Is Carvana Set to Lead as Auto E-Commerce Adoption Accelerates?

Carvana Co. CVNA, a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, is reshaping the traditional car purchasing and selling process by emphasizing a broad selection, competitive pricing, quality assurance, transparent transactions and a pressure-free experience. Its proprietary technology and vertically integrated model enable a considerably lower variable cost structure compared to traditional dealerships, while delivering substantial customer value through a seamless, high-quality car buying and selling experience.Per the Federal Reserve Economic Data, e-commerce has steadily increased its share of non-automotive retail for over two decades and reached roughly 18% of such transactions in 2023. Although the automotive retail sector has adopted e-commerce more slowly than other retail categories, continued consumer comfort with making high-value purchases online is expected to drive greater digital penetration in this space as well.Given the vast and fragmented nature of the used vehicle market, combined with the broader expansion of online retail, Carvana sees a significant opportunity for sustained growth. The company aims to capitalize on this by further utilizing its established e-commerce and logistics infrastructure, expanding monetization through additional products and services and addressing various points in the car buying and ownership cycle, such as vehicle service contracts and auto insurance. Its technological capabilities and process automation are expected to enable differentiated offerings in these areas. CVNA carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Unlike Carvana, which operates exclusively online, competitors such as Group 1 Automotive, Inc. GPI and Lithia Motors, Inc. LAD follow a hybrid model, integrating digital features into their traditional dealership networks.Group 1 introduced AcceleRide in 2019 to allow customers to purchase new or used vehicles entirely online. The platform allows Group 1’s customers to explore various financing options, assess trade-in values and select home delivery. To enhance convenience, AcceleRide also incorporates manufacturer rebates and incentive offers, along with the ability to finalize all trade-in information digitally. Lithia's digital retail platform, Driveway, is designed to give customers full control over their vehicle ownership journey. Through Driveway, users can access a broad, nationwide selection of new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, with the option to have their purchase delivered directly to their home or picked up from one of over 290 Lithia locations within the Driveway network.Carvana’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesCarvana has outperformed the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry year to date. CVNA shares have surged 63.3% compared with the industry’s growth of 11.4%.YTD Price PerformanceImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFrom a valuation perspective, Carvana appears overvalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 3.42, higher than its industry’s 2.17.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchEPS Estimates RevisionThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS has moved up 5 cents and 8 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.Image Source: Zacks Investment Research5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They includeStock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and ResilienceStock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the DipStock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the MarketStock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for GrowthStock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to SpringMost of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (GPI): Free Stock Analysis Report Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD): Free Stock Analysis Report Carvana Co. (CVNA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks