Core Insights - CarGurus, Inc. is celebrating 20 years of innovation in the automotive shopping space, focusing on trust, transparency, and technology to enhance the car buying and selling experience [1][2] - The company is leveraging its leadership in consumer audience, vehicle inventory, and dealer network to introduce AI-driven products and real-time market intelligence [1][2] Company Overview - Founded in 2006, CarGurus has transformed the car buying and selling process by prioritizing data and customer trust, with early innovations like Instant Market Value and Deal Ratings [3] - CarGurus connects tens of millions of shoppers monthly with the largest selection of vehicles and dealer network in the U.S., translating its scale into a competitive advantage [4] Innovation and Technology - The company has introduced AI-powered products such as CarGurus Discover, which personalizes the car research experience, and PriceVantage, which provides predictive pricing recommendations based on real-time market data [7] - The most engaged users of PriceVantage see cars turn five times faster than their peers, indicating the effectiveness of the platform [7] Brand Development - CarGurus has launched an updated logo to reflect its commitment to innovation while maintaining a connection to its original brand identity [6][8] - The refreshed branding will be showcased at industry events, including the National Automotive Dealers Association's annual convention [8] Market Position - CarGurus is recognized as the No. 1 downloaded automotive marketplace app in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. for eight consecutive quarters, highlighting its strong market presence [12] - The company operates online marketplaces in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, further solidifying its position as a leading automotive platform [10]

Core Insights - CarGurus is transitioning from a traditional marketplace model to a dealer-focused software and data business, emphasizing innovation and the integration of artificial intelligence across its platform [4][6][9] Product Development and Strategy - The launch of PriceVantage marks CarGurus' first standalone software product in the inventory category, aimed at helping dealers price inventory based on expected retail outcomes [1] - The company introduced more products in 2025 than in any previous year, focusing on four dealer "pillars" and enhancing the consumer shopping journey with AI as a foundation [2][4] - New products like Dealer Data Insights and consumer features such as Discover and Dealership Mode are designed to improve pricing, merchandising, and conversion for dealers [6][8] Market Expansion and Financial Outlook - Management estimates that the expansion into software and data could open an additional $4 billion in dealer spending, effectively doubling CarGurus' total addressable market [5][14] - The company anticipates a slight margin step-down in 2026 due to increased investments while remaining active in mergers and acquisitions and opportunistic buybacks [5][16] Consumer Behavior and Digital Retailing - Despite a rise in online demand, only low to mid-single digits of car purchases are completed fully virtually, with over 90% still involving in-person interactions [11] - More than 80% of consumers with an in-person component prefer to conduct more of their shopping online, highlighting a significant opportunity for CarGurus' Digital Deal feature [12] Financial Metrics and Capital Allocation - CarGurus' core marketplace is estimated to be an $800 million business, capturing about a quarter of the U.S. dealer spending on lead generation, which is approximately $3.5 billion [14] - The company has about 4.0 to 4.5 million vehicles listed on its marketplace at any given time, representing over 80% of U.S. inventory [15] - CarGurus has maintained a high margin, currently at the upper end of its long-term target of 30% to 35%, but expects a slight decrease in 2026 due to growth investments [15] Leadership and Company Background - CEO Jason Trevisan, who has been with the company for 10 years, emphasized the importance of innovation and the strategic shift towards a software and data-centric model [3][4] - CarGurus operates an online automotive marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of new and used vehicles, providing tools for pricing, lead generation, and financing options [18][19]

Summary of CarGurus Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: CarGurus - **CEO**: Jason Trevisan - **Background**: CEO has been with CarGurus for 10 years, previously served as CFO for five years, overseeing various aspects including international development and strategic partnerships [1] Key Industry Insights - **2025 Focus**: Innovation was the primary focus, with the introduction of more products than in any previous year. This included the launch of PriceVantage, a software product for dealers to price their inventory effectively [2][3] - **Growth Metrics**: Sustained low to mid-teens growth for two consecutive years, attributed to innovation in both dealer and consumer products [3] - **Consumer Journey**: Enhanced consumer experience through AI-driven products like Discover and Dealership Mode, which guide users through the car buying process [3][7] Financial Performance - **Revenue Growth**: