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AutoNation

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AutoNation, Inc.
TypePublic
NYSE: AN
S&P 400 Component
IndustryCar dealership
Founded1996
FounderH. Wayne Huizenga
Headquarters
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
,
United States
Key people
Mike Manley (CEO)[1]
Revenue US$ US$ 21.3 billion (2019)[2]
Decrease US$ 20.4 billion (2020)[3]
US$ 823.69 million (2019)[2]
Increase US$ 563.26 million (2020)[3]
US$ 612.6 million (2019)[2]
Increase US$ 550.1 million (2020)[3]
Total assets US$ 10,543.3 million (2019)[2]
Increase US$ 9,887.2 million (2020)[3]
Number of employees
Over 21000[4]
Websitewww.autonation.com

AutoNation is an American automotive retailer based in Fort Lauderdale which provides new and pre-owned vehicles and associated services in the United States.[5] The company was founded by Wayne Huizenga in 1996, and has more than 300 retail outlets.[6][7]

History

1996–2008

Before its acquisition by Republic Industries in 1997, but under the early division brand name "AutoNation", the company was a growing network of used automobile superstores. In 1995, H. Wayne Huizenga of Republic Industries became chairman of the board of directors[8] and through Republic's ownership of AutoNation, sought to expand its business into used auto sales throughout the United States.[9][10] CarMax brought a lawsuit against Republic for copyright and trademark infringement. Republic's sales for 1995 were $5.2 billion.[8]

In 1996, Republic Industries began purchasing new car dealerships and offering long-term contracts to owners who joined the newly created automotive division of Republic Industries, which led to the company operating twelve retail locations under the "AutoNation" brand.[8] Later that year, Alamo Rent A Car was also purchased by Republic Industries,[10] and a 2-for-1 stock split in Republic stock was also completed.

In 1997, Republic continued its acquisitions in the car rental business with the purchase of National Car Rental, Spirit Rent-A-Car, Value Rent-A-Car, Snappy Car Rental, and EuroDollar Rent A Car. Huizenga had Republic start consolidating operations between new and used cars and its rental companies into one operation. Acquiring six Saturn dealerships in Arizona and Florida, Republic sold the dealerships to Saturn in 1997 because they did not generate enough sales, despite being a successful brand.[8] Maroone Automotive Group of Buffalo, NY and Florida was acquired in 1997 for $200 million in Republic Stock.[9]

In an attempt to expand the company's electronic security division, the company offered to purchase ADT but the acquisition fizzled,[8] and in October 1997, Republic sold off its electronic security division.

Republic Industries offered in July 1998 an initial public offering of its original core waste disposal business as Republic Services and it was from this sale of 36% of Republic Services stock, the company netted $1.4 billion to be used to fund the new company being formed. As a result of this sale, the company changed its name to AutoNation to highlight its focus on the automobile industry. While CarMax had received a $50 million jury award in its lawsuit, it was overturned on appeal in 1998.[8] Drivers' Mart, a competitor, was purchased.[11] The remaining 64% of Republic Services was divested to Republic Industries shareholders in 1999.[8] The company's first chief executive officer (CEO), Steve Berrard, eventually resigned from the company in July 1999.[12]

Mike Jackson, the newly hired CEO, previously from Mercedes Benz USA, moved to spin off the car rental business as "ANC Rental" and close all newly built "AutoNation USA" used car megastores, because of their financial losses being generated at a rate of $25 million per quarter. Plans to brand all automotive retail stores at the time as "AutoNation stores" were cancelled for a rebranding a more recognizable 'regional brand' focus was instituted.[9]

In January 2003, Jackson was named chairman of the board, replacing Huizenga.[9] On October 24, 2005, the AutoNation building in downtown Fort Lauderdale suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Wilma.[13] The company has since transferred to another nearby building.

In 2006, Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation announced that his company would be reducing orders from the 3 major vehicle manufacturers as General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in 2007 and altered the company's purchase pattern to include purchasing more imported vehicles as BMW, Mercedes and Lexus, due to anticipated view of further market share losses by US automakers. resulting in high dealer[14]

2009–present

In 2009, during the great recession, AutoNation announced a newly formed AutoNation Payment Protection program, promising that the dealership will buy back any car at market value, should the owner lose their job.[15] By 2011, AutoNation was the first auto retailer in the U.S. to sell a total of 8 million vehicles.[16]

In January 2013, AutoNation announced that it would replace localized brand names of its car retail operations with its own name. This re-branding across the US was supported and approved by the major automotive manufacturers, including GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, VW and Hyundai. It involved a total of 210 franchises operating under previously assigned local group names.[17] In May 2013, AutoNation partnered with Indy Car Series Champion Ryan-Hunter Reay to support his "Racing for Cancer" charity. This charity served as a key component of the AutoNation cancer charity program which was founded as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In August 2013, AutoNation announced the sale of its 9 millionth vehicle which was a record achievement for the industry.[18]

