Autonation, Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2024

General

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. As of December 31, 2024, we owned and operated 325 new vehicle franchises from 243 stores located in the United States, predominantly in major metropolitan markets in the Sunbelt region. Our stores, which we believe include some of the most recognizable and well-known in our key markets, sell 31 different new vehicle brands. The core brands of new vehicles that we sell, representing approximately 88% of the new vehicles that we sold in 2024, are manufactured by Toyota (including Lexus), Honda, Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen (including Audi and Porsche). As of December 31, 2024, we also owned and operated 52 AutoNation-branded collision centers, 24 AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, 4 AutoNation-branded automotive auction operations, 3 parts distribution centers, a mobile automotive repair and maintenance business, and an auto finance company.

We offer a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, “parts and service” (also referred to as “After-Sales”), which includes automotive repair and maintenance services as well as wholesale parts and collision businesses, and automotive “finance and insurance” products (also referred to as “Customer Financial Services”), which include vehicle service and other protection products, as well as the arranging of financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. We also offer indirect financing through our captive auto finance company on vehicles we sell. The following charts present the contribution to total revenue and gross profit by each of new vehicle, used vehicle, parts and service, and finance and insurance sales in 2024.

For convenience, the terms “AutoNation,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to AutoNation, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise required by the context. Our store and other operations are conducted by our subsidiaries.

Reportable Segments

As of December 31, 2024, we had four reportable segments: Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, and AutoNation Finance. Our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury segments are comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell the following new vehicle brands:

1

The following table sets forth information regarding our new vehicle revenues and retail new vehicle unit sales for the year ended, and the number of franchises owned as of, December 31, 2024:

The franchises in each of our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury segments also sell used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products.

Our AutoNation Finance segment is comprised of our captive auto finance company, which provides indirect financing to qualified retail customers on vehicles we sell.

Except to the extent that differences among reportable segments are material to an understanding of our business taken as a whole, the description of our business in this report is presented on a consolidated basis. For additional financial information regarding our four reportable segments, refer to Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Business Strategy

We seek to create long-term value for our stockholders and to be the best-run, most profitable automotive retailer and provider of personalized transportation services in the United States. We believe that the significant scale of our operations, our digital customer experience, and the quality of our managerial talent allow us to achieve efficiencies in our key markets. To achieve and sustain operational excellence, we are pursuing the following strategies:

• We strive to be the nation’s most comprehensive provider of transportation solutions to meet the mobility needs of our current and future customers through a comprehensive, unique suite of transportation solutions.

We seek to maximize the performance and utilization of our assets through operational excellence and expand through the development and/or acquisition of key capabilities, products, and resources. We achieve this by both optimizing our existing business and capturing new and developing opportunities. We continue to invest in strategic partnerships and broaden our offerings to evolve with the changing automotive retail industry and to widen our access to new and expanding sales channels for vehicles, parts and service, financing, and personal transportation services.

AutoNation Finance, our captive auto finance company, provides financing to qualified retail customers on certain new and used vehicles we sell. Through AutoNation Finance, we have further extended our relationship with our customers beyond the car-buying experience and participate in the customer’s entire vehicle ownership cycle. As a result, we are able to diversify our sources of income, generate additional profits, cash flows, and sales, and increase customer retention.

We also pursue opportunities to penetrate the extensive After-Sales service market and respond to our customers’ needs by broadening the reach of our existing After-Sales network. AutoNation Mobile Service, our mobile solution for automotive repair and maintenance services, offers customers the convenience of services and repairs at their home, workplace, or on-site for fleet vehicles. AutoNationParts.com, our e-commerce website, enables customers to purchase high-quality automotive parts and accessories at competitive prices, shipped directly to their homes.

Additionally, we have minority ownership stakes in and productive collaborations with Waymo, the self-driving technology company of Alphabet Inc., and TrueCar, Inc., a leading automotive digital marketplace that lets auto buyers and sellers connect to its nationwide network of certified dealers. These investments and collaborations reflect our continued commitment to emerging technologies that impact the automotive industry.

We also continue to actively pursue acquisitions and new store opportunities, as well as other strategic initiatives, that meet our strategic and financial objectives. We expect that these offerings, initiatives, partnerships, and acquisitions will continue to expand and strengthen the AutoNation retail brand, improve the customer experience, provide new growth opportunities, and enable us to expand our footprint in our core and other markets.

• Hire, train, and retain the best talent available to build dynamic teams to serve our customers.

At AutoNation, nothing drives our success more than how we hire, train, and retain great people. We value the dignity of all employees and are committed to maintaining a work environment where all associates are valued and treated with respect. Our associates are at the core of our performance, by driving innovation and meeting the needs of our more than 11 million customers while protecting and enhancing AutoNation’s brand and reputation. See “Human Capital Resources” below for more information about how we invest in our associates to help us prepare leaders with the vision, integrity, and expertise that enhance our operational excellence every day, drive store profitability, and create both positive employee and customer experiences.

• Continue to provide an industry-leading automotive retail customer experience in our stores and through our digital channels.

We seek to deliver a consistently superior customer experience by offering a broad selection of inventory, customer-friendly, transparent sales and service processes, vehicle financing, and competitive pricing. We believe that this will benefit us by increasing customer loyalty and will encourage our customers to bring their vehicles to our stores for all of their vehicle service, maintenance, and collision repair needs and also by driving repeat and referral vehicle sales business.

We continue to focus on providing a seamless, end-to-end customer experience in our stores and through our digital channels, and improving our ability to generate business through those channels. We offer an integrated retailing solution that provides customers with a seamless and intuitive omnichannel vehicle shopping and purchase experience. We continue to build omnichannel digital capabilities that provide a personalized digital customer experience online and in-store. Our customers are able to complete key automotive retail- and service-related transactions online through our digital channels such as selecting a vehicle with a guaranteed price, scheduling a test drive, calculating payment options, receiving a certified trade-in or purchase offer for a vehicle that a customer wants to sell, applying for financing, selecting vehicle protection products, scheduling in-store pick-up or home delivery, arranging service appointments, receiving service updates, paying for maintenance and repair services, and signing paperwork electronically. We also utilize proprietary tools that leverage real-time customer data to guide and personalize the customer experience.

• Continue to invest in the AutoNation retail brand to enhance our strong customer satisfaction and expand our market share.

AutoNation is a brand that connects people and places. We continue to invest in the AutoNation retail brand, promoting personal transportation for America’s drivers, leading the charge to make transformational change in the automotive industry, and driving out cancer coast to coast. We are committed to delivering easy, transparent, and customer-centric services for our customers’ personal transportation needs.

The AutoNation retail brand includes our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as well as AutoNation Finance, our captive auto finance company. We expect to continue to expand the AutoNation Finance loan portfolio as we increase finance penetration rates at our stores. In addition, we offer AutoNation-branded Customer Financial Services products (including extended service and maintenance contracts and other vehicle protection products) and parts and accessories, as well as collision repair services at AutoNation-branded collision centers, mobile automotive repair and maintenance services through AutoNation Mobile Services, and auction services at AutoNation-branded automotive auctions. We also offer our One Price used vehicle centralized pricing and appraisal strategy, and our “We’ll Buy Your Car” program under which customers receive a guaranteed trade-in offer honored for 7 days or 500 miles at any of our locations.

• Leverage our significant scale and cost structure to improve our operating efficiency.

As one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our significant scale so that we are able to achieve competitive operating margins by centralizing and streamlining various business processes. We strive to manage our new and used vehicle inventories so that our stores’ supply and mix of vehicles are in line with seasonal sales trends and also minimize our carrying costs. We are able to self-source a significant portion of our used vehicle inventory through our “We’ll Buy Your Car” program, and quickly make available such used vehicles through optimization of our reconditioning capabilities at our parts and service departments. Additionally, we are able to improve financial controls and lower servicing costs by maintaining many key store-level accounting and administrative activities in our shared service center located in Irving, Texas. We also leverage our digital capabilities to drive cost reductions and increased efficiency for the long-term success of our business. Finally, we leverage our scale to reduce costs related to purchasing certain equipment, supplies, and services through national vendor relationships.

Our business benefits from a well-diversified portfolio of automotive retail franchises. In 2024, approximately 38% of total revenue was generated by Premium Luxury franchises, approximately 30% by Import franchises, and approximately 27% by Domestic franchises. We believe that our business also benefits from diverse revenue streams generated by our new and used vehicle sales, parts and service business, and finance and insurance sales. Our higher-margin parts and service business has historically been less sensitive to macroeconomic conditions as compared to new and used vehicle sales. In addition, we have been able to attain industry-leading finance and insurance gross profit per vehicle retailed as we have maintained a strong product penetration of products sold per vehicle.

Our capital allocation strategy is focused on growing long-term value per share. We invest capital in our business to maintain and upgrade our existing facilities and to build new facilities for existing franchises and new AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as well as for other strategic and technology initiatives. We also deploy capital opportunistically to complete acquisitions or investments, build facilities for newly awarded franchises, and/or repurchase our common stock and/or debt. Our capital allocation decisions are based on factors such as the expected rate of return on our investment, the market price of our common stock versus our view of its intrinsic value, the market price of our debt, the potential impact on our capital structure, our ability to complete acquisitions that meet our strategic objectives, market and vehicle brand criteria, and/or return on investment threshold, and limitations set forth in our debt agreements. For additional information regarding our capital allocation, refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Allocation” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

Operations

Each of our franchised dealerships acquires new vehicles for retail sale either directly from the applicable automotive manufacturer or distributor or through dealer trades with other stores of the same brand franchise. We generally acquire used vehicles from customers, primarily through trade-ins and our “We’ll Buy Your Car” program, as well as through auctions, lease terminations, and other sources, and we generally recondition used vehicles acquired for retail sale in our parts and service departments. Used vehicles that we do not sell at our stores generally are sold at wholesale prices through auctions. See also “Inventory Management” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

Our stores provide a wide range of vehicle maintenance, repair, and collision repair services, including manufacturer recall repairs and other warranty work that can be performed only at franchised dealerships and customer-pay service work. Our parts and service departments also recondition used vehicles acquired by our used vehicle departments and perform preparatory work and accessory installation on new vehicles acquired by our new vehicle departments. We also offer product and accessory lines that are integrated into our parts and service operations. AutoNationParts.com, our e-commerce website, enables customers to purchase high-quality automotive parts and accessories at competitive prices, shipped directly to their homes. In addition to our retail business, we also have wholesale parts operations, which sell automotive parts to both collision repair shops and independent vehicle repair providers.

We offer a wide variety of automotive finance and insurance products to our customers. We primarily arrange for our customers to finance vehicles through installment loans or leases with third-party lenders, including the vehicle manufacturers’ and distributors’ captive finance subsidiaries, and receive a commission payable to us from the lender. Our exposure to loss in connection with financing arrangements with third-party lenders generally is limited to the commissions that we receive. We also originate and service consumer auto finance loans through our captive auto finance company. See the risk factor “We are subject to various risks associated with originating and servicing auto finance loans through indirect lending to customers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for additional information.

We also offer our customers various vehicle protection products, including extended service contracts, maintenance programs, guaranteed auto protection (known as “GAP,” this protection covers the shortfall between a customer’s loan balance and insurance payoff in the event of a casualty), “tire and wheel” protection, and theft protection products, some of which are AutoNation-branded. These products are underwritten and administered by independent third parties, including the vehicle manufacturers’ and distributors’ captive finance subsidiaries. We sell the products on a commission basis, and we also participate in future underwriting profit for certain products pursuant to retrospective commission arrangements with the issuers of those products.

As of December 31, 2024, we operated stores in the following states:

(1) Includes franchised dealerships and AutoNation USA used vehicle stores.

(2) Includes collision centers, automotive auction operations, and parts distribution centers.

(3) Revenue represented less than 1% of total revenue.

Agreements with Vehicle Manufacturers

Framework Agreements

We have entered into framework and related agreements with most major vehicle manufacturers and distributors. These agreements, which are in addition to the franchise agreements described below, contain provisions relating to our management, operation, advertising and marketing, and acquisition and ownership structure of automotive stores franchised by such manufacturers. These agreements contain certain requirements pertaining to our operating performance (with respect to matters such as sales volume, sales effectiveness, and customer satisfaction or loyalty), which, if we do not satisfy, adversely impact our ability to make further acquisitions of such manufacturers’ stores or could result in us being compelled to take certain actions, such as divesting a significantly underperforming store, subject to applicable state franchise laws. Additionally, these agreements set limits (nationally, regionally, and in local markets) on the number of stores that we may acquire of the particular manufacturer and contain certain restrictions on our ability to name and brand our stores. Some of these framework agreements give the manufacturer or distributor the right to acquire at fair market value, or the right to compel us to sell, the automotive stores franchised by that manufacturer or distributor under specified circumstances in the event of a change in control of our Company (generally including certain material changes in the composition of our Board of Directors during a specified time period, the acquisition of 20% or more of the voting stock of our Company by another vehicle manufacturer or distributor, or the acquisition of 50% or more of our voting stock by a person, entity, or group not affiliated with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor) or other extraordinary corporate transactions such as a merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, we have granted certain manufacturers the right to acquire, at fair market value, our automotive dealerships franchised by such manufacturers in specified circumstances in the event of our default under certain of our debt agreements.

