Latest news with #Autorama
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Auto Trader Group PLC (ATDRF) Full Year 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue and ...
Group Revenue Growth: 5% increase. Operating Profit Growth: 8% increase. Basic EPS Growth: 12% increase. Core Auto Trader Revenue Growth: 7% increase. Retailer Revenue Growth: 7% increase. Average Revenue Per Retailer (ARPR): 5% increase to GBP 2,854. Cash Returned to Shareholders: GBP 275.7 million through share buybacks and dividends. Final Dividend: 7.1p per share, total dividends 10.6p per share, up 10%. Operating Profit Margin: Group margin at 63%, Auto Trader margin at 70%. Cash Generated from Operations: 5% increase. Average Number of Retailer Forecourts: Up 2% to 14,013. Live Car Stock: Up 1% to 449,000. Autorama Revenue: GBP 36.3 million. Autorama Operating Loss: GBP 4.3 million. Net Profit Before Tax: GBP 375.7 million, 9% increase. Effective Tax Rate: 25%. Net Bank Debt: Reduced to nil. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Sign with ATDRF. Release Date: May 29, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Auto Trader Group PLC (ATDRF) reported a 5% increase in group revenue, with Auto Trader revenue specifically growing by 7%. Operating profit grew by 8%, demonstrating strong operating leverage and effective capital policy application. The company successfully launched its Co-Driver AI product suite, which has seen strong engagement from both retailers and consumers. Auto Trader's platform strategy is robust, with over 1 billion calls to data services, benefiting more than 90% of retailer customers. The Deal Builder product saw an 82% increase in customer numbers, significantly boosting the number of deals generated. The acceleration in the speed of vehicle sales negatively impacted revenue growth, which could have been higher without this factor. Used car prices fell during the year, affecting retailer profitability despite strong consumer demand. The digital services tax impacted Auto Trader's operating profit margin, which contracted slightly. Revenue from Manufacturer and Agency customers decreased by 8% year-on-year. Autorama, a segment of the business, reported an operating loss of GBP 4.3 million, although this was a reduction from the previous year. Q: With the April '26 pricing event approaching, how will Auto Trader handle accelerated stock turn, and what products will be bundled in the event? A: Nathan Coe, CEO, explained that while the event is some time away, they consider retailer profitability and stock turn when planning. They are not planning to change their business model but may consider pricing adjustments if stock turn remains fast. The event will likely focus on Deal Builder, with no major additional products, to ensure effective implementation and engagement. Q: Can you provide more details on the FY26 stock ARPR guidance and the medium-term Deal Builder monetization plans? A: Jamie Warner, CFO, stated that the stock offer conversion is expected to align with historical rates, and they anticipate a small negative impact on stock lever. Catherine Faiers, COO, noted that Deal Builder will be a baseline version initially, with potential for future monetization through additional features like finance products. Q: What are the expectations for retailer gross margins, and how does Autorama fit into the strategy with new private sales growth? A: Catherine Faiers, COO, mentioned that retailer gross margins have been under pressure due to narrowing trade-retail price gaps and softer finance penetration. Nathan Coe, CEO, added that Autorama's focus is on leveraging the Auto Trader platform for growth, with plans to reduce reliance on balance sheet transactions. Q: How does Auto Trader view competitive threats, and what differentiates its position in the market? A: Catherine Faiers, COO, emphasized that Auto Trader's brand, consumer relationships, and data depth are key differentiators. They focus on maintaining strong marketplace foundations and leveraging proprietary data to enhance consumer and retailer experiences, which positions them well against both traditional and emerging competitors. Q: With Deal Builder becoming part of core packages, will there be additional marketing efforts, and are there plans for standalone AI products? A: Catherine Faiers, COO, indicated that while they won't significantly increase marketing spend, they will enhance Deal Builder's prominence on the platform. Regarding AI, there are opportunities to develop standalone products within their existing streams, potentially targeting specific customer segments for validation and monetization. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Auto Trader Leads FTSE 100 Lower As Revenues Growth Slumps