On April 11, 2017, USA Today wrote that AutoNation's CEO Mike Jackson questioned the market value of Tesla, the maker of electric cars, by saying that Tesla is "either one of the great Ponzi schemes of all time or it’s gonna work out."[19] The previous day, Tesla passed General Motors as the most valuable American automotive manufacturer, measured by its market capitalization. Jackson also said, "Clearly General Motors is undervalued and Tesla is overvalued. Anybody can see that."[19] In June 2017, AutoNation sold a total of 11 million vehicles. On November 2, 2017, AutoNation announced that Waymo, a developer of self-driving technology, enlisted AutoNation to maintain and repair their driverless vehicles fleet.[20]

During the coronavirus pandemic, AutoNation faced criticism after reports in The Washington Post revealed that the company applied for at least $266 Million in SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan under the CARES Act in order to allow at least 7,000 employees who had been furloughed to return to work and received up to $95 Million in funds for its over 300 dealerships located throughout the United States.[21] SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans were originated by commercial banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions; according to AutoNation's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, the company's "administrative agent" and lender as of the filing date was JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.[22] On April 24, AutoNation announced that it would be returning $77 Million to J.P Morgan.[23]

Cheryl Miller resigned her position as CEO for AutoNation in July 2020. She was replaced by Mike Jackson, who was to will fill the role until April 2022.[24] In November 2021, Mike Jackson retired from his 20 years service to AutoNation and was replaced by Mike Manley, previous CEO of Stellantis Corp.[25]

Revenue by product category

Revenue by Product Category for 2001[26]
59.5% New vehicles
19.4% Used vehicles
12.2% Parts and service
2.4% Financing and insurance
6.5% Other

References

  1. ^ "Stellantis' Manley goes from wheeling to dealing as AutoNation's new CEO". Reuters. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  2. ^ a b c d "AutoNation Revenue 2006-2021". www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  3. ^ a b c d "Inline XBRL Viewer". www.sec.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  4. ^ "About AutoNation | America's Largest & Most Recognized Automotive Retailer". www.autonation.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ White, Joseph B., "One Billion Cars", The Wall Street Journal, pp. R1, April 17, 2006.
  6. ^ Bradsher, Keith, "Huizenga Wants to Dominate the Market", The New York Times, pp. D1, March 6, 1997.
  7. ^ "About AutoNation | America's Largest & Most Recognized Automotive Retailer". www.autonation.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Republic Industries, Inc. Company History". Company Profiles. fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  9. ^ a b c d Broder-Singer, Rochelle (March 2003). "Over drive: the company set out to revolutionize the new automotive retailing industry by purchasing dealerships and operating them as a national brand. Instead, the industry changed AutoNation and in the end, it two automotive executives CEO/Chairman Mike Jackson and President/COO Mike Maroone to expand and create the largest automotive dealership group in America (Cover Story)". South Florida CEO. Gale Group. pp. 1–8. Archived from the original on 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
  10. ^ a b Bagli, Charles V. (November 8, 1996). "In Alamo Deal, Republic Puts More Money On Used Cars". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. D1. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  11. ^ Evarts, Eric C. (2002-03-18). "Dealers stay in driver's seat". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  12. ^ "Autonation Chief Executive Agrees to Step Down". The New York Times. Bloomberg News. July 1, 1999.
  13. ^ Hoag, Christina, and Danner, Patrick (October 27, 2005). "Creatively coping with chaos: South Florida's hurricane-worn companies are making do to keep going despite a lack of offices". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Mann, Joseph. "Balancing Inventory". Sun Sentinel.
  15. ^ Lago, Carlos. "AutoNation Unveils Payment Protection Program". WOT News. MotorTrend. Archived from the original on 2015-07-05.
  16. ^ Kernen, Joe. "AutoNation Sells 8 million vehicles". CNBC video news. NBC News.
  17. ^ Hemlock, Doreen, AutoNation to stamp dealerships with its brand name, Sun Sentinel, January 31st, 2013.
  18. ^ Brinkman, Paul (August 2, 2013). "AutoNation hits 9 million vehicle sales milestone". South Florida Business Journal.
  19. ^ a b "AutoNation CEO: Tesla is a 'Ponzi scheme' or it'll 'work out'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  20. ^ Boudette, Neal E. (2 November 2017). "Waymo Enlists AutoNation to Maintain Driverless Test Fleet". The New York Times.
  21. ^ O'Connell, Jonathan (24 April 2020). "AutoNation, a retailer worth billions, says it received nearly $80 million in SBA funds". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  22. ^ "AutoNation, Inc. (AN) SEC Form 8-K Material Event for the period ending Thursday, March 26, 2020".
  23. ^ Shapardson, David (24 April 2020). "AutoNation returning $77 million in U.S. payroll assistance coronavirus relief loans". Reuters. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Cheryl Miller resigns as CEO". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  25. ^ "Stellantis' Manley goes from wheeling to dealing as AutoNation's new CEO". Reuters. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  26. ^ "U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filing". SEC Registration of Corporations. November 16, 2001.

Further reading

External links

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