Revenue growth has been in the low to mid-teens for the last six to seven quarters, driven by both dealer count and average revenue per dealer (CarSid) growth [22][54] - **Market Position**: CarGurus holds about 25% of the $3.5 billion U.S. marketplace for lead generation, with plans to expand into a $4 billion market for data and software solutions [24][25] Product Development and Innovation - **PriceVantage**: Aimed at helping dealers understand retail market reactions to pricing, leveraging extensive data and AI to provide actionable insights [27][28] - **AI Integration**: AI is embedded in all new products, enhancing efficiency and product offerings, including features that improve consumer engagement and dealer interactions [35][44] Market Dynamics - **Used Car Market**: Prices remain high, with affordability being a key concern. Inventory levels are improving, but interest rates continue to impact consumer purchasing power [8][9] - **Consumer Preferences**: A small percentage of car purchases are fully digital, but a significant majority of consumers prefer to conduct more of the transaction online while still visiting dealerships [11][12] Competitive Landscape - **Strategic Focus**: CarGurus emphasizes solving problems for both dealers and consumers, maintaining a competitive edge through innovation and trust-building [17][18] - **Market Challenges**: The company acknowledges the competitive nature of the marketplace but believes its two-sided model creates barriers for new entrants [17] Capital Allocation and Future Outlook - **Investment Strategy**: Plans to invest more in product and technology development in 2026, which may lead to a slight decrease in margins but aims for long-term sustainable growth [34][35] - **M&A Considerations**: Continues to evaluate M&A opportunities, particularly in areas that enhance dealer workflow and inventory management [49] Additional Insights - **Dealer Engagement**: Approximately 26,000 paying dealers in the U.S., with a freemium model that includes over 30,000 dealers overall. Average dealer spends about $2,500 per month [53][54] - **Market Potential**: Despite being a market leader, CarGurus captures only about 4-5% of total dealer spend, indicating significant growth potential [54][55] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the CarGurus conference call, highlighting the company's strategic focus, market dynamics, and future growth opportunities.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, consolidated revenue was $239 million, up 3% year-over-year [28] - Marketplace revenue was $232 million, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase, driven by subscription-based listings revenue [29] - Non-GAAP gross profit was $214 million, an 11% increase year-over-year, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 90%, up about 650 basis points [30] - Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $79 million, up 21% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 33%, up about 490 basis points [31] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.57, a 30% increase year-over-year [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. CarSID grew 8% year-over-year, with 1,182 new paying U.S. dealers added [29] - International operations saw revenue growth of 27% year-over-year, with international CarSID up 15% year-over-year [29] - Digital Deal adoption surpassed 12,500 dealers, with significant growth in high-value actions such as financing applications and appointment scheduling [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international market is showing strong growth, with CarGurus adding over 800 customers in Canada and the U.K. [54] - The company is maintaining lower pricing in international markets to build market share before increasing prices over time [54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its suite of data-driven solutions across dealer workflows to enhance profitability [11] - CarGurus aims to deepen monetization through scalable software and data solutions, expanding its addressable market significantly [9][10] - The strategy includes enhancing consumer engagement through innovations like CG Discover and Dealership Mode, which aim to streamline the car buying journey [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength and growth of the marketplace, with expectations for continued investment in AI-centric innovations [37] - The company anticipates fourth-quarter marketplace revenue to be between $236 million and $241 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 12% to 15% [35] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and disciplined execution to ensure sustainable growth [80] Other Important Information - The company is winding down the CarOffer transactions business, which will be accounted for as a discontinued operation in Q4 [30] - Total wind-down-related charges are expected to be in the range of $13 million to $15 million, lower than previously estimated [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the trend regarding dealers using CarGurus? - Management noted that dealers are using fewer marketplace partners, with the average dropping from three to under two, indicating consolidation towards those offering the best ROI [41] Question: How is the ROI for Digital Deal perceived by dealers? - Management indicated that more consumers are engaging in high-value actions, which drives higher quality leads and further ROI for dealers, suggesting potential for future pricing power [45] Question: What are the growth prospects in international markets? - Management expressed pride in international growth, emphasizing the strategy of maintaining lower prices to build market share before increasing them over time [54] Question: How does CarSID growth relate to dealer rooftops? - Management explained that CarSID growth is mathematically related to the number of rooftops, with recent growth in rooftops acting as a headwind to CarSID growth [67] Question: What insights are generated from Dealership Mode? - Management highlighted that Dealership Mode provides valuable insights into consumer behavior at dealerships, enhancing the understanding of customer engagement [82]

Financial Performance - Marketplace revenue grew by 14% year-over-year[8] - Non-GAAP Marketplace adjusted EBITDA margin was 36%[28] - U S QARSD increased by 7 9% year-over-year[16] - International QARSD increased by 15 5% year-over-year[16] - U S Paying Dealers increased by 4 8% year-over-year[18] - International Paying Dealers increased by 11 3% year-over-year[18] Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Guidance - Q4 2025 Marketplace Revenue is projected to be between $236 million and $241 million[41] - Full-Year 2025 Marketplace Revenue is projected to be between $902 million and $907 million[41] - Q4 2025 Non-GAAP Marketplace Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $83 million and $91 million[41] - Full-Year 2025 Non-GAAP Marketplace Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $313 million and $321 million[41] - Full-Year 2025 Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share is projected to be between $2 19 and $2 25[41]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q2 2025 was $234 million, up 7% year over year, slightly above the midpoint of guidance range [28] - Marketplace revenue was $222 million, up 14% year over year, driven by strength in subscription-based listings revenue [29] - Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $77 million, up 39% year over year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 33%, reflecting strong revenue growth and operating leverage [32][33] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.57, up 46% year over year [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace performance was a key contributor, with adjusted EBITDA growing 31% year over year [6] - International business revenue grew 28% year over year, with significant growth in Canada and the UK [7] - Wholesale revenue was approximately $6 million, down 52% year over year, driven by a 55% decrease in transaction volume [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The UK was the number one most downloaded automotive app in Q2, indicating rising consumer engagement [7] - CarGurus had nearly 85 million average monthly sessions and 34 million monthly unique visitors, with consumers spending 74% more total minutes on the site than the closest competitor [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on providing data-driven, scalable solutions to dealers, emphasizing technology and analytics for smarter sourcing and pricing [10] - A strategic reassessment led to the decision to wind down the CarOffer transactions business, while retaining the underlying technology for future sourcing strategies [10][26] - Future sourcing offerings will concentrate on AI-powered inventory intelligence and consumer vehicle sourcing at scale [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while used inventory is up year over year, it has not returned to pre-COVID levels, indicating ongoing opportunities for dealers [50] - The macro environment remains uncertain, with high interest rates and elevated used car prices impacting dealer operations [58] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to grow engagement and provide value to dealers despite market challenges [59] Other Important Information - The company plans to execute against a clear set of priorities and invest in areas positioned for durable profitable growth [28] - A $150 million increase to the existing share repurchase program was approved, reinforcing the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: How should we think about dealer count or revenue per dealer? - Management indicated there is significant opportunity for existing products among the dealer base, with over 50% runway on most cross-sell products [44][46] Question: What's the outlook on increasing used supply as off-lease units come back? - Management noted that while used inventory is increasing, it is not at pre-COVID levels, and they see potential in sourcing intelligence to help dealers navigate the market [50][51] Question: Are dealers more willing to open their budgets with more certainty around tariffs? - Management acknowledged some easing of anxiety but emphasized ongoing uncertainty due to high interest rates and elevated used car prices [56][58] Question: How does the rise of AI tools affect the marketplace model? - Management highlighted the importance of their AI-driven tools like CG Discover, which enhance the consumer experience and engagement [63][66] Question: How do you plan to continue addressing the dealer-to-dealer side of the business? - Management confirmed plans to provide DDD capabilities through top dealer offers and emphasized the importance of predictive analytics for inventory management [83][84] Question: Will the company consider expanding beyond Canada and the UK? - Management stated that they will focus on current international markets where they are seeing strong performance [85]

