Biggest changeIf we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows or if capital is not available to us, our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects could be adversely affected. • Our international operations involve risks that may differ from, or are in addition to, our domestic operational risks. • Our goodwill, intangible assets, and other assets have been subject to impairment in the past and may be subject to further impairment in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or future operating results. • We depend on key personnel to operate our business, and if we are unable to retain, attract, and integrate highly qualified personnel, or if we experience turnover of our key personnel, our ability to develop and successfully grow our business could be materially and adversely affected. 18 Table of Contents • We may be subject to disputes regarding the accuracy of IMV, Deal Ratings, Dealer Ratings, New Car Price Information, and other features of our marketplaces. • We are subject to a complex framework of laws and regulations, many of which are unsettled, still developing, and contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model or otherwise harm our business. • A significant disruption in service on our websites or mobile applications could damage our reputation and result in a loss of consumers, which could harm our business, brands, operating results, and financial condition. • We and our third-party service providers collect, process, store, transfer, share, disclose, and use consumer information and other data, and the actual or perceived failure of us or our third-party service providers to protect such information and data or respect users’ privacy could expose us to liability and adversely affect our reputation, brands, business, and operating results. • Our ability to attract consumers to our websites and to provide certain services to our customers depends on the collection of consumer data from various sources, which may be restricted by consumer choice, privacy restrictions, and developments in laws, regulations, and industry standards. • Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could harm our business and operating results. • We may be unable to halt the operations of websites that aggregate or misappropriate our data. • Seasonality and other factors may cause fluctuations in our operating results and our marketing spend. • Failure to deal effectively with fraud or other illegal activity could harm our business.
Biggest changeRisks Related to Our Operations • We may be unable to halt the operations of websites that aggregate or misappropriate our data. 19 Table of Contents • Certain of our key business metrics are subject to inherent challenges in measurement and real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business. • Our ability to attract consumers to our websites and to provide certain services to our customers depends on the collection of consumer data from various sources, which may be restricted by consumer choice, privacy restrictions, and developments in laws, regulations, and industry standards. • We and our third-party service providers collect, process, store, transfer, share, disclose, and use consumer information and other data, and the actual or perceived failure of us or our third-party service providers to protect such information and data or respect users’ privacy could expose us to liability and adversely affect our reputation, brands, business, and operating results. • A significant disruption in service on our websites or mobile applications could damage our reputation and result in a loss of consumers, which could harm our business, brands, operating results, and financial condition. • Our international operations involve risks that may differ from, or are in addition to, our domestic operational risks. • We depend on key personnel to operate our business, and if we are unable to retain, attract, and integrate highly qualified personnel, or if we experience turnover of our key personnel, our ability to develop and successfully grow our business could be materially and adversely affected. • We are subject to a complex framework of laws and regulations, many of which are unsettled, still developing, and contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model, or otherwise harm our business. • We may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges, or unforeseen circumstances.
If we fail to maintain or increase the number of paying dealers or fail to maintain or increase the level of fees that we receive from them, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. We allow dealers to list their inventory in our marketplaces for free; however, we impose certain limitations on such free listings.
If we fail to maintain or increase the number of paying dealers or fail to maintain or increase the level of fees that we receive from them, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. We allow dealers to list their inventory in our marketplaces for free; however, we impose certain limitations on such listings.
Operating internationally may subject us to different risks or increase our exposure in connection with current risks, including: • adapting our websites, mobile applications, and services to conform to local consumer behavior; • increased competition from local providers and potential preferences by local populations for local providers; • compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations, including different privacy, consumer, financial, censorship, and liability standards and regulations and different intellectual property laws; • the enforceability of our intellectual property rights; • credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud; • compliance with anti-bribery laws, including compliance with currency exchange rate fluctuations; • adverse changes in trade relationships among foreign countries and/or between the U.S. and such countries (which could result in the potential implementation of more restrictive trade policies, higher tariffs, or the renegotiation of existing trade agreements in the U.S. or countries that could adversely affect our supply chain and our business); • double taxation of our international earnings and potentially adverse tax consequences arising from the tax laws of the U.S. or the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; and 26 Table of Contents • higher costs of doing business internationally.
Operating internationally may subject us to different risks or increase our exposure in connection with current risks, including: • adapting our websites, mobile applications, and services to conform to local consumer behavior; • increased competition from local providers and potential preferences by local populations for local providers; • compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations, including different privacy, consumer, financial, censorship, and liability standards and regulations and different intellectual property laws; • the enforceability of our intellectual property rights; • credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud; • compliance with anti-bribery laws, including compliance with currency exchange rate fluctuations; • adverse changes in trade relationships among foreign countries and/or between the U.S. and such countries (which could result in the potential implementation of more restrictive trade policies, higher tariffs, or the renegotiation of existing trade agreements in the U.S. or countries that could adversely affect our supply chain and our business); • double taxation of our international earnings and potentially adverse tax consequences arising from the tax laws of the U.S. or the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; and • higher costs of doing business internationally.
