The company, which operates 93 stores in eight states including Georgia, Florida, and Virginia, is expected to open its first-ever retail location in North Carolina by mid-July. The new store will be located in Gastonia at 4820 Wilkinson Blvd. In all, DriveTime will spend nearly $4 million on site improvements and building costs. In addition, the company plans to hire 125 people to service the region.

“The difference between DriveTime and other used car dealerships is that we focus specifically on drivers with credit problems,” says Jon Ehlinger, spokesperson for the Phoenix-based company. “We are experts in the sub-prime market and that benefits our customers because they know we are on their side – working to help them get on track with a car and their credit.”

DriveTime offers services unique to other used car sales companies, including in-house financing; a RateAdvantage® program that allows people with poor credit to get lower interest rates, among other financing options; customer peace of mind from its 6 month/6,000 mile DriveCareâ Limited Warranty, Experian AutoCheck title history report and 53 point inspection on every vehicle at no additional charge; a DT Champ program for repeat customers, and a DT Rewards incentive program for customer payments.

DriveTime will also bring a commitment to its employees and corporate citizenship to Charlotte. DriveTime has been recognized as a best place to work in several markets, including Phoenix, Orlando and Tampa. Through the company’s award winning community outreach initiative called SchoolTime, DriveTime employees volunteer their time and resources to at least one school in their region. Currently, the company works with 18 schools across the country. DriveTime will begin its search for a school in the Charlotte area in the coming months.