Leading Brands in the US Automotive Marketplaces & Retailers: Q3 2024 Insights

Introduction

In the competitive landscape of automotive marketplaces and retailers in the United States, CarGurus LLC, CarMax, and Carvana have emerged as leading brands. This article delves into their performance from Q2 2024 to Q3 2024, examining audience trends, app engagement, and advertising efforts. Powered by Sensor Tower's unparalleled data capabilities, we provide a comprehensive view of these brands' digital presence.

CarGurus LLC

CarGurus LLC boasts a robust digital footprint with its website, cargurus.com, and the CarGurus: Used & New Cars app.

• Audience Trends: From Q2 to Q3 2024, cargurus.com experienced fluctuating visits, peaking in May with over 142M visits and stabilizing above 99M in September. The monthly true audience remained steady above 10M throughout the quarter.

• App Engagement: The CarGurus app showed consistent growth, with monthly active users exceeding 1.9M by August, indicating a strong mobile presence.

• Ad Spend & Channels: Advertising efforts saw a varied approach, with monthly spend hovering around $1M. OTT channels were notably effective, delivering significant monthly impressions.

CarMax

CarMax's digital strategy includes its website, carmax.com, and the CarMax: Used Cars for Sale app.

• Audience Trends: The website maintained stable traffic, with visits exceeding 76M in September. The monthly true audience showed growth, surpassing 10M by the end of Q3.

• App Engagement: CarMax's app engagement remained robust, with monthly active users consistently around 750K to 790K.

• Ad Spend & Channels: CarMax invested heavily in advertising, with OTT channels leading the charge and delivering substantial monthly impressions, particularly in April.

Carvana

Carvana's online presence is anchored by carvana.com and the Carvana: Buy/Sell Used Cars app.

• Audience Trends: Carvana.com saw a steady increase in visits, peaking in August with over 73M visits. The monthly true audience remained above 8M, reflecting a strong market position.

• App Engagement: The Carvana app maintained a stable user base, with monthly active users around 800K throughout the quarter.

• Ad Spend & Channels: Carvana's advertising efforts were substantial, with monthly spend exceeding $2.5M in peak months. The focus on OTT channels yielded high monthly impressions, particularly in July.

Conclusion

CarGurus LLC, CarMax, and Carvana have demonstrated strong digital performance in the automotive marketplace and retailer category. By leveraging Sensor Tower's comprehensive data, these insights provide a detailed look into cross-platform user behavior, underscoring the importance of both web and app engagement. Sensor Tower remains the go-to resource for understanding these dynamic market trends.

For further insights, explore our Web Insights, App Performance Insights, and Pathmatics offerings.