Franchise Agreements

We operate each of our new vehicle stores under a franchise agreement with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor. The franchise agreements grant the franchised automotive store a non-exclusive right to sell the manufacturer’s or distributor’s brand of vehicles and offer related parts and service within a specified market area. These franchise agreements grant our stores the right to use the relevant manufacturer’s or distributor’s trademarks in connection with their operations, and they also impose numerous operational requirements and restrictions relating to inventory levels, working capital levels, the sales process, marketing and branding, showroom and service facilities, signage, personnel, changes in management, and monthly financial reporting, among other things. The contractual terms of our stores’ franchise agreements provide for various durations, ranging from one year to no expiration date, and in certain cases manufacturers have undertaken to renew such franchises upon expiration so long as the store is in compliance with the terms of the agreement. We generally expect our franchise agreements to survive for the foreseeable future and, when the agreements do not have indefinite terms, anticipate routine renewals of the agreements without substantial cost or modification. Our stores’ franchise agreements provide for termination of the agreement by the manufacturer or non-renewal for a variety of causes (including performance deficiencies in such areas as sales volume, sales effectiveness, and customer satisfaction or loyalty). However, in general, the states in which we operate have automotive dealership franchise laws that provide that, notwithstanding the terms of any franchise agreement, it is unlawful for a manufacturer to terminate or not renew a franchise unless “good cause” exists. It generally is difficult, outside of bankruptcy, for a manufacturer to terminate, or not renew, a franchise under these laws, which were designed to protect dealers. In addition, in our experience and historically in the automotive retail industry, dealership franchise agreements are rarely involuntarily terminated or not renewed by the manufacturer outside of bankruptcy. From time to time, certain manufacturers assert sales and customer satisfaction performance deficiencies under the terms of our framework and franchise agreements. We generally work with these manufacturers to address the asserted performance issues. For additional information, please refer to the risk factor captioned “We are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle manufacturers that may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, including our ability to acquire additional stores” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Regulations

We operate in a highly regulated industry. A number of state and federal laws and regulations affect our business. In every state in which we operate, we must obtain various licenses in order to operate our businesses, including dealer, sales and finance, and insurance licenses issued by state regulatory authorities. Numerous laws and regulations govern how we conduct our business, including those relating to our sales, operations, finance and insurance, advertising, indirect auto financing, origination and servicing of consumer auto finance loans, and employment practices. These laws and regulations include state franchise laws and regulations, federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, privacy laws, escheatment laws, anti-money laundering laws, and other extensive laws and regulations applicable to new and used motor vehicle dealers and auto finance companies, as well as a variety of other laws and regulations. These laws also include federal and state wage and hour, anti-discrimination, and other employment practices laws. See the risk factor “Our operations are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations. If we are found to be in purported violation of or subject to liabilities under any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, operating results, and prospects could suffer” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Automotive and Other Laws and Regulations

Our operations are subject to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation, and the rules and regulations of various state motor vehicle regulatory agencies. In addition, automotive dealers are subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”). The imported automobiles, parts, and accessories we purchase are subject to United States customs duties and, in the ordinary course of our business we may, from time to time, be subject to claims for duties, penalties, liquidated damages, or other charges. Further, our captive auto finance company operations are subject to regulations and supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). Among other things, the CFPB is authorized to take action to prevent auto finance companies from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices and to issue rules requiring enhanced disclosures concerning consumer financial products and services. In addition, state attorneys general have authority under their respective laws and regulations, and under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), enacted in 2010, to investigate and/or regulate certain aspects of our operations.

Our financing activities with customers, including our origination and servicing activities through our captive auto finance company, are subject to the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Consumer Leasing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, federal and state prohibitions against unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices, and various other federal laws and regulations, as well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, leasing laws, collection, repossession, and installment finance laws, usury laws, and other installment sales and leasing laws and regulations. Among other things, these laws and regulations regulate finance and other fees and charges that may be imposed or received in connection with motor vehicle retail installment sales and leasing, require specific disclosures to consumers, define the rights to collect payments and repossess and sell collateral, and govern the sale and terms of ancillary products. Claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law or regulation may be asserted against us by individuals, a class of individuals, or governmental entities and may expose us to significant damages or other penalties, including fines and revocation or suspension of our licenses to conduct our operations. See the risk factor “Our operations are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations. If we are found to be in purported violation of or subject to liabilities under any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, operating results, and prospects could suffer” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for additional information.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Laws and Regulations

Our operations involve the use, handling, storage, and contracting for recycling and/or disposal of materials such as motor oil and filters, transmission fluids, antifreeze, refrigerants, paints, thinners, batteries, cleaning products, lubricants, degreasing agents, tires, and fuel. Consequently, our business is subject to a complex variety of federal, state, and local requirements that regulate the environment and public health and safety.

Most of our stores utilize aboveground storage tanks and, to a lesser extent, underground storage tanks, primarily for petroleum-based products. Storage tanks are subject to periodic testing, containment, upgrading, and removal under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its state law counterparts. Clean-up or other remedial action may be necessary in the event of leaks or other discharges from storage tanks or other sources. In addition, water quality protection programs under the federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), the Safe Drinking Water Act, and comparable state and local programs govern certain discharges from some of our operations. Similarly, certain air emissions from operations, such as auto body painting, may be subject to the federal Clean Air Act and related state and local laws. Certain health and safety standards promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor and related state agencies also apply.

Some of our stores are parties to proceedings under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, typically in connection with materials that were sent to former recycling, treatment, and/or disposal facilities owned and operated by independent businesses. The remediation or clean-up of facilities where the release of a regulated hazardous substance occurred is required under CERCLA and other laws.

We have a proactive strategy related to environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, which includes contracting with third-party vendors to inspect our facilities routinely in an effort to ensure compliance. We incur significant costs to comply with applicable environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations in the ordinary course of our business. We do not anticipate, however, that the costs of such compliance will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, although such outcome is possible given the nature of our operations and the extensive environmental, health, and safety regulatory framework. We do not have any material known environmental commitments or contingencies.

Markets and Competition

We operate in a highly competitive industry. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the automotive retail business are location, service, price, selection, and online and mobile offerings. Each of our markets includes a large number of well-capitalized competitors that have extensive automotive retail managerial experience and strong retail locations and facilities.

New vehicle unit volume in 2024 benefited from increases in new vehicle inventory levels due to higher levels of manufacturer vehicle production. The increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory has resulted in a shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles. Lower new vehicle sales in recent years has also resulted in lower availability of used vehicle inventory, particularly for late model used vehicles. According to industry sources, as of December 31, 2024, there were approximately 17,000 franchised automotive dealerships, which sell both new and used vehicles, in the United States. In addition, we estimate that there were approximately twice as many independent used vehicle dealers in the United States. We continue to expand our footprint and increase scope and scale through both the acquisition of new dealerships and franchises and through the expansion of our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores. We face competition from (i) several public companies that operate numerous automotive retail stores or collision centers on a regional or national basis, including franchised dealers that sell new and used vehicles, non-franchised dealers that sell only used vehicles, and manufacturers that sell directly to customers, (ii) private companies that operate automotive retail stores or collision centers in our markets, (iii) electric vehicle manufacturers who sell directly to consumers, and (iv) online and mobile sales and service platforms. We compete with dealers that sell the same vehicle brands that we sell, as well as dealers and certain manufacturers that sell other vehicle brands that we do not represent in a particular market. Our new vehicle store competitors have franchise agreements with the various vehicle manufacturers and, as such, generally have access to new vehicles on the same terms as we have. We also compete with other dealers for qualified employees, including general managers and sales and service personnel.

In general, the vehicle manufacturers have designated marketing and sales areas within which only one franchised dealer of a given vehicle brand may operate. Under most framework agreements with vehicle manufacturers, the ability to acquire multiple dealers of a given vehicle brand within a particular market is limited. Dealers are also restricted by various state franchise laws from relocating stores or establishing new stores of a particular vehicle brand within any area that is served by another dealer of the same vehicle brand, and generally need the manufacturer to approve any relocation or the grant of a new franchise. However, to the extent that a market has multiple dealers of a particular vehicle brand, as most of our key markets do with respect to most vehicle brands we sell, we face significant intra-brand competition.

We also compete with independent automobile service shops, service center chains, collision service operations, and wholesale parts outlets. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the parts and service business are price, location, expertise with the particular vehicle lines, and customer service. We also compete with a broad range of financial institutions in our finance and insurance business. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the finance and insurance business are product selection, convenience, price, contract terms, and the ability to finance vehicle protection and aftermarket products.

We also operate in the auto finance sector of the consumer finance market. This sector is primarily comprised of banks, captive finance divisions of new car manufacturers, credit unions, and independent finance companies. According to industry sources, this sector represented more than $1 trillion in outstanding receivables as of December 31, 2024. Our primary competitors in this sector are banks and credit unions that offer direct and indirect financing to customers purchasing vehicles.

Insurance and Bonding

Our business exposes us to the risk of liabilities arising out of our operations. For example, liabilities may arise out of claims of employees, customers, or other third parties for personal injury or property damage occurring in the course of our operations. We could also be subject to fines and civil and criminal penalties in connection with alleged violations of federal and state laws or regulatory requirements.

The automotive retail business is also subject to substantial risk of property loss due to the significant concentration of property values at store locations. In our case in particular, our operations are concentrated in states and regions in which natural disasters and severe weather events (such as hailstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, snowstorms, and landslides) may subject us to substantial risk of property loss and operational disruption. Under self-insurance programs, we retain various levels of aggregate loss limits, per claim deductibles, and claims-handling expenses as part of our various insurance programs, including property and casualty, automobile, workers’ compensation, and employee medical benefits. Costs in excess of this retained risk per claim may be insured under various contracts with third-party insurance carriers. We estimate the ultimate costs of these retained insurance risks based on actuarial evaluations and historical claims experience, adjusted for current trends and changes in claims-handling procedures. The level of risk we retain may change in the future as insurance market conditions or other factors affecting the economics of our insurance purchasing change. Although we have, subject to certain limitations and exclusions, substantial insurance, we cannot assure you that we will not be exposed to uninsured or underinsured losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. During 2024, we recognized self-insured losses of $11.7 million primarily due to weather-related events.

Provisions for retained losses and deductibles are made by charges to expense based upon periodic evaluations of the estimated ultimate liabilities on reported and unreported claims. The insurance companies that underwrite our insurance require that we secure certain of our obligations for deductible reimbursements with collateral. Our collateral requirements are set by the insurance companies and, to date, have been satisfied by posting surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits. Our collateral requirements may change from time to time based on, among other things, our claims experience.

Seasonality

In a stable environment, our operations generally experience higher volumes of vehicle unit sales in the second and third quarters of each year due in part to consumer buying trends and the introduction of new vehicle models. Also, demand for vehicles and light trucks is generally lower during the winter months than in other seasons, particularly in regions of the United States where stores may be subject to adverse winter conditions. However, we typically experience higher sales of Premium Luxury vehicles, which have higher average selling prices and gross profit per vehicle retailed, in the fourth quarter. Revenue and operating results may be impacted significantly from quarter to quarter by changing economic conditions, vehicle manufacturer incentive programs, and actual or threatened severe weather events.

Trademarks

We own a number of registered service marks and trademarks, including, among other marks, AutoNation® and AutoNation USA®. Pursuant to agreements with vehicle manufacturers, we have the right to use and display manufacturers’ trademarks, logos, and designs at our stores and in our advertising and promotional materials, subject to certain restrictions. We also have licenses pursuant to various agreements with third parties authorizing the use and display of the marks and/or logos of such third parties, subject to certain restrictions. The current registrations of our service marks and trademarks are effective for varying periods of time, which we may renew periodically, provided that we comply with all applicable laws.

Human Capital Resources

At AutoNation, our associates are our greatest asset. As of December 31, 2024, we employed approximately 25,100 full-time and part-time employees, whom we refer to as “associates,” approximately 170 of whom were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The development, attraction, and retention of people is central to the culture at AutoNation. We are committed to ensuring we create an environment where all associates feel valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their highest potential. Our Board of Directors and its Committees provide oversight on a broad range of human capital management topics, including corporate culture, talent, compensation, and benefits.

Recruitment and Development

Our recruitment efforts include branded advertising nationwide on well-known online job websites, as well as recruitment efforts through technical schools, veteran partnerships, colleges, and universities. In addition, AutoNation provides extensive on-the-job training and opportunities for career growth. We provide a range of formal and informal learning programs, which are designed to help our associates continuously grow and strengthen their skills throughout their careers. Creating opportunities for employee recognition, development, and advancement is a key initiative in our talent efforts.

Compensation and Benefits

AutoNation offers a comprehensive total rewards program, including competitive salaries and compensation plans, incentive compensation potential, and health and welfare benefits. We offer many benefits at no additional cost to our associates, including our Employee Assistance Program, Company-paid maternity leave, and our innovative “Drive Pink”-inspired Company-paid cancer insurance plan that provides financial assistance to associates and their eligible dependents who are diagnosed with cancer.

Engagement

AutoNation believes that fostering an open-door culture based on trust, respect, and open communication among team members is vital for driving long-term sustainable growth. AutoNation conducts associate engagement surveys, which allows the Company to gain comprehensive insights and establish organization priorities. More than simply listening to associates, AutoNation also provides managers with tools they need to be able to address associate feedback constructively with actionable next steps. The combined effort of these engagement activities drives AutoNation to continuously improve the culture of the organization.

