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    AutoNation Revenue, Marketcap, Net Worth, Competitors 2025

    AutoNation, Inc. operates as America’s largest automotive retailer, offering comprehensive products and services including new vehicles, used vehicles, parts, automotive repair, and finance and insurance products. Founded in 1991 by Steven Richard Berrard and H. Wayne Huizenga, the company evolved from Republic Industries’ waste disposal origins into a nationwide automotive retail powerhouse.

    Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury, representing franchises for manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus. The company serves customers across the United States through hundreds of franchised dealerships.

    Through aggressive consolidation strategies during the 1990s and 2000s, AutoNation transformed fragmented automotive retail by acquiring dealerships nationwide, implementing standardized operations, and eventually rebranding under a unified AutoNation identity. The company pioneered customer protection programs and reached historic milestones including selling 8 million vehicles by 2011.

    Key Stats

    1991
    Year Founded
    8M+
    Vehicles Sold by 2011
    210
    Franchises Rebranded (2013)
    Fort Lauderdale
    Headquarters Location
    3 Segments
    Operating Divisions

    AutoNation, Inc. History

    1981
    Republic Industries was created, initially specializing in waste disposal services before later diversifying into automotive retail under H. Wayne Huizenga’s leadership.
    1995
    H. Wayne Huizenga became Chairman of the Board at Republic Industries, which generated $5.2 billion in sales. The company began strategic transformation toward automotive retail consolidation.
    1996
    Republic acquired Alamo Rent A Car and began purchasing new car dealerships, offering long-term contracts to owners joining the automotive division management team. The company built twelve AutoNation locations and completed a 2-for-1 stock split.
    1997
    Republic purchased Auto Nation USA, entering used auto sales, and acquired Car Choice Inc. The company continued car rental expansion with National Car Rental, Spirit, Value, Snappy, and EuroDollar acquisitions. Maroone Automotive Group was acquired for $200 million.
    1997
    Republic sold its electronic security division in October after failing to expand through attempted ADT acquisition. The company acquired six Saturn dealerships in Arizona and Florida before selling them back to Saturn due to insufficient sales volume.
    1998
    Republic Industries offered an IPO of its original waste disposal business as Republic Services, selling 36% and netting $1.4 billion. The company purchased competitor Drivers’ Mart while CarMax’s $50 million jury award was overturned on appeal.
    1999
    The remaining 64% of Republic Services was spun off to Republic Industries shareholders. CEO Steve Berrard resigned in July. Mike Jackson became CEO, spinning off car rental business as ANC Rental and closing unprofitable AutoNation USA used-car megastores.
    2003
    Mike Jackson was named Chairman of the Board in January, replacing H. Wayne Huizenga and consolidating leadership under unified automotive retail vision focused on franchised dealership operations.
    2005
    The AutoNation building in downtown Fort Lauderdale suffered significant damage from Hurricane Wilma on October 24. The company subsequently transferred operations to another nearby building.
    2006
    AutoNation announced cash flow statement restatements for 2003 and 2004 following SEC discussions. CEO Mike Jackson announced reducing orders from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler to focus on BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus amid anticipated market share losses.
    2009
    AutoNation launched the Payment Protection program during economic recession, promising to buy back any vehicle at market value if owners lost their jobs, demonstrating commitment to customer financial security.
    2011
    AutoNation became the first auto retailer in the United States to sell a total of 8 million vehicles, cementing its position as America’s largest automotive retailer.
    2013
    AutoNation announced complete replacement of localized brand names with unified AutoNation branding, starting with Maroone-branded Florida stores. The rebranding encompassed 210 franchises and received support from major manufacturers including GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, VW, and Hyundai.
    2013
    AutoNation partnered with IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to support Racing for Cancer charity, founded as a 501(c)(3) organization following the 2009 passing of the founder’s mother from colon cancer. In August, the company announced selling its 9 millionth vehicle.

    AutoNation, Inc. Founders

    Steven Richard Berrard
    Co-founder who served as AutoNation’s first Chief Executive Officer, leading the company through its initial consolidation phase before resigning in July 1999 during the strategic transition period.
    H. Wayne Huizenga
    Co-founder and Chairman of the Board from 1995 who transformed Republic Industries from waste disposal into automotive retail powerhouse. His leadership drove aggressive acquisition strategies establishing AutoNation as America’s largest auto retailer.