Our ability to successfully leverage such data depends on our continued ability to access and use such data, which could be restricted by a number of factors, including: • increasing consumer adoption of browser preference signals as a result of legislation; • privacy restrictions imposed by web browser developers, advertising partners, or other software developers that impair our ability to understand the preferences of consumers by limiting the use of third-party cookies or other tracking technologies or data indicating or predicting consumer preferences; and • new developments in, or new interpretations of, privacy laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Our ability to successfully leverage such data depends on our continued ability to access and use such data, which could be restricted by a number of factors, including: • increasing consumer adoption of browser preference signals as a result of legislation; • privacy restrictions imposed by web browser developers, advertising partners, or other software developers that impair our ability to understand the preferences of consumers by limiting the use of third-party cookies or other tracking technologies or data indicating or predicting consumer preferences; and • new developments in, jurisdictional differences in, or new interpretations of privacy laws, regulations, and industry standards.
We face significant competition from companies that provide listings, car-shopping information, lead generation, marketing, wholesale, and digital car-buying and -selling services designed to help consumers and dealers shop for cars and to enable dealers to reach these consumers.
We face significant competition from companies that provide listings, car-shopping information, lead generation, marketing, and digital car-buying and -selling services designed to help consumers and dealers shop for cars and to enable dealers to reach these consumers.
Repurchases under the 2025 Share Repurchase Program will diminish our cash reserves, which could impact our ability to further develop our business and service our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that any share repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our Class A common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased such shares.
Repurchases under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program will diminish our cash reserves, which could impact our ability to further develop our business and service our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that any share repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our Class A common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased such shares.
We have previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which was subsequently remediated during the year ended December 31, 2024.
We previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which was subsequently remediated during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Any failure to repurchase shares after we have announced our intention to do so may negatively impact our reputation and investor confidence in us and may negatively impact our Class A common stock price. Although the 2025 Share Repurchase Program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, short-term price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.
Any failure to repurchase shares after we have announced our intention to do so may negatively impact our reputation and investor confidence in us and may negatively impact our Class A common stock price. Although the 2026 Share Repurchase Program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, short-term price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.
We host third-party images on our website and mobile application and may be subject to third-party claims of those images infringing on intellectual property rights of third parties. Many potential litigants, including patent holding companies, have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them.
We host third-party images on our website and mobile applications and may be subject to third-party claims of those images infringing on intellectual property rights of third parties. Many potential litigants, including patent holding companies, have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them.
Many governments, regulators, investors, employees, customers, and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, considerations relating to our business, including climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, human capital, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We make statements about our ESG goals and initiatives through information provided on our website.
Many governments, regulators, investors, employees, customers, and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, considerations relating to our business, including climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, human capital, and equity and inclusion. We make statements about our ESG goals and initiatives through information provided on our website.
From time to time, third parties may misappropriate our data through website crawling, website scraping, or other means and aggregate this data with data from other sources.
From time to time, third parties may misappropriate our data through website crawling, website scraping, robots, or other means and aggregate this data with data from other sources.
Like all information systems and technology, our websites, mobile applications, and information systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are subject to computer viruses, break-ins, phishing attacks, attempts to overload the systems with denial-of-service or other attacks, ransomware, and similar incidents or disruptions from unauthorized use of our or our third-party service providers’ 30 Table of Contents systems, any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, or website shutdowns, and could cause loss of critical data and the unauthorized disclosure, access, acquisition, alteration, or use of personal or other confidential information.
Like all information systems and technology, our websites, mobile applications, and information systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are subject to computer viruses, break-ins, phishing attacks, attempts to overload the systems with denial-of-service or other attacks, ransomware, and similar incidents or disruptions from unauthorized use of our or our third-party service providers’ systems, any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, or website shutdowns, and could cause loss of critical data and the unauthorized disclosure, access, acquisition, alteration, or use of personal or other confidential information.
In addition, these types of events could negatively impact consumer spending in the impacted regions. To the extent any of these events occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, the impacts of climate change could result in changes in regulations, which could, in turn, affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. Item 1B.
In addition, these types of events could negatively impact consumer spending in the impacted regions. To the extent any of these events occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, the impacts of climate change could result in changes in regulations, which could, in turn, affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The 2025 Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any minimum dollar amount or number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued by our Board of Directors at any time, which may result in a decrease in the price of our Class A common stock.
The 2026 Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any minimum dollar amount or number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued by our Board of Directors at any time, which may result in a decrease in the price of our Class A common stock.
The Privacy Regulations include the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Protection Act, and an additional 18 separate U.S. state consumer privacy laws that are currently in effect or will be going into effect over the next year (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia).
The Privacy Regulations include the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Protection Act, and an additional 19 separate U.S. state consumer privacy laws that are currently in effect or will be going into effect over the next year (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia).
Without innovative marketplaces and related products, we may be unable to attract additional, unique consumers or retain current consumers, which could affect the number of dealers that become paying dealers and the number of advertisers that want to 23 Table of Contents advertise in our marketplaces as well as the amounts that they are willing to pay for our products, which could, in turn, negatively impact our business and financial results.