Information about our Executive Officers

The following sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of February 14, 2025.

Michael Manley has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board since November 2021. Prior to joining AutoNation, Mr. Manley served as Head of Americas and as a member of the Group Executive Council for Stellantis N.V., one of the largest automotive original equipment manufacturers in the world, from January 2021 until October 2021. From July 2018 until January 2021, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (“FCA”), a predecessor to Stellantis N.V. Mr. Manley joined DaimlerChrysler (a predecessor to FCA) in 2000 and, prior to becoming FCA’s Chief Executive Officer, served in a number of management-level roles with increasing responsibility overseeing various aspects of FCA’s operations, including as Executive Vice President - International Sales & Marketing, Business Development and Global Product Planning Operations, Chief Executive Officer of Jeep, Chief Executive Officer of Ram, Chief Operating Officer for the Asia Pacific region, and FCA Global Executive Council member. Mr. Manley currently serves on the Board of Directors of Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV), a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider delivering innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services.

Thomas A. Szlosek has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2023. Mr. Szlosek is responsible for overseeing the finance department and for all financial controls and external reporting, financial planning and analysis, and accounting, as well as the tax, internal audit, treasury, investor relations, and corporate real estate functions. He is also responsible for our shared service center in Irving, Texas. Prior to joining AutoNation, Mr. Szlosek served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Avantor, Inc., a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries, from December 2018 until August 2023. Prior to joining Avantor, Mr. Szlosek served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Honeywell International, a diversified technology and manufacturing company, from April 2014 to August 2018.

Gianluca Camplone has served as our Chief Operating Officer, AutoNation Parts, and Executive Vice President, Business Development since March 2022. Mr. Camplone is responsible for overseeing the Company’s business strategy, corporate development, and Parts teams. Prior to joining AutoNation, Mr. Camplone was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, from December 1996 to February 2022, where he was the leader in their Advanced Industries global practice and Private Equity Industrial practice in North America.

C. Coleman Edmunds has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since April 2017. From October 2007 through March 2017, Mr. Edmunds served as our Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. He joined AutoNation in November 1996. Prior to joining AutoNation, Mr. Edmunds was in private practice with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie.

Lisa Esparza has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer since September 2022. Prior to joining AutoNation, Ms. Esparza served as Chief Human Resource Officer of Essilor North America, part of

EssilorLuxottica, the global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses, from July 2019 to June 2022. From 2017 to 2019, Ms. Esparza served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: PARR), which owns and operates market-leading energy and infrastructure businesses. In addition, Ms. Esparza has held various human resources leadership roles at Celanese, Flowserve, Ingersoll-Rand, and Eaton with global responsibilities.

Dave Koehler has served as our Chief Operating Officer, Non-Franchised Business since March 2022. Mr. Koehler is responsible for overseeing AutoNation USA, AutoNation Mobile Service, and AutoNation Auto Auctions. Previously, Mr. Koehler was the Eastern Region President for our stores located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia from May 2019 to February 2022. Prior to being promoted to Eastern Region President in May 2019, Mr. Koehler held several key positions within AutoNation, including General Manager, Market President, and Senior Vice President of Sales between 2011 to 2019.

Jeff Parent has served as our Chief Operating Officer since October 2023. Mr. Parent oversees AutoNation’s day-to-day operations and works as part of the leadership team to execute the company’s strategic vision and drive operational excellence. Prior to joining AutoNation, Mr. Parent served as President and General Manager of Gulf States Toyota, Inc., one of the world’s largest independent distributors of Toyota vehicles and parts, from February 2017 until October 2023. Prior to joining Gulf States Toyota as a Senior Vice President in 2010, Mr. Parent held various senior executive positions at Nissan Canada Inc., Volkswagen of America, Inc., and VW Credit, Inc.

Available Information

Our website is located at www.autonation.com (http://www.autonation.com), and our Investor Relations website is located at investors.autonation.com. The information on or accessible through our websites and social media channels is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available, free of charge, on our Investor Relations website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, statements regarding our strategic initiatives, partnerships, or investments, including AutoNation Finance, statements regarding our expectations for the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, including during 2025, statements regarding the impact of the CDK Global (“CDK”) outage on our business and the availability of insurance or other sources of recovery, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized executive officers on our behalf that describe our objectives, goals, or plans constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “goal,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

The automotive retail industry is sensitive to changing economic conditions and various other factors, including, but not limited to, unemployment levels, consumer confidence, fuel prices, interest rates, and tariffs. Our business and results of operations are substantially dependent on new and used vehicle sales levels in the United States and in our particular geographic markets, as well as the gross profit margins that we can achieve on our sales of vehicles, all of which are very difficult to predict.

We believe that many factors affect sales of new and used vehicles and automotive retailers’ gross profit margins in the United States and in our particular geographic markets, including the economy, fuel prices, credit availability, interest rates, consumer confidence, consumer shopping preferences and the success of third-party online and mobile sales platforms, the level of personal discretionary spending, labor force participation and unemployment rates, the state of housing markets, vehicle production levels and capacity, auto emission and fuel economy standards, the rate of inflation, currency exchange rates, tariffs, manufacturer incentives (and consumers’ reaction to such offers), intense industry competition, the prospects of war, other international conflicts or terrorist attacks, global pandemics, severe weather events, product quality, affordability and innovation, the number of consumers whose vehicle leases are expiring, the length of consumer loans on existing vehicles, and the rise of ride-sharing applications. Changes in interest rates can significantly impact new and used vehicle sales and vehicle affordability due to the direct relationship between interest rates and monthly loan payments, a critical factor for many vehicle buyers, and the impact interest rates have on customers’ borrowing capacity and disposable income. Sales of certain vehicles, particularly trucks and sport utility vehicles that historically have provided us with higher gross profit per vehicle retailed, are sensitive to fuel prices and the level of construction activity. In addition, rapid changes in fuel prices can cause shifts in consumer preferences which are difficult to accommodate given the long lead-time of inventory acquisition. The imposition of new tariffs, quotas, duties, or other restrictions or limitations could increase prices for vehicles and/or parts imported into the United States and adversely impact demand for such vehicles and/or parts. Our vehicle sales, service, and collision businesses could also be adversely affected by changes in the automotive industry driven by new technologies, distribution channels, or products, including ride-sharing applications, subscription services, autonomous and electric vehicles, and accident avoidance technology.

Approximately 16.0 million, 15.6 million, and 13.9 million new vehicles, including retail and fleet vehicles, were sold in the United States in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Our performance may differ from the performance of the automotive retail industry due to particular economic conditions and other factors in the geographic markets in which we operate. Economic conditions and the other factors described above may also materially adversely impact our sales of parts and automotive repair and maintenance services and automotive finance and insurance products and our ability to approve/provide financing to customers.

Risks Related to Vehicle Manufacturers and Other Third-Party Suppliers

Our new vehicle sales are impacted by the incentive, marketing, and other programs of vehicle manufacturers.

Most vehicle manufacturers from time to time establish various marketing and sales incentive programs designed to spur consumer demand for their vehicles, particularly during periods of excess supply and/or in a flat or declining new vehicle sales market. These programs impact our operations, particularly our sales of new vehicles. Since these programs are often not announced in advance, they can be difficult to plan for when ordering inventory. Furthermore, manufacturers may modify and discontinue these marketing and incentive programs from time to time, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.

In prior years, our new vehicle unit volume and new vehicle gross profit on a per vehicle retailed basis were adversely impacted by certain manufacturers’ disruptive marketing and sales incentive programs based upon store-level growth targets established by those manufacturers (commonly referred to as “stair-step” incentive programs), which result in multi-tier pricing and adversely impact our ability to compete with other dealers. If those manufacturers continue to use such incentive programs or if other manufacturers adopt similar incentive programs, our operating results could be adversely impacted.

We are dependent upon the success and continued financial viability of the vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises. In addition, we rely on various third-party suppliers for key products and services.

The success of our stores is dependent on vehicle manufacturers in several key respects. First, we rely exclusively on the various vehicle manufacturers for our new vehicle inventory. Our ability to sell new vehicles is dependent on a vehicle manufacturer’s ability to design, manufacture, and allocate to our stores an attractive, high-quality, and desirable product mix at the right time and at the right price in order to satisfy customer demand. Second, manufacturers generally support their franchisees by providing direct financial assistance in various areas, including, among others, floorplan assistance and advertising assistance. Third, manufacturers provide product warranties and, in some cases, service contracts to customers.

Our stores perform warranty and service contract work for vehicles under manufacturer product warranties and service contracts, and direct bill the manufacturer as opposed to invoicing the store customer. At any particular time, we have significant receivables from manufacturers for warranty and service work performed for customers. In addition, we rely on manufacturers to varying extents for original equipment manufactured replacement parts, training, product brochures and point of sale materials, and other items for our stores. Our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected as a result of any event that has a material adverse effect on the vehicle manufacturers or distributors that are our primary franchisors.

The core brands of vehicles that we sell, representing approximately 88% of the new vehicles that we sold in 2024, are manufactured by Toyota (including Lexus), Honda, Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen (including Audi and Porsche). As a result, we are subject to a concentration of risk, and our business could be materially adversely impacted by the financial distress, including bankruptcy, of or other adverse event related to a major vehicle manufacturer or related lender or supplier.

Vehicle manufacturers may be adversely impacted by economic downturns or recessions, significant declines in the sales of their new vehicles, natural disasters, increases in interest rates, adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates, declines in their credit ratings, liquidity concerns, labor strikes or similar disruptions (including within their major suppliers), supply shortages or rising raw material costs, rising employee benefit costs, vehicle recall campaigns, adverse publicity that may reduce consumer demand for their products (including due to bankruptcy), product defects, litigation, poor product mix or unappealing vehicle design, governmental laws and regulations (including fuel economy requirements), tariffs and other import product restrictions, the rise of ride-sharing applications, or other adverse events. These and other risks could materially adversely affect any manufacturer and impact its ability to profitably design, market, produce, or distribute new vehicles, which in turn could materially adversely affect our ability to obtain or finance our desired new vehicle inventories, our ability to take advantage of manufacturer financial assistance programs, our ability to collect in full or on a timely basis our manufacturer warranty and other receivables, and/or our ability to obtain other goods and services provided by the impacted manufacturer. In addition, vehicle recall campaigns could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our business could be materially adversely impacted by the bankruptcy of a major vehicle manufacturer or related lender. For example, (i) a manufacturer in bankruptcy could attempt to terminate all or certain of our franchises, in which case we may not receive adequate compensation for our franchises, (ii) consumer demand for such manufacturer’s products could be materially adversely affected, (iii) a lender in bankruptcy could attempt to terminate our floorplan financing and demand repayment of any amounts outstanding, (iv) we may be unable to arrange financing for our customers for their vehicle purchases and leases through such lender, in which case we would be required to seek financing with alternate financing sources, which may be difficult to obtain on similar terms, if at all, (v) we may be unable to collect some or all of our significant receivables that are due from such manufacturer or lender, and we may be subject to preference claims relating to payments made by such manufacturer or lender prior to bankruptcy, and (vi) such manufacturer may be relieved of its indemnification obligations with respect to product liability claims. Additionally, any such bankruptcy may result in us being required to incur impairment charges with respect to the inventory, fixed assets, right-of-use assets, and intangible assets related to certain franchises, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Further, we rely on various third-party suppliers for key products and services to support our business, including CDK, the provider of our dealer management system (“DMS”), which supports our dealership operations, including our sales, service, inventory, customer relationship management, and accounting functions. Outsourcing to third-party suppliers reduces our direct control over the services rendered, as we do not have control over their business operations, governance, or compliance systems, practices, and procedures. If our suppliers fail to deliver products or services on a timely basis and at reasonable prices for any reason, or if the third-parties’ services are interrupted, disabled, sub-standard, or otherwise deficient, as they have been or may be in the future, our business continuity or recovery programs may not be sufficient to mitigate the harm that may result, and we could face difficulties operating our business and suffer reputational harm, and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted. See the risk factor, “We depend on information technology for our business and are subject to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents, including those affecting our third-party suppliers and other service providers. A failure of our information systems or any cybersecurity breaches or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could have a material adverse effect on our business, disrupt our business, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations” below for additional information on the CDK cyber incident in June 2024.

We are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle manufacturers that may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, including our ability to acquire additional stores.

Vehicle manufacturers and distributors with whom we hold franchises have significant influence over the operations of our stores. The terms and conditions of our framework, franchise, and related agreements and the manufacturers’ interests and objectives may, in certain circumstances, conflict with our interests and objectives. For example, manufacturers can set performance standards with respect to sales volume, sales effectiveness, and customer satisfaction or loyalty, and can influence our ability to acquire additional stores, the naming and marketing of our stores, our digital channels, our selection of store management, product stocking and advertising spending levels, and the level at which we capitalize our stores. Manufacturers also impose minimum facility requirements that can require significant capital expenditures. Manufacturers may also have certain rights to restrict our ability to provide guaranties of our operating companies, pledges of the capital stock of our subsidiaries, and liens on our assets, which could adversely impact our ability to obtain financing for our business and operations on favorable terms or at desired levels. From time to time, we are precluded under agreements with certain manufacturers from acquiring additional franchises, or subject to other adverse actions, to the extent we are not meeting certain performance criteria at our existing stores (with respect to matters such as sales volume, sales effectiveness, and customer satisfaction or loyalty) until our performance improves in accordance with the agreements, subject to applicable state franchise laws.

