CarMax, Inc. (KMX), America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (CRMT), AutoNation, Inc. (AN): The Changing Face of the Used Car Biz

The car business rebounded back to normalcy in 2012, thanks to artificially low interest rates and pent-up demand from consumers with aging vehicles.  The sales rebound has improved the fortunes of the leading manufacturers, including General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), which reported a combined 6 million in vehicle unit sales and $11.8 billion in net profits in 2012.  However, with rising prices for new models leading to affordability concerns, the used car retailers have been getting customers’ attention and their purchasing power.  So, which companies are the ones to watch?

The used car business is highly fragmented with 17,900 franchised and 37,500 independent dealers selling roughly 39 million vehicles each year.  CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) has been bringing order to the business since 1993 through superstores offering no-haggle pricing, quality vehicles, and friendly service.  The company has also been growing a wholesale auction division that sells the portion of its purchased inventory which doesn’t meet its high resale standards.

After retrenching during the financial crisis, CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) has been getting back into growth mode with new store openings.  In the first nine months of FY2013, the company reported improved results, with increases in revenues and operating income of 8.1% and 2.9%, respectively, versus the prior-year period.  CarMax’s sales benefited from a 6% increase in comparable store sales and an additional nine stores in operation.  In addition, pricing for used vehicles continues to creep slowly higher in general, as consumers recognize their value vis-à-vis expensive new models.

Looking ahead, CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) is forecasting further sales gains over the next few years, with plans to open roughly ten new stores per year.  As a used car retailer, CarMax finances a large percentage of its customers’ purchases, approximately one third of its used car sales, and finance income has been adding to the company’s bottom line.  More importantly, CarMax is managing its customers’ receivable balances very well, with bad loans accounting for only 3% of the total.  While CarMax is not cheap at a 21 P/E multiple, the company remains a compelling value as it continues to consolidate the industry.

Founded in 1981, America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRMT) participates in the low end of the used car market, defined as high-mileage vehicles that are between six and 12 years old.  Given the high percentage of “lemons” in this category, America’s Car-Mart utilizes extensive quality checks on its inventory and offers extended service plans on most of its vehicles.  It also emphasizes excellent customer service and affordable payments for its predominantly lower-income customers.

In FY2013, America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRMT) has reported mixed financial results, with a 7.1% increase in revenues and a 1.1% decline in operating income.  The company’s revenue growth benefited from rising comparable store sales, as well as having an additional nine stores in operation.  However, the company’s operating margin was negatively impacted by rising bad debt charges from its loan portfolio.