Without innovative marketplaces and related products, we may be unable to attract additional, unique consumers or retain current consumers, which could affect the number of dealers that become paying dealers and the number of advertisers that want to advertise in our marketplaces as well as the amounts that they are willing to pay for our products, which could, in turn, negatively impact our business and financial results.
A failure by us to capture the benefits that we expect from these product investments could negatively impact our business and financial results. We also anticipate that over time our investments in our current products may become less productive and the growth of our revenue will require more focus on developing new products.
A failure by us to capture the benefits that we expect from these product investments could negatively impact our business and financial results. 21 Table of Contents We also anticipate that over time our investments in our current products may become less productive and the growth of our revenue will require more focus on developing new products.
Even if we were able to obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or on terms that are acceptable to us. As of December 31, 2024, there were no borrowings and $9.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 Revolver associated with our leases.
Even if we were able to obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or on terms that are acceptable to us. As of December 31, 2025, there were no borrowings and $9.4 million in letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 Revolver associated with our leases.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our platform’s features, software, and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary. Competitors may adopt trademarks or trade names similar to ours, thereby harming our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to user confusion.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our platform’s features, software, and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary. 27 Table of Contents Competitors may adopt trademarks or trade names similar to ours, thereby harming our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to user confusion.
If consumers believe that we are not focused on providing them with a better automobile shopping 24 Table of Contents experience, or if we fail to overcome brand marketing competition and maintain a differentiated value proposition in consumers’ minds, our reputation and the strength of our brands may be adversely affected.
If consumers believe that we are not focused on providing them with a better automobile shopping experience, or if we fail to overcome brand marketing competition and maintain a differentiated value proposition in consumers’ minds, our reputation and the strength of our brands may be adversely affected.
In addition, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, or degrade service or sabotage systems constantly evolve, often are not recognized until after having been launched against a target, and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate measures for prevention and detection.
In addition, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, or degrade service or sabotage systems constantly evolve, often are not recognized until after having been launched against a target, and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address these 30 Table of Contents techniques or to implement adequate measures for prevention and detection.
Steinert retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock, he could continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding capital stock. 35 Table of Contents Our status as a “controlled company” could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm the trading price of our Class A common stock.
Steinert retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock, he could continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Our status as a “controlled company” could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm the trading price of our Class A common stock.
Repurchases under the 2025 Share Repurchase Program will decrease the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and, therefore, could affect the price of our Class A common stock and increase its volatility.
Repurchases under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program will decrease the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and, therefore, could affect the price of our Class A common stock and increase its volatility.
These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license, or require us to devote additional product, technology, and development 32 Table of Contents resources to change our platforms or services, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and operating results.
These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license, or require us to devote additional product, technology, and development resources to change our platforms or services, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and operating results.
Decreases in consumer demand could adversely affect the market for automobile purchases and, in turn, reduce the number of consumers using our platform. Consumer purchases of new and used automobiles generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods in which disposable income is adversely affected.
Decreases in consumer demand could adversely affect the market for automobile purchases and, in turn, reduce the 23 Table of Contents number of consumers using our platform. Consumer purchases of new and used automobiles generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods in which disposable income is adversely affected.
Using cookies and non-cookie technologies, such as mobile advertising identifiers, we collect information about the interactions of users with our customers’ and publishers’ digital properties (including, for example, information about the placement of advertisements and users’ shopping or other interactions with our customers’ websites or advertisements).
Using cookies and non-cookie technologies, such as mobile advertising identifiers, we collect information about the interactions of users with our customers’ and publishers’ digital properties (including, for example, information about the placement of advertisements and users’ shopping or other 29 Table of Contents interactions with our customers’ websites or advertisements).
Our status as a controlled company could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price. The trading price of our Class A common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and the value of our stockholders’ investment in our stock could decline.
Our status as a controlled company could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price. 39 Table of Contents The trading price of our Class A common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and the value of our stockholders’ investment in our stock could decline.
Some of this information may be sensitive, and any cybersecurity attack, data breach, or other security incident impacting such information, including the unauthorized acquisition or access, compromise, or loss of such information, against us or our third-party service providers could expose us to a risk of loss or exposure of this information, which could result in potential liability, litigation (including class action litigation) or regulatory action, and remediation costs.
Any cybersecurity attack, data breach, or other security incident impacting such information, including the unauthorized acquisition or access, compromise, or loss of such information, against us or our third-party service providers could expose us to a risk of loss or exposure of this information, which could result in potential liability, litigation (including class action litigation) or regulatory action, and remediation costs.
In addition, our business has been and may continue to be negatively affected by challenges to the larger automotive industry ecosystem, including: 20 Table of Contents • global supply chain challenges; • labor disruptions, work stoppages, or strikes; • economic instability; • changes in tax laws and regulations; • export controls; • changes to trade policies, including higher tariff rates and customs duties; • economic sanctions and trade restrictions; • geopolitical tensions and military conflicts; and • other macroeconomic issues, including increased interest rates and inflation.
