CarMax

CarMax, Inc.
Public
Traded as NYSE: KMX
S&P 500 Component
Industry New and used car retailer
Founded September 1993 (1993-09) (as a subsidiary of Circuit City)
Headquarters Goochland County, Virginia (Richmond mailing address)
Key people

Bill Nash CEO;

William R.Tiefel, Chairman;
Tom Reedy, CFO
Revenue Increase US$14.26 Billion (2015)[1]
Increase US$969.3 Million (2015)[1]
Increase US$597.4 Million (2015)[1]
Number of employees
 ~22,000 (2015)[1]
Parent Circuit City (1993–2002)
Independent (2002–present)
Website carmax.com
CarMax store in Raleigh, North Carolina

CarMax is the United States' largest used-car retailer and a Fortune 500 company. The first CarMax location opened in September 1993. As of May 2015, the company had 156 locations.[2] Prior to the first store being built, DeVito/Verdi was hired as the advertising agency and creative resource. The company executed the campaign and additional TV advertisements over the course of a number of years in support of the launch and the initial wave of stores.

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.[3] 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, Mitsubishi, and Toyota. CarMax also purchased an auto row in Kenosha, Wisconsin that had additional manufacturer franchises, such as Ford, BMW, and Volvo. The first CarMax location 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.[4]

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

A typical CarMax store is approximately 59,000 square feet (5,500 m2),[5] 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. 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.[6]

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, 2015, the company sold 582,282 used cars.[1] According to the CarMax fiscal year 2009 report released on April 2, 2009, the company opened 11 used car superstores, including superstores in 69 new markets.[7]

CarMax was on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list from 2005 to 2016, placing 85th in 2016.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Car Max Inc. Form 10-K For Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2015". Securities and Exchange Commission. April 24, 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 "85. CarMax". Fortune. Time Inc. 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Michael Myser, "The Wal-Mart of Used Cars: Unlikely big-box chain CarMax has transformed the world of auto retailing", Business 2.0 magazine, October 2, 2006
  4. ↑ media.car-max.com
  5. ↑ Jerimiah McWilliams, "No-haggle auto giant CarMax to open first store in Hampton Roads", "'The Virginian-Pilot, October 26, 2005
  6. ↑ Openshaw, Jennifer (August 3, 2006). "Buying a new car? Take a trip down the used luxury aisle first". MarketWatch.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  7. ↑ "CarMax Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Results". Corporate-IR.net (Press release). April 2, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

External links

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