AN Autonation, Inc. - 10-K

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

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; 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, tariffs, fuel prices, credit availability, interest rates, consumer confidence, consumer shopping preferences, the level of personal discretionary spending, 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, manufacturer incentives (and consumers’ reaction to such offers), industry competition, 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. The imposition of new tariffs, quotas, duties, or other restrictions or limitations, including the tariffs announced by the U.S. government beginning in the first quarter of 2025 on imported vehicles and parts, could increase prices for vehicles and/or parts imported into the United States, limit the availability of such vehicles and/or parts, and adversely impact affordability and demand for such vehicles and/or parts, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The ultimate impact of any tariffs is uncertain and will depend on various factors, including whether the tariffs are maintained and/or implemented, the duration of the tariffs and the timing of their implementation, the amount, scope, and nature of the tariffs, and the related responses from other countries, manufacturers, and/or consumers. 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. Any decreases in our customers’ disposable income could also negatively impact their ability to repay loans originated by AutoNation Finance, our captive auto finance company. 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. 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.

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Approximately 16.3 million, 16.0 million, and 15.6 million new vehicles, including retail and fleet vehicles, were sold in the United States in 2025, 2024, and 2023, 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 may impact our new vehicle acquisition costs, the price ultimately paid by our customers, and the number of vehicles sold in a particular period. 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 89% of the new vehicles that we sold in 2025, 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

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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

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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 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 and our AutoNation USA used vehicle stores. 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.

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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. 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, 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

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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.

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

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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, including with the use of adversarial artificial intelligence software or techniques, 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. The rapid evolution and increased availability and use of artificial intelligence by us, third-party service providers, or threat actors may intensify cybersecurity risks by making cyber incidents more sophisticated and cyber incidents more difficult to detect, contain, and mitigate.

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

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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, 2025, we had $4.0 billion of total non-vehicle long-term debt, $3.8 billion of vehicle floorplan financing, and $1.9 billion of non-recourse debt. 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.

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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. We recorded

non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $65.3 million during 2025 and non-cash franchise rights impairment charges of

$93.7 million and $12.5 million during 2025 and 2024, respectively. 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.

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, Texas, and California, 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.

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ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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 2025 and 2024. Discussion of year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 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, 2024.

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 reclassifications of amounts previously reported have been made to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in order to maintain consistency and comparability between periods presented.

Overview

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. As of December 31, 2025, we owned and operated 323 new vehicle franchises from 245 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 30 different new vehicle brands. The core brands of new vehicles that we sell, representing approximately 89% of the new vehicles that we sold in 2025, are manufactured by Toyota (including Lexus), Honda, Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen (including Audi and Porsche). As of December 31, 2025, we also owned and operated 52 AutoNation-branded collision centers, 26 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, 2025, we had four reportable segments: (1) Domestic, (2) Import, (3) Premium Luxury, and (4) 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 primarily comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Subaru. Our Premium Luxury segment is primarily comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured 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 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, 2025, new vehicle sales accounted for 49% of our total revenue and 13% of our total gross profit. Used vehicle sales accounted for 28% of our total revenue and 9% of our total gross profit. Our parts and service operations, while comprising 17% of our total revenue, contributed 48% of our total gross profit. Our finance and insurance sales, while comprising 5% of our total revenue, contributed 30% of our total gross profit.

Market Conditions

Full-year U.S. industry new vehicle unit sales, which includes sales in markets in which we do not compete, were 16.3 million in 2025, as compared to 16.0 million in 2024, and 15.6 million in 2023. The higher levels of manufacturer vehicle production over the past several years led to an increased supply of new vehicle inventory, which has resulted in moderation of new vehicle unit profitability. We expect that new vehicle unit profitability may continue to moderate, in part due to the tariffs announced in 2025, as well as consumer concerns on vehicle affordability.

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The tariffs announced by the U.S. government beginning in the first quarter of 2025, and as may be modified in 2026 or beyond, on vehicles and parts imported from other countries could increase our costs and/or consumer prices and limit the availability of inventory and/or reduce demand for the products and services we offer, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The policies and announcements regarding tariffs on imported goods have been evolving and remain highly fluid. The ultimate impact of any tariffs is uncertain and will depend on various factors, including whether the tariffs are maintained and/or implemented, the duration of the tariffs and the timing of their implementation, the amount, scope, and nature of the tariffs, and the related responses from other countries, manufacturers, and/or consumers.

