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October 10, 2025 — TrueCar reported its second consecutive profitable quarter since going private in January, driven by a native app strategy that CEO Jantoon Reigersman says is redefining how consumers shop for cars. In an exclusive interview, Reigersman told The Weekly that the company’s shift to a mobile-first experience — combined with expanded credit union partnerships and full Federal Trade Commission (FTC) compliance — has created a “virtuous cycle” of higher conversion and lower acquisition costs.
TrueCar’s native smartphone app, launched in mid-2024, now handles the majority of its user traffic. Reigersman argues that traditional search-based automotive shopping is fading. “I believe that search is dead,” he said. “Consumers don’t want to bounce between Google results and dealer sites. They want a single, guided experience — and that’s what our app delivers.”
The app uses AI to pre-qualify buyers, show real-time dealer inventory, and present upfront pricing tied to TrueCar’s partner network. The result? Credit union-referred customers convert at about 20%, compared to a 2–3% industry average for typical leads. The company said members using its auto-buying program save up to 9% off MSRP, depending on the vehicle and incentives.
TrueCar recently added State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) — the second-largest U.S. credit union with more than $60 billion in assets — and Affinity Federal Credit Union ($4.35 billion in assets), bringing its total credit union network to more than 80. Reigersman noted that these partnerships are crucial for sourcing high-intent buyers.
“Credit union members already trust their financial institution,” he said. “By embedding our tool into their banking app, we remove friction and reduce dealer ad spend.”
The company also emphasized full compliance with the FTC’s CARS Rule, which requires dealers to disclose pricing and fees clearly. TrueCar’s platform already enforces these standards, giving it a regulatory moat that many competitors lack.
The latest Dealer Sentiment Survey — conducted by CDG in late September — shows that 62% of dealers expect market conditions to improve over the next six months, up from 54% in August. However, concerns about inventory mix and high interest rates persist.
Dealers who use TrueCar’s native app report above-average lead quality and lower cost per sale. One Midwest dealer told The Weekly: “The app filters out window shoppers. Every lead we get from TrueCar has already checked their credit and knows the payment range.”
Despite TrueCar’s gains, macro trends remain mixed. Through the end of August, model-year 2026 vehicles accounted for 85% of new inventory — the highest share for any model year since 2020’s 87%. That means dealerships are sitting on large stocks of newer cars, putting pressure on pricing.
On the used side, CarGurus’ August Intelligence Report found demand rising for the second straight month, especially for vehicles three years old and younger and models 11 years and older. The average used-car price held steady at $30,200, but analysts at Cox Automotive warn that inventory shortages for entry-level vehicles could push prices higher again.
The week also saw a major consolidation move: Copart agreed to acquire ACV Auctions for approximately $1.9 billion in cash. The deal, announced September 10, connects Copart’s physical auction network with ACV’s digital marketplace. ACV will operate as an independent subsidiary led by its existing management.
Industry observers expect the merger to accelerate digital inspection and remote bidding for wholesale vehicles, potentially altering the cost structure of used-car sourcing for dealers.
While TrueCar’s strategy is gaining traction, some franchise dealers remain skeptical. The renewed focus on direct-to-consumer app interactions could reduce dealerships’ control over the sales process. However, Reigersman argues that dealers who embrace the platform benefit from higher closing rates and better customer satisfaction scores.
A report from J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index supports his view: dealerships using a digital retailing tool with a mobile app saw satisfaction scores 12 points higher than those without. TrueCar’s next move? Expanding the app to include service scheduling and EV charging station finders, deepening its role in the ownership lifecycle.
*Data sources: TrueCar press release (Sept. 2025), CarGurus August Intelligence Report, CDG Dealer Sentiment Survey,
