AutoNation Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
July 25, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Positive Sentiment: Delivered 8% new vehicle sales growth year-over-year with 19% domestic same-store increase and gained market share across key segments.
  • Positive Sentiment: Used vehicle gross profit rose 13% on a 6% increase in unit sales, driven by strong trade-in and We Buy Your Car acquisitions and a 28,000-unit inventory position.
  • Positive Sentiment: Aftersales delivered record revenue and grew gross profit by over 12%, with margins expanding by 100 basis points to record levels.
  • Positive Sentiment: AutoNation Finance originations doubled from a year ago, completed a $700 million ABS seven times oversubscribed at a 4.9% coupon, and drove improved portfolio returns.
  • Negative Sentiment: Recorded a $123 million after-tax non-cash impairment charge for goodwill related to the mobile service business and franchise rights at nine stores.
AI Generated. May Contain Errors.
Earnings Conference Call
AutoNation Q2 2025
00:00 / 00:00

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining the AutoNation Incorporated Q2 earnings call. My name is Harry, and I'll be your operator today. All lines are currently in listen only mode and there will be an opportunity for Q and A after management's prepared remarks. I will now hand the call over to Derek Fiebig, VP of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Harry, and good morning, everyone, and welcome to AutoNation's second quarter twenty twenty five conference call. Leading our call today will be Mike Manley, our Chief Executive Officer and Tom Slosek, our Chief Financial Officer. Following their remarks, we'll open the call to questions. Before beginning, I'd like to remind you that certain statements and information on this call, including any statements regarding our anticipated financial results and objectives, constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from such forward looking statements.

Speaker 1

Additional discussions of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are contained in our press release issued today and in our filings with the SEC. Certain non GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules will be discussed on this call. Reconciliations are provided in our materials and on our website located at investors.autonation.com. With that, I'll turn the call over to Mike. Hey, thanks, Eric,

Speaker 2

and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. I'm going to start on Slide three. Obviously, we're very pleased to report an outstanding second quarter. We delivered material improvements compared to the second quarter last year and the numbers were strong even after removing the year over year impact from last year's CDK outage.

Speaker 2

Our sales of new vehicles increased 8% and we gained share in the markets we serve and grew sales by more than 5% on a sequential basis. This performance was led by our domestic segment, which increased 19% from a year ago and 14% from the first quarter on a same store basis. We also increased new unit profitability on a sequential basis across all segments. As was the case with the industry, our unit sales growth was strongest at the start of the quarter and moderated in May and June. And clearly, there was a pull ahead of sales in late March and April in reaction to the tariff announcement and it stands to reason that some portion of that demand was pulled ahead from the latter part of the second quarter.

Speaker 2

Used vehicle gross profit increased 13% year over year as we benefited from stronger unit sales, stable unit profitability and improved performance in wholesale. Our unit sales increased 6% from a year ago with stronger performances for the over $40,000 and under $20,000 price points. The team continued to do a great job acquiring vehicles through trade ins and directly from the consumer through our We Buy Your Car efforts. These channels accounted for over 90% of the vehicles acquired in the quarter. We ended June with over 28,000 used vehicles in inventory, which I believe positions us well for the second half of twenty twenty five.

Speaker 2

Customer financial services gross profit also increased 13%, increasing on a per unit basis sequentially and year over year. We continue to attach more than two products per vehicle with extended service contracts continuing to be the top offering. Our finance penetration is stable with around three quarters of units being sold with financing. The momentum in after sales continued. We delivered record revenue and grew our gross profit by more than 12% with gross profit margins expanding by 100 basis points to record levels.

Speaker 2

And Tom will take you through the details, but the results were strong on both the sequential and the year over year basis. The sequential increase reflects one additional service day as well as improvements for our internal reconditioning, customer pay and warranty was about flat. Now we continue to focus on our technician workforce by recruiting, retaining and of course developing our technicians, I do think the efforts are paying off. Our turnover has decreased and technician headcount increased by about 3% from a year ago on a same store basis. The strong momentum at AM Finance continued.

Speaker 2

Originations doubled from a year prior and as the portfolio has grown, the team is delivering on leveraging its fixed cost base enabled continued growth in profitability. During the quarter, we completed our inaugural AM Finance asset backed securitization and the transaction was very well received. We expect to regularly access this market as the portfolio grows. Our Q2 performance combined with our share repurchases helped us to grow our adjusted EPS by 37% from a year ago. This is the second consecutive year over year increase in adjusted EPS.

Speaker 2

Excluding the estimated impact from the CDK outage, adjusted EPS was still up mid teens from 2024, all in all a great result and great performance by the automation team. Now I know tariffs continue to be top of mind and apart from the volume shifting I mentioned earlier, we saw limited additional impact in our Q2 results from tariffs. MSRP and invoice prices have been stable and the June CPI report showed continued modest month over month declines in new and used vehicle pricing. We do expect the ongoing dialogue between our OEM partners and the U. S.

