Carvana opens Stellantis test-drive center in tandem with new-car expansion

Carvana this week opened its first test-drive center in Dallas following expansion into the new-car market after it acquired several Stellantis dealerships. The center allows customers to browse Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM inventory in a self-directed way supported by digital experiences, according to Carvana. “We call it a playground, but we wanted to organize the dealership facility in a way that was more intuitive in the way that people like to ... discover cars,” Tom Taira , president of special projects at Carvana, told Auto Finance News . "We wanted to organize the dealership facility in a way that was more intuitive in the way that people like to ... discover cars." -- Tom Taira, Carvana Tempe, Ariz.-based Carvana operates seven Stellantis dealerships following its first acquisition in Casa Grande, Ariz. in February 2025, according to the company. Between September 2025 and April, the retailer acquired six additional Stellantis dealerships, a spokesperson told AFN . New vehicles are listed on Carvana’s website, which consumers can use to browse available cars, sort by fuel type and features, prequalify for financing and schedule delivery. In the store, associates can answer questions and help customers purchase online, Taira said. Carvana lists each new or used vehicle at a fixed price nationwide, with cash or financing incentives applied when applicable, the spokesperson said. [caption id="attachment_58362356" align="aligncenter" width="1900"] (Screenshot/Carvana)[/caption] Exploring new cars According to Carvana, customers at the Dallas test drive center can scan a QR code to access one of several cube-shaped screens to: Filter available inventory to select desired models and features; Access a map to find the vehicles they want to see on site; See vehicles grouped by model for side-by-side comparisons; Scan unique QR codes to access digital tours detailing features and specifications of each car; and Instantly set up a self-guided test drive with an available associate. [caption id="attachment_58362352" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (Courtesy/Carvana)[/caption] Carvana also launched a new-vehicle configurator tool that allows consumers to build their desired vehicle based on available inventory, the spokesperson said. Stellantis acquisitions drive new-car sales Carvana turned its Dallas-based Stellantis dealership into the test-drive center to provide a place for “hands-on discovery,” Taira said, noting that the cars at the test center are not available for purchase, just to get a feel for the model. Consumers also can test drive vehicles at the retailer’s other Stellantis dealerships before purchasing online, he said. Following Carvana’s acquisition of the Casa Grande Stellantis dealership, that dealership’s new-vehicle sales increased twentyfold in 14 months, in large part because of the retailer’s online sales model, according to data published this month by dealership sell-side advisory firm Kerrigan Advisors . Carvana Casa Grande CDJR’s monthly sales vs. CDJR market share in Phoenix MSA [caption id="attachment_58362355" align="alignnone" width="754"] (Courtesy/Kerrigan Advisors)[/caption] In May, the Arizona dealership sold more than 700 vehicles compared with 35 cars a month prior to Carvana’s acquisition, Erin Kerrigan , founder and managing director at the firm, told AFN . “They’ve found a partner in Stellantis willing to enable them to experiment with a different sales model for new cars.” -- Erin Kerrigan, Kerrigan Advisors “If they maintain that level of new-vehicle sales, it would put that dealership in the top 10 in the country of any make, which is remarkable,” she said. "They’ve found a partner in Stellantis willing to enable them to experiment with a different sales model for new cars." Building off used cars Carvana’s foray into new vehicles follows its growth in used-car sales. In the first quarter, Carvana sold 187,393 units , up 40% year over year, while originations rose 59.3% YoY to $4.3 billion. At yearend 2025, Carvana was the 21st-largest auto lender by outstandings with a portfolio of $22.4 billion, according to the latest Big Wheels ranking data . The retailer’s sales and financing volume are closely linked, Matt Dundas , vice president of finance, told AFN during a special episode of “The Roadmap” podcast. Watch the full Carvana podcast here Carvana’s AI platform has driven a sharp increase in sales, particularly since it deployed Microsoft Azure AI in 2025, according to Kerrigan Advisors. Carvana annual retail unit sales and share of overall used-car market [caption id="attachment_58362357" align="aligncenter" width="766"] (Courtesy/Kerrigan Advisors)[/caption] New-car offerings are expected to increase Carvana’s and Stellantis’ market share, Taira said, noting that most consumers who buy new cars from the retailer began as used-vehicle shoppers. Carvana’s market capitalization sat at $80 billion as of May 29, more than double the cap of new-car public retailers combined and above that of Ford Motor and General Motors , according to Kerrigan Advisors. Market Capitalization, $ in Billions, as of May 29, 2026 [caption id="attachment_58362353" align="aligncenter" width="742"] (Courtesy/Kerrigan Advisors)[/caption] "The business model is still being worked out, but ... Wall Street believes that [it] is going to be quite successful,” Kerrigan said. Shares of Carvana [NYSE: CVNA] were trading at $63.31, down 9.6% from market open as of 3:18 p.m. ET on June 17. For the past five days, the stock was down 5.9%. Its market capitalization was $70.6 billion. Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns October 5-7 at Caesars Las Vegas. To learn more about the 2026 event and register for early-bird pricing through Aug. 21, visit www.AutoFinance.live/AFS .

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