Designed for Unique Customer Experience, LEED Certification
RICHMOND, Va. (February 29, 2012) - CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, officially opened its first auto superstore in Chattanooga, Tenn. today, located at 2211 Overnite Drive. The store is more than 36,000 square-feet, employs more than 90 associates and stocks about 300 used vehicles of nearly every make and model.
Chattanooga is the first CarMax store that will be LEED certified. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built with requirements that include sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. “We continue to look for ways to improve the car buying experience,” said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer of CarMax. “Our Chattanooga store combines new technology and design with our unique brand of superior customer service featuring wireless technology, videos and digital displays, tablets and social media.”
More than 200 local dignitaries and CarMax associates attended a grand opening preview event at the Chattanooga location today. The event included a "Road Rally" for charity featuring local television personalities competing in contests, which included parallel-parking and pack-the-trunk events. CarMax donated $1,000 to each participant’s charity, and the winner’s charity received an additional $1,000.
The CarMax Road Rally participants included WDEF-TV morning meteorologist Chip Chapman, WDSI-TV Racing Tonight host Dave Keyson, WRCB-TV news anchor Jed Mescon, and WTVC-TV ThisNThat host Don Welch. Organizations that received the donations were Secret Santa Chattanooga, The Humane Educational Society, MaryEllen Locher Breast Center and American Cancer Society of Chattanooga.
CarMax opened its first store in Richmond, Va. more than 18 years ago after the company surveyed thousands of consumers to find out what they liked and disliked about car shopping. CarMax was designed according to the survey responses, giving consumers what they asked for:
Low Prices
- No hassles, no haggling on all four parts of the car purchase:
- The price of the vehicle, which is posted clearly on the car and on carmax.com
- Extended service plan, consumers can choose the plan that’s right for them
- Financing, with all options displayed on a computer for the consumer to review
- The “trade-in,” a written offer good for seven days whether or not the customer buys a car from CarMax
Broad Selection
- Hundreds of vehicles on every lot (generally 250 to 450 per store)
- Nearly every make and model (both domestic and import used vehicles)
- Used vehicles that are generally one to six years old with less than 60,000 miles
- Nearly 30,000 vehicles online at carmax.com
- Transfer most used cars to the store nearest you
Great Quality
- Guaranteed quality cars and no flood or frame-damaged vehicles or vehicles with odometer or title issues
- Thoroughly inspected and reconditioned vehicles
- Five-day money back guarantee and a limited 30-day warranty
Customer Friendly
- A kids play area
- CarMax will buy any car, whether or not the seller purchases a CarMax vehicle
Chattanooga, Tenn. area residents can also preview CarMax vehicles by logging onto www.carmax.com. The website features actual prices and photos of thousands of CarMax vehicles available nationwide. Prospective car buyers can have most vehicles transferred from any CarMax location to the Chattanooga store for a fee.
CarMax is sharing photos and videos from today’s event on the company Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CarMax and through Twitter @CarMax.
About CarMax
CarMax, a member of the FORTUNE 500 and the S&P 500, and one of the FORTUNE2012 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 108 used car superstores in 53 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2011, the company retailed 396,181 used cars and sold 263,061 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.
Media Contacts
Elia Imler, CarMax Public Relations, (804) 747-0422 ext.4029
Britt Farrar, Public Relations Manager, (804) 747-0422 ext.3473
Twitter: @CarMax