In addition, our business has been and may continue to be negatively affected by challenges to the larger automotive industry ecosystem, including: • global supply chain challenges; • labor disruptions, work stoppages, or strikes; • economic instability; • changes in tax laws and regulations; • import or export controls; • changes to trade policies, including higher tariff rates and customs duties; • economic sanctions and trade restrictions; • geopolitical tensions and military conflicts; and • other macroeconomic issues, including increased interest rates and inflation.
This concentrated control could delay, defer, or prevent a change of control, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets that our other stockholders support, or conversely this concentrated control could result in the consummation of such a transaction that our other stockholders do not support.
This concentrated control could delay, defer, or prevent a change of control, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets that our other stockholders support, or conversely this 38 Table of Contents concentrated control could result in the consummation of such a transaction that our other stockholders do not support.
The content, analyses, or recommendations generated by AI products or services, if deficient, inaccurate, or biased, could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and operational results as well as our reputation. Moreover, ethical concerns 37 Table of Contents associated with AI could lead to brand damage, competitive disadvantages, or legal repercussions.
The content, analyses, or recommendations generated by AI products or services, if deficient, inaccurate, or biased, could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and operational results as well as our reputation. Moreover, ethical concerns associated with AI could lead to brand damage, competitive disadvantages, or legal repercussions.
We have incurred losses in prior periods in the U.K. and Canada and may incur losses there again in the future. We also face various other challenges in those jurisdictions. Our competitors may be more established or otherwise better positioned than we are to succeed in the U.K. and Canada.
We have incurred losses in prior periods in the U.K. and Canada and may incur losses there again in the future. We also face various other challenges in those jurisdictions. Our 34 Table of Contents competitors may be more established or otherwise better positioned than we are to succeed in the U.K. and Canada.
If a significant number of dealers terminate their subscription agreements with us and/or dealer closures or consolidations occur that reduce demand for our products, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. A significant source of our revenue consists of subscription fees paid to us by dealers for access to enhanced features on our automotive marketplaces.
If a significant number of dealers terminate their subscriptions with us and/or dealer closures or consolidations occur that reduce demand for our products, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. A significant source of our revenue consists of subscription fees paid to us by dealers for access to enhanced features on our platform.
Despite all of our efforts designed to protect this information, none of our security measures or those of our third-party service providers provide absolute security, and they may not be effective in preventing a future failure of our systems.
Despite all of our efforts designed to protect this information, none of our security measures or those of our third-party service providers provide absolute security and are susceptible to human error, and they may not be effective in preventing a future failure of our systems.
We also use third-party hosting services to back up some data but do not maintain redundant systems or facilities for some of the services.
We also use third-party hosting services to back up some 33 Table of Contents data but do not maintain redundant systems or facilities for some of the services.
Purchases of new and used automobiles are typically discretionary for consumers and have been, and may continue to be, affected by negative trends, including: • energy costs; • the availability and cost of credit; • increased interest rates; • inflation; • reductions in business and consumer confidence; • stock market volatility; • unemployment levels; • government shutdowns, political unrest, or uncertainty; and • other global economic conditions.
Purchases of new and used automobiles are typically discretionary for consumers and have been, and may continue to be, affected by negative trends, including: • energy costs; • the availability and cost of credit; • increased interest rates; • inflation; • reductions in business and consumer confidence; • stock market volatility; • unemployment levels; • changes to trade policies, including higher tariff rates and customs duties; • government shutdowns, political unrest, or uncertainty; and • other global economic conditions.
We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims and litigation alleging that we or content on our websites infringe others’ intellectual property rights, including the trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities.
We have been, and may again be, subject to claims and litigation alleging that we, content on our websites, or technology used in our products infringe others’ intellectual property rights, including the trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities.
These events could disrupt our operations and those of our third-party service providers or dealers whether occurring in the U.S. or internationally.
These events could disrupt our operations and those of our 42 Table of Contents third-party service providers or dealers whether occurring in the U.S. or internationally.
Repurchases 36 Table of Contents under the 2025 Share Repurchase Program may be made through a variety of methods and are subject to market and business conditions, levels of available liquidity, cash requirements for other purposes, and regulatory and other relevant factors.
Repurchases under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program may be made through a variety of methods and are subject to market and business conditions, levels of available liquidity, cash requirements for other purposes, and regulatory and other relevant factors.
Our valuation models depend on the inventory listed on our websites as well as information regarding automotive sales. If the inventory on our websites declines significantly, if the number of automotive sales declines significantly, or if used car sales prices become volatile, whether as a result of macroeconomic effects or otherwise, our valuation models may not perform as expected.
If the inventory on our websites declines significantly, if the number of automotive sales declines significantly, or if used car sales prices become volatile, whether as a result of macroeconomic effects or otherwise, our valuation models may not perform as expected.
