Carvana has confirmed that the work going on now at the former Big Tex Tree Nursery lot at 10939 Katy Fwy. is setup for the giant car vending machine referenced in September bid documents labeled with the site’s address. Building permits issued in January were applied for under the name of largely-non-digital used-car chain DriveTime, an investor in the Phoenix-based startup that also allows Carvana to borrow facilities to prepare vehicles for sale.
The new vending machine could be the first in Texas; Carvana opened a vending machine in Nashville last November, and also has a pickup site in Atlanta for those who don’t want to deal with delivery service. A reader sends some fresh shots of the action at the site, as well as a glimpse at a building plan:
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That octagonal footprint on the right appears to belong to the base of the vending machine’s storage tower, which can be seen in operation in the highly rhythmic promotional video Carvana released in November. If the Houston machine follows the Nashville model, the vending machine will dispense cars to those who have already purchased them from Carvana online, pending satisfaction after a multi-day test drive.
- Online Auto Sales Startup Carvana Is Raising $300 Million To Expand Nationwide [TechCrunch]
- Previously on Swamplot: The Coin-Operated Car Vending Machine Planned for Big Tex’s Former Katy Fwy. Spot; Big Tex Tree Nursery Uprooted from Katy Freeway
Photos: Swamplot inbox