Photo byAuto Trader shares hit the skids on Thursday, as fewer dealer listings due to vehicle shortages meant sales growth slowed substantially last year. At 788.2p per share, the FTSE 100 retailer was 14.2% lower on the day. Revenues rose 5% to £601.1 million during the fiscal year to March 2025, down from 14% in financial 2024. Sales at the core Auto Trader unit grew 7%, to £564.8 million. But at Autorama, its van leasing service, revenues reversed 12% to £36.3 million. Group operating profit rose 8% year on year, to £376.8 million, driven by a 4% increase at Auto Trader, to £394 million. Autorama's operating losses, meanwhile, narrowed to £4.3 million from £8.8 million in financial 2024. The Footsie firm announced plans to hike the full-year dividend to 10.6p per share from 9.6p per share previously. At Auto Trader, average revenue per retailer (ARPR) per month improved 5% to £2,854 during financial 2025. This was 'driven by a positive contribution from the price and product levers, with stock being negative,' the company said. The average number of retailer forecourts using its platform edged 2% higher year on year, to 14,013. A higher number of private listings meant live car stock improved 1% to 449,000 motors on average. New lease vehicle volumess, however, declined to 6,268 from 7,847 the previous year due to constraints in new vehicle supply. The business said that 'we continue to see strong levels of demand for used cars, with a record number of cross-platform visits and minutes spent on Auto Trader.' It added that 'this combination of high demand and restricted supply in key age cohorts has led to cars selling at a faster rate than any time in our recent history.' Auto Trader commented that supply issues persisted throughout last year for vehicles aged between three and five years old. Chief executive Nathan Coe commented that 'despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties, the UK car market is in good health and we continue to deliver against our strategy to improve car buying and retailing.' He added that 'we remain confident in the outlook for the business given our strong market position, the value we deliver for customers, and our unique data and technology capabilities.' For the current financial year, the FTSE 100 company said it expects Auto Trader sales to pick up speed, though projections were still below expectations. Full-year revenue growth of between 5% and 7% is anticipated. The retailer added that 'due to the comparative periods, growth will be stronger in the second half which we expect will benefit the start of financial 2027' Analyst Charlie Muggins of Wealth Club said that 'Auto Trader maintains an incredibly strong market position and the used car market remains in good shape. At some point, demand for used cars will moderate and supply constraints will ease, which should feed through to stronger revenue growth for Auto Trader. ' He added that 'for now though, market conditions aren't overly favorable. This means investors will likely need to moderate their growth expectations for the coming year.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
It's a head-turner: Custom hot rod shows strong at national show, reflects passion for the classics
Apr. 5—Dr. Todd Moran's 41 Ford Coupe is a head-turner. There's no doubt about it. With a sleek, road-hugging outline and its candy mint green pearl paint job with overlaid flame print design, the vehicle is nothing less than a prime example of what a classic hot rod can be with the right amount of work and vision. "It's a fun car," Moran said. "It's not perfect, but getting the recognition at Autorama, that says a lot." Moran is referring to Autorama Chicago World of Wheels where he garnered a First in Class award just this year as well as being recognized as one of the top 20 cars at the show. These are just two in a long list of awards the Moran has collected for a car that while starting out its journey in California, had a large share of its work done by Mitch and Marshall Meyer, the brothers who own The Muffler Center here in Austin. Mitch estimates that the brothers have put in over 100 hours on the car, but believes that might be a conservative estimate, which is understandable when you see what the car looks like today and compare it to pictures of what a non-customized 41 Ford Coupe originally looked like. "It's a 41 Ford, but there's nothing 41 Ford about it," Mitch said. How it started Moran isn't exactly new to the world of cars, but he is fairly new to the world of hot rods and owning them. That interest began within his own family. "My dad was really into cars a lot so I've always been into cars too, but I haven't really had cars until fairly recently. Within the last five years," Moran said. "All my buddies seem to have the cars that go to the car shows. I thought that it would be kind of fun to do that. Why not buy a couple cars and do what you want with them?" The 41 was the first car Moran purchased. It was originally a seven-year build by noted California car designers Joe Moreno and Bill Reasoner so it was already a car that easily turned heads, but it wasn't perfect. It was clear early on that the car would need some work. "It was really cool, but it was really dated," Mitch said. "Shiny on the outside, less than mechanically sound underneath." But Moran said that the car held promise of what