The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (the “Act”), signed into law in July 2025, introduces several provisions with direct implications for the automotive retail industry, particularly in areas of taxation, consumer incentives, and electric vehicle policies. While we are encouraged by the potential uplift certain beneficial tax provisions of the Act may have on our business and the automotive retail industry, we currently do not expect the impact will be material to our results of operations.

Results of Operations

We had net income of $649.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $17.04 in 2025, as compared to net income of $692.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $16.92 in 2024.

Our total gross profit increased 3% during 2025, as compared to 2024, driven by increases in parts and service gross profit of 7% and finance and insurance gross profit of 8%, partially offset by a decrease in new vehicle gross profit of 14%. Parts and service results benefited primarily from increases in gross profit from customer-pay service and warranty service. Finance and insurance gross profit benefited from higher realized margins on vehicle service contracts and an increase in vehicle unit volume. New vehicle gross profit was adversely impacted by a decrease in gross profit per vehicle retailed (“PVR”) resulting from continued moderation of margins following post-pandemic elevated levels and higher average vehicle costs.

SG&A expenses increased primarily due to an increase in performance-driven compensation expense, which was partially offset by certain one-time compensation of approximately $43 million paid to commission-based associates in the prior year to ensure business continuity as a result of the CDK outage.

Net income and diluted earnings per share during 2025 were favorably impacted by after-tax gains on insurance recoveries of $60.5 million for business interruption and related losses caused by the CDK outage that occurred in June 2024. As a result of the CDK outage, we estimate earnings per share in 2024 was negatively impacted by approximately $2.17 per share, without taking into account any recoveries related to the incident. The estimated impact was comprised of internal estimates for lost income during the outage period and the one-time costs incurred related to the incident, described above.

In addition, net income and diluted earnings per share during 2025 were adversely impacted by non-cash goodwill and franchise rights impairments and other asset adjustments totaling $161.7 million after-tax. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the impairment charges.

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.

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, 2025 and 2024, were approximately 43,800 and 42,600, 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 $1.2 million at December 31, 2025, and $2.0 million at December 31, 2024.

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Our used vehicle inventory units at December 31, 2025 and 2024, were approximately 33,100 and 34,000, respectively. 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 $5.8 million at December 31, 2025, and $7.8 million at December 31, 2024.

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 excess and 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 $9.5 million at December 31, 2025, and $8.3 million at December 31, 2024.

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 as of 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 as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit more likely than not 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.

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment as of April 30, 2025, for our Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, AutoNation Finance, and Collision Center reporting units and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of these reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. For our Mobile Service reporting unit, which relates to the mobile automotive repair and maintenance start-up business we acquired in the first quarter of 2023, we elected to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test as of April 30, 2025, and determined that its fair value was less than its carrying value. As a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $65.3 million. The non-cash impairment charge is reflected as Goodwill Impairment in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

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 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, a 20% decrease in the revenue growth rates would have resulted in an increase to the goodwill impairment charge of approximately $30 million. This result and discussion is not intended to address all potential outcomes that could have resulted if different assumptions had been used in determining our goodwill impairment given the number of assumptions used in determining the impairment and the degree of sensitivity to changes in such assumptions in the determination of the fair value.

As of December 31, 2025, we have $221.7 million of goodwill related to the Domestic reporting unit, $530.6 million related to the Import reporting unit, $498.8 million related to the Premium Luxury reporting unit, $75.2 million related to

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the Mobile Service reporting unit, $78.4 million related to the AutoNation Finance reporting unit, and $4.6 million related to the Collision Center 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, 2025. As a result of the quantitative tests, we determined the franchise rights carrying values for nine stores exceeded their fair values, and we recorded non-cash franchise rights impairment charges of $71.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025, to reduce the carrying value of the stores’ franchise agreements to their estimated fair values. We also identified 10 stores that, while they each had franchise rights fair value in excess of carrying value, had lower relative performance compared to our total store population. The remainder of our stores had franchise rights with calculated fair values that substantially exceeded their carrying values.