The existence of the 2025 Share Repurchase Program could also cause the price of our Class A common stock to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could reduce the market liquidity for our Class A common stock.
The existence 40 Table of Contents of the 2026 Share Repurchase Program could also cause the price of our Class A common stock to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could reduce the market liquidity for our Class A common stock.
Although we have completed our remediation of the material weakness, if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results.
If additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results.
General Risk Factors • We participate in a highly competitive market, and pressure from existing and new companies may adversely affect our business and operating results. • We expect our results of operations to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis. Risks Related to Our Business and Industry Our business is substantially dependent on our relationships with dealers.
General Risk Factors • We participate in a highly competitive market, and pressure from existing and new companies may adversely affect our business and operating results. • We expect our results of operations to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis. • Litigation and other legal proceedings may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 20 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Business and Industry Our business is substantially dependent on our relationships with dealers.
Additionally, competing products from internet search engine providers, such as those that provide dealer and vehicle pricing and other information directly in search results or decreases in consumer use of search engines, for example, as a result of the continued development of AI technology, could also adversely impact traffic to our websites and the number of leads that we are able to send to our dealers.
Additionally, competing products from internet search engine providers, such as those that provide dealer and vehicle 22 Table of Contents pricing and other information directly in search results or decreases in consumer use of search engines could also adversely impact traffic to our websites and the number of leads that we are able to send to our dealers.
In addition, any unplanned turnover, reduced involvement, or our failure to develop an adequate succession plan for any of our executive officers or key employees, or the reduction in their involvement in the management of our business, could materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and strategy, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all.
Any of these restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial conditions. 35 Table of Contents In addition, any unplanned turnover, reduced involvement, or our failure to develop an adequate succession plan for any of our executive officers or key employees, or the reduction in their involvement in the management of our business, could materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and strategy, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all.
Our future revenue is uncertain and could potentially be impacted by macroeconomic issues, including: • declining wholesale vehicle prices; • reductions in business and consumer confidence; • labor disruptions, work stoppages, or strikes; • unemployment levels; • consumer debt levels; • financial market volatility and disruption; • inflationary concerns; • changes in tax laws and regulations; • interest and currency exchange rates; • uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; • additional tariffs, including as a result of on the recent U.S. presidential election; • export controls; • geopolitical events; • economic sanctions and trade restrictions; and • other matters that influence consumer spending and preferences as well as changes to the regulatory landscape.
Our future revenue is uncertain and could potentially be impacted by macroeconomic issues, including: • reductions in business and consumer confidence; • labor disruptions, work stoppages, or strikes; • unemployment levels; • consumer debt levels; 25 Table of Contents • financial market volatility and disruption; • inflationary concerns; • changes in tax laws and regulations; • interest and currency exchange rates; • uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; • the imposition of new or increased tariffs by the U.S. or foreign governments; • import or export controls; • geopolitical events; • economic sanctions and trade restrictions; and • other matters that influence consumer spending and preferences as well as changes to the regulatory landscape.
Additionally, meeting evolving and varied stakeholder expectations and standards may require management time and expense and may result in a significant increase in costs, which may negatively impact our business and financial results.
Additionally, meeting evolving and varied stakeholder expectations and standards may require management time and expense and may result in a significant increase in costs, which may negatively impact our business and financial results. Item 1B. Unresolve d Staff Comments. Not applicable.
We also process and store personal and confidential information of our vendors, partners, and employees, and we employ third-party service providers, such as payment processing providers, who also regularly have access to customer and consumer data.
We also process and store personal and confidential information of our vendors, partners, and employees, and we employ third-party service providers, such as payment processing providers, who also regularly have access to customer and consumer data. We have experienced in the past, and may in the future experience, cyber threats and incidents.
Changes in applicable tax laws or regulations may be proposed or enacted that could materially and adversely affect our effective tax rate, tax payments, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to varying interpretations. There is also uncertainty over sales tax liability as a result of recent U.S.
Changes in applicable tax laws or regulations may be proposed or enacted that could materially and adversely affect our effective tax rate, tax payments, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to varying interpretations.
Our competitors include online automotive marketplaces and websites; internet search engines; peer-to-peer marketplaces; social media marketplaces; sites operated by automobile dealers and original equipment manufacturers; online dealerships; and vehicle auction companies.
Our competitors include online automotive marketplaces and websites; online dealerships; internet search engines (including aggregation sites and AI-generated search engines); social media marketplaces; peer-to-peer marketplaces; sites operated by automobile dealers and original equipment manufacturers; and e-commerce sites.
Additionally, any change to applicable laws or their interpretations that further restricts the way consumers and dealers interact through our platforms, or any governmental or private enforcement actions related thereto, could adversely affect our ability to attract customers and could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. 28 Table of Contents Antitrust and Other Laws Antitrust and competition laws prohibit, among other things, any joint conduct among competitors that would lessen competition in the marketplace.