    AutoNation, Inc. Acquisitions

    AutoNation, Inc. built America’s largest automotive retail operation through aggressive acquisition strategies during the 1990s, consolidating fragmented dealership markets under unified management and eventually cohesive branding. The company’s acquisition philosophy emphasized geographic expansion, brand diversification, and operational scale advantages through dealership consolidation.

    The 1996 acquisition of Alamo Rent A Car marked Republic Industries’ entry into automotive services beyond retail sales. This purchase initiated a car rental expansion campaign that continued through 1997 with acquisitions of National Car Rental, Spirit Rent-A-Car, Value Rent-A-Car, Snappy Car Rental, and EuroDollar Rent A Car, creating integrated automotive operations spanning rental and retail segments.

    Republic’s 1997 purchase of Maroone Automotive Group for $200 million in Republic stock represented significant expansion into established dealership networks operating in Buffalo, New York, and Florida. The Maroone brand persisted until 2013 when AutoNation implemented unified branding across all operations, demonstrating long-term value from this strategic acquisition.

    The company’s 1997 acquisition of Auto Nation USA brought Republic into used auto sales, complemented by the Car Choice Inc. purchase. Republic began opening AutoNation used-car megastores, though this strategy faced legal challenges from CarMax regarding copyright and trademark infringement. The jury initially awarded CarMax $50 million, but this decision was overturned on appeal in 1998.

    AutoNation acquired six Saturn dealerships in Arizona and Florida in 1997 but sold them back to Saturn the same year when they failed generating sufficient sales volumes despite Saturn’s successful brand reputation. This quick reversal demonstrated management’s willingness to exit underperforming acquisitions rather than maintaining unprofitable operations.

    The 1998 purchase of competitor Drivers’ Mart expanded AutoNation’s used vehicle market presence. However, CEO Mike Jackson’s 1999 decision to close all AutoNation USA used-car megastores, which lost $25 million in the preceding quarter, marked strategic retreat from standalone used-car superstores toward integrated dealership operations combining new and used vehicle sales under manufacturer franchise agreements.

    AutoNation, Inc. Market Capitalization

    As a publicly traded company, AutoNation, Inc. maintains market capitalization reflecting its position as America’s largest automotive retailer. The company’s valuation fluctuates with automotive industry cycles, new vehicle demand patterns, consumer financing availability, and strategic execution of omnichannel retail initiatives.

    AutoNation, Inc. Revenue

    AutoNation, Inc. generates substantial annual revenue through new and used vehicle sales, automotive parts, service operations, and finance and insurance products across hundreds of franchised dealerships nationwide. The company’s financial performance reflects consumer automotive spending, manufacturer incentive programs, and operational efficiency improvements.

    AutoNation, Inc. Competitors

    AutoNation, Inc. competes in automotive retail against large dealership groups, regional operators, and direct manufacturer sales initiatives. The company faces competition in new vehicle sales, used car markets, automotive finance, and service operations from traditional dealers, online platforms, and evolving direct-to-consumer models.

    Competitor Type Market Focus
    Lithia Motors Dealership Group Multi-Brand Franchises
    Penske Automotive Dealership Group Premium & Import
    Group 1 Automotive Dealership Group New & Used Vehicles
    Sonic Automotive Dealership Group Multi-Brand Retail
    CarMax Used Car Retailer Used Vehicle Superstore
    Carvana Online Retailer Digital Used Cars
    Vroom Online Retailer E-commerce Platform
    Tesla Manufacturer Direct Electric Vehicles
    DriveTime Used Car Retailer Subprime Finance
    Asbury Automotive Dealership Group Luxury & Import

    FAQs

    When was AutoNation founded?

    AutoNation was founded in 1991 by Steven Richard Berrard and H. Wayne Huizenga, evolving from Republic Industries which was created in 1981 as a waste disposal company before diversifying into automotive retail.

    Who is the CEO of AutoNation?

    Mike Jackson became CEO in 1999, replacing first CEO Steve Berrard. Jackson was named Chairman of the Board in 2003, replacing founder H. Wayne Huizenga and consolidating leadership of the company.

    How many vehicles has AutoNation sold?

    AutoNation became the first auto retailer in the United States to sell 8 million vehicles by 2011. The company announced selling its 9 millionth vehicle in August 2013, demonstrating continued growth.

    What is AutoNation Payment Protection?

    AutoNation Payment Protection, launched in 2009, promises the dealership will buy back any vehicle at market value if the owner loses their job, providing customer financial security during economic uncertainty.

    Where is AutoNation headquartered?

    AutoNation is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company transferred to a new building after Hurricane Wilma significantly damaged its downtown Fort Lauderdale facility in October 2005.

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