2009–present
In 2009, during the great recession, AutoNation announced a newly formed AutoNation Payment Protection program, promising that the dealership will buy back any car at market value, should the owner lose their job.[18] By 2011, AutoNation was the first auto retailer in the U.S. to sell a total of 8 million vehicles.[19]
In January 2013, AutoNation announced that it would replace localized brand names of its car retail operations with its own name. This re-branding across the US was supported and approved by the major automotive manufacturers, including GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, VW and Hyundai. It involved a total of 210 franchises operating under previously assigned local group names.[20] In May 2013, AutoNation partnered with Indy Car Series Champion Ryan-Hunter Reay to support his "Racing for Cancer" charity. This charity served as a key component of the AutoNation cancer charity program which was founded as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In August 2013, AutoNation announced the sale of its 9 millionth vehicle which was a record achievement for the industry.[21]
On April 11, 2017, USA Today wrote that AutoNation's CEO Mike Jackson questioned the market value of Tesla, the maker of electric cars, by saying that Tesla is "either one of the great Ponzi schemes of all time or it’s gonna work out."[22] The previous day, Tesla passed General Motors as the most valuable American automotive manufacturer, measured by its market capitalization. Jackson also said, "Clearly General Motors is undervalued and Tesla is overvalued. Anybody can see that."[22] In June 2017, AutoNation sold a total of 11 million vehicles. On November 2, 2017, AutoNation announced that Waymo, a developer of self-driving technology, enlisted AutoNation to maintain and repair their driverless vehicles fleet.[23]
During the coronavirus pandemic, AutoNation faced criticism after reports in The Washington Post revealed that the company applied for at least $266 Million in SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan under the CARES Act in order to allow at least 7,000 employees who had been furloughed to return to work and received up to $95 Million in funds for its over 300 dealerships located throughout the United States.[24] SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans were originated by commercial banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions; according to AutoNation's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, the company's "administrative agent" and lender as of the filing date was JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.[25] On April 24, AutoNation announced that it would be returning $77 Million to J.P Morgan.[26]
Cheryl Miller resigned her position as CEO for AutoNation in July 2020. She was replaced by Mike Jackson, who was to fill the role until April 2022.[27] In November 2021, Mike Jackson retired from his 20 years service to AutoNation and was replaced by Mike Manley, previously Head of Americas at Stellantis N.V. and former CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[28]
On April 9, 2021, it was officially announced that AutoNation had reached a naming rights agreement for the stadium of Fort Lauderdale-based Inter Miami CF. The team's stadium became branded as DRV PNK Stadium, a tie-in with AutoNation's breast cancer awareness campaign.[29]
In 2022, AutoNation sold its 14 millionth vehicle in the United States since its founding.[30]
In January 2023, AutoNation acquired RepairSmith, a full-service mobile solution for automotive repair and maintenance, for $190 million.[31][32]
