Cars.com

The business model combines a consumer-facing automotive marketplace with dealer- and OEM-facing software and media solutions. Consumer traffic and engagement on the marketplace generate leads and demand for dealer inventory. Dealers and dealer groups pay for subscription advertising and listing packages that promote their stock, capture leads and build reputation. OEMs and national advertisers buy in‑market media and advertising campaigns targeted at car shoppers.

On the dealer solutions side, the company operates appraisal, inventory, digital retail and dealer‑to‑dealer wholesale auction tools that are sold primarily on recurring subscription terms, with incremental transaction or marketplace fees for wholesale auctions. Additional value is created through integrated data flows across appraisal, wholesale and retail workflows, which support better inventory decisions and higher conversion for dealers, thereby reinforcing demand for the platform’s paid products.

Cars.com is a US-based, publicly traded digital automotive marketplace and dealer software provider. Its core platform connects car shoppers with franchised and independent dealers via online vehicle listings, reviews and research content, generating leads and traffic for dealers and OEM advertisers.

The company earns most of its revenue from subscription advertising and listing packages sold to dealers, complemented by SaaS-style subscriptions for dealer software, dealer‑to‑dealer wholesale auction fees, and campaign-based media sales to OEMs and national advertisers. Primary paying customers are automotive dealers, dealer groups and manufacturers, while consumers use the marketplace and AI shopping tools free of charge.