The ranking of the top automotive dealership groups in the United States typically depends on whether they are measured by total retail units sold or total revenue. Based on 2026 industry revenue and overall market footprint, the top tier of franchised new-car dealer networks is dominated by the following five companies.
The Top 5 U.S. Auto Groups
| Rank | Dealership Group | Estimated Revenue | Key Differentiator |
| 1 | Lithia Motors | $37.94 Billion | Aggressive nationwide expansion powered by their Driveway digital platform. |
| 2 | Penske Automotive Group | $32.92 Billion | Massive international footprint and a strong focus on luxury/premium brands. |
| 3 | AutoNation | $27.45 Billion | Pioneer in omnichannel buying with the largest physical footprint in the U.S. |
| 4 | Group 1 Automotive | $22.15 Billion | Significant presence across both the U.S. and the U.K. using the AcceleRide platform. |
| 5 | Hendrick Automotive Group | N/A (Private) | The largest privately held automotive retail organization in the nation. |
Group Breakdowns
- Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors): Currently leading the market in total revenue. They operate a network of over 300 locations and have heavily invested in an end-to-end ecommerce experience that allows customers to buy, sell, and finance vehicles entirely online.
- Penske Automotive Group: Operating over 300 franchises that represent more than 30 brands. Penske is highly regarded for its data-driven approach to lead management and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- AutoNation: Historically the largest group by sheer sales volume, AutoNation operates over 300 locations coast-to-coast. They have set the industry benchmark for integrating digital retailing tools with in-store completion.
- Group 1 Automotive: Managing over 200 dealerships, Group 1 has differentiated itself heavily through its proprietary AcceleRide® digital retailing platform, which streamlines the entire purchase process for buyers.
- Hendrick Automotive Group: Founded by NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, this group operates over 90 dealerships. Because they are privately held, public revenue figures aren’t tracked the same way as the publicly traded groups, but their volume consistently places them in the top 5 nationwide.
Industry Note: If factoring in retailers that exclusively sell pre-owned vehicles, CarMax ranks as the 4th largest automotive retailer in the country, generating over $26.35 billion in revenue.
