CarMax auto superstore in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

CarMax is the United States' largest used-car retailer and a Fortune 500 company. The first CarMax was started in September 1993. As of August 2012 the company has 110 locations.

 

Concept

The concept for CarMax was developed by Circuit City executives under then-CEO Richard L. Sharp. It was developed for nearly a year in 1991, using the code name "Project X", and was also known as "Honest Rick's Used Cars" to those intimately involved in the skunk works team. The concept was actually first proposed by a consultant hired by Circuit City to evaluate possible business opportunities beyond the scope of their consumer electronics locations. While used cars has always been the main business, CarMax purchased the rights to locations from car manufacturers such as Chrysler, Jeep, Mitsubishi and Toyota. CarMax also purchased an Auto Mall in Kenosha, Wisconsin that had additional manufacturer franchises, such as Ford, BMW and Volvo. The first CarMax used car auto superstore was opened in September 1993, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from Circuit City's corporate offices in Richmond, Virginia. As of February 26, 2009, CarMax operated 100 used car superstores and seven new car franchises, all of which are integrated or co-located with its used car superstores.

 

The business model began with no fees. The concept was abandoned after it was determined that customers were not concerned about paying transaction fees for the purchase of a vehicle.

 

The typical CarMax store is approximately 59,000 square feet (5,500 m2),carries an inventory of 300–400 vehicles, and turns its inventory over eight to ten times a year. On average, a CarMax location employs 40 sales associates.

 

On average, a purchased vehicle has 12 hours of work done to it before being put up for sale. Each car goes through a thorough 125-point inspection process, beyond any state-required inspections, and includes a 30-day warranty and a five-day money back guarantee.

 

Circuit City issued the first CarMax stock in February 1997, when CarMax had seven locations. Initially, the stock was a tracking stock still under the umbrella of the Circuit City. CarMax officially split from Circuit City as of October 1, 2002, when it was spun off as a stock dividend for Circuit City shareholders, with shares also issued to those holding CarMax tracking stock.

 

During the 12-month period ending February 28, 2009,the company sold 345,465 used cars. CarMax trailsFort Lauderdale, Florida-based competitor AutoNation Inc. in total car retail sales, but CarMax holds a larger used-car operation.

 

According to the CarMax fiscal year 2009 report released on April 2, 2009, the company opened 11 used car superstores, including superstores in 5 new markets.

 

Awards

CarMax has been named "America's Most Admired Company in Automotive Retailing." It also was on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list in 2005 (#87), 2006 (#93), 2007 (#88), 2008 (#46), 2009 (#31), and 2010 (#56), 2011 (#81).