Manufacturers also have the right to establish new franchises or relocate existing franchises, subject to applicable state franchise laws. The establishment or relocation of franchises in our markets could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects of our stores in the market in which the franchise action is taken.

Our framework, franchise, and related agreements also grant the manufacturer the right to terminate or compel us to sell our franchise for a variety of reasons (including uncured performance deficiencies, any unapproved change of ownership or management, or any unapproved transfer of franchise rights or impairment of financial standing or failure to meet capital requirements), subject to applicable state franchise laws. From time to time, certain major manufacturers assert sales and customer satisfaction performance deficiencies under the terms of our framework and franchise agreements. Additionally, our framework agreements contain restrictions regarding a change in control, which may be outside of our control. See “Agreements with Vehicle Manufacturers” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K. While we believe that we will be able to renew all of our franchise agreements, we cannot guarantee that all of our franchise agreements will be renewed or that the terms of the renewals will be favorable to us. We cannot assure you that our stores will be able to comply with manufacturers’ sales, customer satisfaction, loyalty, performance, facility, and other requirements in the future, which may affect our ability to acquire new stores or renew our franchise agreements, or subject us to other adverse actions, including termination or compelled sale of a franchise, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects. Furthermore, we rely on the protection of state franchise laws in the states in which we operate and if those laws are repealed or weakened, our framework, franchise, and related agreements may become more susceptible to termination, non-renewal, or renegotiation.

In addition, we have granted certain manufacturers the right to acquire, at fair market value, our automotive dealerships franchised by that manufacturer in specified circumstances in the event of our default under certain of our debt agreements.

Risks Related to Strategic Initiatives

We are investing significantly in various strategic initiatives, including the planned expansion of our AutoNation Finance business, our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, and our AutoNation Mobile Service business, and if they are not successful, we will have incurred significant expenses without the benefit of improved financial results.

We have invested and will continue to invest substantial resources in marketing activities with the goals of, among other things, extending and enhancing the AutoNation retail brand and attracting consumers to our own digital channels. We are also investing significantly in various strategic initiatives, including the planned expansion of our AutoNation Finance business, our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, and our AutoNation Mobile Service business. These strategic initiatives may be impacted by a number of variables, including customer adoption, availability of used vehicle inventory, demand for our branded products, market conditions, and our ability to identify, acquire, and build out suitable locations in a timely manner. There can be no assurance that these initiatives will be successful or that the amount we invest in these initiatives will result in improved financial results. If our initiatives are not successful, we will have incurred significant expenses without the benefit of improved financial results, and we may be required to incur impairment charges.

If we are not able to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation or to attract consumers to our own digital channels, or if events occur that damage our retail brands, reputation, or sales channels, our business and financial results may be harmed.

We have made significant investments to build an excellent reputation as an automotive retailer in the United States in a highly competitive industry. All of our Domestic and Import stores are unified under the AutoNation retail brand. We believe that our continued success will depend on our ability to maintain and enhance the value of our retail brands across all of our sales channels, including in the communities in which we operate, and to attract consumers to our own digital channels.

Consumers are increasingly shopping for new and used vehicles, automotive repair and maintenance services, and other automotive products and services online and through mobile applications, including through third-party online and mobile sales platforms, with which we compete. We have invested and will continue to invest substantial resources on offering our vehicles and services through digital channels. There can be no assurance that our initiatives and investments in digital channels will be successful or result in improved financial performance. We face increased competition for market share from other automotive retailers and sales platforms, including electric vehicle manufacturers who sell directly to consumers, that have also invested substantial resources on offering their vehicles and services through digital channels. If we fail to preserve the value of our retail brands, maintain our reputation, or attract consumers to our own digital channels, our business could be adversely impacted.

In addition, an isolated business incident at a single store could materially adversely affect our other stores, retail brands, reputation, and sales channels, particularly if such incident results in adverse publicity, governmental investigations, or litigation. The growing use of social media by consumers increases the speed and extent that information and opinions can be shared, and negative posts or comments on social media about AutoNation or any of our stores could materially damage our retail brands, reputation, and sales channels.

We are subject to various risks associated with originating and servicing auto finance loans through indirect lending to customers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.

We originate and service consumer auto finance loans through AutoNation Finance, our captive auto finance company. We are subject to various risks in this business, including the risk that our borrowers do not repay their loans and that the vehicle collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to ensure full repayment. Credit losses are an inherent risk of our auto loan portfolio, and changes in the availability or cost of financing, such as our securitized funding sources or warehouse facilities, to support the origination of auto loans receivable could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, finance companies are highly regulated by governmental authorities, as discussed in the risk factors under the heading, “Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Matters.”

Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Matters

New laws, regulations, or governmental policies in response to climate change, including fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards, or changes to existing standards, could adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flow, and prospects.

Concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led and will continue to lead to governmental initiatives aimed to mitigate those impacts. Consumers may also change their behavior as a result of these concerns. We will need to respond to new laws and regulations as well as consumer preferences resulting from climate change concerns which may affect vehicle manufacturers’ ability to produce cost effective vehicles. Laws and regulations enacted that directly or indirectly affect vehicle manufacturers (through an increase in the cost of production or their ability to produce satisfactory products) or our business (through an impact on our inventory availability, cost of sales, operations, or demand for the products we sell) could materially adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flow, and prospects.

In addition, vehicle manufacturers are subject to government-mandated fuel economy and greenhouse gas, or GHG, emission standards, which continue to change and become more stringent over time. Significant increases in fuel economy requirements or new federal or state restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide that may be imposed on vehicles and automobile fuels could adversely affect demand for vehicles, annual miles driven, or the products we sell.

We are subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects.

We are involved, and will continue to be involved, in numerous legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our business, including litigation with customers, wage and hour and other employment-related lawsuits, and actions brought by governmental authorities. Some of these lawsuits purport or may be determined to be class or collective actions and seek substantial damages or injunctive relief, or both, and some may remain unresolved for several years. The results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects.

Our operations are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations. If we are found to be in purported violation of or subject to liabilities under any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, operating results, and prospects could suffer.

The automotive retail and finance industry, including our facilities and operations, is subject to a wide range of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as those relating to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales, leasing, finance and insurance products, indirect auto financing, origination and servicing of consumer auto finance loans, vehicle protection products, advertising, licensing, consumer protection, consumer privacy, escheatment, anti-money laundering, the environment, vehicle emissions and fuel economy, health and safety, and employment practices. With respect to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales, leasing, finance and insurance products, vehicle protection products, and advertising, we are subject to various laws and regulations, the violation of which could subject us to consumer class action or other lawsuits or governmental investigations and adverse publicity, in addition to administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions. With respect to our indirect auto financing and origination and servicing of consumer auto finance loans through our captive auto finance company, we are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations relating to finance companies that could subject us to regulatory enforcement actions, including consent orders or similar orders where we may be required to revise the practices of our captive auto finance company, remunerate customers, or pay fines. In addition, as the assignee of consumer loans previously originated by third-party dealers prior to October 2023, our captive auto finance company could be named as a co-defendant in litigation initiated by consumers primarily against a specific dealer. Our captive auto finance company may also be involved in litigation with dealers or other third-party service providers, which could materially adversely impact our business, operating results, and prospects. With respect to employment practices, we are subject to various laws and regulations, including complex federal, state, and local wage and hour and anti-discrimination laws. We are also subject to lawsuits and governmental investigations alleging violations of these laws and regulations, including purported class action lawsuits, which could result in significant liability, fines, and penalties. See the risk factor “We are subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects” above. The violation of other laws and regulations to which we are subject also can result in administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions against us, which may include a cease and desist order against the subject operations or even revocation or suspension of our license to operate the subject business, as well as significant fines and penalties. We currently devote significant resources to comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulation of health, safety, environmental, zoning, and land use regulations, and we may need to spend additional time, effort, and money to keep our operations and existing or acquired facilities in compliance therewith. In addition, we may be subject to broad liabilities arising out of contamination at our currently and formerly owned or operated facilities, at locations to which hazardous substances were transported from such facilities, and at such locations related to entities formerly affiliated with us. Although for some such liabilities we believe we are entitled to indemnification from other entities, we cannot assure you that such entities will view their obligations as we do or will be able to satisfy them. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or the unfavorable resolution of one or more lawsuits, regulatory enforcement actions, or governmental investigations may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects.

The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB, an independent federal agency funded by the United States Federal Reserve with broad regulatory powers and limited oversight from the United States Congress. Although automotive dealers are generally excluded from the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB could engage in additional, indirect regulation of automotive dealers, in particular, their sale and marketing of finance and insurance products, through its regulation of automotive finance companies and other financial institutions. Further, the CFPB has supervisory authority over certain non-bank lenders, including automotive finance companies, such as our captive auto finance company. The CFPB can use this authority to conduct supervisory examinations or initiate enforcement actions and/or litigation to ensure compliance with various federal consumer protection laws. The CFPB, other federal agencies, state governmental authorities, and individuals could assert claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law, which could expose us to significant damages or other penalties, including revocation or suspension of the licenses necessary to conduct business and fines, in addition to adverse publicity.

The Dodd-Frank Act also provided the FTC with new and expanded authority regarding automotive dealers, and the FTC has implemented an enforcement initiative relating to the advertising practices of automotive dealers. In January 2024, the FTC published the Combating Auto Retail Scams Final Rule (“CARS Rule”), which prohibits certain automotive sales and marketing practices and establishes significant new dealer disclosure and record-keeping requirements broadly applicable throughout the car-buying process. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently vacated the CARS Rule on procedural grounds, but the FTC could appeal such ruling or take other actions to reissue the CARS Rule in a manner that conforms with the Fifth Circuit’s judgment. To the extent that the CARS Rule ultimately becomes effective or that states enact similar requirements, we may be subject to new administrative burdens that would likely increase our costs and could expose us to significant damages, other penalties, and/or adverse publicity.

Regulation from the CFPB, other federal agencies, or state agencies could lead to significant changes in the manner that dealers are compensated for arranging customer financing, and while it is difficult to predict how any such changes might impact us, any adverse changes could have a material adverse impact on our finance and insurance business and results of operations.

Risks Related to Cybersecurity

We depend on information technology for our business and are subject to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents, including those affecting our third-party suppliers and other service providers. A failure of our information systems or any cybersecurity breaches or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could have a material adverse effect on our business, disrupt our business, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.

Our business is dependent upon the efficient operation of our information systems. We rely on our information systems to manage, among other things, our sales, inventory, and service efforts, including through our digital channels, and customer information, as well as to prepare our consolidated financial and operating data. The failure of our information systems to perform as designed or the failure to maintain and enhance or protect the integrity of these systems could disrupt our business operations, impact sales and results of operations, expose us to customer or third-party claims, or result in adverse publicity. Additionally, we collect, process, and retain sensitive and confidential customer information in the normal course of our business. Our facilities and systems could experience security breaches, malicious software (malware, ransomware, and viruses), lost or misplaced data, programming errors, human errors, acts of vandalism, or other events. For example, several well-known retailers and other large companies have disclosed high-profile security breaches involving sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on their company’s infrastructure or their customers’ data, which were not recognized or detected until after such retailers had been affected notwithstanding the preventative measures such retailers had in place.

In addition, we rely on third-party service providers to support our operations, including CDK, the provider of our DMS. These third-party service providers, with whom we may share data, are subject to similar risks as we are relating to cybersecurity, privacy violations, business interruption, and systems, as well as employee failures. We do not have control over third-party service providers’ business operations, governance, or compliance systems, practices, and procedures, and management of multiple third-party service providers increases our operational complexity. Third-parties’ services have been and may in the future be interrupted, disabled, sub-standard, or otherwise deficient, including as a result of a cybersecurity incident, and we have in the past incurred, and may in the future incur, additional costs as a result, including disruption to our information systems and business operations and reputational harm. For example, in June 2024, we were notified by CDK that it was experiencing a cyber incident impacting its systems, including the systems necessary to support our DMS, which supports our dealership operations, including our sales, service, inventory, customer relationship management, and accounting functions (“Core Functions”). The incident resulted in outages of our DMS and Core Functions (the “CDK outage”), causing disruption and adverse impacts to our business, including our productivity. Access to our DMS and Core Functions was restored by the end of June 2024. Certain ancillary systems and integrations, such as those that help automate ordering, scheduling, payment, sales, and reporting processes, were restored by the end of July with residual impacts resolved by the end of the third quarter 2024. See “Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K for a discussion on the financial impact of the CDK outage to our 2024 results.

Future cybersecurity incidents or other events involving our information technology systems or those of our third-party service providers may disrupt our information systems and business operations, result in the theft, misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, damage our reputation, expose us to the risks of litigation and liability, or reduce our customers’ willingness to do business with us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Relating to our Indebtedness

Our debt agreements contain certain financial ratios and other restrictions on our ability to conduct our business, and our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and operations and prevent us from fulfilling our debt service obligations.

The credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility and the indentures relating to our senior unsecured notes contain covenants that limit the discretion of our management with respect to various business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to make investments, and to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and to merge or consolidate with other entities. A failure by us to comply with the obligations contained in any of our debt agreements could result in an event of default, which could permit acceleration of the related debt as well as acceleration of debt under other debt agreements that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions. If any debt is accelerated, our liquid assets may not be sufficient to repay in full such indebtedness and our other indebtedness. Additionally, we have granted certain manufacturers the right to acquire, at fair market value, our automotive stores franchised by those manufacturers in specified circumstances in the event of our default under our debt agreements.

Under our credit agreement, we are required to remain in compliance with a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Restrictions and Covenants” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. If our earnings decline, we may be unable to comply with the financial ratios required by our credit agreement. In such case, we would seek an amendment or waiver of a covenant of our credit agreement or consider other options, such as raising capital through an equity issuance to pay down debt, which could be dilutive to stockholders. There can be no assurance that our lenders would agree to an amendment or waiver of a covenant of our credit agreement. In the event we obtain an amendment or waiver of a covenant of our credit agreement, we would likely incur additional fees and higher interest expense.

As of December 31, 2024, we had $3.8 billion of total non-vehicle long-term debt, $3.7 billion of vehicle floorplan financing, and $801.5 million of non-recourse debt under our warehouse facilities. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example:

• We may have difficulty satisfying our debt service obligations and, if we fail to comply with these requirements, an event of default could result;
• We may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make required payments on indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, strategic initiatives, investments, and other general corporate activities;
• A downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively impact the interest rate payable on certain of our senior notes and could negatively impact our ability to issue, or the interest rates for, commercial paper notes;
• Covenants relating to our indebtedness may limit our ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, originating auto loans receivable, and other general corporate activities;
• Covenants relating to our indebtedness may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
• We may be more vulnerable to the impact of economic downturns and adverse developments in our business;
• We may be placed at a competitive disadvantage against any less leveraged competitors;
• Our variable interest rate debt will fluctuate with changing market conditions and, accordingly, our interest expense will increase if interest rates rise;
• An increase in our leverage ratio could negatively impact the applicable margins on interest rates charged for borrowings under our revolving credit facility; and
• Future share repurchases may be limited by the maximum leverage ratio and/or minimum interest coverage ratio described above.

The occurrence of any one of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations.

We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our vehicle floorplan payables, revolving credit facility, commercial paper program, and warehouse facilities that could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

Our vehicle floorplan payables, revolving credit facility, and warehouse facilities are subject to variable interest rates, and the interest rate for our commercial paper notes varies based on duration and market conditions. Accordingly, our interest expense will fluctuate with changing market conditions and will increase if interest rates rise. Instability or disruptions of the capital markets, including credit markets, or the deterioration of our financial condition due to internal or external factors, could restrict or prohibit our access to capital markets and increase our financing costs. In addition, our net new vehicle inventory carrying expense (new vehicle floorplan interest expense net of floorplan assistance that we receive from automotive manufacturers) may increase due to changes in interest rates, inventory levels, and manufacturer assistance. We cannot assure you that a significant increase in interest rates or inventory levels or decrease in manufacturer floorplan assistance would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Risks Relating to Accounting Matters

Goodwill and other intangible assets comprise a significant portion of our total assets. We must test our goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least annually, which could result in a material, non-cash write-down of goodwill or franchise rights and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and shareholders’ equity.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to impairment assessments at least annually (or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred) by applying a fair-value based test. Our principal intangible assets are goodwill and our rights under our franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers. A decrease in our market capitalization or profitability increases the risk of goodwill impairment. Negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenues for our stores increases the risk of franchise rights impairment. An impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and shareholders’ equity. During 2024, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $12.5 million associated with franchise rights at certain of our stores. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Our minority equity investments with readily determinable fair values are required to be measured at fair value each reporting period, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. The carrying values of our minority equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are required to be adjusted for observable price changes or impairments, both of which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Our minority equity investments with readily determinable fair values are required to be measured at fair value each reporting period. Changes in the fair values of the underlying equity securities could result in unrealized gains or losses related to these investments. A material decrease in the fair values of these equity investments could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

We have elected to measure our minority equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values using a measurement alternative permitted by accounting standards, and we recorded these equity investments at cost to be subsequently adjusted for observable price changes or impairment, if any. There may be future issuances of identical or similar equity securities by the same issuer that would result in observable price changes that could result in upward or downward adjustments to these equity investments. A material downward adjustment to or impairment of these equity investments could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. During 2024, we identified an observable transaction for the issuance of similar equity securities of the same issuer of one of our equity investments and recorded a downward adjustment to this equity investment of $8.4 million based on the observable price change.

Risks Relating to our Stockholders

Our largest stockholders, as a result of their ownership stakes in us, may have the ability to exert substantial influence over actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders. In addition, future share repurchases and fluctuations in the levels of ownership of our largest stockholders could impact the volume of trading, liquidity, and market price of our common stock.

Based on filings made with the SEC through February 12, 2025, William H. Gates III beneficially owns approximately 18.1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, through holdings by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”), which is solely owned by Mr. Gates. As a result, Cascade may have the ability to exert substantial influence over actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders, including the election of directors and any transactions involving a change of control.

Based on filings made with the SEC through February 12, 2025, ESL Investments, Inc. together with certain of its investment affiliates (collectively, “ESL”) beneficially owns approximately 8.3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, ESL may also have the ability to exert substantial influence over actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders, including the election of directors and any transactions involving a change of control.

In the future, our largest stockholders may acquire or dispose of shares of our common stock and thereby increase or decrease their ownership stake in us. Significant fluctuations in the levels of ownership of our largest stockholders could impact the volume of trading, liquidity, and market price of our common stock.

In the aggregate, based on filings made with the SEC through February 12, 2025, William H. Gates III and ESL beneficially own approximately 26.4% of our outstanding shares. Future share repurchases by the Company, together with any future share purchases by our affiliates, will reduce our “public float” (shares owned by non-affiliate stockholders and available for trading). Such reduction in our public float could decrease the volume of trading and liquidity of our common stock, could lead to increased volatility in the market price of our common stock, or could adversely impact the market price of our common stock.

General Risk Factors

Natural disasters and adverse weather events, including the effects of climate change, can disrupt our business.

Our stores are concentrated in states and regions in the United States, including primarily Florida, California, and Texas, in which actual or threatened natural disasters and severe weather events (such as hailstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, snowstorms, and landslides) may disrupt our store operations, which may adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. The effects of climate change may serve as a risk multiplier increasing the frequency, severity, and duration of natural disasters and adverse weather events that may affect our business operations. In addition to business interruption, the automotive retail business is subject to substantial risk of property loss due to the significant concentration of property values at store locations.

We cannot assure you that we will not be exposed to uninsured or underinsured losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. In addition, natural disasters and adverse weather events, including the effects of climate change, may adversely impact new vehicle production and the global automotive supply chain, which in turn could materially adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial conditions, and cash flows.

Risk Management and Strategy

We have developed and continue to enhance our cybersecurity governance program to help protect the security of our computer systems, software, networks, and other technology assets against material risks from cybersecurity threats, including unauthorized attempts to access confidential information or to disrupt or degrade our business operations. Our cybersecurity governance program is strategically integrated into our broader risk management framework and aims to (1) proactively manage cyber and information security risks at AutoNation, (2) implement the internal controls required by cybersecurity regulatory requirements as well as AutoNation’s information security control objective documents and information security standards, and (3) improve the efficiency, maturity, and effectiveness of technology functions and processes.

We regularly evaluate new and emerging risks and ever-changing legal and compliance requirements and examine the effectiveness and maturity of our cyber defenses through various means, including internal audits, targeted testing, incident response exercises, maturity assessments, and industry benchmarking. We also dedicate significant resources that are designed to secure our systems and to protect confidential information, such as firewalls, endpoint protection, and behavior analysis tools, among others, and engage with a range of external experts, including cybersecurity assessors, consultants, and auditors in evaluating and testing our risk management systems. In addition, we annually perform a risk assessment of our third-party service providers.

To date, risks from cybersecurity threats have not materially affected us, and we currently do not expect that the risks from cybersecurity threats are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our computer systems, software, networks, and other technology assets, we may not be able to anticipate, detect, or recognize threats to our systems and assets, or to implement effective preventive measures against all cyber threats, especially because the techniques used are increasingly sophisticated, change frequently, are complex, and are often not recognized until launched. See the risk factor “We depend on information technology for our business and are subject to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents, including those affecting our third-party suppliers and other service providers. A failure of our information systems or any cybersecurity breaches or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could have a material adverse effect on our business, disrupt our business, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Governance

Our Board of Directors is acutely aware of the critical nature of managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats and oversees risks associated with cybersecurity threats. The Board’s Audit Committee is central to the Board’s oversight of cybersecurity risks and bears the primary responsibility for this area. The Audit Committee is composed of independent directors with diverse expertise, including risk management, technology, and finance, equipping them to oversee cybersecurity risks effectively.

Our Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) plays a pivotal role in informing the Audit Committee on cybersecurity risks. He provides comprehensive briefings to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis or more frequently as needed. These briefings encompass a broad range of topics, including emerging threats, the status of ongoing cybersecurity initiatives, and incident reports and learnings from any cybersecurity events. The Audit Committee actively participates and offers guidance in strategic decisions related to cybersecurity. This involvement helps ensure that cybersecurity considerations are integrated into our broader strategic objectives.

Our CISO is responsible for assessing, monitoring, and managing our cybersecurity risks. With nearly three decades of experience in the field of cybersecurity, including extensive experience as an enterprise CISO, his in-depth knowledge and experience are instrumental in developing and executing our cybersecurity strategies. Our CISO oversees our cybersecurity governance programs, tests our compliance with applicable standards, remediates known risks, and leads our employee cybersecurity training program.

Our CISO is continually informed about the latest developments in cybersecurity, including potential threats and innovative risk management techniques. This ongoing knowledge acquisition is crucial for the effective prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, our CISO is equipped with a well-defined incident response plan. This plan includes immediate actions to mitigate the impact and long-term strategies for remediation and prevention of future incidents.

Our CISO regularly informs our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of all aspects related to cybersecurity risks and incidents. This helps ensure that the highest levels of management are kept abreast of the cybersecurity posture and potential risks facing the Company. Furthermore, significant cybersecurity matters and strategic risk management decisions are escalated to our Board of Directors, ensuring that they have comprehensive oversight and can provide guidance on critical cybersecurity issues.

We lease our current corporate headquarters facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pursuant to a lease expiring on December 31, 2029. We also own or lease numerous facilities relating to our operations under each of our operating segments. These facilities are located in the following 20 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. These facilities consist primarily of automobile showrooms, display lots, service facilities, collision repair centers, parts distribution centers, supply facilities, automobile storage lots, parking lots, and offices. We believe that our facilities are sufficient for our current needs and are in good condition in all material respects.

See Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our legal proceedings, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Part I, including matters set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this Form 10-K, and our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. This section of this Form 10-K includes discussion of year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussion of year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 (other than for AutoNation Finance, a new reportable segment, for which discussion is included herein) can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Except to the extent that differences among reportable segments are material to an understanding of our business taken as a whole, we present the discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on a consolidated basis.

Certain amounts have been reclassified from the previously reported financial statements to conform to the financial statement presentation of the current period.

Overview

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. As of December 31, 2024, we owned and operated 325 new vehicle franchises from 243 stores located in the United States, predominantly in major metropolitan markets in the Sunbelt region. Our stores, which we believe include some of the most recognizable and well known in our key markets, sell 31 different new vehicle brands. The core brands of new vehicles that we sell, representing approximately 88% of the new vehicles that we sold in 2024, are manufactured by Toyota (including Lexus), Honda, Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen (including Audi and Porsche). As of December 31, 2024, we also owned and operated 52 AutoNation-branded collision centers, 24 AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, 4 AutoNation-branded automotive auction operations, 3 parts distribution centers, a mobile automotive repair and maintenance business, and an auto finance company.

We offer a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, “parts and service” (also referred to as “After-Sales”), which includes automotive repair and maintenance services as well as wholesale parts and collision businesses, and automotive “finance and insurance” products (also referred to as “Customer Financial Services”), which include vehicle service and other protection products, as well as the arranging of financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. We also offer indirect financing through our captive auto finance company on vehicles we sell.

As of December 31, 2024, we had four reportable segments: Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, and AutoNation Finance. Our Domestic segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Our Import segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Nissan. Our Premium Luxury segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, and Jaguar Land Rover. The franchises in each of our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury segments also sell used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products. AutoNation Finance is our captive auto finance company, which provides indirect financing to qualified retail customers on vehicles we sell.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, new vehicle sales accounted for 49% of our total revenue and 16% of our total gross profit. Used vehicle sales accounted for 29% of our total revenue and 9% of our total gross profit. Our parts and service operations, while comprising 17% of our total revenue, contributed 46% of our total gross profit. Our finance and insurance sales, while comprising 5% of our total revenue, contributed 28% of our total gross profit.

Market Conditions

Full-year U.S. industry new vehicle unit sales were 16.0 million in 2024, as compared to 15.6 million in 2023, and 13.9 million in 2022. Although still below historical levels, new vehicle inventory levels continued to increase during 2024 due to higher levels of manufacturer vehicle production. The increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory, which varies by make and model, has resulted in moderation of new vehicle pricing and margins, which we expect will continue in 2025. Additionally, the increased availability and affordability of new vehicles and an increase in manufacturer new vehicle incentives, including low-interest financing and customer rebates, has resulted in a shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles. Lower new vehicle sales in recent years has also resulted in lower availability of used vehicle inventory, particularly for late model vehicles.

