who choose the delivery option.

Charlotte, N.C.-based WHN Architects designed the building, which will be able to hold up to 18 cars in the tower. German company Nussbaum Technologies is the manufacturer of the vehicle display tower.

Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.