Need for Vehicle Affordability Becoming More Pronounced, According to New CarGurus Report

Rhea-AI Summary

CarGurus has released its Quarterly Review for Q3 2024, highlighting key trends in the automotive market. The report emphasizes a growing consumer need for affordability amid economic uncertainty and high interest rates. Key findings include:

1. Concentrated demand for more affordable cars, with significant sales growth in the $20,000-$30,000 range for new vehicles and $15,000-$20,000 for used vehicles.

2. Hybrid vehicles outperforming electric vehicles (EVs) in sales, accounting for nearly 11% of total retail sales compared to 4% for EVs.

3. New car inventory seeking equilibrium with demand, with a 58% increase in new listings two years or older compared to pre-Covid averages.

4. Potential impact of the upcoming election on vehicle sales, based on historical data.

5. immediate impact of recent interest rate cuts on auto loan affordability.

News Market Reaction

+3.49%

1 alert

+3.49% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CARG gained 3.49%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Analysis of third quarter trends also highlights hybrid demand overtaking electric vehicles, the ongoing balance between new car inventory and sales, and more

BOSTON, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles¹, today released its Quarterly Review for Q3 2024, identifying areas of opportunity as the consumer need for affordability becomes more pronounced.

“As we near the end of 2024, it’s clear that consumers are speaking loudly with their wallets. After years of post-pandemic revenge spending, consumers are becoming more prudent as they face economic uncertainty, still-high interest rates, and vehicle prices that remain elevated,” said Kevin Roberts, Director of Economic and Market Intelligence at CarGurus. “As a result, we’re seeing concentrated demand for more affordable cars, with sales of certain price segments—$20,000 to $30,000 for new and $15,000 to $20,000 for used—accounting for the greatest share of annual sales growth, 43% and 59% respectively.”

According to CarGurus data, the shift is especially pronounced in the used market, with vehicles $30,000 and under driving year-over-year sales growth, while cars over $30,000 declined. Further reflecting this trend, used cars over $35,000 are remaining on dealer lots longer compared to more affordable options.

Additional highlights from the report include:

• Hybrids are having the year many expected for electric vehicles (EVs): There were big expectations for EV demand in 2024, but hybrids have taken the spotlight with more affordable pricing and fewer concerns around range and charging. Year-to-date, new hybrids accounted for nearly 11% of total retail sales, while EVs were 4% (excluding direct-to-consumer sales volumes). New hybrid retail sales volumes are up nearly 44% year-over-year.
  
• New car inventory working to find equilibrium with demand: As automakers try to balance new inventory with demand, a larger share of aging new cars remain on dealer lots. At the end of September, about 58,000 new listings nationwide were two years or older (a nearly 58% increase compared to pre-Covid averages). With 2025 models rolling onto lots, the surplus of these new, but slightly older, models could present an opportunity for price-conscious shoppers.
  
• The upcoming election could impact new and used sales demand: In analyzing vehicle sales from 2002 onward—and comparing the seasonality of non-presidential election years to presidential election years—presidential election years tend to see a decline in sales demand in August, October, and November before rebounding at year-end.
  
• Immediate impact of interest rate cuts might be muted: While interest rate reductions are a welcome update, the September cuts will do little to improve near-term affordability concerns. Because auto rates tend to follow two- and five-year treasury rates as opposed to the short-term Federal Funds Rate, consumers will not immediately see significant declines. Additionally, with auto loan delinquencies rising, financial institutions may be more hesitant to lend credit or quickly lower rates.
  

To read about these trends and more, the complete Quarterly Review for Q3 2024 is available here.

About CarGurus, Inc.

CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is a multinational, online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles that is building upon its industry-leading listings marketplace with both digital retail solutions and the CarOffer online wholesale platform. The CarGurus platform gives consumers the confidence to purchase and/or sell a vehicle either online or in-person, and it gives dealerships the power to accurately price, effectively market, instantly acquire and quickly sell vehicles, all with a nationwide reach. The company uses proprietary technology, search algorithms and data analytics to bring trust, transparency, and competitive pricing to the automotive shopping experience. CarGurus is the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.¹

CarGurus also operates online marketplaces under the CarGurus brand in Canada and the United Kingdom. In the United States and the United Kingdom, CarGurus also operates the Autolist and PistonHeads online marketplaces, respectively, as independent brands.

To learn more about CarGurus, visit www.cargurus.com, and for more information about CarOffer, visit www.caroffer.com.

CarGurus^® is a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and CarOffer^® is a registered trademark of CarOffer, LLC. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

¹ Similarweb: Traffic Insights (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com), Q2 2024, U.S.

Media Contact:
Maggie Meluzio
Director, Public Relations & External Communications
pr@cargurus.com

Investor Contact:
Kirndeep Singh
Vice President, Investor Relations
investors@cargurus.com

FAQ

What are the key findings of CarGurus' Q3 2024 Quarterly Review for the automotive market?

The key findings include increased demand for affordable vehicles, hybrid vehicles outperforming EVs in sales, new car inventory seeking balance with demand, potential election impact on sales, and immediate effect of interest rate cuts on auto loan affordability.

How has consumer demand for affordable vehicles affected CarGurus' (CARG) Q3 2024 report?

The report shows concentrated demand for more affordable cars, with sales growth primarily in the $20,000-$30,000 range for new vehicles and $15,000-$20,000 for used vehicles, reflecting consumers' focus on affordability amid economic uncertainty.

What does CarGurus' (CARG) Q3 2024 report reveal about hybrid and electric vehicle sales?

The report indicates that hybrid vehicles are outperforming electric vehicles in sales. Hybrids accounted for nearly 11% of total retail sales, while EVs were at 4%. New hybrid retail sales volumes are up nearly 44% year-over-year.

How is the new car inventory situation described in CarGurus' (CARG) Q3 2024 report?

The report notes that new car inventory is working to find equilibrium with demand. There's a 58% increase in new listings two years or older compared to pre-Covid averages, potentially presenting opportunities for price-conscious shoppers.

What impact might the upcoming election have on vehicle sales according to CarGurus' (CARG) Q3 2024 report?

Based on historical data analysis, the report suggests that presidential election years tend to see a decline in sales demand in August, October, and November before rebounding at year-end.