Berlin — Europe’s largest online used‑car platform AUTO1 reported on 4 November 2026 a step change in profitability and quicker retail sales after rolling out a new trading system across its Merchant and Retail businesses — a development that matters to German and Austrian dealers, transport operators and retail staff because it speeds turnover, raises gross profit per car and shifts where cars move in the supply chain.
A decisive quarter: volumes, GPU and a new trading system
In its Q3 report AUTO1 said it sold 242,817 units in the quarter (up 11.1% year‑on‑year), with Retail (Autohero) sales rising to 31,356 units (up 16.2%). Group gross profit reached €298.0m (+15.7% YoY) and adjusted EBITDA rose to €75.6m (an increase of 45.7% YoY) — the company called Q3 “the most profitable quarter in AUTO1’s history.” Management credited the gains to a new trading system, which it has now rolled out across both Merchant and Retail operations.
On the earnings call management said the trading system accelerated retail trading by roughly 20% year‑on‑year, lifted gross profit per unit (retail GPU to €2,777) and helped reduce holding costs by selling cars faster — improvements that translated into higher margins even while marketing and staff costs rose modestly. The company also said the merchant platform AUTO1.com grew the number of buying dealers to about 36,500.
New retail levers: cross‑border listings and financing
Management outlined specific retail innovations that affect trade and logistics in Germany and neighbouring markets: pilots for cross‑border listings (initially between Germany, Poland and Italy) that let cars be offered without immediate physical relocation, and plans to expand merchant financing including a “Buy Now, Pay Later” product for dealers. The group also noted long‑term receivables from instalment sale products offered to Autohero customers in Germany, Austria and Spain — underlining that retail financing is now a central part of the online retail model.