more it could become. It was a vehicle that pulled at Moran, leaving him with a feeling for the opportunities the vehicle provided. "I saw the car and had a lot of visions right away of what I would like to do with it," he said. "Flamed it out, kind of took it to the next level." The brothers then went to work on the car, updating everything in the drive train including engine, transmission, rear axle, cooling system, exhaust, wheels, tires, suspension and electronics. There were also body modifications made to the front end. Both Mitch and Marshall said it was a challenging build because as Moran himself quipped, it's something of a FrankenFord. "It's definitely a unique car," Marshall said. "It turns a lot of heads. A lot of people really admire what has been done and they don't realize how much has gone into that." The engine itself is an example of that. Mitch said that engine is a Chevrolet small block, a go-to for hot rod enthusiasts. However, they were able to work the engine in such a way as to disguise it as a Lincoln engine. "It's really neat," Mitch said. "Even Ford guys look at it and say, 'that's a cool Lincoln engine.' They don't know the difference." "It's a neat looking car on the outside, but under the hood is really our crown jewel on this particular project," he added. Not a trailer queen For many who criss-cross the country, attending shows like Autorama, the cars they display are just that — for display only. Often termed as trailer queens, the vehicles are beautiful machines, but often don't even have such amenities as oil in the car. They are simply rolled out of trailer, displayed, and rolled back in. Not so with Severe Logic, the name Moran has given the car in honor of the band he played in under the same name. His car is meant to be driven. "I think I was the only one in that area in the top 20 that actually drives their car," Moran said. "I think I put about 5,000 miles on it last year." It's something Mitch agrees with, having driven the car to test the work they had done on it. In his mind, it's a car that's meant to be driven. "You can get in and go anywhere," he said. "You can literally cruise it at 80 mph down the black top with one hand on the wheel and it just hums. Moran said that aside from looking at the vehicle, it's an absolute joy to drive and everything taken together makes it a machine he is immensely proud of, but awards and work aren't the end of the story. Like many passion projects, hot rods are never really finished. Aside from Severe Logic, Moran has two other vehicles in his stable and he is currently working on a 1963 Riveria. It's a process with a never-ending stream of possibilities. "It's kind of an addiction," he said. "You kind of start on one thing and it's like you get different ideas and things like that. I've been so blessed to have a lot of people help me out." Aside from the Meyers, that also includes Cliff Anderson, who handles the detailed graphic work of the vehicle and who has come down from the Twin Cities to do the work. "It's made me want to do a little bit more and a little bit more," Moran said. "There's always more you could do if you want to." Driving on, looking back It's hard not to just stop and stare at the car when it's parked. The vehicle flows around the flame with a heart of polished chrome metal underneath the hood. Meanwhile, the inside of the car has a cross of old and new with a black and white TV in the console, an eight-track player and digital back-up camera. The steering wheel itself is a U-shaped custom taken from a 1960 Cadillac Hearse. It's charm, form and function that is not only a reflection of Moran's sense of style, but the quality work that the brothers put into the car on their end. "It's been kind of a long process, but at the same time kind of rewarding to see everything come together as it has compared to how it started out," Marshall said. "Having Todd's ideas and giving us the freedom to put our spin on things and to do as well as he does at the show. It's rewarding." Moran's success is something that the Meyers hold dear as it relates to the day-to-day work of the shop. "I've always been really proud of the quality of work we've done and been able to produce," Mitch said. "Marshall and I have had a really good teacher, which is my father, Doug Meyer. Attention to detail. It's all or nothing." But there's more to that reflection aside from Moran's vision and Meyer's work. Moran said that it's also a part of the overall car culture right here in Austin. "It's amazing how many cool, classic cars are in the small little town of Austin," he said. "It's phenomenal. You go to these local car shows and a lot of people are from here in Austin. It's really a car culture here in Austin." Previous notable awards/recognitions Gene Winfield Award Oakland Grand National Roadster Show Best Custom 2025 Autorama Chicago World of Wheels Top 20 2025 Autorama Chicago World of Wheels First in Class International Show Car Association Street Rod Award Goodguys Award Winner 2024 Iowa Street Rod Association Custom Pick 2025 over of the Chicago Sun Ties Recognized via internet videos from Speed King Hot Rods and Internal Combustion Lou Costabile "My Car Story" YouTube video from Chicago World of Wheels 20 Best of Shows in 2024 from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Autorama but smaller: Tiny car contest at full-size hot rod show is all about details
