AutoNation Dec. Retail Sales Up 9% YoY - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - AutoNation, Inc. (AN) announced retail sales of 35,962 new vehicles in December 2015, an increase of 9% as compared to December 2014. The company noted that the unit volumes in December and the fourth quarter of 2015 were achieved with significant retail discounts, especially in the Premium Luxury segment. On a same-store basis, reported retail new vehicle unit sales in December 2015 increased 5%.

Reported retail new vehicle unit sales in the fourth quarter of 2015 were 89,764, an increase of 6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. On a same-store basis, reported retail new vehicle unit sales in the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 3%.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, AutoNation currently expects to report a decline in both new and used gross profit per vehicle retailed in the range of $250 to $300, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

"The fourth quarter industry sales environment was more push versus pull. As a consequence, we expect to report significant margin declines for the fourth quarter in both our new and used retail unit sales. We have begun, and will continue through the first quarter, to take the necessary steps to align our costs, inventory, and pricing strategy to adjust to the current market." said Mike Jackson, CEO.

Reported retail new vehicle unit sales for full year 2015 were 343,753, an increase of 7% as compared to full year 2014. On a same-store basis, reported retail new vehicle unit sales in full year 2015 increased 5%.