Cars.com Inc. operates a data-driven automotive technology platform centered on the Cars.com marketplace, which connects car shoppers with dealerships across the United States. Company news commonly covers operating results, marketplace traffic, dealer customer trends, average revenue per dealer, share repurchases, and capital allocation updates.
Recurring product and brand developments include AI shopping tools, VIN-specific AI-powered video advertising, dealer websites, trade and appraisal tools, proprietary in-market media solutions, vehicle reviews, consumer research, and recognition programs such as Best Value New Cars and Dealer of the Year awards. Updates also address how the company serves dealerships and OEMs through audience, data, advertising, and retail technology products.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) granted restricted stock units covering 373,345 shares on November 5, 2026, to incoming Chief Product Officer Mausam Bhatt.
Bhatt's employment became effective November 2, 2026. The employment-inducement awards were granted under the amended 2025 Inducement Equity Plan. Restricted stock units are awards tied to company shares: 302,457 units vest in three equal installments on the first three grant-date anniversaries, while 70,888 units vest in two equal installments on the first two anniversaries. Each installment requires Bhatt's continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) reported third-quarter 2026 net income of $16.3 million, more than double the prior-year quarter. Revenue was $181.9 million versus $181.6 million a year earlier, while diluted earnings rose to $0.30 from $0.12. Marketplace revenue grew 5% year over year, but OEM and National revenue fell 3%. Operating expenses declined 7%.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP earnings measure, increased 2% to $55.8 million, with a 30.7% margin. Dealer customers fell 1% year over year to 19,251, while monthly average revenue per dealer increased 3%. Nine-month free cash flow reached $97.3 million. Third-quarter repurchases totaled $16 million, and debt declined to $445.0 million after a $5 million repayment. Cars.com reaffirmed its 2026 outlook for revenue flat to up 2% and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.0%–30.0%.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) appointed Mausam Bhatt as Chief Product Officer, effective Nov. 2, to oversee product strategy and development across its portfolio.
The company plans to connect its consumer marketplace, automotive data, AI capabilities and dealer solutions through his work. Bhatt joins from commerce technology company Rithum, where he was Chief Product Officer. Previously, he served as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Realtor.com, overseeing product, engineering, AI and data, and led product for Google Shopping's growth and transactions platform.
Cars.com (CARS) expects to report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on November 5, 2026, covering the quarter ended September 30. Management will discuss the results in a live webcast and conference call at 8:00 a.m. CT/9:00 a.m. ET that day. The webcast will be available at investor.cars.com, with a replay available shortly afterward in the website’s Events section.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) granted Trent Ziegler restricted stock units covering 332,069 shares on October 19, 2026, as an employment inducement. Ziegler joined as Chief Financial Officer-Designate and becomes Chief Financial Officer on November 6, 2026. The units vest in three equal installments on the first three grant anniversaries, subject to continued employment. The award uses the NYSE employment inducement exemption from shareholder approval.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) appointed Trent Ziegler as Chief Financial Officer-Designate, effective October 19, 2026, ahead of his succession to CFO.
Ziegler will formally succeed Sonia Jain on November 6, 2026. Jain will remain an Executive Advisor through March 31, 2027, to support an orderly transition. Ziegler joins from fintech holding company FairSquare, where he served as CFO. Previously, he spent more than a decade at LendingTree, including three years as CFO and seven years leading Investor Relations and Treasury.
Cars.com (NYSE:CARS) reported Q2 2026 revenue of $179.9 million, up 1% year-over-year and in line with guidance. Net income rose to $14.3 million, up 103% year-over-year, or $0.25 per diluted share. Adjusted net income was $28.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 4% to $53.0 million, with a margin of 29.4%, above the 28–29% guidance range. Total operating expenses declined 7% to $152.1 million, reflecting lower depreciation and April cost-reduction benefits. Dealer revenue grew 3% to $163.3 million, while OEM and National revenue fell 18% to $13.6 million. Marketplace revenue grew over 7%, its fastest quarterly rate since 2021.
For the first half, free cash flow reached $43.5 million. The company repurchased 3.7 million shares for $37 million in Q2 and 6.2 million shares year-to-date for $57 million, exceeding 10% of prior year-end share count, and maintains a $90 million 2026 repurchase target. Cars.com expects Q3 and full-year 2026 revenue to be flat to up 2% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA margin between 28.5–29.5% for Q3 and 29–30% for the year.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) released its 2026 Best Cars for Car Seats report, covering 56 model-year 2025 and 2026 vehicles tested over 12 months by certified child passenger safety technicians. Only the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS580 and 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan earned straight A's across all car seat categories, while 10 additional models were named Top Finishers with A grades in all but one category.
Vehicles were evaluated using infant, convertible and high-back booster seats, focusing on fit, Latch system usability and seat-belt buckle access. Full, searchable results are available at Cars.com/News/Car-Seat-Check.
Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) announced it expects to report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The company will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. ET, led by CEO Tobias Hartmann and CFO Sonia Jain, with live and replay access available via the Investor Relations section at investor.cars.com.
Cars.com (NYSE:CARS) released a 2026 American-Made Index affordability guide highlighting 10 American-made vehicles starting under $35,000, with more than half under $30,000. The list is led by the Toyota Corolla LE at $24,420, below the $50,000+ average new-car price.
The guide spans sedans, SUVs and hybrids and is drawn from 86 models identified out of 350+ evaluated for U.S. economic contribution via assembly location, parts sourcing and domestic employment. A Cars.com survey found 57% of shoppers would pay more for vehicles that create U.S. jobs.