CMA & Sustainability

CMA wants to be on the forefront of climate solutions. As part of those efforts, we built a solar superstructure for CMA's Colonial Nissan in 2018 which now powers the entire dealership in Charlottesville, VA. It was the first solar dealership in Virginia, but not the last! In 2019, we added solar panels to CMA's Colonial Subaru near Richmond, VA; in 2020 we went solar at CMA's Volvo Cars of Charlottesville; and in 2021, CMA celebrated Earth Day by turning on a new solar energy system at CMA's Valley CDJR in Staunton, VA!
In addition to CMA's solar projects, the company is also expanding its inventory of electric and hybrid vehicles across Virginia and focusing on sustainability within dealership operations. Every CMA dealership uses energy-saving LED lighting, more sustainable building materials, and offers customers the option of a fully-online purchase experience. The company is working with its manufacturers and lenders on paperless sales and service processes and has created a "Green Team" comprised of CMA associates from all dealerships to collaborate on new sustainability initiatives. CMA is committed to driving down its carbon footprint as quickly as economics allow, while providing opportunities for associates and customers to engage in the endeavor.

Powered by the Sun

In 2018, CMA became the first dealership in Virginia to embrace solar technology. With the help of SunTribe Solar, we built a one-of-a-kind solar superstructure above our rooftop parking deck at CMA's Colonial Nissan in Charlottesville, VA. In the first couple of months live, we generated MORE THAN 100% of the energy needed to power our entire dealership! The unique project has a roof consisting of 480 solar panels, which now produce roughly 214,000 kWh annually and generate 93% of the electricity needed. We are now powered by the dun!

CMA also partnered with Community Climate Collaborative for their Driving Climate Solutions campaign to introduce broad sections of the community to Electric Vehicles (EVs). In 2021, we became a founding member of the Green Business Alliance, a leadership circle of Virginia-based businesses who have committed to reduce their collective emissions by 45% by 2025.

Embracing Solar at CMA's Colonial Subaru

CMA built a brand new state-of-the-art Subaru dealership in 2016 to serve the Richmond market. CMA's Colonial Subaru is just south of Richmond on I95 in Chester, VA. We built with sustainability in mind, including LED lighting inside and on the lot, sustainable building materials, and eliminating plastic anywhere we could.

In 2019, we added a solar array to the roof of CMA's Colonial Subaru. The project includes 4,860 square feet of solar panels, which generate 60-70% of the electricity needed to power the dealership.

CMA's 3rd Solar Dealership

Volvo has long been one of the world's leading automotive companies regarding sustainability, including building the first-ever water-based automotive paint facility in the 1980s, using organic and non-allergenic materials in their vehicles, and ensuring that every part of every Volvo is recyclable. Volvo has also committed to being a "fully-electric car company" by 2030.

In 2019, CMA built our Volvo team a brand new dealership, moving it from Ivy Road to Berkmar Drive in Charlottesville, VA. In 2020, we added a solar array and CMA's Volvo Cars of Charlottesville became our third dealership to be powered by the sun.

Bringing Solar to Staunton

CMA celebrated Earth Day 2021 by turning on a new solar energy system at CMA's Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Staunton, VA.

This system is set to offset 100% of the dealership's electrical usage and is expected to produce 207,709kWh of electricity annually. That is equivalent to 324,520 lbs of CO2 emissions.

"Transportation is a vital part of life. We are incredibly fortunate to be in an industry that helps humans get where they want and need to go every day," said Liza Borches, CMA's president and CEO. "However, transportation as it exists today is the highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in our country. Our goal at CMA is to be at the table, to be a part of the conversation, and ultimately to be a part of the solution to continue to move lives forward in this evolving environment. Our industry has evolved in so many ways, as has CMA for decades and generations. This is just a new opportunity for us to grow, to learn, and to impact lives as we continue to fulfill our mission."