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, 2025, the resulting incremental impairment charge would have been approximately $7 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 2025, we concluded that a triggering event had occurred that indicated the fair values of franchise rights for three 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 2025. As a result of the quantitative tests, we determined the franchise rights carrying values for these stores exceeded their fair values, and we recorded non-cash franchise rights impairment charges of $22.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2025. As of December 31, 2025, we had 76 stores with franchise rights totaling $1.0 billion.

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Reported Operating Data

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

New vehicle

Retail used vehicle

Wholesale

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance, net

Total variable operations (1)

Parts and service

Other

Total revenue

Gross profit:

New vehicle

Retail used vehicle

Wholesale

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance

Total variable operations (1)

Parts and service

Other

Total gross profit

AutoNation Finance income (loss)

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortization

Goodwill impairment

Franchise rights impairment

Other income, net

Operating income

Non-operating income (expense) items:

Floorplan interest expense

Other interest expense

Other income, net

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

Retail vehicle unit sales:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Revenue per vehicle retailed:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Gross profit per vehicle retailed:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance

Total variable operations (2)

(1) Total variable operations includes new vehicle, used vehicle (retail and wholesale), and finance and insurance results.

(2) Total variable operations gross profit per vehicle retailed is calculated by dividing the sum of new vehicle, retail used vehicle, and finance and insurance gross profit by total retail vehicle unit sales.

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Years Ended December 31,

Revenue mix percentages:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total

Gross profit mix percentages:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance

Other

Total

Operating items as a percentage of revenue:

Gross profit:

New vehicle

Used vehicle-retail

Parts and service

Total

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Operating income

Other operating items as a percentage of total gross profit:

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Operating income

December 31,

Days supply:

New vehicle (industry standard of selling days)

45 days

39 days

Used vehicle (trailing calendar month days)

38 days

37 days

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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 2024 column that is being compared to the year 2025 column may differ from the same store amounts presented in the year 2024 column that is being compared to the year 2023 column. We believe the presentation of this information provides a meaningful comparison of period-over-period results of our operations.

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

New vehicle

Retail used vehicle

Wholesale

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance, net

Total variable operations (1)

Parts and service

Other

Total revenue

Gross profit:

New vehicle

Retail used vehicle

Wholesale

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance

Total variable operations (1)

Parts and service

Other

Total gross profit

Retail vehicle unit sales:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Total

Revenue per vehicle retailed:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Gross profit per vehicle retailed:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Finance and insurance

Total variable operations (2)

(1) Total variable operations includes new vehicle, used vehicle (retail and wholesale), and finance and insurance results.

(2) Total variable operations gross profit per vehicle retailed is calculated by dividing the sum of new vehicle, retail used vehicle, and finance and insurance gross profit by total retail vehicle unit sales.

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Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

Revenue mix percentages:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total

Gross profit mix percentages:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance

Other

Total

Operating items as a percentage of revenue:

Gross profit:

New vehicle

Used vehicle-retail

Parts and service

Total

The following discussions of new vehicle, used vehicle, parts and service, and finance and insurance results are on a same store basis. The differences between reported amounts and same store amounts in revenue and gross profit of these lines of business in the tables below are related to acquisition and divestiture activity, as well as the opening of AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, as applicable.

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New Vehicle

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Reported:

Revenue

Gross profit

Retail vehicle unit sales

Revenue per vehicle retailed

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue

Inventory days supply (industry standard of selling days)

45 days

39 days

Years Ended December 31,

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Same Store:

Revenue

Gross profit

Retail vehicle unit sales

Revenue per vehicle retailed

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue

2025 compared to 2024

Same store new vehicle revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, due to an increase in same store unit volume, particularly in the Domestic segment, and an increase in same store revenue PVR. Same store unit volume benefited from sustained consumer demand and better execution in our sales pipeline. In addition, same store unit volume in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity during the CDK outage.

Same store new vehicle revenue PVR increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, largely due to increases in the average selling price for vehicles across all franchised dealership segments. In addition, same store revenue PVR benefited from a 3% shift in mix to hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles and a 2% shift in mix toward larger vehicles, such as trucks and sport utility vehicles, that have relatively higher average selling prices.

