US Automotive Dealerships - PPC Market Share Analysis February 2026

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the US Dealerships category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Dealerships – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Automotive Dealerships US

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 17.2108700935
82.7891299065
17%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 50
50
50%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 12%
Transactional 41%
Navigational 1%
Seasonal 0%
Local 8%
Problem Solving 13%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Automotive Dealerships brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
cargurus.com 17
carvana.com 14.35
carmax.com 9.05
autotrader.com 8.55
carfax.com 6.86
cars.com 4.28
autonation.com 2.02
bmwusa.com 1.73
truecar.com 1.28
echopark.com 1.15
others 33.73
  • cargurus.com - 17%
  • carvana.com - 14.35%
  • carmax.com - 9.05%
  • autotrader.com - 8.55%
  • carfax.com - 6.86%
  • cars.com - 4.28%
  • autonation.com - 2.02%
  • bmwusa.com - 1.73%
  • truecar.com - 1.28%
  • echopark.com - 1.15%
  • others - 33.73%

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Cargurus.com leads with 17% click share, followed by Carvana.com at 14.35%. Others collectively hold 33.73%, highlighting diverse competition.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Automotive Dealerships brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date carvana.com cargurus.com carmax.com carfax.com cars.com autotrader.com autonation.com bmwusa.com echopark.com truecar.com
2026/02/01 19.87% 8.29% 8.52% 6.94% 3.18% 3.5% 2.18% 1.79% 1.1% 1.5%
2026/02/02 16.45% 8.55% 6.98% 4.13% 2.62% 3.37% 2% 2.01% 0.95% 0.99%
2026/02/03 20.2% 8.76% 6.83% 6.02% 2.83% 3.42% 2.69% 1.66% 1.21% 1.95%
2026/02/04 21.52% 7.78% 6.39% 5.9% 2.74% 3.59% 3.07% 1.57% 1.61% 2.08%
2026/02/05 19.79% 7.83% 6.25% 5.28% 2.53% 3.54% 2.82% 1.58% 1.75% 2.06%
2026/02/06 19.91% 8.5% 6.57% 5.03% 2.91% 3.78% 3.09% 1.35% 2.18% 2.32%
2026/02/07 22.01% 8.74% 7.57% 1.93% 3.15% 3.72% 1.88% 1.7% 2.02% 2.63%
2026/02/08 19.31% 8.35% 8.3% 5.49% 2.52% 3.59% 0.78% 1.97% 1.62% 1.84%
2026/02/09 20.31% 8.31% 7.02% 4.97% 2.43% 3.13% 2.43% 1.92% 1.54% 1.91%
2026/02/10 18.91% 9.76% 7.02% 4.69% 2.98% 3.27% 3.17% 1.96% 1.66% 1.94%
2026/02/11 18.51% 9.04% 6.75% 5.04% 2.84% 3.01% 3.41% 1.63% 2.02% 1.93%
2026/02/12 18.57% 7.36% 5.87% 5% 2.38% 3.33% 2.65% 1.49% 1.64% 1.94%
2026/02/13 18.61% 7.95% 6.14% 4.72% 2.72% 3.54% 2.89% 1.26% 2.04% 2.17%
2026/02/14 20.56% 8.17% 7.08% 1.8% 2.94% 3.48% 1.76% 1.58% 1.89% 2.46%
2026/02/15 18.23% 7.88% 7.84% 5.18% 2.38% 3.39% 0.73% 1.86% 1.53% 1.74%
2026/02/16 19.27% 7.89% 6.66% 4.71% 2.31% 2.98% 2.32% 1.82% 1.46% 1.82%
2026/02/17 17.06% 11.08% 8.76% 5.04% 2.95% 4.25% 2.99% 2.38% 0.82% 1.42%
2026/02/18 16.66% 8.41% 7.57% 5.04% 2.73% 4.01% 2.86% 2.27% 1.36% 1.58%
2026/02/19 17.82% 8.23% 7.51% 4.78% 3.58% 4.33% 2.97% 2.4% 1.44% 0.98%
2026/02/20 14.4% 7.68% 8.69% 4.79% 3.47% 4.08% 2.93% 3.12% 1.12% 0.59%
2026/02/21 15.65% 9.54% 9.05% 5.4% 3.53% 4.43% 2.23% 3.02% 1.39% 0.61%
2026/02/22 15.04% 9.81% 8.99% 4.81% 3.84% 4.96% 2.77% 2.5% 0.75% 0.6%
2026/02/23 16.32% 8.23% 8.8% 4.81% 3% 3.3% 2.35% 2.92% 1.06% 0.59%
2026/02/24 17.45% 7.52% 9.21% 5.18% 3.09% 2.88% 1.97% 2.68% 1.29% 0.63%
2026/02/25 17.98% 8.35% 9.34% 4.36% 2.93% 2.81% 3.06% 2.62% 1.31% 0.62%
2026/02/26 17.09% 8.75% 9.48% 3.83% 3.69% 2.71% 3.43% 2.93% 1.17% 0.46%
2026/02/27 17.15% 8.17% 9.52% 3.96% 3.67% 3.15% 3.57% 2.55% 1.03% 0.53%
2026/02/28 17.44% 9.36% 8.51% 4.16% 3.58% 3.39% 3.31% 1.58% 1.13% 0.5%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • bmwusa.com
  • echopark.com
  • truecar.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana led February with fluctuating spend, peaking at 22.01% on the 7th. Cargurus and Carmax showed steady growth, while Carfax and Cars.com had modest shares. Autotrader and Autonation saw varied trends, with BMWUSA and Echopark maintaining low shares. Truecar ended with minimal spend.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Automotive Dealerships

