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TrueCar Inc (TRUE)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
01/09/2026: TRUE (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
6 Analysts rated it
Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.
1 Year Target Price $2.35
1 Year Target Price $2.35
| 1 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 3 | Hold |
| 1 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -28.54% | Avg. Invested days 25 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 01/09/2026 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 194.78M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 2.35 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 2.35 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 6 | Beta 2.22 | 52 Weeks Range 1.05 - 3.83 | Updated Date 01/10/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 1.05 - 3.83 | Updated Date 01/10/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.21 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin -10.27% | Operating Margin (TTM) -17.01% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -13.49% | Return on Equity (TTM) -15.37% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE 14.45 | Enterprise Value 98808508 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.07 |
Enterprise Value 98808508 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.07 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.55 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -4.15 | Shares Outstanding 88940050 | Shares Floating 75635508 |
Shares Outstanding 88940050 | Shares Floating 75635508 | ||
Percent Insiders 9.4 | Percent Institutions 79.35 |
Upturn AI SWOT
TrueCar Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
TrueCar Inc. was founded in 2005 by Scott Painter. The company aimed to revolutionize the car buying process by providing transparent pricing information to consumers. Key milestones include its launch of a transparent car pricing website and its subsequent IPO in 2014. Over time, TrueCar has evolved from a pricing information provider to a broader digital automotive marketplace connecting consumers with dealers and offering a suite of automotive services.
Core Business Areas
- Consumer Services: Provides consumers with access to car pricing information, dealer reviews, and tools to research and purchase vehicles. This includes features for finding local dealers, comparing prices, and getting pre-approved for financing.
- Dealer Services: Offers automotive dealers a platform to connect with ready-to-buy consumers. This includes lead generation services, marketing solutions, and tools to manage customer interactions and sales.
- Data and Analytics: Leverages its extensive data on car sales, pricing, and consumer behavior to provide insights to industry partners and for its own platform optimization.
Leadership and Structure
TrueCar's leadership team is headed by its CEO, with various departments overseeing product development, sales, marketing, technology, and finance. The company operates as a technology and data-driven marketplace.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- TrueCar Platform: The core online marketplace that connects car buyers with dealerships. It provides pricing data, inventory listings, and a streamlined car shopping experience. Market share data is difficult to isolate for this specific product as it's part of a larger marketplace, but it competes with other online car shopping platforms. Competitors include Cars.com, Edmunds, CarGurus, and dealership direct websites.
- TrueCar Certified Dealer Network: A network of dealerships that partner with TrueCar to reach consumers. This is a service offering to dealers, generating revenue through lead sales and subscription fees. The network's size and effectiveness are key to TrueCar's revenue. Competitors in the dealer services space include many digital marketing and lead generation companies serving the automotive industry.
- TrueCar Trade-in Tools: Features that help consumers understand the value of their current vehicle when trading it in for a new purchase. This is integrated into the car buying journey. Competitors include Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds trade-in tools, and dealership appraisal services.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The automotive industry, particularly the online car buying and selling segment, is highly competitive and constantly evolving. Factors such as economic conditions, consumer preferences (e.g., shift towards online purchasing), technological advancements (e.g., AI in car recommendations), and manufacturer strategies significantly impact the market. The industry is characterized by a mix of large online marketplaces, dealer-specific platforms, and direct-to-consumer models.
Positioning
TrueCar is positioned as a digital automotive marketplace focused on providing transparent pricing and a simplified car buying experience. Its competitive advantage lies in its established dealer network and its ability to aggregate pricing data, offering consumers a significant alternative to traditional dealership negotiations. However, it faces strong competition from both established players and new entrants.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for online automotive sales and related services is vast, encompassing billions of dollars in annual vehicle sales and billions in aftermarket services. TrueCar is positioned to capture a portion of the transaction fees and advertising revenue generated from these sales. Its TAM is effectively the online car shopping and lead generation market for new and used vehicles.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Established brand recognition in the car buying space.
- Extensive network of certified dealerships.
- Access to significant car pricing and transaction data.
- Platform for a streamlined car buying experience.
Weaknesses
- Dependence on dealer participation for inventory and leads.
- Intense competition from other online automotive marketplaces.
- Lower conversion rates from leads to sales compared to some competitors.
- Past challenges in achieving consistent profitability.
Opportunities
- Expansion into adjacent automotive services (e.g., financing, insurance, aftermarket).
- Leveraging data for enhanced personalization and predictive analytics.
- Growth in the used car market and online sales.
- Partnerships with automakers for direct-to-consumer initiatives.
Threats
- Economic downturns impacting new and used car sales.
- Increasing direct sales efforts by automakers.
- Data privacy concerns and evolving regulatory landscapes.
- Disruptive technologies from new market entrants.
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Cars.com Inc. (CARS)
- Edmunds.com (private)
- CarGurus, Inc. (CARG)
Competitive Landscape
TrueCar's advantages include its established brand and dealer network, offering a significant customer base. However, competitors like CarGurus and Cars.com have strong market presence and often larger inventory. Edmunds, while private, is a formidable competitor in information and research. The competitive landscape is characterized by a fight for consumer attention and dealer partnerships, with a constant need for innovation in user experience and dealer solutions.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: TrueCar has experienced revenue growth over the past few years, driven by its expansion as a digital marketplace. However, profitability has been a challenge, indicating that top-line growth has not always translated into bottom-line success.
Future Projections: Analyst projections for TrueCar's future growth would depend on their outlook for the automotive market, the company's ability to innovate, and its success in adapting to evolving consumer purchasing habits. Specific projections are proprietary to financial analysis firms.
Recent Initiatives: TrueCar has been focused on optimizing its platform, enhancing dealer relationships, and exploring new revenue streams within the automotive ecosystem. This may include initiatives related to used car marketplaces, financing partnerships, and subscription models for dealers.
Summary
TrueCar Inc. operates in the competitive online automotive marketplace. While it has shown revenue growth and has a strong brand, consistent profitability remains a challenge. Its extensive dealer network and data access are key strengths, but it faces intense competition from established players. Focusing on strategic partnerships and enhancing its platform for both consumers and dealers will be crucial for future success and navigating threats in the dynamic auto industry.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company financial reports (e.g., 10-K, 10-Q)
- Financial news and analysis websites
- Market research reports (general industry data)
Disclaimers:
This information is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Financial data is subject to change and may be based on estimates. Market share data is approximate and can vary depending on the methodology used.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About TrueCar Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Santa Monica, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2014-05-16 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Jantoon E. Reigersman | ||
Sector Communication Services | Industry Internet Content & Information | Full time employees 348 | Website https://www.truecar.com |
Full time employees 348 | Website https://www.truecar.com | ||
TrueCar, Inc. operates as an internet-based information, technology, and communication services company in the United States. The company operates its platform on the TrueCar website and mobile applications. Its platform enables users to obtain market-based pricing data on new and used cars, and to connect with its network of TrueCar certified dealers. It also provides TrueCar Access, which offers trade and payments solutions; and Sell Your Car and Trade solutions gives consumers information on the value of their trade-in vehicles and enables them to obtain a guaranteed trade-in price before setting foot in the dealership. The company was formerly known as Zag.com Inc. TrueCar, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
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