System Outage Due to CDK Cyber Incident

On June 19, 2024, we were notified by CDK that it was experiencing a cyber incident impacting its systems, including the systems necessary to support our DMS, which supports our dealership operations, including our Core Functions. The incident resulted in outages of our DMS and Core Functions, also referred to as the CDK outage, causing disruption and adverse impacts to our business, including our productivity. Access to our DMS and Core Functions was restored as of June 29, 2024. Certain ancillary systems and integrations, such as those that help automate ordering, scheduling, payment, sales, and reporting processes, were restored by the end of July with residual impacts resolved by the end of the third quarter 2024. See “Results of Operations” below for a discussion on the financial impact of the CDK outage to our 2024 results.

Results of Operations

We had net income of $692.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $16.92 in 2024, as compared to net income of $1.0 billion and diluted earnings per share of $22.74 in 2023.

Our total gross profit decreased 7% during 2024, as compared to 2023, driven by decreases in new vehicle gross profit of 27%, used vehicle gross profit of 14%, and finance and insurance gross profit of 4%, partially offset by an increase in parts and service gross profit of 3%. New vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by a decrease in gross profit per vehicle retailed (“PVR”) resulting from increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory, which has resulted in moderation of margins. Used vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by a decrease in used vehicle unit volume and a shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level vehicles, which have relatively lower average gross profit PVR. Finance and insurance gross profit was adversely impacted by an increase in retail vehicle sales financed through our captive auto finance company, which we expect will be offset by greater profitability generated by our AutoNation Finance business over time. Parts and service results benefited primarily from an increase in gross profit from warranty service and customer-pay service.

SG&A expenses were impacted by certain one-time costs related to the CDK outage, principally consisting of compensation of approximately $43 million paid to commission-based associates to ensure business continuity. These costs were largely offset by a decrease in performance-driven compensation expense partly resulting from the CDK outage. In addition, floorplan interest expense increased primarily due to higher average vehicle floorplan balances.

As a result of the CDK outage and its residual effects, we estimate earnings per share in 2024 were negatively impacted by approximately $1.75 per share, without taking into account any potential recoveries related to the incident. The estimated impact is comprised of internal estimates of lost income and the one-time costs incurred related to the incident, described above.

Net income during 2024 benefited from an after-tax net gain of $35.3 million related to business/property dispositions, net of asset impairments, partially offset by after-tax franchise rights impairments of $9.4 million and after-tax self-insured losses of $8.8 million primarily related to weather-related catastrophes. During 2023, net income was adversely impacted by an after-tax loss of $12.4 million from weather-related catastrophes.

Inventory Management

Our new and used vehicle inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We monitor our vehicle inventory levels based on current economic conditions and seasonal sales trends.

Our new vehicle inventory units at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were approximately 42,600 and 35,300, respectively. We have typically not experienced significant losses on the sale of new vehicle inventory, in part due to incentives provided by manufacturers to promote sales of new vehicles and our inventory management practices. We monitor our new vehicle inventory values as compared to net realizable values. Our new vehicle inventory was net of cumulative write- downs of $2.0 million at December 31, 2024. We had no new vehicle inventory cumulative write-downs at December 31, 2023.

We recondition the majority of used vehicles acquired for retail sale in our parts and service departments and capitalize the related costs to the used vehicle inventory. We monitor our used vehicle inventory values as compared to net realizable values. Typically, used vehicles that are not sold on a retail basis are sold at wholesale auctions. Our used vehicle inventory balance was net of cumulative write-downs of $7.8 million at December 31, 2024, and $12.2 million at December 31, 2023.

Parts, accessories, and other inventory are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We estimate the amount of potentially damaged and/or obsolete inventory based upon historical experience, manufacturer return policies, and industry trends. Our parts, accessories, and other inventory balance was net of cumulative write-downs of $8.3 million at December 31, 2024, and $7.8 million at December 31, 2023.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and we base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable. Actual outcomes could differ materially from those estimates in a manner that could have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Set forth below are the accounting estimates that we have identified as critical to our business operations and an understanding of our results of operations, based on the high degree of judgment or complexity in their application. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of other significant accounting policies.

Goodwill

Goodwill for our reporting units is tested for impairment annually on April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired. When assessing goodwill for impairment, our decision to perform a qualitative assessment for an individual reporting unit is influenced by a number of factors, including the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the significance of the excess of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value over carrying value at the last quantitative assessment date, the amount of time in between quantitative fair value assessments, macroeconomic conditions, automotive industry and market conditions, and our operating performance.

We elected to perform quantitative tests for our annual goodwill impairment testing as of April 30, 2024, and no impairment charges resulted from these quantitative tests. The quantitative goodwill impairment test is dependent on many variables used to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the valuation method and related estimates and assumptions used in our quantitative impairment testing.

The fair values of the Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, AutoNation Finance, and Collision Center reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying values as of April 30, 2024. The fair value of the Mobile Service reporting unit, which relates to the mobile automotive repair and maintenance business we acquired in the first quarter of 2023, exceeded carrying value by approximately 25%. The key assumptions used in our estimate of fair value for our Mobile Service reporting unit included revenue growth rates to calculate projected future cash flows. As a measure of sensitivity, if the revenue growth rates decreased by 20%, the fair value would have still slightly exceeded the carrying value of the Mobile Service reporting unit. This result and discussion is not intended to address all potential outcomes that could have resulted if different assumptions had been used given the number of assumptions used in determining fair value and the degree of sensitivity to changes in such assumptions.

As of December 31, 2024, we have $223.4 million of goodwill related to the Domestic reporting unit, $524.3 million related to the Import reporting unit, $481.7 million related to the Premium Luxury reporting unit, $140.5 million related to the Mobile Service reporting unit, $78.4 million related to the AutoNation Finance reporting unit, and $4.6 million related to the Collision Centers reporting unit.

Other Intangible Assets

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which have indefinite lives and are tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that a franchise right asset is impaired. We elected to perform quantitative tests for our annual franchise rights impairment testing as of April 30, 2024, and no impairment charges resulted from these quantitative tests. We identified 15 stores that, while they each had franchise rights fair value in excess of or equal to carrying value, had lower relative performance compared to our total store population. We will continue to monitor these stores, as well as all stores, for events or changes in circumstances that may indicate potential impairment. The remainder of our stores had franchise rights with calculated fair values that substantially exceeded their carrying values as of April 30, 2024.

The quantitative franchise rights impairment test is dependent on many variables used to determine the fair value of each store’s franchise rights. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the valuation method and related estimates and assumptions used in our quantitative impairment testing. Based on a sensitivity analysis of these estimates and assumptions, including if the fair value of each of our franchise rights had been determined to be a hypothetical 10% lower as of the valuation date of April 30, 2024, the resulting impairment charge would have been approximately $3 million. The sensitivity analysis performed, including the effect of a hypothetical 10% decrease in fair value estimates, is not intended to provide a sensitivity analysis of every potential outcome.

During the fourth quarter of 2024, we concluded that a triggering event had occurred that indicated the fair values of franchise rights for two stores may have been less than their carrying values. Therefore, we performed quantitative franchise rights impairment tests for these stores during the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result of the quantitative tests, we determined the franchise rights for both stores were fully impaired, and we recorded non-cash franchise rights impairment charges of $12.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we had 79 stores with franchise rights totaling $861.2 million.

Reported Operating Data

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

31

32

Same Store Operating Data

We have presented below our operating results on a same store basis to reflect our internal performance. The “Same Store” amounts presented below include the results of our stores for the identical months in each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the store was owned by us. Results from divested stores are excluded from both current and prior periods. Therefore, the amounts presented in the year 2023 column that is being compared to the year 2024 column may differ from the amounts presented in the year 2023 column that is being compared to the year 2022 column. We believe the presentation of this information provides a meaningful comparison of period-over-period results of our operations.

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

33

34

New Vehicle

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

The following discussion of new vehicle results is on a same store basis. The difference between reported amounts and same store amounts in the above tables of $139.2 million, $140.1 million, and $55.7 million in new vehicle revenue and $6.0 million, $8.9 million, and $4.8 million in new vehicle gross profit for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, is related to acquisition and divestiture activity, as applicable in a given year.

2024 compared to 2023

Same store new vehicle revenue increased during 2024, as compared to 2023, due to an increase in same store unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in same store revenue PVR. Same store unit volume benefited from the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory, particularly for Import manufacturers, and sustained consumer demand. Same store unit volume also benefited from an increase in vehicle affordability, partially due to an increase in manufacturer incentives, including low-interest financing and rebates. The increase in same store unit volume was partially offset by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage, which disrupted our vehicle sales, inventory, and customer relationship management functions in the latter half of June 2024.

Same store new vehicle revenue and gross profit PVR both decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory, which has resulted in moderation of pricing and margins. Same store new vehicle revenue PVR was also adversely impacted by decreases in manufacturers’ suggested retail prices and a shift in mix away from Premium Luxury vehicles, which have relatively higher average selling prices.

Net New Vehicle Inventory Carrying Benefit (Expense)

The following table details net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit (expense), consisting of new vehicle floorplan interest expense, net of floorplan assistance earned (amounts received from manufacturers specifically to support store financing of new vehicle inventory). Floorplan assistance is accounted for as a component of new vehicle gross profit in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

($ in millions)

2024 compared to 2023

The net new vehicle inventory carrying expense increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, due to an increase in floorplan interest expense, partially offset by an increase in floorplan assistance. Floorplan interest expense increased primarily due to higher average floorplan balances. Floorplan assistance increased due to higher new vehicle unit sales and an increase in the average floorplan assistance rate per unit. Floorplan interest rates are variable and, therefore, increase and decrease with changes in the underlying benchmark interest rates. From the first quarter of 2020, when the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near 0%, up until the third quarter of 2023, we had a net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit. Additionally, over this same period, our average vehicle floorplan balances were significantly lower than historical standards due to manufacturers’ new vehicle inventory supply constraints. With the increases in new vehicle inventory supply and interest rates, floorplan interest expense has increased significantly. If interest rates remain at their current levels or increase without a corresponding increase in floorplan assistance or a decrease in average new vehicle inventory levels, we would expect that we will continue to incur a net new vehicle inventory carrying expense.

Used Vehicle

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

The following discussion of used vehicle results is on a same store basis. The difference between reported amounts and same store amounts in the above tables of $250.6 million, $144.0 million, and $61.3 million in retail used vehicle revenue and $11.1 million, $8.1 million, and $2.2 million in retail used vehicle gross profit for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, is related to acquisition and divestiture activity, as well as the opening of AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as applicable in a given year.

2024 compared to 2023

Same store retail used vehicle revenue decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, due to a decrease in same store unit volume and a decrease in same store revenue PVR. The decrease in same store unit volume, particularly for mid- to higher-priced used vehicles, is the result of the shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles due in part to lower availability and levels of late model used vehicles, as well as increasing supply of new vehicle inventory, an increase in manufacturer new vehicle incentives, and moderation of new vehicle pricing. In addition, same store unit volume was adversely impacted by the CDK outage, which resulted in a decrease in productivity from the disruption to our vehicle sales, inventory, and customer relationship management functions in the latter half of June 2024 and less than optimal levels and mix of used vehicle inventory at the start of the third quarter of 2024.

Same store used vehicle revenue PVR and gross profit PVR decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to a shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices and gross profit PVR.

Parts & Service

($ in millions)

Parts and service revenue is primarily derived from vehicle repairs and maintenance paid directly by customers or via reimbursement from manufacturers and others under warranty programs, as well as from wholesale parts sales, the preparation of vehicles for sale, and collision services.

The following discussion of parts and service is on a same store basis. The difference between reported amounts and same store amounts in the above tables of $111.1 million, $140.7 million, and $27.3 million in parts and service revenue and $45.7 million, $49.9 million, and $17.9 million in parts and service gross profit for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, is related to acquisition and divestiture activity, as well as the opening of AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as applicable in a given year.

2024 compared to 2023

Same store parts and service revenue increased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to increases in revenue associated with warranty service of $95.3 million and customer-pay service of $40.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in wholesale parts sales of $27.8 million.

Same store parts and service gross profit increased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to an increase in gross profit associated with warranty service of $66.4 million and customer-pay service of $10.9 million.

Parts and service revenue and gross profit associated with warranty service benefited from improved parts and labor rates, an increase in repair order volume, and higher value repair orders. Customer-pay revenue and gross profit benefited from higher value repair orders. The increases in parts and service revenue and gross profit were partially offset by the CDK outage, which disrupted our sales and service processes, resulting in a decrease in repair order volume and parts sales.

Finance and Insurance

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Revenue on finance and insurance products represents commissions earned by us for the placement of: (i) loans and leases with third-party financial institutions in connection with customer vehicle purchases financed, (ii) vehicle service contracts with third-party providers, and (iii) other vehicle protection products with third-party providers. We sell these products on a commission basis, and we also participate in the future underwriting profit on certain products pursuant to retrospective commission arrangements with the issuers of those products.

