FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

CarMax Retools Approach After Disappointing Q2

Sales fall due to customer affordability concerns. Company offering lower-priced models, cutting its costs.

October 3, 2022
CarMax Retools Approach After Disappointing Q2

CarMax second-quarter declines spur changes

IMAGE: Getty Images/jetcityimages

2 min to read


Falling used-car demand as inflation and high interest rates squeeze wallets is prompting CarMax to cut costs after reporting missed second-quarter analyst earnings estimates.

The report of falling year-over-year sales volume and profit sent CarMax’s shares down 25% after the earnings report Thursday, a plummet that reverberated among the share prices of sector competitors, including Carvana.

Ad Loading...

CarMax executives said affordability concerns among prospective buyers built over the year. President and CEO Bill Nash tried to put a positive spin on the results, saying, “While this was a challenging quarter across the used car industry, our ongoing progress in strengthening and expanding our omnichannel experience continues to positively differentiate us and enable us to grow market share.

“As we navigate the near-term pressures facing our industry, we are further sharpening our focus on driving additional operational efficiencies across our business. We will also remain focused on continuing our work to achieve our long-term goals, including further improving our omnichannel experience for our customers and associates through enhancing the seamlessness of our online and in-store offerings and growing our diversified business model."

CarMax’s year-over-year retail sales dropped 8.9% in the six months ending Aug. 31. Its net income fell 56% to $125.9 million. Same-store sales decreased 8.3% during the summer.

The company said it’s offering more lower-priced vehicles to answer affordability concerns while cutting expenses via attrition-enabled staff cuts, postponed corporate hiring and other measures.

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Showroom

Photo of sold Ford store exterior
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMay 11, 2026

Mid-Atlantic Ford Store Has New Owner

A growing Maryland automotive group is only the 93-year-old dealership’s third owner after its longtime proprietors retired.

Read More →
groundbreaking ceremony for new Barrington Porsche dealership with Murgado Automotive Group and Joseph Nicholas Construction
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMay 11, 2026

Porsche Dealership Breaks Ground in Illinois

Barrington Porsche will be the new location for Murgado Automotive Group’s existing Porsche dealership currently in the Motor Werks of Barrington auto mall.

Read More →
aerial view of Fireside Honda in Ohio
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMay 6, 2026

Michigan Auto Group Acquires Ohio Rooftops

Feldman Automotive Group added two new brands, Honda and Toyota, to its portfolio with its latest acquisition of four Fireside dealerships in Ohio.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of Scout Terra pickup truck outside farm building
ShowroomMay 4, 2026

California VW Dealers Go After Scout

The franchisees’ state-level actions follow a California auto dealers trade group lawsuit against the VW affiliate last year, both efforts to stop the EV maker’s plan to sell direct to consumers.

Read More →
Photo of rear of Mercedes VLE passenger van
Showroomby Hannah MitchellApril 27, 2026

EVs Gain Traction in Europe

First-quarter auto sales increased as more consumers took advantage of government incentives. Hybrid deliveries are leading the way on the electrifieds boom.

Read More →
road winding through redwood trees, California EV Market Cools, F&I and Showroom logo
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceApril 22, 2026

California Holds EV Lead Despite Annual Decline

At nearly 14%, California had the lowest zero-emission vehicle market share in the first quarter since the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the California New Car Dealers Association.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of Ford F-150 grill with nameplate
Showroomby Hannah MitchellApril 20, 2026

Will Extended-Range Autos Make Inroads?

EREVs, also known as ‘series hybrids,’ may catch on in the U.S., where they currently have barely a toehold, as automakers tilt away from some purely electric models and consumers crave more range.

Read More →
Cars on road in European city
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 30, 2026

Electrifieds Lead EU New-Vehicle Sales

Hybrids in particular lead not only EV market share but all power trains on the continent so far this year as gas and diesel continue their decline.

Read More →
Hyundai steering wheel, black leather
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMarch 30, 2026

Hyundai Expands North American Footprint

Building on a previously announced $26 billion U.S. investment, Hyundai said it will grow its North American lineup and U.S.-based production and parts sourcing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of Honda 'H' emblem
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 25, 2026

Afeela EV Brand Fails to Leave the Factory

Sony-Honda venture cancels two planned models, the first of which had been pegged for a mid-2026 California delivery debut. The brand’s direct sales had been challenged by the state’s auto dealers, but the venture cites Honda’s EV retreat.

Read More →