Advance Auto Parts: Retail Trends Suggest Big Gains Ahead Cars.com (NYSE:CARS) reported first-quarter 2026 revenue near the high end of its guidance range and said it is moving ahead with cost reductions, product integration and artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at…
rengthening its automotive marketplace. On the company’s earnings call Thursday, Chief Executive Tobias Hartmann said Cars.com generated first-quarter revenue of $180.2 million, up 1% from a year earlier and marking the company’s third consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth
Adjusted EBITDA was $51 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.3% exceeded the company’s guidance by more than one percentage point. – CarMax Is Firing on All Pistons as Growth Returns “We delivered on our financial commitments,” Hartmann said, adding that free cash flow rose 42% year over year. He said the company has identified $25 million to $30 million in recurring annualized operating cost savings as part of efforts to reshape the organization into “more nimble, marketplace-focused teams.” Marketplace Strategy Takes Priority Hartmann said Cars.com is shifting away from operating its products as “distinct and loosely affiliated pillars” and toward “one interconnected marketplace-centric ecosystem.” The strategy is intended to bring together marketplace listings, dealer websites, appraisal capabilities, media products and first-party data in a more integrated offering for consumers, dealers and automakers. – MarketBeat Week in Review – 2/26 – 3/1 For car shoppers, Hartmann said the company plans to emphasize relevant listings, trusted data insights and an AI-first user experience. For dealers and original equipment manufacturers, Cars.com plans to use its audience and retail signals across marketplace, websites and media to improve return on investment.
The company also discussed changes to its go-to-market structure. Hartmann said Cars.com has reorganized its sales team to reduce product-based silos and…