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/02/01 4566
2026/02/02 5152
2026/02/03 4684
2026/02/04 4793
2026/02/05 4787
2026/02/06 4663
2026/02/07 4642
2026/02/08 4668
2026/02/09 4829
2026/02/10 4688
2026/02/11 4872
2026/02/12 4787
2026/02/13 4663
2026/02/14 4642
2026/02/15 4668
2026/02/16 4829
2026/02/17 5432
2026/02/18 4911
2026/02/19 4568
2026/02/20 4390
2026/02/21 4315
2026/02/22 4542
2026/02/23 4576
2026/02/24 4466
2026/02/25 4276
2026/02/26 4075
2026/02/27 4055
2026/02/28 4034

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

February began with 4,566 advertisers, peaking at 5,432 mid-month. A decline followed, ending at 4,034.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Automotive Dealerships

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
cargurus.com 1.93%
carmax.com 1.49%
autotrader.com 0.73%
bmwusa.com 0.53%
enterprisecarsales.com 0.24%
hondaofseattle.com -0.09%
lincoln.com -0.09%
echopark.com -0.36%
truecar.com -0.85%
carvana.com -2.71%

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CarGurus.com surged with a 1.93% click share increase, while Carvana.com faced a 2.71% decline. Autotrader.com, CarMax.com, and BMWUSA.com also saw positive growth.