It's as if someone took a shrink ray to the Detroit Autorama. No, the event itself wasn't small. Huntington Place was packed as usual for the Autorama's 72nd year in Detroit on Saturday, with hundreds of custom cars and hot rods under the lights at Huntington Place. But at one booth, dozens of meticulously crafted model cars — shrunken to 1/25 scale — sat for keen eyes and critical judges. Since 1991, model car collectors have submitted their finest work to the Autorama Model Car Contest to compete in various categories: tiny lowriders, hot rods and slot cars (to name a few) line the foldout tables at the booth. Ask any of the crafters sitting around the table: These are not toys. The model cars are crafts of careful attention and time. They're the centerpiece of a tight-knit community — founded on passions that began in childhood. Steve Perry, a retired automotive engineer, sat at the back of the booth between two professional photography lights, snapping photos of the tiny cars on a pristine white backdrop. It's all about the details for Perry, who makes his own model cars and sinks hundreds of hours into each build. Perry conducts intense research and writes accompanying information manuals for each car he makes. In his model of a 1987 El Camino, Perry equipped the engine bay with an air conditioning compressor on brackets with refrigerant lines routed exactly where they need to go. Thin red fibers and small custom-made pieces mimic the electrical wiring of real engines. Perry used to design air conditioners at Valio. "It doesn't blow cold air, but it sure looks like it would," he said. Perry is a seven-time best-in-show winner at the Autorama contest, and he said the model car community is built on this attention to detail. Like any other art form, crafting a replica of your favorite car is a hard-earned labor of love. He captured decades of Detroit history: 55 photos by Free Press photographer Ira Rosenberg Ford Philanthropy: After massive Detroit water main break, Ford jumped into action for devastated families "The subjects I build are meaningful to me," Perry said. "We all just appreciate that we're car guys. Everyone's kind of doing their own thing with the models. Some might be really into good paint jobs. Some guys are into detail." And Perry, who once spent almost two years on a single build, is into the details. So is Rick Radecke, a 65-year-old car part delivery driver from Eastpointe, who has helped run the contest since 1991. Picking the winners in each category is almost a science, he said. "We look at the quality of the build. It's got to be put together correctly without any visible flaws," Radecke said. "No glue showing, the tires gotta be on straight, nothing falling off of it. The detail here is amazing." As the years go on, so does the median age of hobbyists in the community. "The group is a fairly tight fraternity. I mean, we welcome anyone, but most of us started when we were young, and that's a long time ago for most of us," Perry, 65, said with a laugh. "It's an aging hobby. It's a lot of older people who do it, and we just relate to each other." Radecke said when he was a kid, he could put together a model car for less than $10. Nowadays, a simple build can cost $40 or $50 — never mind the custom features like air conditioning brackets. With prohibitive costs and interest stolen by things like video games, Radecke said the hobby is sputtering out. At the Autorama contest, though, youngsters compete in a "junior" category to encourage participation. (And what 13-year-old can keep up with a former engineer like Perry, who's using rare earth neodymium magnets to make sure the doors "sound right" when they close?) To Perry, the hobby may be dying out — but his passion for it is flourishing. "In a way, it's a dying hobby," Perry said. "But the state of the art has never been higher." Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Autorama Model Car Contest is all about community, attention to detail
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Detroit Autorama 2025 starts Friday: Attractions, celebrity appearances, tickets and more