Financial Performance - Q2 2025 - Revenue for U S Marketplace & Other increased by 13 7% year-over-year, reaching $222 million[10] - Non-GAAP Gross Profit for U S Marketplace & Other was $206 4 million, with a margin of 93%[10] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for U S Marketplace & Other grew by 30 8% year-over-year to $80 1 million, resulting in a 36% margin[10] - Digital Wholesale revenue was $12 million[10], with a Non-GAAP Gross Profit of $0 9 million and a Non-GAAP margin of 7%[10] - The company's Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $77 3 million, representing a 33% margin[10] Key Business Updates - Digital Deal adoption reached approximately 12,000 dealers, with Digital Deal Leads accounting for over 27% of email leads[15] - Max Margin adoption increased by approximately 70% quarter-over-quarter, while Merchandising Health grew by approximately 30% quarter-over-quarter[17] - Daily active users of the core dealer app functionality increased by 71% year-over-year[17] Dealer Base Growth - The U S paying dealer base grew by 8 5% year-over-year, an increase of 1,743 dealers[19] - The international paying dealer base increased by 19 3% year-over-year[19] - Average Quarterly Revenue per Subscribing Dealer (QARSD) in the U S increased to $7,533, while international QARSD reached $2,309[19] Q3 2025 Guidance - Marketplace Revenue is projected to be between $228 million and $233 million[38] - Non-GAAP Marketplace Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $76 5 million to $84 5 million[33]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $225 million, up 4% year over year, slightly below the midpoint of guidance due to lower wholesale and product volumes [28] - Marketplace revenue was $212 million, up 13% year over year, driven by strength in subscription-based listings and OEM advertising revenue [28][29] - Non-GAAP gross profit was $200 million, up 14% year over year, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 89%, reflecting a shift towards high-margin Marketplace business [31][32] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.46, up 35% year over year, primarily due to increased adjusted EBITDA and lower diluted share count [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace revenue growth was driven by dealer count growth, subscription tier upgrades, and increased adoption of value-added products [9] - International revenue expanded 20% year over year, supported by traffic growth and lead growth in Canada and the UK [9][10] - Wholesale revenue was approximately $8 million, down 52% year over year, due to a decline in digital wholesale segment transaction volumes [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Canada, 90% of surveyed dealers reported better ROI on CarGurus compared to alternative platforms, indicating strong market positioning [10] - CarGurus was the most downloaded auto app in Canada in Q1, contributing to an 85% year over year increase in direct traffic [10] - The company experienced a 20% year over year growth in direct traffic, reinforcing its position as the most visited listing site [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on "transformative innovation" in 2025, emphasizing customer-centric and AI-driven product development [6][7] - Strategic drivers include expanding data-driven solutions for dealers, enhancing the car shopping journey for consumers, and enabling more online transactions [7][8] - The company is assessing its wholesale business model to identify sustainable growth and profitability potential [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the market remains volatile, they have not seen a material impact on business related to tariffs [36] - The company anticipates exiting the year with low double-digit year-over-year growth rates, despite potential shifts in market conditions [36] - Management expressed confidence in the strength of their marketplace and the value of their insights capabilities amid market uncertainty [66] Other Important Information - The company added 734 paying U.S. dealers year over year, marking the highest dealer growth since pre-pandemic [29] - Digital Deal now accounts for over 25% of a dealer's email leads, indicating strong adoption and engagement [24] - The company ended the first quarter with $173 million in cash and cash equivalents, primarily impacted by share repurchases [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Amazon's entry into the used vehicle market - Management acknowledged awareness of Amazon's activities but emphasized the complexity and trust required in the used vehicle market, which they believe is a strength for CarGurus [44] Question: OEM ad spending trends - Management expressed pride in Q1 results but acknowledged caution among OEMs due to tariffs, while maintaining a positive outlook on their advertising business [50] Question: Changes needed for CarOffer - Management discussed the need for operational efficiency and flexibility in the CarOffer platform to adapt to market volatility and improve profitability [53][55] Question: Revenue growth drivers - Management clarified that revenue growth is driven by both dealer count and revenue per dealer, with a significant increase in dealer additions this quarter [61] Question: Impact of tariffs on spending patterns - Management indicated that they have not seen a change in spending patterns due to tariffs, despite the prevailing uncertainty in the market [69]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $225 million, up 4% year over year, just below the midpoint of guidance range [28] - Marketplace revenue was $212 million for the first quarter, up 13% year over year, driven by strength in subscription-based listings revenue and OEM advertising revenue [28][30] - Non-GAAP gross profit was $200 million, up 14% year over year, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 89%, up approximately 720 basis points year over year [31] - Adjusted EBITDA was $66.3 million, up 32% year over year, with a margin of 29%, reflecting a favorable mix shift to high-margin Marketplace revenue [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace revenue grew 13% year over year, adding $25 million, driven by dealer count growth and increased adoption of value-added products [8] - International revenue expanded 20% year over year, supported by steady traffic growth and lead growth in Canada and the UK [8][10] - Wholesale revenue was about $8 million for the first quarter, down 52% year over year, driven by a 26% sequential decline in total digital wholesale segment transaction volumes [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Canada, 90% of surveyed dealers reported better ROI on CarGurus compared to alternative platforms [9] - CarGurus was the most downloaded auto app in Canada in Q1, contributing to an 85% year over year increase in direct traffic [10] - The UK saw double-digit year over year lead growth, underpinned by an 82% year over year increase in direct traffic [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three value creation drivers: expanding data-driven solutions for dealers, enhancing the car shopping journey for consumers, and enabling more online transactions [7] - The strategy for 2025 is termed the year of transformative innovation, heavily leveraging AI to open new avenues for product and platform growth [6] - The company is assessing its wholesale business model for sustainable growth and profitability potential [26] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the market remains volatile, they have not seen a material impact on business related to tariffs [35] - The company anticipates exiting the year at a low double-digit year-over-year growth rate, despite potential shifts in market conditions [36] - Management emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in successful areas to maintain momentum and market share [77] Other Important Information - The company ended the first quarter with $173 million in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease driven by share repurchases and capital expenditures [34] - The first quarter marked a strong start to the year of transformative innovation, with solid financial results and measurable progress across strategic drivers [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company view Amazon's entry into the used vehicle market? - Management believes that while Amazon's entry into new vehicles is organized, the used vehicle market is more complex and less structured, which plays to CarGurus' strengths in dealer trust and integration [44][45] Question: What are the thoughts on OEM ad spending amidst tariff uncertainties? - Management expressed pride in the strong Q1 results for OEM advertising but acknowledged that manufacturers are cautious due to tariff uncertainties, which could impact future spending [50][51] Question: What changes are needed for the CarOffer platform to adapt to market volatility? - Management highlighted the need for operational efficiency and flexibility in the platform to better serve dealers and adapt to fluid pricing models [53][55]

Financial Performance - Q1 2025 - Total revenue reached $225.2 million[9], with U S Marketplace & Other contributing $212.2 million[9] and Digital Wholesale accounting for $12.9 million[9] - U S Marketplace & Other revenue grew by 13% year-over-year[9] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $66.3 million[9], representing a 29% margin[9] - Digital Wholesale revenue was $12.9 million[9], with a Non-GAAP Gross Profit of $1.982 million[50] and a Non-GAAP Gross Profit Margin of 15%[50] Key Metrics and Growth Drivers - The paying dealer base increased by 1,197 dealers year-over-year[23], reaching a total of 32,372 dealers[23] - U S QARSD (Quarterly Average Revenue per Subscription Dealer) was $6,173[18] - International QARSD was $2,073[18] - CarGurus has 60% more average monthly visits than its closest competitor[28] Q2 2025 Outlook - The company projects total revenue between $222 million and $242 million[41] - Marketplace revenue is expected to be between $219.5 million and $224.5 million[41] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be between $71.5 million and $79.5 million[41]