Home / ASX / CAR Group taking investors on a profitable ride

CAR Group taking investors on a profitable ride

A global reach is paying dividends for the Melbourne-based company with operations in Asia and the Americas helping drive revenue over the $1 billion milestone in the 2024 financial year.
ASX

The global CAR Group has laid out an optimistic outlook for 2025, building on its strong performance in 2024 that saw revenue climb 17 per cent to reach 10 figures for the first time at $1.099 billion – a significant milestone – and EBITDA rising by the same percentage to $581 million.

The company, which operates leading automotive digital marketplaces across Australia, the Americas and Asia, expects to deliver solid growth in revenue, adjusted EBITDA and net earnings in 2025.

For shareholders, a 50 per cent franked final dividend of 38.5 cents a share was declared for the six months to June 30, 2024, up 18 per cent on the previous corresponding period, bringing total dividends for 2024 to 73 cents a share, up 20 per cent compared with 2024. Investors responded by pushing up the share price 18 per cent over the past year to close at $38.90 on Tuesday.

In its core Australian market, the group anticipates a solid performance driven by multiple factors. The dealer segment is expected to benefit from increased lead volumes, depth and yield, while private seller revenue should grow through dynamic pricing optimisation and increased uptake of its instant offer service. The media segment is projected to expand through continued product innovation and advertiser diversification.

But it has taken a U-turn with the recent decision to exit the Australian tyre business that comprises the wholesale division tyreconnect and the e-commerce platform tyresales.com.au following continuing difficulty in achieving sustainable profitability in what are highly competitive markets.

North American operations are forecast to deliver good growth in terms of revenue and EBITDA. The company’s strategy includes expanding its marine business segment that saw significant progress in 2024 with an 81 per cent increase in marine dealers and 52 per cent growth in inventory listings.

Latin American operations, particularly in Brazil through webmotors, are positioned for strong growth in revenue and EBITDA. The company has successfully expanded beyond its core São Paulo and Rio markets into cities such as Curitiba, Goiana Salvador and Belo Horizonte. A strategic partnership with Santander has boosted finance-related transactions, with a 35 per cent increase in finance contracts in the second half of 2024.

In Asia, primarily in South Korea via Encar, the company expects solid revenue and EBITDA growth. The business continues to innovate with its guarantee inspection service reaching over 50 per cent penetration of new listings and a 24 per cent increase in home delivery transactions.

The group is committed to investing heavily in digital transformation across all markets, with key initiatives including enhanced private seller experience with simplified ad placement processes; expanded digital retailing capabilities; advanced media technology implementation; customer data platform development; and new payment solutions including C2C payments integration.

The group is making significant progress in its strategic, operational and financial objectives, as well as evolving into a more global and diverse portfolio of businesses, chairman Pat O’Sullivan told shareholders. “In our first full year of majority ownership of Webmotors in Brazil, it was very pleasing to see outstanding performance with significant market share gains and a diversified revenue base.

“Our other major recent acquisition, Trader Interactive in the US, also delivered excellent results, with improved technology, increased audience and new products delivering more value for dealers, while our Korean business, Encar, continued its double-digit revenue and earnings growth.”

He took the opportunity to reassure shareholders that its international expansion was not at the expense of its Australian business that had an exceptional year. “The business delivered double-digit revenue growth in each of our dealer, private and media segments and solidified its market leadership position as we continue to focus on building a sustainable company.”

  • Jamie Nemtsas

    Jamie Nemtsas is founder of advice firm Wattle Partners and the executive chair of The Inside Network.




    Print Article

    Related
    WiseTech investors remain loyal post founder’s ignominious exit

    This Sydney-based global logistics software group – the ASX’s flagship start-up in the IT space – still has shareholders enthralled. To keep them onside it’s critical that the board gets the appointment of the new chief executive officer correct.

    Jamie Nemtsas | 5th Feb 2025 | More
    Hemi project adds lustre to Northern Star’s gold operations

    The West Australian miner is poised to enjoy a strong 2025 on the back of the De Grey Mining acquisition, increased production, a healthy exploration budget and a gold price trading at record levels.

    Jamie Nemtsas | 5th Feb 2025 | More
    Planned merger to cement Amcor’s global packaging footprint

    Merging companies is never easy but this multinational flexibles and packaging group has the track record to suggest its acquisition of Berry Global can succeed – with shareholders in both groups to benefit.

    Jamie Nemtsas | 29th Jan 2025 | More
    Popular