Campaign Efficiency

US Automotive Dealerships Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date carvana.com cargurus.com carmax.com cars.com carfax.com autotrader.com autonation.com drivetime.com echopark.com truecar.com
2026/02/01 20.57% 10.64% 8.55% 4.11% 7.77% 4.53% 2.08% 0.97% 1.18% 1.78%
2026/02/02 19.74% 12.44% 6.42% 4% 5.31% 5.04% 1.82% 0.85% 0.94% 1.41%
2026/02/03 20.99% 10.89% 6.92% 3.81% 6.76% 4.52% 2.45% 0.79% 1.11% 2.08%
2026/02/04 22.21% 9.98% 6.7% 3.95% 6.39% 4.86% 2.73% 0.79% 1.45% 2.28%
2026/02/05 20.57% 10.05% 6.89% 3.76% 5.95% 4.78% 2.6% 0.98% 1.59% 2.15%
2026/02/06 20.5% 10.37% 7.16% 3.79% 5.67% 5.04% 2.74% 0.8% 1.84% 2.49%
2026/02/07 22.33% 11.17% 8.03% 4.46% 2.1% 5% 1.71% 1% 1.64% 2.82%
2026/02/08 20.15% 11.09% 8.7% 3.74% 6.26% 4.92% 0.72% 1.42% 1.36% 2.3%
2026/02/09 21.71% 11.02% 7.28% 3.56% 5.51% 4.26% 2.3% 1.04% 1.53% 2.38%
2026/02/10 20.5% 12.26% 7.2% 4.21% 5.49% 4.43% 3.17% 0.96% 1.54% 2.43%
2026/02/11 20.25% 11.65% 7.04% 3.91% 5.52% 4.23% 3.26% 1.18% 1.76% 2.33%
2026/02/12 20.57% 10.05% 6.89% 3.76% 5.95% 4.78% 2.6% 0.98% 1.59% 2.15%
2026/02/13 20.5% 10.37% 7.16% 3.79% 5.67% 5.04% 2.74% 0.8% 1.84% 2.49%
2026/02/14 22.33% 11.17% 8.03% 4.46% 2.1% 5% 1.71% 1% 1.64% 2.82%
2026/02/15 20.15% 11.09% 8.7% 3.74% 6.26% 4.92% 0.72% 1.42% 1.36% 2.3%
2026/02/16 21.71% 11.02% 7.28% 3.56% 5.51% 4.26% 2.3% 1.04% 1.53% 2.38%
2026/02/17 16.36% 14.12% 7.61% 3.95% 5.87% 5.47% 2.81% 1.55% 0.76% 1.47%
2026/02/18 17.54% 11.58% 7.8% 3.85% 6.2% 5.78% 2.87% 1.35% 1.41% 2.11%
2026/02/19 18.97% 11.45% 7.57% 4.69% 5.78% 5.97% 2.94% 0.81% 1.38% 1.27%
2026/02/20 16.44% 12.06% 8.45% 5.04% 5.96% 6.03% 2.71% 0.44% 1.1% 0.86%
2026/02/21 17.13% 13.58% 8.52% 4.67% 6.46% 6.27% 2.33% 1.06% 1.11% 0.96%
2026/02/22 15.62% 13.33% 9.03% 4.7% 5.68% 6.95% 2.63% 1.48% 0.77% 0.77%
2026/02/23 17.66% 12.1% 8.4% 4.2% 6.08% 4.92% 2.08% 0.95% 1.05% 0.78%
2026/02/24 19.26% 11.17% 8.72% 4.09% 6.31% 4.63% 2.15% 0.56% 1% 0.83%
2026/02/25 20.03% 11.84% 9.28% 4.38% 5.3% 4.34% 2.91% 0.69% 0.92% 0.83%
2026/02/26 19.27% 12.18% 9.34% 5.31% 4.3% 4.15% 3.22% 1.01% 1.04% 0.68%
2026/02/27 18.87% 11.72% 9.48% 4.97% 4.8% 4.5% 3.66% 1.09% 0.98% 0.7%
2026/02/28 18.83% 13.13% 8.69% 4.93% 4.84% 4.82% 3.15% 1.63% 1.07% 0.65%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • cars.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • drivetime.com
  • echopark.com
  • truecar.com

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Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking mid-month before declining. CarGurus saw a steady rise, while CarMax ended strong. Cars.com and Carfax showed moderate growth. Autotrader and Autonation had mixed trends. Drivetime, Echopark, and Truecar experienced varied shifts.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Dealerships

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Dealerships - Last month
  1. 1
    BMW: Drive the Icon | BMW: Elevate the Everyday https://www.bmwusa.com

    Press start on a future filled with elegance and ease in a BMW. BMW—where craftsmanship and performance combine for an experience without equal.

  2. 2
    Cheap Used Cars For Sale - Largest Online Inventory https://www.cargurus.com

    Best Prices From Local Dealers. Shop for Cheap Used Cars Today! Don't Miss Out.

  3. 3
    Used cars for sale https://www.carmax.com

    Used cars for sale on carmax.com. Search used cars, research vehicle models, and compare cars, all online at carmax.com

  4. 4
    Cars.com | Used Cars for Sale https://www.cars.com

    Cars.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Buying and Selling Cars. 2M+ Vehicles Available!

  5. 5
    TrueCar® Official Site - Find New & Used Cars for Sale https://www.truecar.com

    Find a great price on the car you want. Browse top used car deals near you.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of automotive PPC, BMW stands out with its promise of elegance and performance, while CarGurus, CarMax, Cars.com, and TrueCar focus on affordability and variety. Each ad captures a unique essence, from luxury to budget-friendly options, catering to diverse consumer needs.

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