Additionally, any change to applicable laws or their interpretations that further restricts the way consumers and dealers interact through our platforms, or any governmental or private enforcement actions related thereto, could adversely affect our ability to attract customers and could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our future revenue is uncertain, including due to potential macroeconomic effects, including financial market volatility and disruption, inflationary concerns, changes in tax laws and regulations, interest and currency exchange rates, uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad, and additional tariffs, including as a result of the recent U.S. presidential election.
Our future revenue is uncertain, including due to potential macroeconomic effects, including financial market volatility and disruption, inflationary concerns, changes in tax laws and regulations, interest and currency exchange rates, uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad, and the imposition of new or increased tariffs by the U.S. or foreign governments.
If a significant number of dealers terminate their subscription agreements with us and/or dealer closures or consolidations occur that reduce demand for our products, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • If we fail to maintain or increase the number of dealers that pay subscription fees to us, or fail to maintain or increase the fees paid to us for subscriptions, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive industry ecosystem, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, results of operations, and financial condition. • If the CarOffer business and/or our combined offerings do not grow, our revenue and business could be adversely affected. • If we are unable to provide a compelling experience to consumers on our marketplaces, connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces may decline and our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • Any inability by us to develop new products, adapt to new technologies, or achieve widespread consumer and dealer adoption of those products could negatively impact our business and financial results. • We rely, in part, on internet search engines to drive traffic to our websites, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected. • Our future revenue is uncertain, including due to potential macroeconomic effects, including financial market volatility and disruption, inflationary concerns, changes in tax laws and regulations, interest and currency exchange rates, uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad, and additional tariffs, including as a result of the recent U.S. presidential election. • We may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges, or unforeseen circumstances.
If a significant number of dealers terminate their subscriptions with us and/or dealer closures or consolidations occur that reduce demand for our products, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • If we fail to maintain or increase the number of dealers that pay subscription fees to us, or fail to maintain or increase the fees paid to us for subscriptions, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • Any inability by us to develop new products, adapt to new technologies, or achieve widespread consumer and dealer adoption of those products could negatively impact our business and financial results. • We rely, in part, on internet search engines to drive traffic to our websites, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected. • Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive industry ecosystem, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, results of operations, and financial condition. • If we are unable to provide a compelling experience to consumers on our marketplaces, the number of connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces may decline and our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. • Our future revenue is uncertain, including due to potential macroeconomic effects, including financial market volatility and disruption, inflationary concerns, changes in tax laws and regulations, interest and currency exchange rates, uncertain economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad, and the imposition of new or increased tariffs by the U.S. or foreign governments. • We may be subject to disputes regarding the accuracy of the pricing and valuation products and features of our marketplaces. • Failure to deal effectively with fraud or other illegal activity could harm our business. • Seasonality and other factors may cause fluctuations in our operating results and our marketing spend. • Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could harm our business and operating results.
In addition, third parties have created and may in the future create copycat or squatter domains to deceive consumers, which could harm our brands, interfere with our ability to register domain names, and result in additional costs. We may be unable to halt the operations of websites that aggregate or misappropriate our data.
In addition, third parties have created and may in the future create copycat or squatter domains to deceive consumers, which could harm our brands, interfere with our ability to register domain names, and result in additional costs. We have made and may continue to make acquisitions that could disrupt our operations and harm our operating results.
Such interruptions have resulted, and may in the future result, in third parties accessing our confidential and proprietary information, including our intellectual property. Problems with the reliability or security of our systems could harm our reputation, harm our ability to protect our confidential and proprietary information, result in a loss of consumers and dealers, and result in additional costs.
Problems with the reliability or security of our systems could harm our reputation, harm our ability to protect our confidential and proprietary information, result in a loss of consumers and dealers, and result in additional costs.
There can be no assurance that innovations to our products, like Instant Max Cash Offer or Top Dealer Offers, or the development of future products, will increase consumer or dealer engagement, achieve market acceptance, create additional revenue, or become profitable.
There can be no assurance that innovations to our products, like PriceVantage, Dealership Mode, Discover, or Sell My Car, or the development of future products, will increase consumer or dealer engagement, achieve market acceptance, create additional revenue, or become profitable.
Any failure by us, or the third parties on which we rely, to follow, or successfully implement, appropriate processes and procedures in response to existing or future laws and regulations could result in legal and monetary liability, fines, and penalties or damage to our reputation in the marketplace, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Furthermore, several provisions of the TCPA, as well as applicable rules and orders, are open to multiple interpretations and compliance may involve fact-specific analyses. 36 Table of Contents Any failure by us, or the third parties on which we rely, to follow, or successfully implement, appropriate processes and procedures in response to existing or future laws and regulations could result in legal and monetary liability, fines, and penalties or damage to our reputation in the marketplace, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and certain other jurisdictions in which we operate, which could include value added tax, excise tax, sales and use tax, gross receipts tax, and property tax.
We could be subject to adverse changes in tax laws, regulations, and interpretations, plus challenges to our tax positions. We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and certain other jurisdictions in which we operate, which could include corporate income tax, value added tax, excise tax, sales and use tax, gross receipts tax, and property tax.