Speaker 2

Administration to result in clarification and of course finalization of the auto tariff structures in the coming periods. This process also includes our OEM partners' full evaluation of supply chain footprints and planning to optimize tariff efficiency and to establish their forward pricing structures. We believe the objective of maintaining market share, particularly in critical segments, will operate equally with the desire to offset any new tariffs. And as I've said previously, we expect that automation to some extent will be cushioned from any new tariffs by a cross shopping effect whereby demand for non impacted or lesser impacted brands and malls will potentially supplant those for more affected counterparts. Naturally, in this situation, we hold both sides of the trade with a broad portfolio of brands and models, which I think gives us a distinct advantage.

Speaker 2

Now to close, we're encouraged by some of the provisions contained in the recently enacted U. S. Federal Statute, which includes interest rate deductibility and auto loans and bonus depreciation for commercial enterprise, although we're not forecasting a balance of new demand. But as you'll appreciate, every incremental action to encourage vehicle purchases is very welcomed by me and the team. Now I'll turn the call over to Tom to take you through our results.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Mike. Let me

Speaker 1

kick off with a quick reminder that our second quarter twenty twenty four operating results were adversely impacted by the CDK outage and that our second quarter twenty twenty five operating results were adversely impacted by the tariff related shift of volume into the first quarter. So with that, I'm on slide four to discuss our second quarter twenty twenty five P and L. Our total revenue for the quarter was $7,000,000,000 an increase of 8% from a year ago on both the total and same store basis. We achieved attractive same store growth across the entire business, including double digit growth in after sales and customer financial services. We also achieved percent increase in same store new vehicle revenue as we increased new unit volumes across all three segments.

Speaker 1

The same store gross profit of $1,300,000,000 increased by 10% from a year ago. The year over year gross profit performance included same store after sales growth of 13%, CFS growth of 13% and used vehicle growth of 12%. The reported gross profit margin of 18.3% of revenue was up 40 basis points from a year ago, including 100 basis point increase in after sales and a 50 basis point improvement for used vehicles, offset by the moderation of new vehicle unit profitability. Adjusted SG and A, 66.2% improved as expected and was at the lower end of the 66% to 67% range for our ongoing expectations. Adjusted operating income margin of 5.3% increased from a year ago and from the first quarter.

Speaker 1

Below the operating line floor plan interest expense increased by $9,000,000 from a year ago sorry, decreased by $9,000,000 from a year ago as average rates were down approximately 100 basis points combined with lower average outstanding borrowings. Non vehicle interest expense was approximately flat from a year ago. And as a reminder, we reflect floor plan assistance received from OEMs in gross margin. This assistance totaled $35,000,000 compared to $32,000,000 a year ago. So including these OEM incentives, net new vehicle floorplan expense totaled $9,000,000 which was down from $21,000,000 a year ago.

Speaker 1

All in, this resulted in adjusted net income of $2.00 $9,000,000 compared to $163,000,000 a year ago, up 29%. Total shares repurchased over the past twelve months decreased our year over year share count by 6% to 38,300,000.0 shares benefiting our adjusted EPS, which was $5.46 for the quarter, an increase of $1.47 or 37% from a year ago and $0.78 or 17% from the first quarter of twenty twenty five. Before I get into New Vehicles commentary, I wanted to point out that our GAAP reported numbers include a non cash impairment charge of $123,000,000 after tax or $3.21 per share. Our accounting policies require that we test our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment as of April 30 each year. The charge includes $65,000,000 for our mobile service business and 54,000,000 for our franchise rights related to nine stores with 90% of that charge relating to a single domestic brand.

Speaker 1

Slide five provides some more color for new vehicle performance. New vehicle unit volumes were a strong point for the quarter increasing 7% from a year ago on a total store and 8% on a same store basis. Full store unit sales were up across our three segments with import units up 4%, premiumluxury up 5% and domestic up 17%, reflecting favorable supply, better incentives and good performance for our commercial teams. By powertrain, hybrid new vehicle unit sales, which is about 20% of our volume, were up more than 40% from the second quarter of a year ago. Battery electric new vehicle sales, which is about 7% of our volume, were up nearly 20% from a year ago, reflecting OEM actions with incentives and some pre buying ahead of the termination of government incentives.

Speaker 1

Internal combustion engine new vehicle sales were up about 1%. Our new vehicle unit profitability averaged $2,785 for the quarter, in line with the first quarter and unit profitability increased for all three segments on a sequential basis. New vehicle inventory ended the quarter at 41,000 units compared to about 44,000 units a year ago. This represents forty nine days of supply, down eighteen days from the second quarter of last year and up from thirty eight days at the March. While we don't expect the first quarter and second quarter same store unit growth of 78% respectively to continue into the second half, we are encouraged by the last couple of weeks of new vehicle sales activity after a slow start to July.

Speaker 1

Turning to slide six. Used vehicle retail unit sales improved on a year over year same store basis by 6%, which was fueled by double digit growth in lower priced, I. E. Less than $20,000 and higher priced, I. E.

Speaker 1

Greater than $40,000 vehicles along with more modest growth in our mid priced vehicles. On a sequential basis, the number of used vehicle retail units increased by 3%. Average retail prices were stable. Used vehicle retail unit profitability remained stable versus last year and sequentially at $16.22 dollars per unit. We remain focused on optimizing vehicle acquisition, reconditioning, inventory velocity and pricing.

Speaker 1

Total used gross profit was up 13% from last year, reflecting the retail unit sales growth, stable retail unit profitability and better wholesale results. Although our supply of used vehicles has been at its highest level since June 2022, supply availability remains a constant challenge relative to our sales ambition, driven by lower new vehicle production during COVID. Thankfully, we continue to be competitive in securing used vehicles from our retail operations including trade ins, We'll Buy Your Car, service loaner conversions and lease returns. We source more than 90% of our vehicles from these channels and are encouraged by our used vehicle inventories heading into the second half of the year as Mike mentioned. I'm now on Slide seven, Customer Financial Services.

Speaker 1

Momentum in CFS performance continued once again during the second quarter. Gross profit was up 13% on a same store basis reflecting an approximate 7% same store increase in retail vehicle sales and a 6% increase in unit profitability. More than 70% of our CFS revenue and profit comes from product attachment, which remains strong at about two products per vehicle sold. Our finance penetration rate for the second quarter continued to be nearly 75% of vehicles sold. The 6% increase in unit profitability, which I mentioned, reflects increased profit per product contract sold and higher product penetration.

Speaker 1

The continued unit profitability performance in CFS is even more impressive if you consider the growth of AN Finance, which, while superior in long term profitability dilutes our CFS unit profitability in the short term. Without this AN Finance dilution, our CFS unit profitability would have been approximately $140 per unit higher this quarter. Slide eight provides an update on AutoNation Finance, our captive finance company. The business' attractive offerings are driving strong customer take up and we continue to expect strong ROEs in the business. During the second quarter, we originated $464,000,000 in loans bringing the year to date originations to $924,000,000 which is up more than $05,000,000,000 from the first half of twenty twenty four.

Speaker 1

We had approximately $150,000,000 in customer repayments. The portfolio delivered interest income of $48,600,000 in the second quarter, which is more than 80% higher than 2024 and operating income more than doubled. The quality of the portfolio continues to improve. Our credit and performance metrics are improving with average FICO scores on originations of 698 for the 2025 compared to 675 in the second quarter of twenty twenty four. Delinquency rates, so thirty day plus at quarter end of 2.4% are solid down from 3.8% a year ago and that benefited from the sale of the mostly subprime legacy CIG portfolio.

Speaker 1

As the new portfolio continues toward full maturity, we do expect the delinquency rates to normalize to the 3% -ish range. Mike mentioned, we completed our inaugural ABS issuance in the quarter. Demand was very strong. We were seeking $500,000,000 in financing and we actually received $3,500,000,000 of confirmed offers, so seven times oversubscribed. This allowed us to upsize the offering by $200,000,000 to $700,000,000 We're also pleased with a 4.9% weighted average coupon rate.

Speaker 1

Fixed rate securitization also removes floating rate exposure for a substantial portion of our fixed rate loan portfolio. Equally as important is the debt funding rate, meaning the portion of the portfolio that is funded with debt as opposed to by our own retained earnings. Higher debt funding rates lead to higher overall returns for AutoNation shareholders. The debt funding rate for the ABS transaction was 98%, which helped to bring the debt funding rate for the overall $1,800,000,000 portfolio from 74% at the end of the first quarter to 83% at the end of the second quarter. As we become a more regular issuer of ABS securities, we expect to further increase the debt funding levels of the overall portfolio and we're planning for another ABS transaction later this year.

Speaker 1

We expect to continue using ABS funding as a portfolio financing vehicle, not a true sale of assets. So the financed assets will continue to be included in our consolidated financial statement. Moving to slide nine, after sales representing nearly one half of our gross profit, the business continued its revenue and margin momentum and gross profit was once again a record for AutoNation. Revenues were up 12% year over year on a same store basis with increases in customer pay was up 10 warranty up 25% internal work up 14% and wholesale up 8% all offsetting a 6% decline in collision revenue as that industry has struggled to offset a declining proportion of repair to replace insurance decisioning. Aftersales gross profit increased by 13% on a same store basis from a year ago.

Speaker 1

The increase was driven by a 7% increase in the volume and content of repair orders and a 5% increase in the gross profit per repair order. For the second quarter, our reported after sales gross margin rate was 49, up 100 basis points on a total store basis from a year ago, reflecting improved parts and labor rates, higher tech efficiency, scale benefits and higher value orders. We continue to develop and promote our technician workforce. As Mike mentioned, the year end technician headcount was up three percent from a year ago. I should say the quarter end headcount was up 3% from a year ago on a same store basis and our technician efficiency continues to improve.

Speaker 1

We expect our after sales business will grow roughly mid single digits each year. To slide 10, adjusted free cash flow for the first half totaled $394,000,000 or 100% of adjusted net income. That's compared to $519,000,000 and 140% conversion 147% conversion a year ago. As we mentioned last year, the CDK outage impacted the timing of certain payments in the second quarter of twenty twenty four, which resulted in higher adjusted free cash flow and conversion. We view conversion greater than 100% as a healthy performance and remain focused on sustaining this level through cycle time enhancement initiatives as well as by prudent allocation of capital to CapEx.

Speaker 1

For the first quarter sorry for the second quarter, our capital expenditures to depreciation ratio was 1.2x compared to 1.5x a year ago. We continue to expect healthy free cash flow conversion for the full year. And as previously disclosed, we submitted claims under our cyber insurance policy seeking recovery for estimated business interruption and related losses caused by last year's CDK outage. Earlier this month, we received insurance recoveries of $10,000,000 related to these claims. We expect to receive additional insurance recoveries in connection with this matter during the 2025 and we're accounting for these recoveries as income when they are received.

Speaker 1

On slide 11, as we've discussed in the past, we consider capital allocation to be an opportunity to either reinvest in the business in the form of CapEx or M and A or to return capital to our shareholders via share repurchase. CapEx is mostly maintenance related compulsory spending and it totaled $154,000,000 for the first half of twenty twenty five, which was 15% lower than 2024. We continue to actively explore M and A opportunities to add scale and density in our existing markets. So far this year, we've closed on one transaction, constituting two franchise stores and we expect additional activity in the second half of the year. Share repurchases have been and will continue to be an important part of our playbook.

Speaker 1

Year to date, we purchased $254,000,000 or 4% of shares outstanding at the 2024 at an average price of $164 per share. In our capital allocation decisioning, we also consider our investment grade balance sheet and the associated leverage levels. At quarter end, our leverage was 2.33 times EBITDA, which was down from 2.56 times EBITDA at the March and well within our two to three times EBITDA long term target, which gives us additional dry powder for capital allocation in the back half of the year. Now let me turn the call back to Mike before we address questions you might have.

Speaker 2

Yes. Thank you, Tom. So we got off to a great start in the 2025 and I think that our quarter performance was strong both on a year over year and sequential basis. And I think we're enjoying strong performance across all of the business lines as Tom just took you through. I think the work the teams are doing focused on both growth and efficiency are paying off.

Speaker 2

And you can see the results in our operating performance and the cash generation. I do just want to make a couple of comments on the impairment that Tom mentioned, specifically around our mobile service business. Developing an independent mobile service offering has given us the ability to provide incredibly convenient service options to our customers, and there is no doubt that it is and will continue to be very additive to our brand. But it is also clear that it has to be done in an efficient and effective way. If not, particularly with a scarce and valuable resource such as technician labor, we will find better uses for that resource.

Speaker 2

And frankly, over the last year or so, it's been both the challenge and the learning. I do think now that we have a very clear understanding of how to run mobile service effectively in a way that will retain the majority of the convenience that we offer but contribute much more effectively to our income. Because of this, it's going to have a different growth profile than our original expectation, hence the technical accounting treatment. But I do want to be clear, I have no doubt this business has the potential to bring significant benefits to our organization. I'm very pleased that it's part of our portfolio.

Speaker 2

It's already helping to facilitate the growth of our emerging fleet service business and it is now providing flexible labor resource to our dealerships. And of course, it's allowed us to in source a number of products and services that previously we had to subcontract. Excuse me, Derek. It's not enough tea this morning so far. So as you can imagine, from my point of view and from the team's point of view, it remains a very important part of our growth.

Speaker 2

And the expectation now is that it will deliver a positive contribution as we progress into 2026. And I'm really also confident that we have the right team in place to do that. We've got some excellent people working in this area. So with that, I am going to Derek Handig over to you for Q and A. Thank you.

Speaker 1

Harry, if you could please remind people how to get in queue for questions.

Speaker 2

Yes, of course.

Speaker 3

Session.

Operator

The first question today will be from the line of Mike Ward with Citi Research. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 4

Thank you very much. Good morning, everyone. AM in the past has been less active than the other dealers on the acquisition side. But some of your comments, it sounds like maybe there might be some more opportunities. Could you just talk a little bit about what kind of flexibility you have?

Speaker 4

What kind of size you might be looking at? What the market is like? What your priorities would be? Would you consider going overseas into The U. K.

Speaker 4

Or some of those markets? What is going on in the M and

Speaker 1

A landscape from your perspective? Yes, Mike. Thanks the question. I'll give a couple of quick comments and then let Mike share his thoughts. But between M and A and repo, we've spent similar amounts in the '24 versus '25 roughly $325,000,000 to $350,000,000 On repurchases, given the environment and particularly with the tariff uncertainty, we're a little cautious post the tariff announcement.

Speaker 1

But as I said, that remains a huge part of our playbook. We have seen improvement in the M and A pipeline. And consequently, we've built up a little bit of dry powder over the quarter and the residual effect, as I said, was an improvement in our leverage by a quarter basis points. But we're committed to both, you know, share repurchases and m and a. It is a strong pipeline.

Speaker 1

Mike, is there anything else you wanna, you know, add to that in terms of Mike's question?

Speaker 2

Well, I just think I'll just add some clarity because Michael was asked about, I think, scale and territory as well. I think we talked about this a little bit in the past, Mike. We have a very clear picture of the density we want in marketplaces where we can really subtract the biggest benefit from the processes and the scale that we bring. So we're very, very focused on, if you like, tuck ins in those marketplaces to continue to unlock those synergies that I think are much, much more reliable in terms of the delivery after M and A. That doesn't mean we wouldn't look at a market outside of The U.

Speaker 2

S, but I think that our anchor is always what happens to the earnings per share that we deliver to our shareholders. And that has been our guiding capital allocation principle, really understanding the impact of that over time. So on the M and A, we obviously benefit from additional cash and that gives us implications for leverage. So we take that into account. But very, very focused on what is the most benefit we can deliver, not immediately but over the medium, long term to our shareholders from an EPS perspective.

Speaker 2

So outside of that time, I have nothing else

Speaker 1

to add. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Mike.

Operator

The next question today will be from the line of Rajat Gupta with JPMorgan. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 3

Great. Thanks for taking the questions. I wanted to follow-up on Tom's comments on just the July pickup after a slow start to the month. Curious to get a thought, Mike, why that might be happening? What are you seeing out there in terms of just the consumer landscape?

Speaker 3

As we're also getting some certainty around the tariffs, like with the Japan deal, hopefully, we'll get some more deals. How do you see the demand outlook playing out for the next few months? And relatedly, how do you see the OEMs reacting to these costs and what the implications could be for dealer margins in the second half? I have a quick follow-up. Thanks.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Jose. Firstly, good to hear from you. I'm going go first and then, Tom, you can obviously talk about your comments. I thought as we came into this year, I was kind of thinking a 5% improvement in size. I still think that I think that we have seen fluctuations around that trajectory, but I still believe that's where we can end up.

Speaker 2

It's good to see that we're seeing certainly in some tariff deals. That's obviously going to continue when the major trading partners are still out there. But I am uncertain that they understand the importance of getting to a conclusion. That will translate to more transparency in terms of the OEMs actions and what they're doing. We still a little bit uncertain in that area, particularly as we go into a model year changeover, not just on new vehicle prices, but also on parts prices.

Speaker 2

But I think what we've seen already and what we've discussed in the past will be the prevailing approach and that is to try and maintain their competitive position in the marketplace on their critical models. And I think because of that, you will see price increases in the marketplace, but very, very measured and very, very deliberate. I think you'll also see adjustments over time to OEMs portfolios. From a margin point of view, I think the quarter is very interesting. We saw sequential improvements in our margin, but I do think that you're going to see stability for the balance of the year.

Speaker 2

That doesn't mean to say that we're not going to see periodic changes. For example, we know that the best stimulus, for example, is going to come out of the marketplace. That is going to alter sales patterns and margin patterns for a period of time. It's inevitable. So there's going to be periods where, as we've seen before, you may see a slight improvement in run rate and volume followed by a slight decrease in run rate and volume.

Speaker 2

But I am optimistic for the full year. I also believe that, as I said, that there's going to be some margin stability for the year. But I do think that there will be still, even though to your point and it's very accurate, I still think there are going to be fluctuations around that general trajectory in both of those areas. I think from an inventory position, we're positioned well. I thought towards the end of last year, we may be too low in our day supply.

Speaker 2

And I think the team have looked at that and managed really quite well, particularly on new vehicle inventory. And I think our used team and our general managers and our regional operators built inventory on used because they are bullish on the used car market. And I don't think I'm talking about the overall market because we don't have an influence on that, but we're a relatively small player and I think they have aspirations to grow that and we're going to support them and see how well they do and give them the resources. And we saw, as Tom went through in the results, I think a good result in the used side. I think that's going to be their focus.

Speaker 2

So that's kind of how I'm viewing the back half. And I think Tom may want to just add a couple of things.

Speaker 1

Yes. Just on July specifically, I mean, we look at the first half of the year, it's really robust. I mean, 7% in the first quarter, 8% in the second quarter in terms of unit growth. And April was also very strong. As Mike mentioned, we you know, gave back some of that pull in in May and June and I think also a bit in July.

Speaker 1

You know, and as a result, I think the first the first half may have felt that impact. But it seems to be settling into the into the mode that Mike mentioned. And I you know, it's gonna take, you know, a few more weeks to, you know, get under our belt, but it it does seem to to have turned, you know, in good direction for us.

Speaker 3

Understood. That's helpful. And and obviously, great execution on the used car side. Just quick follow-up on the AM finance, portfolio ramp. Any updated thoughts on just penetration targets, you know, for the rest of the year?

Speaker 3

You know you know, how should we think about just the cadence there? And any changes to the outlook around the rest of your profitability in in that segment? Thanks.

Speaker 1

No. I think we do fully expect the business to continue growing its penetration. We've got some new internal initiatives that are in place to drive that even higher both on mostly on the used side, but also where applicable on the new side. And I think the profitability of that business continues. Mean, we were a year ago, first half, were like minus six in terms of loss.

Speaker 1

We're we're or And actually, we improved by $6,000,000 year over year from a loss position to where we are year to date. I expect that trend to continue as this portfolio grows and we get some of these upfront either required accounting losses behind us, it's to scale very nicely with pretty stable fixed base of cost. But as long as we can manage that portfolio well, which this the business is doing, as I mentioned, with delinquency, it should it should be a nice grower for us.

Speaker 2

Yeah. But I think you that's that's also compounded by the results that you and Jeff and your team delivers in terms of their view. Right? I mean, it it it released equity. And I think added to the confidence in terms of how the markets view in that portfolio and and and viewing viewing the credit risk in that portfolio.

Speaker 2

So I would agree with what you said. And I think that because the demand was so good, it actually gave you more flexibility from a capital point of view than we were thinking. So yes, I agree.

Speaker 3

Understood. Great. Thanks for all the color.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Vijay.

Operator

The next question today will be from the line of Doug Tasson with Evercore ISI. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 2

Thank you. So

Operator

my apologies there, Doug. We were getting some background noise on your line. I'll just try opening it one once more. Apologies, Doug. We are getting a lot of background noise on your line.

Operator

If you're able to dial back in, that would be great. We will get you back in the queue. The next question today will be from the line of Bret Jordan with Jefferies. Please go ahead. Your line is now open.

Speaker 5

Hey, good morning guys.

Speaker 1

In the aftersales business, could you talk

Speaker 6

about car count versus price and maybe what you see in pricing in the second half? Are you starting to see parts inflation passing through in the ticket?

Speaker 2

Yes. So when I think about our performance in the sales, broadly we saw both increase in volume and increase in price and different ratios obviously depending on the segment where we are.

Speaker 1

But one of the

Speaker 2

big things that Christian is focused on is to balance the penetration of the vehicle parks that we're responsible for in a very, very sensible way with pricing. So from our point of view as we think about pricing that's more in our control, which is clearly our labor, it is constantly checking the marketplace to make sure that we are priced fairly and represent good value for what we provide as well as maintaining a competitive position. So I think that you're going to see from us a limited pricing on average. Remember, we have 300 different pricing dynamics going on at any given time out there. So sometimes when you talk about the average, you lose you obviously lose the context of what's happening in each market and that's how it has to be managed.

Speaker 2

He's managing it with his team each market. From an OEM point of view, we have seen obviously some pricing. Some of that is their normal midyear pricing that they've taken. Some of it they've been more explicit that it is pricing that they're taking in general as a result of inflationary increases on their side. We're not that is not clear across all of the OEMs at this moment in time.

Speaker 2

Reference our earlier conversation, we are beginning they are beginning to get more certainty of their trading conditions, which ultimately they then have to decide how strategically they're going to play it out. But some have shown us that they have taken pricing. I would say that it's in my view is limited. And in my view the ones that have moved have been very targeted. And they're clearly thinking about their competitive position, particularly around those non captive parts in the marketplace.

Speaker 2

And I think for us, our big focus is around that penetration that I alluded to broadly one and two of the vehicles in a seven year park come back to a franchise dealership. And I think represents a significant marketplace that is addressable from us. So Tom talked about focus on retaining, growing the technician base. Obviously, that's highly competitive market, big focus for the team there, but also making sure that, as I've said, we are appropriately priced so that we can reconquest some of those customers back into our business. So I would say less on the price, hopefully more on the volume.

Speaker 2

But we'll see how the market plays out. I spent some time talking about expectation with the industry. Obviously, if my expectation was as I said and you saw a big first half, it means there may be some pressure on new volume in the second half. And there's no doubt that from a macro point of view, I think you're going to see an inflationary impact. It to some extent I think is inevitable.

Speaker 2

And what that has done in the past is it helped you in terms of velocity on the aftersales side. So we're trying to make sure that we have the resources. We increase our resources that will help us in both those situations should it happen. So bit of flexibility. But to sum it up again, I'm hoping that what we see is continued volume and pricing where it's appropriate in the marketplace.

Speaker 1

Tom, do want add anything Great. A quick follow-up.

Speaker 6

Can you give us an update on AutoNation USA? Obviously, a scarcity of good used inventory. But how do you see that strategy going forward in the next year or two?

Speaker 2

Well, goes back to what I talked about in terms of market and densification in the market. We know an ANUSA is additive once we've got a certain amount of density. And we know that if we have an ANUSA that's a long way away from any supporting businesses. It's a very, very tough business. So what we've done now many years ago we had this big growth forecast which I talked about in the past and we've moderated that.

Speaker 2

You're going to see additional openings of Aon USA businesses this year. For sure, they're already planned. They're already in development. It's going to be much, much more deliberate. And you will see from where they are opening that it fits into that pattern that I talked about.

Speaker 2

What the team is working on is obviously to minimize the overlap in terms of what these businesses offer to the marketplace. We're not fully optimized there to be perfectly frank. I think they're doing a lot of work to make sure that there is any unnecessary overlap in terms of product offering warranties and those things is eradicated because that doesn't make a lot of sense. And as I said, we've done a lot of work there, but more work to come. But as I said, it's very additive when it goes into a market that already has density.

Speaker 2

It's going to continue to grow, but it's going to be very methodical growth.

Speaker 6

Great. Thank you.

Operator

The next question today will be from the line of Daniela Hagian with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 7

Hi, good morning. You spoke to uplift to parts and service investments in tech productivity. What does capacity and availability look like to continue to grow the segment? And then thinking out next one to three years, what are the puts and takes for the top line? On one hand, you have vehicle and affordability weighing on SAR that could create demand for reconditioning, but at the same time could limit the origination of newer cars that have that stickiness on the service side.

Speaker 7

So what

Speaker 2

are

Speaker 7

you looking out for? And what's the outlook on that top line?

Speaker 2

Well, think you're exactly right. I mean, whether you talk about new vehicle, used vehicle service or parts, the primary focus for us in the areas that we can influence is affordability. To make sure that what's not happening is demand getting stifled or snuffed out purely because it's been priced out of the marketplace. We don't have full control of that as you know, but it's also top of mind for every OEM. Every time we talk to our partners, they're very, very focused on that.