Same store new vehicle gross profit PVR decreased during 2025, as compared to 2024, due in part to an increase in supply of new vehicle inventory as compared to the prior year, which has resulted in moderation of margins following post-pandemic elevated levels, and an increase in average vehicle costs. We expect that new vehicle unit profitability may continue to moderate, in part due to the tariffs announced in 2025.

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Net New Vehicle Inventory Carrying Benefit (Expense)

The following table details net new vehicle inventory carrying 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 interest rates are variable and, therefore, increase and decrease with changes in the underlying benchmark rates. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Floorplan assistance is based on a percentage of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price or a flat rate per vehicle and is

accounted for as a component of new vehicle gross profit when the related vehicle is sold, in accordance with GAAP.

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance 2025 vs. 2024

Variance 2024 vs. 2023

Floorplan assistance

New vehicle floorplan interest expense

Net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit (expense)

2025 compared to 2024

The net new vehicle inventory carrying expense decreased in 2025, as compared to 2024, due to a decrease in floorplan interest expense largely as a result of lower average interest rates.

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Used Vehicle

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Reported:

Retail revenue

Wholesale revenue

Total revenue

Retail gross profit

Wholesale gross profit

Total gross profit

Retail vehicle unit sales

Revenue per vehicle retailed

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

Gross profit as a % of retail revenue

Inventory days supply (trailing calendar month days)

38 days

37 days

Years Ended December 31,

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Same Store:

Retail revenue

Wholesale revenue

Total revenue

Retail gross profit

Wholesale gross profit

Total gross profit

Retail vehicle unit sales

Revenue per vehicle retailed

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

Gross profit as a % of retail revenue

2025 compared to 2024

Same store retail used vehicle revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in same store revenue PVR. Same store revenue PVR benefited from an increase in the average selling price of used vehicles sold in all three of our franchised dealership segments and a shift in mix to higher-priced used vehicles. Wholesale used vehicle revenue decreased during 2025, as compared to 2024, due to a shift in mix to lower-value used vehicles and a decrease in wholesale unit volume.

Same store gross profit PVR during 2025 was relatively flat as compared to 2024, as used vehicle unit profitability has been stabilizing due in part to our initiatives to achieve more optimal levels and mix of used vehicle inventory.

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Parts & Service

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Reported:

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue

Years Ended December 31,

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Same Store:

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue

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.

2025 compared to 2024

Same store parts and service revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to increases in revenue associated with customer-pay service of $111.4 million and warranty service of $86.6 million.

Same store parts and service gross profit increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in gross profit associated with customer-pay service of $68.6 million and warranty service of $57.5 million.

Parts and service revenue and gross profit across all revenue types benefited from an increase in repair order volume due in part to the prior year being adversely impacted by the CDK outage, which disrupted our sales and service processes, and an increase in technician headcount. Parts and service revenue and gross profit associated with customer-pay service also benefited from higher value repair orders and improved margin performance. Parts and service revenue and gross profit associated with warranty service also benefited from an increase in manufacturer recalls, improved parts and labor rates, and higher value repair orders.

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Finance and Insurance

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Reported:

Revenue and gross profit

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

Years Ended December 31,

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Same Store:

Revenue and gross profit

Gross profit per vehicle retailed

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.

2025 compared to 2024

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, due to increases in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit PVR and vehicle unit volume. Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit PVR benefited from higher realized margins on vehicle service contracts, partially offset by an increase in retail vehicle sales financed through AutoNation Finance, which reduced finance commissions received from third-party lenders. In addition, finance and insurance gross profit in the prior year was adversely impacted by the CDK outage.

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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.

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

Domestic

Import

Premium Luxury

Total Franchised Dealerships

Corporate and other

Total consolidated revenue

Segment income (1) :

Domestic

Import

Premium Luxury

Total Franchised Dealerships

AutoNation Finance income (loss)

Corporate and other (2)

Floorplan interest expense

Operating income

Retail new vehicle unit sales:

Domestic

Import

Premium Luxury

Retail used vehicle unit sales:

Domestic

Import

Premium Luxury

Other

(1) Segment income for the Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury reportable segments is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as operating income less floorplan interest expense.

