HOUSTON – Soda, pizza, movies and high-end headphones are just some of the things customers can get from Carvana vending machines. On Wednesday, Houstonians can add cars to that list.
Carvana, an online vehicle retailer, opened its second car vending machine in the United States, located at 10939 Katy Freeway.
Houston’s version of the automated car dispenser is eight stories tall and can hold up to 30 cars, according to the Phoenix-based company. That’s three stories taller than its Nashville, Tennessee, counterpart.
Carvana.com allows customers to search for and buy a vehicle online, including financing and trade-ins, the company said. Once the purchase is complete, customers can chose to have the car delivered to their door or pick it up at a vending machine.
Customers who pick the vending machine option, which is free, will be given a special coin when they arrive, the company said. They place the coin in a slot, which starts the process.
VIDEO: How the Carvana vending machine works
"Houston is a natural fit for a car vending machine, and we are thrilled to be able to offer customers this unique and, we hope, memorable pick-up option in addition to the free, as-soon-as next day delivery services we launched in Houston late last year," said Carvana founder and CEO Ernie Garcia.
Houston’s vending machine is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.