Speaker 2

And you know the challenges that they're working through at this moment in time. So as I think about the marketplace and the broad set of products and services that we offer, the reality is firstly from a new volume point of view, there's still pent up demand. I have zero doubt about that. How that gets released is going to the governor on that is obviously going to be the economic environment and how new vehicle affordability plays out in the coming months and years. If it doesn't manifest itself in new vehicles, some of it tends to move into used vehicles.

Speaker 2

So you have to be agile I think in terms of how you move between the segments and how you're thinking about that development. But there is no doubt that there is and will remain opportunity in the after sales side of the business. And it comes with multiple benefits that we've discussed on plenty of occasions. And therefore, I think if we can continue to build our internal resource and at the same time convert some of that market that originally came from us back to our service departments whether it is our physical service departments or our mobile service departments then there's still going to be opportunity for us to go into the future. Hopefully, that's touched on most of the points you wanted us to discuss.

Speaker 1

Absolutely. Then one Danielle, thing

Speaker 2

you

Speaker 1

Yeah. Sorry. You had also mentioned had also mentioned capacity. As we've said in the past, there's we we we have plenty of physical, you know, capacity, and we're continuing to, you know, drive the technician workforce up as well.

Speaker 7

Great. And then one follow-up on the used side. You spoke to last quarter seeing greater opportunity in lower priced vehicles. And then this quarter, you definitely saw that with the barbell of strength from sub-twenty ks over 40 ks vehicles. How do you view the competition?

Speaker 7

Or are you seeing much competition in the marketplace from the likes of the online pure play retailers? And is there a greater opportunity for AutoNation to grow and consolidate in this market?

Speaker 2

Yes. Firstly, the market is so large and our share is so small. There's plenty of opportunity for us to grow, whether that is to increase the turn rate of our display base that physically set our dealerships or whether it is to continue to invest in both the processes and the technology to be able to remove the geography constraints of a physical dealer infrastructure. And there's no doubt that we are seeing advances from our competitors in different areas. Whether it is improving their term rates and holding their margins or whether it is through digital sales channel.

Speaker 2

But I think the market is so large and they combined, if you like public retailers, whether they are digital technology play or their technology and physical play, market share is so small that there's plenty of room for all of us to grow. And I think that's regardless of the CEOs you speak to, I think their answer is going to be almost cut and paste of what I've said. I think we all view it as an area that there's opportunity to grow and we're all looking at different ways to try and grow. The advantage we have that I think is often overlooked is when you have the privilege of representing a manufacturer in a marketplace and you are selling a late used vehicle of the same brand, it adds tremendously to the customer's confidence in my view if it comes from a franchise dealership with the same OEM brand above their door. And that's where we are working increasingly with our OEM partners because they offer franchise dealers, I think, a phenomenal advantage in their certified pre owned programs.

Speaker 2

And frankly, we need to do a better job there and the team's really focused on that because what comes with that is also a higher propensity to use our service departments. So again, probably a longer more wandering answer than ideal, but there is opportunity. Clearly, there's a lot of competition out there, but it's a very, very big market and it's one that we're focused on and it's one that is much more in our control than maybe some of the other things. Yeah.

Speaker 7

Absolutely. Competition makes us all better. Thank you.

Speaker 1

Welcome.

Operator

The next question today will be from the line of Jeff Licht with Stephens. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 5

Good morning. Thanks for taking my question and congrats on a great quarter. I just wanted to ask on the SG and A percent of growth, that's a pretty strong performance. I was wondering if you maybe can parse out the parts where there was kind of true real cost efficiencies, operational improvements, where you're seeing benefits versus the stuff that may be caused by just the increase in gross, taking the percent of gross down? And then a follow-up question.

Speaker 5

I was wondering if you could also talk about AutoNation Finance and just how the business lives with the legacy business? And because I know about 80% or so is used. But I'm just curious how those two businesses are kind of as they're growing, living with one another.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Thanks thanks, Jeff. On the on the SG and A piece, as you know, our, SG and A is comprised of, you know, the marketing expense, comp and ben, as well as, you know, other SG and A to, you know, to run the dealerships. Each of those areas has extreme degree of focus in in terms of how the spending plans work. We sit down every month and reset our expectations on marketing as an example.

Speaker 1

We have a new CMO in place. It's bringing a lot of interesting new channels for us to explore. But, you know, with the idea of of, you know, being more productive in that area. You know, compensation, we, you know, we try and maintain as much variability and incentive structure in place as we can. We think that has is is working well for us.

Speaker 1

And then, you know, on the on the other, SG and A, there are number of different categories there. They're a big focus for us. Like, for example, you know, we have a number of initiatives in our physical plant, whether it's to standardize on the HVAC side, the equipment and thermostats and the set points that we have across the landscape or to install LED lighting, is, you know, much more efficient in terms of the physical plant. And so those are the types of, you know, examples of things that, you know, we've got, that we're working with and we'll continue to make and drive productivity in other SG and A. In terms of A and F AutoNation Finance in terms of its coexistence with the with the with the business.