As we continue to grow our AutoNation Finance business and increase our finance penetration rates associated with vehicles sold through our stores, we expect that income related to arranging customer financing will shift to AutoNation Finance and that the resulting decrease in finance and insurance gross profit will be offset by greater profitability generated by our AutoNation Finance business. Interest income on financing provided through AutoNation Finance is recognized over the contractual term of the related loans. See “AutoNation Finance” for additional information.

The following discussion of finance and insurance results is on a same store basis. The difference between reported amounts and same store amounts in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit in the above tables of $33.2 million, $20.7 million, and $7.1 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, is related to acquisition and divestiture activity, as well as the opening of AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as applicable in a given year.

2024 compared to 2023

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, due to decreases in finance and insurance gross profit PVR and used vehicle unit volume, partially offset by an increase in new vehicle unit volume. Finance and insurance gross profit PVR was adversely impacted by an increase in retail vehicle sales financed through our captive auto finance company, as well as a decrease in product penetration, driven in part by the CDK outage, which disrupted our finance and insurance sales process including our ability to offer certain products. The decreases in finance and insurance gross profit PVR were partially offset by higher realized margins on certain vehicle protection products.

Segment Results

In the following table of financial data, revenue and segment income of our reportable segments are reconciled to consolidated revenue and consolidated operating income, respectively.

($ in millions)

41

Domestic

The Domestic segment operating results included the following:

($ in millions)

2024 compared to 2023

Domestic revenue decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to a decrease in used vehicle revenue and the divestitures we completed in the third quarter of 2024. Used vehicle revenue was adversely impacted by a decrease in unit volume due to a shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles, and a decrease in revenue PVR due to a shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices. Domestic revenue was also adversely impacted by the CDK outage, which disrupted our vehicle sales, inventory, and customer relationship management functions in the latter half of June 2024, and its residual effects in the third quarter of 2024. The decreases in Domestic revenue were partially offset by an increase in new vehicle unit volume as a result of the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory, an increase in manufacturer incentives, including low-interest financing and rebates, and sustained consumer demand.

Domestic segment income decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to decreases in new vehicle gross profit, used vehicle gross profit, and finance and insurance gross profit. New vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by continued moderation of margins resulting from the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory. Used vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by a shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level vehicles, which have a relatively lower average gross profit PVR, and a decrease in used vehicle unit volume due in part to the shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles. Finance and insurance gross profit was adversely impacted by the decrease in used vehicle unit volume and an increase in retail vehicle sales financed through our captive auto finance company. Domestic segment income was also adversely impacted by decreases in gross profit resulting from the CDK outage.

Import

The Import segment operating results included the following:

($ in millions)

2024 compared to 2023

Import revenue increased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to increases in new vehicle revenue and parts and service revenue, partially offset by a decrease in used vehicle revenue. New vehicle revenue benefited from an increase in new vehicle unit volume due to the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory and sustained consumer demand. Parts and service revenue benefited from increases in revenue associated with warranty service and the preparation of vehicles for sale. Used vehicle revenue was adversely impacted by a decrease in used vehicle revenue PVR due to the shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level used vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices. Import revenue was also adversely impacted by the CDK outage, which disrupted our vehicle sales, inventory, and customer relationship management functions in the latter half of June 2024, and its residual effects in the third quarter of 2024.

Import segment income decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to a decrease in new vehicle gross profit PVR due to continued moderation of margins resulting from the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory. Import segment income was adversely impacted by an increase in SG&A expenses, largely due to the acquisitions we completed in 2023 and the one-time compensation paid to commission-based associates during the CDK outage, as well as decreases in gross profit resulting from the CDK outage.

Premium Luxury

The Premium Luxury segment operating results included the following:

($ in millions)

2024 compared to 2023

Premium Luxury revenue decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to decreases in new and used vehicle revenue. New vehicle revenue was adversely impacted by the continued moderation of pricing resulting from the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory. Used vehicle revenue was adversely impacted by a decrease in unit volume due to the shift in mix from used vehicles to new vehicles, and a decrease in revenue PVR due to the shift in mix towards lower-priced entry-level used vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices. Premium Luxury revenue was also adversely impacted by the CDK outage, which disrupted our vehicle sales, inventory, and customer relationship management functions in the latter half of June 2024, and its residual effects in the third quarter of 2024. The decreases in Premium Luxury revenue were partially offset by increases in parts and service revenue associated with warranty service and customer-pay service.

Premium Luxury segment income decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to a decrease in new vehicle gross profit. New vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by a decrease in new vehicle gross profit PVR due to continued moderation of margins resulting from the increasing supply and availability of new vehicle inventory. Premium Luxury segment income was also adversely impacted by an increase in floorplan interest expense and decreases in gross profit resulting from the CDK outage.

AutoNation Finance

AutoNation Finance (“ANF”), our captive auto finance company, provides indirect financing to qualified retail customers on vehicles we sell. This business provides us an opportunity to extend our relationship with the customer beyond the vehicle sale and participate in the customer’s entire vehicle ownership cycle. As a result, we are able to diversify our sources of income, generate additional profits, cash flows, and sales, and increase customer retention. Prior to October 2023, ANF also purchased retail vehicle installment sales contracts through third-party dealers.

ANF income (loss) includes the interest and fee income generated by auto loans receivable less the interest expense associated with the debt issued or used to fund these receivables, a provision for estimated credit losses on the auto loans receivable originated or acquired, direct expenses, and gains or losses on the sale of auto loans receivable. Interest income on auto loans receivable is recognized over the contractual term of the related loans. ANF income (loss) does not include amortization of intercompany discounts or intercompany dealer participation fees. The following table presents the components of ANF income (loss):

2024 compared to 2023

ANF loss decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to increased interest income from the growth in managed receivables and a declining expected credit loss rate. Managed receivables increased during the year as we continue to grow our ANF business and increase our finance penetration rates associated with vehicles sold through our stores. The declining expected credit loss rate reflects the improved credit quality of new loan originations and the sale of third-party receivables originated through third-party dealers. In addition, ANF continues to realize operational efficiencies as the portfolio scales, resulting in reduced direct expenses as a percentage of the managed portfolio.

2023 compared to 2022

We acquired CIG Financial, which we renamed AutoNation Finance, on October 1, 2022. ANF loss decreased during 2023, as compared to 2022, as 2022 reflects the initial credit loss expense of $34.2 million associated with the auto loan portfolio acquired in 2022. Interest margin increased in 2023, as compared to 2022, as 2023 reflects a full calendar year of activity as compared to one quarter of activity in 2022, as well as the growth in managed receivables.

The following tables present selected loan origination and loan performance information:

We typically use non-recourse funding facilities, including warehouse facilities and asset-backed term funding transactions, as well as free cash flows from operations to fund the auto loans receivable of ANF. See Notes 6 and 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our auto loans receivables and related non-recourse debt, respectively.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Our SG&A expenses consist primarily of compensation, including store and corporate salaries, commissions, and incentive-based compensation, as well as advertising (net of reimbursement-based manufacturer advertising rebates), and store and corporate overhead expenses, which include occupancy costs, outside service costs, information technology expenses, service loaner and rental inventory expenses, legal, accounting, and professional services, and general corporate expenses. The following table presents the major components of our SG&A.

($ in millions)

2024 compared to 2023

SG&A expenses slightly increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to certain one-time compensation of approximately $43 million paid to commission-based associates to ensure business continuity as a result of the CDK outage, acquisitions and newly opened stores, an increase in transportation-related costs for parts and service customers, and an increase in advertising expenses to support vehicle sales. The increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in performance-driven compensation expenses partly resulting from the CDK outage, which disrupted our sales and service processes, and divestitures. As a percentage of total gross profit, SG&A expenses increased to 68.2% during 2024, from 63.4% in 2023, primarily due to moderation of gross profit, as well as the decrease in gross profit resulting from the CDK outage and the one-time compensation paid to commission-based associates during the year.

Other Income, Net (Operating)

Other Income, Net includes the gains or losses associated with business/property divestitures, legal settlements, and asset impairments, among other items.

During 2024, we recognized net gains of $55.1 million related to business/property divestitures, which were partially offset by asset impairments of $9.3 million.

Non-Operating Income (Expenses)

Floorplan Interest Expense

Floorplan interest rates are variable and, therefore, increase and decrease with changes in the underlying benchmark interest rates.

Floorplan interest expense was $218.9 million in 2024 and $144.7 million in 2023. The increase in floorplan interest expense of $74.2 million in 2024, as compared to 2023, was primarily due to higher average vehicle floorplan balances.

Interest Expense

Other interest expense includes the interest related to non-vehicle long-term debt, commercial paper, and finance lease obligations. Other interest expense was $179.7 million in 2024 compared to $181.4 million in 2023. The decrease in interest expense of $1.7 million was driven by lower average interest rates, partially offset by higher average debt balances.

Other Income (Loss), Net

During 2024 and 2023, we recognized net gains of $14.5 million and $16.4 million, respectively, related to changes in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance (“COLI”) for deferred compensation plan participants as a result of changes in market performance of the underlying investments. Gains and losses related to the COLI are substantially offset by corresponding increases and decreases, respectively, in the deferred compensation obligations, which are reflected in SG&A expenses.

During 2024 and 2023, we recorded a net unrealized loss of $7.0 million and a net unrealized gain of $5.2 million, respectively, related to the change in fair value of the underlying securities of our minority equity investments. During the period that we hold our minority equity investments, unrealized gains and losses will be recorded as the fair market values of securities with readily determinable fair values change over time, or as observable price changes are identified for securities without readily determinable fair values. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Income Tax Provision

Income taxes are provided based upon our anticipated underlying annual blended federal and state income tax rates, adjusted, as necessary, for any discrete tax matters occurring during the period. As we operate in various states, our effective tax rate is also dependent upon our geographic revenue mix. Our effective income tax rate was 24.5% in 2024 and 24.4% in 2023.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations are related to stores that were sold or terminated prior to January 1, 2014. Results from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, were primarily related to a gain on the sale of real estate in the first quarter of 2023 associated with a store that was closed prior to January 1, 2014.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We manage our liquidity to ensure access to sufficient funding at acceptable costs to fund our ongoing operating requirements and future capital expenditures while continuing to meet our financial obligations. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, funds generated through operations, and amounts available under our revolving credit facility, commercial paper program, secured used vehicle floorplan facilities, and non-recourse warehouse facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, fund the origination of auto loans receivable, service our debt, pay our tax obligations and commitments and contingencies, and meet any seasonal operating requirements for the foreseeable future. Depending on market conditions, we may from time to time issue debt, including in private or public offerings, to augment our liquidity, to reduce our cost of capital, or for general corporate purposes. In addition, we may seek to securitize auto loans receivable to provide funding for our auto finance company.

Available Liquidity Resources

We had the following sources of liquidity available for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(In millions)

(1) At December 31, 2024, we had $0.8 million of letters of credit outstanding. In addition, we use the revolving credit facility under our credit agreement as a liquidity backstop for borrowings under the commercial paper program. We had $630.0 million of commercial paper notes outstanding at December 31, 2024. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Based on the eligible used vehicle inventory that could have been pledged as collateral. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(3) Based on the eligible auto loans receivable that have been pledged as collateral. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

In the ordinary course of business, we are required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of our performance primarily relating to insurance matters. At December 31, 2024, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $124.3 million, including the $0.8 million of letters of credit issued under our revolving credit facility. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

In February 2022, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement with the SEC that enables us to offer for sale, from time to time and as the capital markets permit, an unspecified amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, and units.

In addition, we own a significant portion of our new vehicle franchise store locations and other locations associated with our non-franchised businesses, as well as other properties. At December 31, 2024, these properties had a net book value of $2.8 billion. None of these properties are mortgaged or encumbered.

Capital Allocation

Our capital allocation strategy is focused on growing long-term value per share. We invest capital in our business to maintain and upgrade our existing facilities and to build new facilities for existing franchises and new AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as well as for other strategic and technology initiatives. We also deploy capital opportunistically to complete acquisitions or investments, build facilities for newly awarded franchises, and/or repurchase our common stock and/or debt. Our capital allocation decisions are based on factors such as the expected rate of return on our investment, the market price of our common stock versus our view of its intrinsic value, the market price of our debt, the potential impact on our capital structure, our ability to complete acquisitions that meet our strategic objectives, market and vehicle brand criteria, and/or return on investment threshold, and limitations set forth in our debt agreements.

Share Repurchases

Our Board of Directors from time to time authorizes the repurchase of shares of our common stock up to a certain monetary limit. A summary of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors follows:

(In millions, except per share data)

The decision to repurchase shares at any given point in time is based on such factors as the market price of our common stock versus our view of its intrinsic value, the potential impact on our capital structure (including compliance with our maximum leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio, and other financial covenants in our debt agreements as well as our available liquidity), and the expected return on competing uses of capital such as acquisitions or investments, capital investments in our current businesses, or repurchases of our debt.

As of December 31, 2024, $860.8 million remained available under our stock repurchase limit most recently authorized by our Board of Directors.

Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth information regarding our capital expenditures over the past three years:

(In millions)

Acquisitions and Divestitures

During 2024, we did not purchase any stores. During 2023, we acquired RepairSmith, a mobile solution for automotive repair and maintenance, which we renamed AutoNation Mobile Service, and we also purchased one Domestic store, five Import stores, and one Premium Luxury store. During 2022, we acquired CIG Financial, an auto finance company, which we renamed AutoNation Finance, and we also purchased three Domestic stores and one Import store.

