Carvana Co. expects the conversion of ADESA Kansas City into a joint auto auction and inspection and reconditioning center to create about 200 new entry-level and skilled manufacturing jobs in the area over the next few years.
It’s the first ADESA location that will be converted into what the company calls a “megasite” — meaning it will incorporate its own vehicle inspection and reconditioning capabilities but retain all of the site’s original online and on-track auction offerings. Carvana, an online used-vehicle retailer, acquired ADESA’s 56-site auction network in 2022.
The company previously announced plans to integrate its inspection and reconditioning processes at two other locations — ADESA Buffalo in Akron, N.Y., and ADESA Portland in Wood Village, Ore. However, those two locations are not being dubbed megasites and will only hold online auctions.
“The Carvana-ADESA combination has already played an important role in making our retail and wholesale operations more efficient and effective,” said Brian Boyd, Carvana’s senior vice president of inventory, in a statement. “As Carvana transitions into its long-term phase of driving profitable growth, we are excited to further harness the power of our infrastructure by bringing inspection and reconditioning capabilities to more ADESA sites.”
Carvana said the converted ADESA Kansas City will anchor the company’s growing retail and wholesale operations in Belton, Mo., and the surrounding metro region. It began operations in August. Roles to be added include technicians, vehicle detailers and production and logistics associates, a Carvana spokesman said.
Boyd also said in his statement that the conversion of ADESA Kansas City will enable faster delivery to local retail customers, increase its auction offerings for local commercial customers and expand Carvana’s presence as an employer in the region.