CarMax planning new Buford dealership
Richmond, Virginia-based CarMax plans to open a new dealership on a vacant seven acre parcel on Buford Drive near the Mall of Georgia. The land sits between Shad Mistubishi and AutoNation Volkswagen, just off interstate 985.
In my research for this post I was shocked to learn that CarMax started as a division of Circuit City!
CarMax currently operates eight dealerships in Georgia in Roswell, Augusta, Columbus, Lithia Springs, Norcross, Savannah, Stockbridge and Kennesaw. CarMax also operates a mini "car buying center" in a converted gas station at the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (listed as their "Buckhead" location) in Chamblee.
A typical CarMax will have between 250-500 cars across dozens of brands and various price ranges at any time. A traditional dealership is more likely to have between 30-100 cars on hand, and often only a few brands represented.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based AutoNation is CarMax's largest rival. Whereas CarMax primarily only opens large format "superstores," a typical AutoNation is far smaller. Additionally, CarMax focuses largely on the used car market, while AutoNation tends to skew more toward new cars. In both cases, the companies bring a single brand name to an often fragmented and localized industry.
AutoNation operates ten locations in metro Atlanta including FIAT, Toyota, Scion and the aforementioned Volkswagen dealership near the Mall of Georgia.
Plans call for the new CarMax in Buford to open sometime late this year or early next year.
Plans call for the new CarMax in Buford to open sometime late this year or early next year.
Where did you you buy your last new or used car? Are you a fan of the traditional dealership, the CarMax model, Craigslist or new services like Carvana? What is the first thing you look for in a car?
Please share your thoughts below.