Any such questions or disagreements could result in distraction from our 27 Table of Contents business or potentially harm our reputation, could result in a decline in consumers’ confidence in, or use of, our marketplaces, and could result in legal disputes.
Any such questions or disagreements could result in distraction from our business or potentially harm our reputation, could result in a decline in consumers’ confidence in, or use of, our marketplaces, and could result in legal disputes. Failure to deal effectively with fraud or other illegal activity could harm our business.
If a significant number of our paying dealers independently or under advisement from influential groups (such as dealer associations, regulators, automotive manufacturers, and consumer advocates) decide to terminate their subscriptions with us, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. 19 Table of Contents Additionally, in the past, the number of U.S. dealers has declined due to dealership closures and consolidations as a result of industry dynamics and macroeconomic issues.
If a significant number of our paying dealers independently or under advisement from influential groups (such as dealer associations, regulators, automotive manufacturers, and consumer advocates) decide to terminate their subscriptions with us, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we have reduced our brand spend in comparison to our pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, and it is possible that we may in the future decide to further reduce such spend depending on macroeconomic conditions.
In addition, we have, in the 24 Table of Contents past, reduced our brand spend, and it is possible that we may in the future decide to reduce such spend depending on macroeconomic conditions.
An inability to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it could significantly limit our ability to continue to pursue our business objectives and to respond to business opportunities, challenges, or unforeseen circumstances and could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects.
An inability to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it could significantly limit our ability to continue to pursue our business objectives and to respond to business opportunities, challenges, or unforeseen circumstances and could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects. 37 Table of Contents The 2022 Revolver contains certain covenants and other restrictions on our actions that may limit our operational flexibility or otherwise adversely affect our results of operations.
Additionally, if any third party that we share information with experiences a security breach or fails to comply with its privacy-related legal obligations or commitments to us, such matters may put employee, consumer, or dealer information at risk and could, in turn, expose us to claims for damages, regulatory fines, penalties, or litigation and harm our reputation, business, and operating results.
Additionally, if any third party that we share information with experiences a security breach or fails to comply with its privacy-related legal obligations or commitments to us, such matters may put employee, consumer, or dealer information at risk and could, in turn, expose us to claims for damages, regulatory fines, penalties, or litigation and harm our reputation, business, and operating results. 31 Table of Contents Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems and resources, could adversely affect our business, disrupt operations, and expose us to liabilities to employees, customers, governmental regulators, and other third parties.
We may not be entirely successful in our efforts to effectively transition away from third-party cookies as well as comply with the evolving regulations to which we are subject due to various factors within our control, such as limited internal resource allocation, or outside our control, such as a lack of vendor cooperation, new regulatory interpretations, or lack of regulatory guidance in respect of certain Privacy Regulations and other statutory requirements. 31 Table of Contents Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations, our privacy policies, or our privacy-related obligations to consumers, customers, employees, and other third parties, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of data, which could include personal information or other user data, may result in governmental investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, litigation, criminal penalties, or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others, and could cause consumers and dealers to lose trust in us, which could significantly impact our brand reputation and have an adverse effect on our business.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations, our privacy policies, or our privacy-related obligations to consumers, customers, employees, and other third parties, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of data, which could include personal information or other user data, may result in governmental investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, litigation, criminal penalties, or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others, and could cause consumers and dealers to lose trust in us, which could significantly impact our brand reputation and have an adverse effect on our business.
We will also not be able to grow as expected, or at all, if we fail to: • increase the number of consumers using our marketplaces; • maintain and expand the number of dealers that subscribe to our marketplaces and maintain and increase the fees that they are paying; • expand the number of dealers engaging on the CarOffer platform and increase the share of wholesale transactions which they complete on such platform; • attract and retain advertisers placing advertisements in our marketplaces; • attract new consumers to sell their vehicles online through Instant Max Cash Offer; • further improve the quality of our marketplaces and introduce high quality new products; and 25 Table of Contents • increase the number of connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces and connections to paying dealers.
We will also not be able to grow as expected, or at all, if we fail to: • increase the number of consumers using our marketplaces; • maintain and expand the number of dealers that subscribe to our marketplaces and maintain and increase the fees that they are paying; • further improve the quality of our marketplaces and introduce high quality new products; • increase the new product adoption rate with dealers to profitability; • attract and retain advertisers placing advertisements in our marketplaces; and • increase the number of connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces and connections to paying dealers.
Furthermore, changes in our senior management team and other key employees have the potential to disrupt our business, and any such disruption could adversely affect our operations, growth, financial condition, or results of operations. We may be subject to disputes regarding the accuracy of IMV, Deal Ratings, Dealer Ratings, New Car Price Information, and other features of our marketplaces.
Furthermore, changes in our senior management team and other key employees have the potential to disrupt our business, and any such disruption could adversely affect our operations, growth, financial condition, or results of operations.
The failure to build, maintain, and protect our brands would harm our ability to attract a large consumer audience and to expand the use of our marketplaces by consumers and dealers.
