Carvana Is Turning Dealerships Into 'Playgrounds,' Test-Drive Centers With Sales All Online (cnbc.com)
(Wednesday June 17, 2026 @05:00PM (BeauHD)
from the buy-online-test-drive-offline dept.)
- Reference: 0183947104
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/06/17/2015221/carvana-is-turning-dealerships-into-playgrounds-test-drive-centers-with-sales-all-online
- Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/17/carvana-new-vehicle-sales.html
Carvana is testing a radically different new-car dealership model in Dallas, [1]turning the location into a test-drive center and themed "playground " while requiring every purchase to be completed through its online platform. "Every single car that we sell, whether it's used or new, is online," said Tom Taira, Carvana president of special projects who's leading the new vehicle operations. "That's a very inherent difference. Even coming into the store, you're buying it online, and that's a big difference in how people think about it." The company hopes its no-haggle pricing, hourly employees, service operations, and national logistics network can reshape franchised auto retail. CNBC reports:
> Through its used vehicles sales, Carvana has become the most valuable auto retailer in the U.S. with a more than $70 billion market cap. Carvana's target with the new vehicle business is to grow its market share and customer base as well as assist used vehicle sales through trade-ins and other means, according to Taira. If the company is successful, the strategy could cause a ripple effect across the U.S. franchised dealership model, which the National Automobile Dealers Association reports includes 16,990 retailers that topped $1.3 trillion in sales last year.
>
> [...] Carvana is using a location in Dallas as a test center for its foray into new vehicle sales. The facility looks like a traditional Stellantis dealership from the outside, but the consumer process for purchasing a vehicle and the responsibilities of its employees are unprecedented. Couches and chairs replace cubicles and sales offices. There are no finance and insurance departments, and instead of an army of commission-based employees, the facility has associates that are paid hourly to assist customers -- if they want the help.
>
> The experience is meant to be as self-guided as a customer wants. By scanning QR codes located on 10-foot-by-10-foot screens inside the building or on vehicles and displays outside, shoppers can customize a vehicle, learn about a product's features and conduct test drives before deciding whether to purchase anything. If they do decide to buy something, it's online and not originated from a sales person, the company said.
>
> The "playground" has roughly 50 vehicles divided by brand, with each having a theme. Jeep has an off-road display. Dodge has race tracks, including a Carvana-themed Charger pace car and part of a traditional track fence barrier. Chrysler minivans, meanwhile, have a soccer net and Ram's area is truck-centric. Carvana is not committing to expanding the exact experience to its other franchised dealer locations, but Taira told CNBC that the overall process of online sales, vehicle testing and service are expected to be consistent throughout the locations.
Further reading: : [2]Online Car Retailer Launching Nation's First Car "Vending Machine
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/17/carvana-new-vehicle-sales.html
[2] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/13/11/21/0226201/online-car-retailer-launching-nations-first-car-vending-machine
> Through its used vehicles sales, Carvana has become the most valuable auto retailer in the U.S. with a more than $70 billion market cap. Carvana's target with the new vehicle business is to grow its market share and customer base as well as assist used vehicle sales through trade-ins and other means, according to Taira. If the company is successful, the strategy could cause a ripple effect across the U.S. franchised dealership model, which the National Automobile Dealers Association reports includes 16,990 retailers that topped $1.3 trillion in sales last year.
>
> [...] Carvana is using a location in Dallas as a test center for its foray into new vehicle sales. The facility looks like a traditional Stellantis dealership from the outside, but the consumer process for purchasing a vehicle and the responsibilities of its employees are unprecedented. Couches and chairs replace cubicles and sales offices. There are no finance and insurance departments, and instead of an army of commission-based employees, the facility has associates that are paid hourly to assist customers -- if they want the help.
>
> The experience is meant to be as self-guided as a customer wants. By scanning QR codes located on 10-foot-by-10-foot screens inside the building or on vehicles and displays outside, shoppers can customize a vehicle, learn about a product's features and conduct test drives before deciding whether to purchase anything. If they do decide to buy something, it's online and not originated from a sales person, the company said.
>
> The "playground" has roughly 50 vehicles divided by brand, with each having a theme. Jeep has an off-road display. Dodge has race tracks, including a Carvana-themed Charger pace car and part of a traditional track fence barrier. Chrysler minivans, meanwhile, have a soccer net and Ram's area is truck-centric. Carvana is not committing to expanding the exact experience to its other franchised dealer locations, but Taira told CNBC that the overall process of online sales, vehicle testing and service are expected to be consistent throughout the locations.
Further reading: : [2]Online Car Retailer Launching Nation's First Car "Vending Machine
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/17/carvana-new-vehicle-sales.html
[2] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/13/11/21/0226201/online-car-retailer-launching-nations-first-car-vending-machine
Just give me an affordable vehicle ... (Score:2)
by Qbertino ( 265505 )
... that is robust, efficient and that I can maintain and repair myself if the need be. No?
Ok then, get lost. Thank you.
Re: (Score:2)
by Valgrus Thunderaxe ( 8769977 )
Get a late '90s Accord.
Re: (Score:2)
by karmawarrior ( 311177 )
Carvanna is a used car dealership. While your comments are, obviously, something everyone here will agree with except maybe the Muskophiles, they're not really relevant to this article which is about the process of buying a car, used or otherwise.
Outside of Buy Here Pay Here places, the vast majority of used car dealers - whether they sell new cars and are selling "Certified Used" or equivalent, or dedicated used car dealers, are notoriously dishonest and engage in pressure sales, hidden feeds, the 2x2 matr
I like it (Score:2)
by Local ID10T ( 790134 )
As a consumer, the idea of buying a car without haggling with slimy sales and finance people is enough to make me light headed.
If they can make this work, they have my thanks. IF. They will certainly face severe headwinds from entrenched interests.
Just Like T-Mobile Stores (Score:2)
Learned it from T-Mobile, and their T-Life setup.
Stores are all but useless now.