RICHMOND, Va. -

CarMax recently opened its first rooftop in Pennsylvania.

Officials highlighted that their showroom at 1457 Manheim Pike in Lancaster, Pa., consists of 49,600 square feet. CarMax employs more than 80 associates at the new store and is stocking inventory with about 300 vehicles

“Resuming our growth plan has meant expanding into new areas such as Pennsylvania,” stated CarMax president and chief executive officer Tom Folliard.

“We are proud to bring our unique car buying experience to Lancaster area residents,” Folliard added.

More than 200 local dignitaries and CarMax associates attended a grand opening preview event at the Lancaster location. The event included a “Road Rally” for charity featuring local television personalities competing in contests, which included parallel-parking and pack-the-trunk events.

CarMax said it donated $1,000 to each participant’s charity, and the winner’s charity received an additional $1,000.

The CarMax Road Rally participants included WGAL-TV traffic reporter Julie Gargotta, WHTM-TV news co-anchor Al Gnoza, WHP-TV meteorologist Kirk Clyatt and WPMT-TV morning meteorologist Jeff Robbins. 

Officials indicated the organizations that received the donations were the American Cancer Society of Lancaster, United Way of Lancaster County, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Lancaster and York County SPCA.

CarMax Expands Use of Solar Panels at Multiple Locations

In other company news, CarMax insisted it is reducing its energy consumption with recently installed solar panels at several locations.  

Recently, two CarMax stores in the Phoenix area, as well as the location in Irving, Texas, started using solar power.  

A solar panel system was first introduced at the CarMax in Fort Worth, Texas, in the fall of 2010 and officials said the set-up exceeded energy-saving expectations. 

To date, CarMax tabulated the energy generated through the Fort Worth system has prevented carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to planting more than 19,000 trees. 

A team at CarMax in partnership with GridPoint, a smart energy solutions provider, then researched additional store locations that would have similar success with a solar panel system.

Officials mentioned the factors in this research included local electricity rates, energy consumption and site characteristics such as store size and amount of un-shaded roof space. 

“CarMax never stops looking for ways to improve our facilities and reduce our energy use,” stressed Ed Kelly, CarMax’s business manager of construction. 

“The solar panels are having a bigger impact than we ever expected on the way we get and use energy, and this success is opening new doors to the ways we positively impact our communities and our business,” Kelly continued.

Kelly added that CarMax will continue to look for energy saving opportunities in new and existing stores and is committed to responsible energy practices.