Used Car Dealers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS 44112Revenue
$173.9bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
260k
Businesses
130k
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Used Car Dealers in the US industry analysis
Used vehicle sales have heavily fluctuated through the current period due to an undersupply of new vehicles and a restrictive economic environment. In particular, the economy's post-pandemic recovery coincided with semiconductor and new car shortages in 2021, prompting growth in used car sales. Inflated disposable income and greater access to credit also encouraged vehicle purchases during part of the current period. Consumers turned to used cars amid new car lots shortages, bolstering revenue. Even so, climbing interest rates have deterred vehicle purchases in the latter half of the period. Revenue for used car dealers surged at an expected CAGR of 3.5%, reaching $173.9 billion through 2024, including a 0.5% jump in 2024, where profit will reach 2.6%.
Trends and Insights
- A shortage of new cars prompted a surge in used car sales. A pandemic recovery simultaneously boosted consumer confidence, inflating demand for used vehicles.
- Improving vehicle quality supports demand for parts and repair services. Better vehicle designs lead to longer effective life spans, encouraging consumers to hold onto vehicles for longer and bolstering repair demand.
- Car-friendly cities attract used car dealers. Cities with layouts that favor cars over public transportation and pedestrians provide more demand for used car dealers.
- CarMax staves off competition through its unique business model. The largest used car dealer emphasizes convenience and quality, while traditional dealers focus on maximizing profit.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $173.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
A semiconductor shortage inflates used car demand
- Semiconductors are one of the primary materials used in automobile manufacturing. A major shortage following the pandemic disrupted the production of new vehicles. This trend reduced the availability of new cars and, in turn, driving up demand for used cars.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
An influx of new vehicles will set used car dealers back
- Semiconductor and other input shortages will subside at through the outlook period. Shorter lead times and lower input costs will increase the availability and reduce the price of new vehicles, improving the competitiveness of new car dealers.
Biggest companies in the Used Car Dealers in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Carmax, Inc. | 22,006.5 | 1,241.9 | 5.6 | |
West Herr Automotive Group | 988.4 | 25.7 | 2.6 | |
Americas Car-Mart Inc. | 811.5 | 124.5 | 15.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 12 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Used Car Dealers in the US
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Used cars, Used vans, minivans, trucks and buses and Parts and repair services. Used cars is the largest segment of the Used Car Dealers in the US.
Trends and Insights
Used light-vehicle sales outpace used cars
- The used car segment includes all passenger vehicles, including automobiles and light trucks. This product line can include sport-utility vehicles, vans, trucks, compacts, small cars and luxury or sport vehicles.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- New Car Dealers in the US
- Motorcycle Dealership and Repair in the US
- Ride-Sharing Services in the US
- Bicycle Dealership and Repair in the US
Complementors
- Automobile & Light Duty Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the US
- Used Car Parts Wholesaling in the US
International industries
- Global Car & Automobile Sales
- Used Car Dealers in Canada
- Motor Vehicle Dealers in Australia
- Motor Vehicle Retailing in New Zealand
- Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry sells used passenger vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and passenger vans. Used car dealers also provide financing and insurance services. Dealerships that sell a mix of new and used vehicles are not included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Used carsUsed light-duty vehiclesFinancingPartsRepairsCompanies
Carmax, Inc.West Herr Automotive GroupAmericas Car-Mart Inc.Purchase this report to view all 12 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BUY HERE, PAY HERE (BHPH)LEASE HERE, PAY HERE (LHPH)BAD DEBT EXPENSEIndustry Code
NAICS 44112 - Used Car Dealers in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
A shortage of new cars prompted a surge in used car sales. A pandemic recovery simultaneously boosted consumer confidence, inflating demand for used vehicles.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Improving vehicle quality supports demand for parts and repair services. Better vehicle designs lead to longer effective life spans, encouraging consumers to hold onto vehicl...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Car-friendly cities attract used car dealers. Cities with layouts that favor cars over public transportation and pedestrians provide more demand for used car dealers.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
CarMax staves off competition through its unique business model. The largest used car dealer emphasizes convenience and quality, while traditional dealers focus on maximizing...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Major used car dealers supplement brick-and-mortar lots with online services. Brands like CarMax remain dominant through extensive e-commerce operations, enabling them to rea...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Carmax, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of West Herr Automotive Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Americas Car-Mart Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 9 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Carmax, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for West Herr Automotive Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Americas Car-Mart Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 9 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Companies receive little public support. Most used car dealers are members of various trade associations and benefit indirectly from government EV and infrastructure spending...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit surged amid new car shortages. Stimulus money, increased access to credit and new car shortages contributed to strong profit growth, especially in 2021.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States is $173.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in 2024?
There are 130k businesses in the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Used Car Dealers in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Used Car Dealers market in United States are Carmax, Inc., West Herr Automotive Group and Americas Car-Mart Inc.
What does the Used Car Dealers in the US in United States include?
Used cars and Used light-duty vehicles are part of the Used Car Dealers in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Used Car Dealers in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Carmax, Inc..
How competitive is the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Used Car Dealers in the US industry in United States.