Detroit's Autorama, billed as "America's Greatest Hot Rod Show," returns to Huntington Place this weekend for its 72nd year ‒ promising over 800 custom cars, trucks, motorcycles, celebrity guests, and unique attractions. Sponsored by Meguiar's and presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, the event is a perennial favorite in the Motor City. From Barbie's pink Cadillac Convertible to a Mega Morph Giant Transforming Robot Car, the Autorama blends classic designs with over-the-top creativity. What started in 1953 to help fund the Motor City Dragway has grown into one of the nation's top showcases for custom vehicles, drawing car lovers and curious visitors alike for three days of high-octane fun. 'Detroit Autorama is where the world's top builders unveil their most ambitious creations,' said the producer of Autorama, Peter Toundas, in a news release. 'We're excited to showcase these incredible cars to the most passionate fans in the Motor City.' The beloved Detroit Autorama will be held at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, from Feb. 28 to March 2. Friday, Feb. 28: Noon - 10 p.m. Saturday, March 1: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday, March 2: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. A 1941 Buick Special, a family heirloom tied to the attack on Pearl Harbor, will be on display at the Detroit Autorama. Passed down to Amy and John Michalek of Dexter, the car survived the attack with a bullet hole in the windshield. It was originally owned by Amy's great-uncle, who was killed during the attack. The Michaleks have preserved both the car and its powerful story, according to the release. Another standout vehicle at the event will be a 1951 Mercury, uniquely modified to resemble a NASCAR vehicle. The car will be making its way to Detroit from Austria, along with its owner — Knud Tiroch. One of the standout attractions this year is The Funny Farm, created by Farmtruck and AZN from the "Street Outlaws" TV show. Featuring two 1970 C10 truck cabs welded together and powered by twin Cadillac engines, this machine can perform all-wheel-drive burnouts, spin 360 degrees, and crabwalk in any direction. The Detroit Autorama will mark the first public unveiling of The Funny Farm. More: Detroit Auto Show 2026 dates announced: When it will take place Additionally, the Cavalcade of Customs celebrates its 30th anniversary at this year's show. A special collection of 30 of the finest custom cars, handpicked by legendary builder Chuck Miller, will be on display, showcasing some of the best work in the industry. Another highlight is the presentation of the Preservation Award to 'The Road Chief,' a fully restored 1949 Pontiac Convertible owned by Mike Stowe of Michigan. Recognized as one of the nation's top classic cars, it is among the standout vehicles at the show. For those seeking more variety, Autorama Extreme, or "The Show Within a Show," will feature over 200 traditional rods, customs, and bobber bikes inspired by the 1950s. The attraction will include performances by Rockabilly bands and the Miss Autorama Retro Pin-Up Girl Contest, set for 5 p.m. Saturday, March 1. As part of Autorama Extreme, the Traditional Rod Pick Awards will be presented by some of the biggest names in hot rod building. The Celebrity Pick Awards ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. One of the most coveted awards, the Ridler Award, will be presented to the best new custom car, shown for the first time at the event. First, about 30 cars are selected to compete. These cars are then narrowed down to 8 finalists, called the BASF Great 8. Each of these eight finalists gets $1,000. At the end of the competition, one car is chosen as the Ridler Award winner from the Great 8. The winner gets $10,000 in cash, a custom trophy, and a jacket from Meguiar's. In addition to the Ridler Award, many other awards will be given at the Detroit Autorama, including the Master Builder Award, which honors top custom car builders for their exceptional craftsmanship, and the CASI Cup, presented by Championship Auto Shows Inc., recognizing the best car in a specific category. The Summit Racing Equipment Show Car Series also features awards for the top vehicles in various categories, highlighting excellence in custom car building. Celebrity appearances include: Danny Koker and Kevin Mack of "Counting Cars": Friday, Feb. 28, from 4-7 p.m. Farmtruck and AZN from "Street Outlaws": Saturday, March 1, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, from noon-4 p.m. WWE Hall of Fame duo Team 3D (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley): Saturday, March 1, from 1-4 p.m. Detroit Lions Linebacker Alex Anzalone: Sunday, March 2, from 1-4 p.m. 'There will be so much going on for the whole family at this year's Detroit Autorama, that we can hardly wait to unveil it to the public," Toundas said. "Barbie fans will be delighted to get their photo taken with the famous pink convertible. Transformer movie fans will be in awe of the gigantic Mega Morph Transforming Robot Car. Lions Fans will be thrilled to meet Alex Anzalone and hot rodders will be pumped to meet Danny Koker of TV's 'Counting Cars' and the always-entertaining stars of 'Street Outlaws,' Farm Truck and AZN." Tickets to the Detroit Autorama can be purchased at the gate: Adults: $28 Children 6 to 12: $10 Children 5 and under: Free Discount tickets are available at O'Reilly Auto Parts locations and must be purchased in person: General Admission: $26 Children 6 to 12: $9 For further ticket and event details, visit This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Autorama 2025: Custom cars, celebrities and attractions await
