Right. So, Carvana. Years I’ve watched them, this whole ‘disrupt the car industry’ thing. Honestly, it felt a bit…optimistic. Like that yoga class I signed up for, convinced I’d emerge a zen master, and ended up mostly just sore. Everyone kept saying ‘people will never buy a car without kicking the tires’. And you know what? They had a point. But Carvana…they actually pulled it off. For a while, anyway. I mean, a $10,000 investment turning into over $420,000? That’s…distracting. From the fact I spent most of last quarter trying to time the market. Anyway, the really weird bit? Now they’re buying dealerships. From Stellantis, of all people. It’s like they’ve decided the future is…the past. It’s unsettling.
Units of Stellantis stock acquired (against my better judgement): 50. Hours spent questioning my life choices: escalating. Number of times I’ve considered becoming a shepherd: 3.
What’s Going On?
It feels…counterintuitive, doesn’t it? All that investment in the online platform, the sleek app, the car vending machines (still think those are a bit much, frankly) and now…bricks and mortar? It’s like deciding to learn calligraphy after mastering coding. At first, I assumed it was just diversification. A bit of hedging. But then I started digging. It’s not just about selling more cars, is it? It’s about…profit margins. Which, let’s be honest, are the only things that really matter. They’re dipping their toes into the parts and service business, and that, my friends, is where the real money is. I mean, everyone needs an oil change eventually. Everyone.
AutoNation gets it. They’ve built an empire on this. And Carvana, clever things, are starting to see that. Yes, new car sales add a little sparkle, but the service bays? That’s the engine. It also gives them access to trade-ins. Which, let’s face it, are far more valuable than anything you’ll find at an auction. More inventory, better pricing…it all adds up. It’s just…so un-disruptive. I feel like I need a lie-down.
How Carvana Wins (Maybe)
The car retail industry is a mess. A beautiful, fragmented mess. Carvana is number two in the used car game, but their market share is still tiny. They’re realizing that owning dealerships isn’t just about selling cars; it’s about control. Control over parts, control over service, control over trade-ins. And the dealerships? They’re starting to realize that a national distribution system and a slick online presence are…useful. It’s going to force consolidation. A massive, industry-wide reshuffling. Which, naturally, means opportunity. For someone.
Carvana has already done the hard part. Building the technology, the brand, the whole online experience. It’s easier for them to buy dealerships than it is for a small, fragmented dealership group to suddenly become tech wizards. Artificial intelligence-driven pricing, national distribution networks…it’s expensive. And complicated. As the industry speeds towards consolidation, savvy investors should pay attention. I’m not saying it’s a sure thing. Nothing ever is. But it’s…interesting. Very interesting. Days spent obsessively refreshing stock charts: 7. Number of times I’ve considered early retirement: 1 (briefly).
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2026-03-18 05:12