(2) Comprised of our non-franchised businesses, including AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, collision centers, parts distribution centers, mobile service, and auction operations, all of which do not meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments. “Corporate and other” income (loss) also includes unallocated corporate overhead expenses and other income items.

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Domestic

The Domestic segment operating results included the following:

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Revenue

Gross Profit:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Gross Profit

Segment income

Retail new vehicle unit sales

Retail used vehicle unit sales

2025 compared to 2024

Domestic revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume, which benefited from sustained consumer demand and better execution in our sales pipeline, partially offset by a $71.4 million decrease in new vehicle revenue from the divestitures we completed in 2025 and 2024. In addition, Domestic revenue in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage.

Domestic segment income increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance gross profit, approximately 70% of which was due to an increase in finance and insurance gross profit PVR of $222 driven by higher realized margins on vehicle service contracts, and 30% of which was due to higher vehicle unit volume. Domestic segment income also benefited from increases in parts and service gross profit associated with the preparation of vehicles for sale of $9.2 million and customer-pay service of $8.2 million and a decrease in floorplan interest expense of $13.6 million. In addition, Domestic segment income in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage. The increases in Domestic segment income were partially offset by a decrease in new vehicle gross profit driven by a decrease in new vehicle gross profit PVR of $552.

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Import

The Import segment operating results included the following:

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Revenue

Gross Profit:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Gross Profit

Segment income

Retail new vehicle unit sales

Retail used vehicle unit sales

2025 compared to 2024

Import revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to increases in parts and service revenue associated with warranty service of $70.0 million and customer-pay service of $26.6 million. Import revenue also benefited from an increase in new vehicle revenue due to an increase in average selling prices, with new vehicle revenue PVR up $846. In addition, Import revenue in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage.

Import segment income increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to increases in parts and service gross profit associated with warranty service of $43.8 million and customer-pay service of $16.5 million, and an increase in finance and insurance gross profit PVR of $66 driven by higher realized margins on vehicle service contracts. In addition, Import segment income in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage. The increases in Import segment income were partially offset by a decrease in new vehicle gross profit, due to a decrease in new vehicle gross profit PVR of $308, and an increase in SG&A expenses of $36.4 million, largely due to an increase in performance-driven compensation expense.

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Premium Luxury

The Premium Luxury segment operating results included the following:

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Revenue:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Revenue

Gross Profit:

New vehicle

Used vehicle

Parts and service

Finance and insurance, net

Other

Total Gross Profit

Segment income

Retail new vehicle unit sales

Retail used vehicle unit sales

2025 compared to 2024

Premium Luxury revenue increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in parts and service revenue associated with customer-pay service of $58.9 million and an increase in used vehicle retail revenue, approximately 55% of which was due to an increase in average selling prices, with used vehicle revenue PVR up $699, and 45% of which was due to higher used vehicle unit volume, particularly for higher-priced used vehicles. Additionally, Premium Luxury revenue benefited from a $17.3 million increase in parts and service revenue and a $23.2 million increase in used vehicle revenue from the acquisitions we completed in the third quarter of 2025. In addition, Premium Luxury revenue in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage.

Premium Luxury segment income increased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in parts and service gross profit associated with customer-pay service of $30.6 million, and a $150 increase in finance and insurance gross profit PVR driven by higher realized margins on vehicle service contracts. Premium Luxury segment income also benefited from a decrease in floorplan interest expense of $15.1 million. In addition, Premium Luxury segment income in the prior year was adversely impacted by a decrease in productivity as a result of the CDK outage. The increases in Premium Luxury segment income were partially offset by a $589 decrease in new vehicle gross profit PVR, and an increase in SG&A expenses of $29.4 million, largely due to the acquisitions we completed in the third quarter of 2025 and an increase in advertising expenses.

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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.

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.

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.

The following table presents the components of ANF income (loss):

Interest margin:

Interest and fee income

Interest expense

Total interest margin

Provision for credit losses

Total interest margin after provision for credit losses

Direct expenses (2)

Gain on sale of auto loans receivable

AutoNation Finance income (loss)

NM - Not meaningful

(1) Percentage of total average managed receivables.

(2) Direct expenses are comprised primarily of compensation expenses and loan administration costs incurred by our auto finance company.

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

Loan Origination Information

Loans originated

Vehicle units financed

Penetration rate (1)

Weighted average contract rate

Weighted average credit score (2)

Weighted average loan-to-value (3)

Weighted average term (in months)

(1) Units financed as a percentage of total new and used vehicle retail units sold.

(2) Represents weighted average FICO scores for receivables with obligors that have a FICO score at the time of application. For receivables with co-borrowers, we use the primary borrower’s FICO score. FICO scores are not a significant factor in our proprietary credit model, which relies on information from credit bureaus and other information.

(3) Front-end loan-to-value represents the ratio of the amount financed to the total collateral value, which is measured as the vehicle selling price plus applicable taxes, title, and fees.

Loan Performance Information

Total average managed receivables

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of ending managed receivables

Net credit losses on managed receivables

Annualized net credit losses as a percentage of total average managed receivables

Accounts greater than 30 days past due as a percentage of ending managed receivables

Average recovery rate (1)

(1) Represents the average percentage of the outstanding principal balance we receive when a vehicle is repossessed and liquidated, generally at wholesale auctions.

2025 compared to 2024

ANF generated income of $9.8 million during 2025, compared to a loss of $9.3 million during 2024. The current period benefited from an increase in interest and fee income from the growth in average managed receivables of $955.6 million as we continue to grow our ANF business and increase our finance penetration rates associated with vehicles sold through our stores.

ANF income also benefited from a decrease in the expected credit loss rates compared to the prior year reflecting improved credit quality of new loan originations. As auto loans receivable shifted towards higher credit tiers, annualized net credit losses as a percentage of managed receivables decreased in 2025, compared to the prior year. The increases in ANF income were partially offset by the gain on sale of third-party receivables originated through third-party dealers that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

ANF continues to realize operational efficiencies as the portfolio scales, resulting in reduced direct expenses as a percentage of the managed portfolio.

While we have seen improvement in our credit loss rates resulting from the improved credit quality of our portfolio, we expect our portfolio delinquency rates will continue to normalize and trend upward as our portfolio seasons.

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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 expenses.

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Variance

Favorable /

(Unfavorable)

Variance

Reported:

Compensation

Advertising

Store and corporate overhead

Total

SG&A as a % of total gross profit:

Compensation

bps

bps

Advertising

bps

bps

Store and corporate overhead

bps

bps

Total

bps

bps

2025 compared to 2024

SG&A expenses increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to an increase in compensation expense, an increase in advertising expenses to support vehicle sales, an increase in acquisition-related expenses of $11.5 million, and acquisitions and newly opened stores. The increase in compensation expense was largely due to an increase in performance-driven compensation, as well as an increase in stock-based compensation of $10.0 million, partially offset by certain one-time compensation of approximately $43 million paid to commission-based associates in the prior year to ensure business continuity as a result of the CDK outage. The increases in SG&A expenses were offset by decreases from the divestitures we completed in 2024 and 2025, as well as a decrease in self-insured losses largely due to the prior year including $11.7 million of losses related to hailstorms and other natural catastrophes. As a percentage of total gross profit, SG&A expenses decreased to 67.9% during 2025, from 68.2% in 2024, due to prior year gross profit and SG&A expenses being adversely impacted by the CDK outage in the prior year and effective cost management.

Other Income, Net (Operating)

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

During 2025, we recognized $80.0 million in insurance recoveries received under our cybersecurity insurance policies for business interruption and related losses caused by the CDK outage that occurred in the prior year, partially offset by asset impairments of $37.9 million. During 2024, we recognized $55.1 million related to net gains on business/property divestitures, which were partially offset by asset impairments of $9.3 million.

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Non-Operating Income (Expenses)

Floorplan Interest Expense

Our floorplan facilities utilize Prime-based and SOFR-based interest rates, which are variable and, therefore, our floorplan interest rates increase and decrease with changes in the underlying benchmark interest rates.