These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, results of operations, and financial condition. The failure to build, maintain, and protect our brands would harm our ability to attract a large consumer audience and to expand the use of our marketplaces by consumers and dealers.
If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining and motivating existing employees, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees, including talent trained in AI, machine learning, and other market-leading skills and capabilities in new technologies, or retaining and motivating existing employees, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
Failure to 33 Table of Contents limit the impact of fraudulent and illegal activity on our websites could lead to potential legal liability, harm our business, cause us to lose paying dealer customers, and adversely affect our reputation, financial performance, and growth prospects. We have previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
Failure to limit the impact of fraudulent and illegal activity on our websites could lead to 26 Table of Contents potential legal liability, harm our business, cause us to lose paying dealer customers, and adversely affect our reputation, financial performance, and growth prospects. Seasonality and other factors may cause fluctuations in our operating results and our marketing spend.
Our ability to engage in these activities may decline as a result of macroeconomic factors and any cost-savings initiatives on our business. These product, technology, and development expenses may include costs of hiring additional personnel and retaining our current employees, engaging third-party service providers, and conducting other research and development activities.
These product, technology, and development expenses may include costs of hiring additional personnel and retaining our current employees, engaging third-party service providers, and conducting other research and development activities.
If current advertisers reduce their advertising spending with us and we are unable to replace such reduced advertising spending, our advertising revenue and business and financial results would be harmed. 22 Table of Contents If we are unable to provide a compelling experience to consumers on our marketplaces, connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces may decline and our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unable to provide a compelling experience to consumers on our marketplaces, the number of connections between consumers and dealers using our marketplaces may decline and our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected.
Our success depends upon our relationships with third parties, including our transaction processor; our data center hosts; our information technology providers; our data providers for inventory and vehicle information; our advertising serving platforms; and our partners for vehicle transportation, inspection, and other logistics associated with our CarOffer business and Instant Max Cash Offer.
Our success depends upon our relationships with third parties, including our data center hosts; our information technology providers; our data providers for inventory and vehicle information; and our advertising serving platforms.
Any inability by us to develop new products, adapt to new technologies, or achieve widespread consumer and dealer adoption of those products could negatively impact our business and financial results.
If dealers do not subscribe to our paid offerings at the rates we expect, our business and financial results would be materially and adversely affected. Any inability by us to develop new products, adapt to new technologies, or achieve widespread consumer and dealer adoption of those products could negatively impact our business and financial results.
A governmental or private civil action alleging unlawful or anticompetitive activity could be costly to defend and could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
Antitrust and Other Laws Antitrust and competition laws prohibit, among other things, any joint conduct among competitors that would lessen competition in the marketplace. A governmental or private civil action alleging unlawful or anticompetitive activity could be costly to defend and could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
In addition, some stakeholders may disagree with our ESG goals and initiatives and the focus of stakeholders may change and evolve over time. 34 Table of Contents Stakeholders also may have very different views on where ESG focus should be placed, including differing views of regulators in various jurisdictions in which we operate.
Stakeholders also may have very different views on where ESG focus should be placed, including differing views of regulators in various jurisdictions in which we operate.
If our revenue declines or fails to grow, investors’ perceptions of our business may be adversely affected, and the market price of our Class A common stock could decline. We may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges, or unforeseen circumstances.
If our revenue declines or fails to grow, investors’ perceptions of our business may be adversely affected, and the market price of our Class A common stock could decline. We may be subject to disputes regarding the accuracy of the pricing and valuation products and features of our marketplaces.
Any problems with our implementation or use of AI or other technological advancements could negatively impact our business or results of our operations.
Any problems with our implementation or use of AI or other technological advancements could negatively impact our business or results of our operations. 41 Table of Contents We expect our results of operations to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis.
Our results may vary as a result of fluctuations in the number of dealers subscribing to our marketplaces, the size and seasonal variability of our advertisers’ marketing budgets, and the impact of vehicle arbitrations, volume, and prices in a given period in connection with our Instant Max Cash Offer product and the wholesale sale of automobiles.
Our results may vary as a result of fluctuations in the number of dealers subscribing to our marketplaces and the size and seasonal variability of our advertisers’ marketing budgets.
Revisions to or errors in our automated valuation models, or the algorithms that underlie them, may cause the IMV, the Deal Rating, New Car Price Information, or other features to vary from our expectations regarding the accuracy of these tools.
Revisions to or errors in our automated valuation models, or the algorithms that underlie them, may cause these products and features to vary from our expectations regarding the accuracy of these tools. In addition, from time to time, regulators, consumers, dealers, and other industry participants may question or disagree with our valuation underlying these products and features.
There can also be no assurance that our future products will meet consumer expectations in light of new technologies offered by others in the marketplace. In addition, revenue relating to new products is typically unpredictable and our new products may have lower gross margins, lower retention rates, and higher marketing and sales costs than our existing products.
In addition, revenue relating to new products is typically unpredictable and our new products may have lower gross margins, lower retention rates, and higher marketing and sales costs than our existing products.