Carvana brings ‘car vending machine’ to new West Coast market

The latest Carvana automated vehicle pickup location is opening in an area accustomed to high-tech offerings.

The omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is launching its 32nd car vending machine, situated in San Francisco. The steel-and-glass structure stands eight stories tall with a 27-vehicle capacity, and serves as an automated fulfillment center for online car purchases.

The car vending machine, the fourth Carvana has launched in California, follows other recent openings, such as one introduced in the Houston area in April 2022. It is designed to offer a convenient pickup option for customers who purchase a vehicle on the Carvana omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars.

Customers can use the Carvana online platform to shop more than 70,000 used cars for sale; secure auto financing; use a digital car loan calculator; and purchase, trade-in, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in as little as five minutes. In addition to home delivery, Carvana customers in San Francisco and other markets with a car vending machine can also choose to select a day and time to pick up their vehicle at the automated car dispensing location.

Upon arrival, they will be greeted by a customer advocate and receive a commemorative, oversized Carvana coin to activate the automated vending process and watch their vehicle descending through the lit structure.

Customers receive a high-definition, 360-degree virtual tour of every vehicle, inside and out. Vehicles have passed a 150-point inspection, have never been in a reported accident, and have no frame damage. Features, imperfections, and updated information about open safety recalls are listed on every car’s vehicle description page.

All vehicles in Carvana’s national inventory come with a seven-day return policy; as opposed to a traditional test drive. According to Carvana, this ensures customers have the right amount of time to determine if the vehicle fits their needs.

Customers can also sell their current vehicle to Carvana and receive an offer in as little as five minutes, without having to purchase a vehicle. To sell a vehicle, customers enter their VIN or license plate number on Carvana.com, answer a few questions, and then Carvana can pick up the vehicle and pay them as soon as the next day.

“Bridging the gap between consumers and automakers by removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service has always been Carvana’s mission,” said Ernie Garcia, Carvana founder and CEO. “Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and affordable online car buying and financing solution that embraces San Francisco’s world-renowned disruptor spirit, and now we look forward to driving people in the tech capital of the U.S. happy with all of the fun and excitement that comes with a Car Vending Machine pickup experience.”

The newest car vending machine is the fourth of its kind in California, and the 32nd in the U.S. Additional car vending machines are located in Utah, Virginia, Nevada, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Georgia.

Based in Phoenix, Carvana was founded in 2012 and operates in over 300 U.S. markets.