Floorplan interest expense was $188.8 million in 2025 and $218.9 million in 2024. The decrease in floorplan interest expense of $30.1 million in 2025, as compared to 2024, is primarily a result of lower average interest rates.

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 $180.0 million in 2025 compared to $179.7 million in 2024. The slight increase in interest expense of $0.3 million was driven by higher average interest rates, partially offset by lower average debt balances.

Other Income (Loss), Net

During 2025 and 2024, we recognized net gains of $19.1 million and $14.5 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 2025 and 2024, we recorded unrealized losses of $7.9 million and $7.0 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 26.6% in 2025 and 24.5% in 2024. The tax rate for 2025 reflects that the goodwill impairment charge recorded in the second quarter of 2025 was not deductible for tax purposes.

Discontinued Operations

Results of discontinued operations reflected in 2023 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 expect to periodically securitize auto loans receivable to provide funding for our auto finance company.

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Available Liquidity Resources

We had the following sources of liquidity available for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

(In millions)

December 31,

December 31,

Cash and cash equivalents

Revolving credit facility

(1)     At December 31, 2025, we had $0.4 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 $200.0 million of commercial paper notes outstanding at December 31, 2025. 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, 2025, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $115.5 million, of which $0.4 million were letters of credit. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

In February 2025, 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, 2025, these properties had a net book value of $3.0 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, 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 stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors follows:

(In millions, except per share data)

Shares repurchased

Aggregate purchase price (1)

Average purchase price per share

(1) Excludes the excise tax accrual imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act of $7.4 million for 2025, $4.2 million for 2024, and $8.1 million for 2023.

From January 1, 2026 through February 10, 2026, we repurchased 0.6 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $128.7 million (average purchase price per share of $212.01). As of February 10, 2026, $947.3 million remained available under our stock repurchase limit authorized by the Board of Directors.

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The decision to repurchase shares at any given point in time is based on factors such 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.

Capital Expenditures

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

(In millions)

Purchases of property and equipment

Acquisitions and Divestitures

During 2025, we purchased one Domestic store, two Import stores, and two Premium Luxury stores. During 2024, we did not purchase any stores. During 2023, we acquired a mobile automotive repair and maintenance business and purchased one Domestic store, five Import stores, and one Premium Luxury store.

During 2025, we divested one Domestic store and one Import store. During 2024, we divested seven Domestic stores and one Import store. During 2023, we divested one Domestic store.

(In millions)

Cash used in business acquisitions, net (1)

Cash received from business divestitures, net

(1) Excludes finance leases.

Debt

The following table sets forth our non-vehicle long-term debt as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

(in millions)

Debt Description

Maturity Date

Interest Payable

4.5% Senior Notes

October 1, 2025

April 1 and October 1

3.8% Senior Notes

November 15, 2027

May 15 and November 15

1.95% Senior Notes

August 1, 2028

February 1 and August 1

4.45% Senior Notes

January 15, 2029

January 15 and July 15

4.75% Senior Notes

June 1, 2030

June 1 and December 1

2.4% Senior Notes

August 1, 2031

February 1 and August 1

3.85% Senior Notes

March 1, 2032

March 1 and September 1

5.89% Senior Notes

March 15, 2035

March 15 and September 15

Revolving credit facility

July 18, 2028

Monthly

Finance leases and other debt

Various dates through 2041

Less: unamortized debt discounts and debt issuance costs

Less: current maturities

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

On February 24, 2025, we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.89% Senior Notes due 2035, which were sold at 99.995% of the aggregate principal amount. In October 2025, we repaid the outstanding $450.0 million of

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4.5% Senior Notes due 2025. On November 14, 2025, we issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.45% Senior Notes due 2029, which were sold at 99.846% of the aggregate principal amount.

We had $200.0 million and $630.0 million of commercial paper notes outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

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

The following table sets forth our non-recourse debt, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Warehouse facilities

Term securitization debt of consolidated VIEs

Less: unamortized debt discounts and debt issuance costs

Less: current maturities

Non-recourse debt, net of current maturities

In May 2025, we issued non-recourse notes payable related to asset-backed term securitizations with an aggregate principal amount of $700.0 million, a weighted-average interest rate of 4.90%, and maturity dates ranging from June 2026 to September 2032. In July 2025, we repaid the outstanding balance of non-recourse notes payable of the CIG Auto Receivables Trust 2021-1.