Speaker 1

I mean, it it it is I mean, Jeff Butler who runs the business, you know, for us is a is a is part of Mike's leadership team. He's involved in, you know, every single discussion. They really do an excellent job of driving growth not just in AutoNation Finance, but in other areas of our business. A perfect example is in CFS, where we talk about 70% of CFS being product attach rates. AutoNation Finance has a superior attach rate relative to other potential lenders and it's because of that knowledge that they bring to the business and what the customer needs are.

Speaker 1

So in addition to being good holders of the company's capital driving growth in that portfolio and performance of that portfolio, they have an eye towards influencing outcomes in the overall business and it is working well. So not only are they delivering results in their P and L, but they're helping to influence the rest of the business.

Speaker 2

And I'll just add a little bit to that, I but I thought that was think one of the things that we established at a very early stage with our finance company is that it was a competitive environment out there, and we wanted to establish that as a cultural issue. Now that doesn't mean to say we we we can't, obviously, put them in a prime position. Clearly, that's there. But I think from a mindset point of view, they have to recognize that the service levels that they provide to our customers and to the dealerships I. E, their customers is fundamental.

Speaker 2

So whether it's the response rate, the time of response, whether it's their book to look, whether it's their flexibility in terms of structuring deals or their contracts in transit, Jeff holds his team to very, very high standards above the standards that are being produced by our other partners in that area. And over time, that level of service to our CFS directors in store, the general managers in store means they are a valuable partner. And it takes time to build up, but I think Jeff's really establishing that with his team. There is from my point of view, obviously, there's right to business, but the way they behave, there is no right to business. It's earned.

Speaker 2

And that has already yielded great results and remains the cornerstone of their focus.

Speaker 5

I appreciate all the color. Thanks very much.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Geoff. Thanks, Geoff.

Operator

Our final question today will be from the line of Doug Dutton with Evercore ISI. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 1

Team. Apologies for the connection issue earlier. If this doesn't work, can feel free to just kick me off. Going to

Speaker 5

ask one quick one here.

Speaker 1

So it's not like you're running your vac your vacuum or something. Believe it or not, I wasn't. I'm I'm locked in on the model here. But just first question or or my only question is is just on PP and E CapEx. It looks like it's come down quarter over quarter for the last few quarters with the exception of Q4 last year.

Speaker 1

Is that by design? Is there some reason that we should expect a lower run rate going forward? Can you maybe just talk through that? Yes. Great question, Doug.

Speaker 1

We've I don't think it's like a concerted effort to reduce CapEx and it can be cyclical. Most of it as I was saying has to do with our franchise stores. And it depends on where you are in each OEM's cycle in terms of their putting out their models of their stores. And sometimes you get in lulls and sometimes you get in peaks. I will say that we on top of that is a variable.

Speaker 1

We have tightened up the overall CapEx process internally trying to be as focused on returns as we can, trying to prioritize the cash flows and to sequence the spending in a way that we can absorb. There's a lot of mouths to feed when it comes to CapEx and think we're, you know, prioritizing in the best way we know, which is, you know, return focus where you can and where it's compulsory, making sure you're, you know, supporting it in a in a way that, you know, can be smooth and and, you know, over time as as is allowed. That that that's kind what I would characterize. Yeah.

Speaker 2

I'm just gonna add something to it because I don't think it it reflected the stuff that you and the team are doing. I mean, they it's very easy, isn't it, under this banner of maintenance capital for people to put projects through that that, frankly, are not additive to the returns that we deliver, just consume capital. And I think Tom and the team have put in place progressively the right level of oversight and the right level of rigor to make sure that even if it is so called maintenance CapEx that it comes with the same return that you'd expect from dollars invested in other parts of the business. It isn't always easy to identify that with the same fidelity that you would, for example, the share repurchase or with M and A, but that is certainly the discipline that's in place. And to your point, I don't know whether we are in a down cycle at the moment.

Speaker 2

I know all of the projects that are coming through, but there's no doubt that rigor means that people are thinking very carefully before they just ask for capital in this company. And congratulations to you and the team for that.

Speaker 1

Yes. Thanks, Mike. Amazing. Think that's helpful color and that's all I've got, guys. Congrats on a great quarter.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Doug.

Operator

This concludes the Q and A session. So Mike, I would like to leave the floor to you for any closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Yes. Thank you. First, I'd like to thank all of you for coming on the call and for your questions. It is definitely appreciated by the team and I. And often, we finish this call with as much insight from you as hopefully we get to you.

Speaker 2

The idea here is to give you as much insight as we can and is reasonable for the running of the business. I'm just going to end simply today to say that, well, obviously, as I mentioned at the beginning, the first half was a good half for us, but it is only half. We obviously have the balance to go. And as always, it's as much as Tom and I are the ones sat in the room taking the calls, it is all of the people in the business, and I don't say it with any glibency at all. I think I think we have some of the most amazing people in this industry.

Speaker 2

I'm very pleased to be part of the team with them. And I want to thank them for H1 and just remind them, let's try to do it all again for H2. So thank you, everybody.

Operator

Thanks, Mike. This concludes the AutoNation Incorporated Q2 earnings call. Thank you for joining. You may now disconnect your lines.

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