CarMax(R) to Open South Atlanta Location

16 June 1997

    RICHMOND, Va., June 16 -- Consumers in the Clayton and Henry
county areas of Atlanta will have easier access to the nation's largest used
and new-car Superstore retailer beginning tomorrow when CarMax opens its third
Atlanta location.
    The newest CarMax Auto Superstore will open at 3100 Mount Zion Parkway at
Exit 75, off Interstate Highway 75 in Stockbridge, Ga.  CarMax opened its
first Atlanta location in March 1995 at 1215 Ernest Barrett Parkway, close to
the Town Center Mall.  A second site followed in June 1995 at the intersection
of I-85 and Beaver Ruin Road in Norcross.
    CarMax pioneered the used-car Superstore concept by offering a broad
selection of 400 to 1,000 top-quality used cars and trucks; low prices with no
negotiating; and customer-friendly service throughout the buying experience.
CarMax also provides repair service, including factory-authorized service on
the new-vehicle brands it sells.  The auto retailer is a subsidiary of Circuit
City Stores, Inc.
    The new location has capacity for more than 800 used and new vehicles.
The used-car selection features compact and luxury cars, sport utility
vehicles, mini-vans and light trucks from a broad range of manufacturers.  It
includes the nation's top-selling vehicles.  All used vehicles have been
carefully reconditioned to pass CarMax's Certified Quality Inspection(SM) ,
which covers all mechanical and electrical systems.  Like the Norcross
Superstore, the Stockbridge location will feature new Chrysler, Plymouth,
Jeep(R) and Eagle vehicles.
    "Our results clearly prove that consumers want to buy cars the way we sell
cars,"  said Austin Ligon, president of CarMax.  "We provide low prices,
without the haggle of negotiating; a tremendous selection; quality guarantees;
and exceptional service before and after-the-sale.   We give the customer a
pressure-free environment with the information they want and need to make an
intelligent, economical automobile purchase."

    Buying a Car at CarMax
    Selecting a Vehicle.    Using AutoMation(R), a unique touch-screen
inventory selection system, CarMax's trained sales consultants help customers
identify the CarMax vehicles that meet their needs.  AutoMation sorts vehicles
by type, make, model and price and displays on-screen all features,
specifications and the CarMax no-haggle price.   All vehicles are displayed on
the lot by type, make and model.  For each vehicle selected,
    AutoMation prints a fact sheet that includes vehicle information and a map
indicating where the vehicle is parked on the CarMax lot.  The sales
consultant also can provide information on the more than 3,000 used vehicles
at other CarMax locations.

    CarMax Prices.  CarMax offers low prices at every stage of the vehicle
transaction -- from the new purchase through the financing and warranty
purchase.  CarMax used vehicles are generally priced $500 to $1,000 below the
National Automobile Dealers Association average retail book value.  New
vehicles are priced to offer the consumer the best value available in the
market.  All prices are non-negotiable so every customer receives the same,
attractive low price.
    CarMax replaces the traditional trade-in with an appraisal process in
which cars are purchased from all consumers, even those not buying another
vehicle from CarMax.  Trained CarMax buyers appraise the vehicle, usually in
30 minutes or less, and provide the vehicle's owner with a written guaranteed
cash offer good for seven days or 300 miles.
    CarMax also provides easy financing at competitive rates.  The sales
consultant helps the customer complete a financing application, which is sent
on-line to First North American Credit, a wholly owned credit subsidiary of
Circuit City, and to NationsBank.  Qualified customers can view rate terms
from both providers generally within eight minutes or less.
    MaxCare(R), CarMax's extended service program, offers limited bumper-to-
bumper mechanical protection with flexible terms up to 72 months.  Customers
can view all extended warranty pricing and terms and make the decision that is
right for them.  Again, pricing is not negotiated, so all customers receive
the same favorable terms.
    Finally, unlike many traditional dealers, CarMax adds no processing fees
to the vehicle price.  In fact, the retailer provides on-line vehicle
registration at no additional charge.  The only additional fees are tax and
license fees payable to the state.

    Quality Vehicles.  CarMax vehicles are generally one to six years old with
fewer than 60,000 miles.  ValuMax vehicles, which expand the selection for
more cost-conscious consumers, are generally more than six years old or have
more than 60,000 miles.
    In Atlanta, CarMax provides a 5-day, 250-mile return guarantee and a 90-
day, 3,000-mile limited warranty.  All CarMax vehicles pass the Certified
Quality Inspection process covering all mechanical and electrical systems.
ValuMax vehicle inspections cover all mechanical features, ensuring quality of
operation at a value price.  CarMax does not sell vehicles that have incurred
frame damage or extensive body work.  Inspections are performed by CarMax
service technicians, who are ASE certified, the industry standard for
technician training.

    Customer-Friendly Service.  A single CarMax sales consultant assists the
customer throughout the shopping process.  Sales consultants at all CarMax
locations have been carefully selected from other high-service businesses.
Their customer focus combined with the no-pressure sales and pricing
philosophy and the management information systems that support the buying
process create an exceptional car buying experience for the customer.
Generally, customers can complete the entire transaction from vehicle
selection through test driving and financing in two hours or less. As an extra
convenience, each location features a supervised "For Kids-Only" play area.
    CarMax offers convenient store hours, including weekends and evenings.
All Atlanta CarMax locations are open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.;
and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

    Vehicle Service
    The Atlanta CarMax locations also provide vehicle repair service to all
Atlanta area consumers.  General maintenance is available on all vehicle makes
and models.  The new Stockbridge Superstore and the Norcross Superstore
provide factory-authorized service on Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep and Eagle
vehicles.  Service hours are Monday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

    CarMax began development of the auto superstore concept in 1991 and opened
the first store of its kind in 1993 in Richmond, Va.  Circuit City Stores,
Inc. is the nation's largest retailer of brand-name consumer electronics and
major appliances and a leading retailer of personal computers and music
software.  With headquarters in Richmond, Va., the company operates eight
CarMax Auto Superstores, including the Stockbridge location; 450 Circuit City
Superstores; four consumer electronics-only stores; and 50 mall-based Circuit
City Express stores throughout the United States.  The Circuit City Group
common stock trades under the symbol "CC."  The company's CarMax Group common
stock trades under the symbol "KMX."  Additional CarMax information is
 available at http://www.carmax.com.

SOURCE  CarMax