In January 2026, we issued non-recourse notes payable related to asset-backed term securitizations with an aggregate principal amount of $749.2 million, a weighted-average interest rate of 4.25%, and maturity dates ranging from 2027 to 2034.

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.

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As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with the covenants under our credit agreement and the indentures for our senior unsecured notes. At December 31, 2025, our leverage and interest coverage ratios were as follows:

December 31, 2025

Requirement

Actual

Leverage ratio

Interest coverage ratio

Vehicle Floorplan Payable

The components of vehicle floorplan payable are as follows:

(In millions)

Vehicle floorplan payable - trade

Vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade

Vehicle floorplan payable

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:

Years Ended December 31,

(In millions)

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

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 auto loans receivable for vehicles sold through our stores, and payments related to taxes and leased properties.

2025 compared to 2024

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased during 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to a $304.5 million increase in 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. In addition, net cash provided by operating activities was adversely impacted by an increase in income tax payments of $146.8 million driven by payment in 2025 of the fourth quarter 2024 tax that had been deferred pursuant to hurricane relief granted by the IRS. The cash outflows from operating activities were partially offset by an increase in cash earnings.

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 of and collections on auto loans receivable acquired through third-party dealers, and other transactions.

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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.

2025 compared to 2024

During 2025, we had net cash used in investing activities, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities during 2024, primarily due to an increase in cash used for acquisitions, a decrease in cash received from divestitures, and a decrease in proceeds from the sale of auto loans receiveable. We acquired five stores for an aggregate purchase price of $459.1 million in 2025 and acquired no stores in 2024. We divested two stores for aggregate proceeds of $16.1 million in 2025 and divested eight stores for aggregate proceeds of $156.0 million in 2024. We had no sale of auto loans receivable in 2025 and received $96.0 million in proceeds from the sale of auto loans receivable in 2024.

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.

2025 compared to 2024

During 2025, 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 $2.5 billion and repaid $1.4 billion under our non-recourse debt facilities in 2025. During 2024, we borrowed $1.5 billion and repaid $946.7 million under our non-recourse debt facilities.

During 2025, we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.89% Senior Notes due 2035 and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.45% Senior Notes due 2029, and repaid the outstanding $450.0 million of 4.5% Senior Notes due 2025. In 2024, we repaid the outstanding $450.0 million of 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024.

Cash flows from financing activities include changes in commercial paper notes outstanding totaling net payments of $430.0 million during 2025 compared to net proceeds of $190.0 million during 2024, and changes in vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade totaling net proceeds of $61.1 million during 2025 and net payments of $113.5 million during 2024.

During 2025, we repurchased 4.1 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $784.8 million (average purchase price per share of $193.33), including repurchases for which settlement occurred subsequent to December 31, 2025, and excluding the excise tax imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act. During 2024, we repurchased 2.9 million shares of our 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.

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Material Cash Requirements

The following table summarizes our current and long-term material cash requirements as of December 31, 2025. 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.

Payments Due by Period

(In millions)

Total

Less Than 1

Year

1 - 3 Years

(2027 and

3 - 5 Years

(2029 and

More Than

5 Years

(2031 and

thereafter)

Vehicle floorplan payable (Note 7) (1)

Non-vehicle long-term debt, including finance leases (Note 11) (1)(2)

Commercial paper (Note 11) (1)

Interest payments (3)

Operating lease and other commitments (Note 10) (1)(4)

Deferred compensation obligations (Note 1) (1)(5)

Estimated chargeback liability (Note 12) (1)(6)

Estimated self-insurance obligations (Note 13) (1)(7)

Purchase obligations and other commitments (8)

Total

(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 $4.0 million or debt issuance costs of $20.4 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.

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.

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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 $1.9 billion at December 31, 2025. 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, 2025, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $115.5 million, of which $0.4 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, 2025, 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, and statements regarding potential tariff-related impacts and our expectations for the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, including during 2026, 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.

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• 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 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.

• 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 ), 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 ).

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The information that we post on our websites 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.