We divested seven Domestic stores and one Import store during 2024. We divested one Domestic store during 2023. We divested three Premium Luxury stores during 2022.

(In millions)

50

Debt

The following table sets forth our non-vehicle long-term debt as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in millions)

In November 2024, we repaid the outstanding $450.0 million of 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024. Our 4.5% Senior Notes due 2025 will mature on October 1, 2025, and were, therefore, reclassified to current during the fourth quarter of 2024.

We had $630.0 million and $440.0 million of commercial paper notes outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

We had non-recourse debt under our warehouse facilities of $801.5 million at December 31, 2024, and $209.4 million at December 31, 2023, and non-recourse debt under term securitizations of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of $24.7 million at December 31, 2024, and $50.5 million at December 31, 2023.

A downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively impact the interest rate payable on our 4.5% Senior Notes, 3.8% Senior Notes, and 4.75% Senior Notes and could negatively impact our ability to issue, or the interest rates for, commercial paper notes. Additionally, an increase in our leverage ratio could negatively impact the interest rates charged for borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our non-vehicle long-term debt, commercial paper, and non-recourse debt.

Restrictions and Covenants

Our amended and restated credit agreement and the indentures for our senior unsecured notes contain customary covenants that place restrictions on us, including our ability to incur additional or guarantee other indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to engage in sale and leaseback transactions, to sell (or otherwise dispose of) assets, and to merge or consolidate with other entities. Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in our amended and restated credit agreement and the indentures for our senior unsecured notes could result in the acceleration of other indebtedness of AutoNation.

Under our amended and restated credit agreement, we are required to remain in compliance with a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. The leverage ratio is a contractually defined amount principally reflecting non-vehicle debt divided by a measure of earnings. The interest coverage ratio is a contractually defined amount reflecting a measure of earnings divided by certain interest expense principally associated with vehicle floorplan payable and non-vehicle debt. The specific terms of the leverage and interest coverage ratios can be found in our amended and restated credit agreement, which is filed with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants under our credit agreement and the indentures for our senior unsecured notes. At December 31, 2024, our leverage and interest coverage ratios were as follows:

Vehicle Floorplan Payable

The components of vehicle floorplan payable are as follows:

(In millions)

Vehicle floorplan facilities are due on demand, but in the case of new vehicle inventories, are generally paid within several business days after the related vehicles are sold. Vehicle floorplan facilities are primarily collateralized by vehicle inventories and related receivables. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our vehicle floorplan payable.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the changes in our cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities:

(In millions)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our primary sources of operating cash flows result from the sale of vehicles, finance and insurance products, and parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, proceeds from vehicle floorplan payable-trade, and collections on auto loans receivable for vehicles sold through our stores. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are repayments of vehicle floorplan payable-trade, purchases of inventory, personnel-related expenditures, originations of loans receivable for vehicles sold through our stores, and payments related to taxes and leased properties.

2024 compared to 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased during 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to an increase in originations of auto loans receivable for vehicles sold through our stores as we continued to grow our AutoNation Finance business and increase our finance penetration rates associated with vehicles sold through our stores, as well as a decrease in earnings, partially offset by a decrease in working capital requirements.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of cash used in capital additions and activity from business acquisitions, business divestitures, property dispositions, originations and collections of auto loans receivable acquired through third-party dealers, and other transactions. In September 2023, we discontinued acquiring installment contracts from third-party dealers.

We will make facility and infrastructure upgrades and improvements from time to time as we identify projects that are required to maintain our current business or that we expect to provide us with acceptable rates of return.

2024 compared to 2023

During 2024, we had net cash provided by investing activities, as compared to net cash used in investing activities during 2023, primarily due to a decrease in cash used in business acquisitions, an increase in cash received from business divestitures, a decrease in originations of loans receivable acquired through third-party dealers, and a decrease in capital expenditures.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash flows from financing activities primarily include repurchases of common stock, debt activity, and changes in vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade.

2024 compared to 2023

Cash flows from financing activities include changes in vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade totaling net repayments of $113.5 million during 2024 compared to net proceeds of $425.3 million during 2023, and changes in commercial paper notes outstanding totaling net proceeds of $190.0 million during 2024 compared to net proceeds of $390.0 million during 2023.

In November 2024, we repaid the outstanding $450.0 million of 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024.

During 2024, we continued to grow our AutoNation Finance business and increase our finance penetration rates associated with vehicles sold through our stores. As a result, we borrowed $1.5 billion and repaid $946.7 million under our non-recourse debt facilities in 2024. During 2023, we borrowed $324.0 million and repaid $392.7 million under our non-recourse debt facilities.

During 2024, we repurchased 2.9 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $460.0 million (average purchase price per share of $160.86), excluding the excise tax imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act. During 2023, we repurchased 6.4 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $863.6 million (average purchase price per share of $134.68), excluding the excise tax imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Material Cash Requirements

The following table summarizes our current and long-term material cash requirements as of December 31, 2024. The amounts presented are based upon, among other things, the terms of any relevant agreements. Future events that may occur related to the following payment obligations could cause actual payments to differ significantly from these amounts.

(In millions)

(1) See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) Amounts for non-vehicle long-term debt obligations reflect principal payments and are not reduced for unamortized debt discounts of $3.9 million or debt issuance costs of $14.0 million.

(3) Primarily represents scheduled fixed interest payments on our outstanding senior unsecured notes and finance leases. Estimates of future interest payments for vehicle floorplan payables and commercial paper are excluded due to the short-term nature of these facilities.

(4) Amounts for operating lease commitments do not include certain operating expenses such as maintenance, insurance, and real estate taxes. Additionally, operating leases that are on a month-to-month basis are not included.

(5) Due to uncertainty regarding timing of payments expected beyond one year, long-term obligations for deferred compensation arrangements have been classified in the “More Than 5 Years” column.

(6) Our estimated chargeback obligations do not have scheduled maturities, however, the timing of future payments is estimated based on historical patterns.

(7) Our estimated self-insurance obligations are based on management estimates and actuarial calculations. Although these obligations do not have scheduled maturities, the timing of future payments is estimated based on historical patterns.

(8) Primarily represents purchase orders and contracts in connection with real estate construction projects and information technology and communication systems, as well as acquisition-related commitments.

We expect that the amounts above will be funded through cash flows from operations or borrowings under our commercial paper program or credit agreement. In the case of payments due upon the maturity of our debt instruments, we currently expect to be able to refinance such instruments in the normal course of business.

The table above excludes the non-recourse debt that relates to auto loans receivable funded through asset-backed term securitizations and/or warehouse facilities. These receivables can only be used as collateral to settle obligations of this non-recourse debt. In addition, the investors and/or creditors in the non-recourse debt have no recourse to our assets for payment of the debt beyond the related receivables, the amounts on deposit in reserve accounts, and the restricted cash from collections on auto loans receivable. Non-recourse debt, net of unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs, totaled $826.0 million at December 31, 2024. See Note 6 and Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

In the ordinary course of business, we are required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of our performance. At December 31, 2024, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $124.3 million, of which $0.8 million were letters of credit. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit. We have negotiated a letter of credit sublimit as part of our revolving credit facility. The amount available to be borrowed under this revolving credit facility is reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the cumulative amount of any outstanding letters of credit.

As further discussed in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, there are various tax matters where the ultimate resolution may result in us owing additional tax payments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, statements regarding our strategic initiatives, partnerships, or investments, including AutoNation Finance, statements regarding our expectations for the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, including during 2025, statements regarding the impact of the CDK outage on our business and the availability of insurance or other sources of recovery, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized executive officers on our behalf that describe our objectives, goals, or plans constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “goal,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The automotive retail industry is sensitive to changing economic conditions and various other factors, including, but not limited to, unemployment levels, consumer confidence, fuel prices, interest rates, and tariffs. Our business and results of operations are substantially dependent on new and used vehicle sales levels in the United States and in our particular geographic markets, as well as the gross profit margins that we can achieve on our sales of vehicles, all of which are very difficult to predict.
• Our new vehicle sales are impacted by the incentive, marketing, and other programs of vehicle manufacturers.
• We are dependent upon the success and continued financial viability of the vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises. In addition, we rely on various third-party suppliers for key products and services.
• We are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle manufacturers that may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, including our ability to acquire additional stores.
• We are investing significantly in various strategic initiatives, including the planned expansion of our AutoNation Finance business, our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, and our AutoNation Mobile Service business, and if they are not successful, we will have incurred significant expenses without the benefit of improved financial results.
• If we are not able to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation or to attract consumers to our own digital channels, or if events occur that damage our retail brands, reputation, or sales channels, our business and financial results may be harmed.
• We are subject to various risks associated with originating and servicing auto finance loans through indirect lending to customers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.
• New laws, regulations, or governmental policies in response to climate change, including fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards, or changes to existing standards, could adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flow, and prospects.
• We are subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects.
• Our operations are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations. If we are found to be in purported violation of or subject to liabilities under any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, operating results, and prospects could suffer.
• We depend on information technology for our business and are subject to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents, including those affecting our third-party suppliers and other service providers. A failure of our information systems or any cybersecurity breaches or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could have a material adverse effect on our business, disrupt our business, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.
• Our debt agreements contain certain financial ratios and other restrictions on our ability to conduct our business, and our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and operations and prevent us from fulfilling our debt service obligations.
• We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our vehicle floorplan payables, revolving credit facility, commercial paper program, and warehouse facilities that could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
• Goodwill and other intangible assets comprise a significant portion of our total assets. We must test our goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least annually, which could result in a material, non-cash write-down of goodwill or franchise rights and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and shareholders’ equity.
• Our minority equity investments with readily determinable fair values are required to be measured at fair value each reporting period, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. The carrying values of our minority equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are required to be adjusted for observable price changes or impairments, both of which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
• Our largest stockholders, as a result of their ownership stakes in us, may have the ability to exert substantial influence over actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders. In addition, future share repurchases and fluctuations in the levels of ownership of our largest stockholders could impact the volume of trading, liquidity, and market price of our common stock.
• Natural disasters and adverse weather events, including the effects of climate change, can disrupt our business.

Additional Information

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information using our company website (www.autonation.com (http://www.autonation.com)), our investor relations website (investors.autonation.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. Information about AutoNation, its business, and its results of operations may also be announced by posts on AutoNation’s X feed (www.x.com/autonation (http://www.x.com/autonation)).

The information that we post on our website and social media channels could be deemed to be material information. As a result, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in AutoNation to review the information that we post on those websites and social media channels. Our social media channels may be updated from time to time on our investor relations website. The information on or accessible through our websites and social media channels is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Interest Rate Risk

We have market risk exposure on various instruments that are based on variable interest rates. Interest rate derivatives may be used to hedge a portion of our variable rate debt, when appropriate, based on market conditions.

We had $3.7 billion of variable rate vehicle floorplan payable at December 31, 2024, and $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023. Based on these amounts, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change to our annual floorplan interest expense of $37.1 million in 2024 and $33.8 million in 2023. Our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to total vehicle floorplan payable is partially mitigated by manufacturers’ floorplan assistance, which in some cases is based on variable interest rates.

We had $630.0 million of commercial paper notes outstanding at December 31, 2024, and $440.0 million at December 31, 2023. Based on the amount outstanding, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change to our annual interest expense of $6.3 million in 2024 and $4.4 million in 2023.

Our fixed rate senior unsecured notes totaled $2.8 billion and had a fair value of $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2024, and totaled $3.2 billion and had a fair value of $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, all auto loans receivable outstanding were fixed-rate installment contracts. Financing for these receivables was achieved primarily through both variable- and fixed-rate non-recourse debt. Non-recourse debt includes warehouse facilities and asset-backed term securitizations. Borrowings under the warehouse facilities are variable-rate debt and are secured by the related auto loans receivable. Certain auto loans receivable were funded through term securitizations, which issued notes payable that accrue interest at fixed rates, and are also secured by the related auto loans receivable.

Equity Price Risk

We are subject to equity price risk with respect to minority equity investments. Certain of our equity investments have readily determinable fair values. During the period that we hold these equity investments, unrealized gains and losses will be recorded as the fair market value of the securities change over time. The fair value of these equity investments was $20.0 million at December 31, 2024 and $22.8 million at December 31, 2023. A hypothetical 10% change in the equity prices of these securities with readily determinable fair values would result in an approximate change to gain or loss of $2.0 million in 2024 and $2.3 million in 2023. We also have minority equity investments without a readily determinable fair value. These equity investments are measured using a measurement alternative as permitted by accounting standards and were initially recorded at cost, to be subsequently adjusted for observable price changes. During the period that we hold these investments, unrealized gains and losses may be recorded if we identify observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The carrying amount of our equity investments without a readily determinable fair value was $49.8 million at December 31, 2024 and $56.7 million at December 31, 2023. A hypothetical 10% observable price change for these equity investments would result in an approximate change to gain or loss of $5.0 million in 2024 and $5.7 million in 2023. The selected 10% hypothetical change in equity prices is not intended to reflect a best or worst case scenario, as equity price changes could be smaller or larger due to the nature of equity markets.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, also concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as set forth in its Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm which is included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.