Career Changes & Children Likely to Prompt Women to Purchase a Car, According to CarMax Survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CAREER CHANGES AND CHILDREN LIKELY TO PROMPT WOMEN TO PURCHASE A CAR, 
ACCORDING TO CARMAX SURVEY

RICHMOND, Va. (October 13, 2009) ? For women, purchasing a car can often 
be triggered by major life events, particularly changes in employment and 
family, according to a recent survey conducted for CarMax, Inc.
, the nation?s largest retailer of used cars. 

Sixty percent of women surveyed indicated that a change in their career, 
whether it was a new job (37 percent) or retirement (23 percent), would be 
most likely to initiate the purchase of a vehicle. However, for women 
between the ages of 18 and 34, forty-one percent responded more likely to 
purchase a car when they become pregnant or welcomed another child into 
the family, a similar percentage as those surveyed who chose ?new job? in 
the same age group. 

?Many personal factors affect women shopping for a car,? said Donna 
Wassel, Southwest region vice president of CarMax. ?Changes in family and 
employment create an opportunity to evaluate your current driving 
situation.  If a car purchase is right for you, shopping at a no-hassle, 
no-haggle car retailer such as CarMax can make the experience a fun and 
enjoyable one.?

The following are the results of the recent poll that asked women: Of the 
following life events, which is most likely to prompt you to purchase a 
car?

Response
All ages
Women
Percent
Women ages 18-34
Percent
New job
37%
44%
Retirement
23%
0%
Pregnancy/having an additional child
15%
41%
My child becomes driver
11%
11%
Empty nest
10%
2%
Divorce
3%
1%

The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax.  The 
national sample consisted of more than 500 U.S. women, aged 18 and older 
who were interviewed online August 17 through August 19, 2009. 

About CarMax
CarMax, a Fortune 500 company, and one of the Fortune 2009 ?100 Best 
Companies to Work For,? is the nation?s largest retailer of used cars. 
Headquartered in Richmond, Va., we currently operate 100 used car 
superstores in 46 markets.  The CarMax consumer offer is structured around 
four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high 
quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service.  During the twelve months 
ended February 28, 2009, the company retailed 345,465 used vehicles and 
sold 194,081 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more 
information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com. 

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Media Contacts
Trina Lee, Director, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4197
Elia Imler, Assistant Manager, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 
4029, Twitter: @CarMaxInc