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Autobahn [AW-tuh-bahn] Motors, a Singapore-based company that sells secondhand luxury cars, recently unveiled a fifteen-story car vending machine, the tallest in the world.
The building can house up to sixty vehicles and allows customers to choose a car from a tablet device. Like a vending machine, it then automatically delivers cars from its various floors to the ground floor in less than two minutes. This technology is called the Automotive Inventory Management System (AIMS) and was developed solely by Autobahn Motors.
Autobahn’s General Manager Gary Hong narrated that he first thought of the building’s design after seeing a toy car display inside a toy shop. This inspired him to create a layout that would maximize the space for car storage, especially since Singapore has limited land area. In addition, capturing the interest of potential customers was also equally important, Hong said. It took Autobahn Motors three years to fully conceptualize the design.
Hong also reported that the company’s sales grew by 30% recently, which he attributed to the release of Autobahn’s car vending machine a few months prior.
Land developers have also been reported to frequent the building. Hong said that they expressed interest in Autobahn’s AIMS technology and want to adopt the system for car parks. In another interview, Hong said that he is planning to sell his technology to businesses in China and other countries.
Though Autobahn Motors is operating the tallest car vending machine to date, US company Carvana launched a similar car management technology in 2014. At eight stories high, their car vending machine can house up to 30 cars.