agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

CarMax’s Bad Q3 Results Drag Down Industry

Used-car retailer grapples with waning demand in face of economic challenges.

December 22, 2022
CarMax’s Bad Q3 Results Drag Down Industry

Rising inflation and interest rates are eating into consumer demand and making it hard for used-car retailers to offload vehicles at or above the rates they bought them for.

IMAGE: Getty Images/acilo

1 min to read


CarMax joined Carvana in taking a financial hit over the shifting used-car market as it reported a massive third-quarter profit fall.

The Virginia-based used-car retailer’s sales and earnings missed Wall Street's conservative expectations, its profit dropping 86% year-over-year.

Ad Loading...

CarMax shares fell up to 12%, pulling down the automotive industry with it, including carmakers General Motors and Ford.

The used-car market has recently started to suffer after a boon in sales in the pandemic era due to limited new-car inventories resulting from supply-chain shortages that sent sticker prices soaring. Used-car prices themselves rose to the point that some models’ value appreciated and they sold for more than their MSRP when new.

Now rising inflation and interest rates are eating into consumer demand and making it hard for used-car retailers to offload vehicles at or above the rates they bought them for.

CarMax President and CEO Bill Nash said in a press release on its third-quarter results that, “In response to the ongoing pressures across the used car industry, we have taken deliberate steps to support our business for both the near-term and the long-term. We are managing our business prudently, and prioritizing initiatives that reduce costs, unlock operating efficiencies, profitably grow market share and create better experiences for our associates and customers.”

READ MORE: CarMax Retools Approach After Disappointing Q2

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Two white men's shaking hands
Industry•October 15, 2026

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record

The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.

Read More →
Rows of cars parked in exterior lot
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 8, 2026

War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices

Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.

Read More →
Mechanic cleaning interior of engine
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 8, 2026

Bridge the Maintenance Gap

With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ford F-150 truck rounding a curve
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 1, 2026

California Store Has New Owner

The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.

Read More →
crane lowering a pipeline into the ground
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 1, 2026

BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy

BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.

Read More →
Two dodge cars outside of dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 17, 2026

Auto Affordability Inches Up

The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Five men smiling for photo in front of Honda car dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 10, 2026

Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership

After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.

Read More →
Blue and white RV parked on beach facing the ocean.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 3, 2026

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint

Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.

Read More →
Photo of two men and one woman on a discussion panel
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 1, 2026

Agent Acumen

An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Gloved hand holding two wrenches next to “Turn Overdue into Opportunity” Graphic
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•August 27, 2026

Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity

As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...