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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-36449
TRUECAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware04-3807511
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1401 Ocean Ave, Suite 200
Santa Monica, California 90401
(800200-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareTRUEThe Nasdaq Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes     No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes      No   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  No 
As of November 3, 2023, 90,780,216 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.



TRUECAR, INC.
INDEX
  Page
  
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
 
  
 




SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements about:
our future financial performance and our expectations regarding our revenue, cost of revenue, gross profit or gross margin, operating expenses and ability to maintain or grow revenue, scale our business, generate cash flow, fulfill our mission and achieve and maintain future profitability; 
the success and long-term effects of our strategic restructuring;
our ability to forecast our financial and operational performance;
our relationship with key industry participants, including car dealers and automobile manufacturers;
anticipated trends, demand rates and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate;
our ability to successfully roll out our TrueCar+ offering and other new offerings, provide a compelling value proposition to consumers using such offerings and integrate our current and future offerings into such experiences;
our ability to anticipate market needs and develop new and enhanced products and services to meet those needs and to successfully monetize those products and services;
maintaining and expanding our customer base in key geographies, including our ability to maintain or increase the number of high-volume brand dealers in our network generally and in key geographies;
the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our business;
our ability to mitigate the financial effect of the termination of our partnership with USAA Federal Savings Bank in 2020;
our ability to maintain and grow our existing additional affinity partner relationships, and to attract new affinity partners to offer our services to their members;
our reliance on our third-party service providers; 
the impact of competition in our industry and innovation by our competitors; 
our anticipated growth and growth strategies, including our ability to maintain or increase close rates and the rate at which site visitors prospect with a TrueCar certified dealer; 
our ability to successfully maintain or increase dealer subscription rates and manage dealer churn;
our ability to attract significant automobile manufacturers to participate, and remain participants, in our incentive programs;
our ability to anticipate or adapt to future changes in our industry;  
the impact on our business of seasonality, cyclical trends affecting the overall economy and actual or threatened severe weather events or public health events; 
our ability to hire and retain necessary qualified employees; 
our continuing ability to provide customers access to our products; 
our ability to maintain and scale our technical infrastructure and leverage our technology platform to enhance our customer experience and launch new product offerings;
the evolution of technology affecting our products, services and markets; 
our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; 
the outcome, and effect on our business, of litigation to which we are a party, including our ability to settle any such litigation; 
our ability to navigate changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including supply shortages, such as of automotive semiconductors, changes in interest rates, consumer demand and import tariffs;
our ability to stay abreast of, and in compliance with, new or modified laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to our business, including newly-enacted and rapidly-changing privacy, data protection and net neutrality laws and regulations and changes in applicable tax laws and regulations; 
the continued expense and administrative workload associated with being a public company; 
our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls necessary to accurately report our financial results and prevent fraud; 
1


our liquidity and working capital requirements;
the estimates and estimate methodologies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements;
the future trading prices of our common stock and the impact of securities analysts’ reports on these prices;
our plans to pursue acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other similar transactions;
our ability to use the proceeds of the ALG divestiture in a manner that maximizes shareholder value;
the extent to which we repurchase our common stock under our share repurchase plan and the effect of these repurchases on long-term stockholder value, the volatility and trading price of our common stock and our cash reserves;
our ability to effectively and timely integrate our operations with those of any business we acquire, including Digital Motors, and related factors, including the difficulties associated with such integration (such as the difficulties, challenges and costs associated with managing and integrating new facilities, assets and employees) and the achievement of the anticipated benefits of such integration;
the timing and amount of contingent payments to and from us, including in connection with the ALG divestiture and our acquisition of Digital Motors;
the preceding and other factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in other reports we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time; and
the factors set forth in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss these risks in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
2



SUMMARY OF RISKS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” later in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Actions that we have taken in the past and may take in the future to restructure our business in alignment with our strategic priorities may not be as effective as anticipated.
Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including recent low automobile inventory supply levels, which have adversely impacted our business, results of operations and prospects.
If our lead quality or quantity declines, our unit volume could as well, and dealers could leave our network or insist on lower subscription rates, which could reduce our revenue and harm our business.
If we are not successful in rolling out new offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers using these offerings, integrating our current and future offerings into such experiences or monetizing them, our business and prospects could be adversely affected.
The growth of our business relies significantly on our ability to maintain and increase the revenues that we derive from dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. Failure to do so would harm our financial performance.
The loss of a critical mass of dealers, either nationally or in any given geographic area, could deprive us of the data we need to provide certain of our key features, our inventory supply and certain key elements of our functionality, any of which would negatively affect our business.
We may not be able to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users, which could cause the number of transactions between our users and dealers, and therefore our revenues, to decline.
Economic and other conditions that impact consumer demand for automobiles, including interest rates, inflation, fuel prices and the impacts of public health events, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The failure to attract manufacturers to participate in our incentive programs, or to induce them to remain participants in those programs, could reduce our growth or adversely affect our operating results.
Our cash and cash equivalents could be adversely affected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash and cash equivalents fail.
The loss of a significant affinity partner, such as the termination of our partnership with USAA Federal Savings Bank in 2020, or a significant reduction in units attributable to our affinity partners would reduce our revenue and harm our operating results.
If key industry participants, including car dealers or automobile manufacturers perceive us in a negative light or our relationships with them suffer harm, our ability to grow and our financial performance may be damaged.
Our business could be adversely affected by executive turnover and other transitions in our senior management team. An inability to navigate these transitions and attract, retain and integrate new management and other personnel could harm our business.
We rely on relationships with data providers and may experience interruptions in the data feeds they provide, which could adversely affect our current and future product offerings, including TrueCar+, to users and dealers as well as the timeliness of the information we provide, and which may impair our ability to attract or retain consumers and dealers and to timely invoice dealers and otherwise negatively affect our business.
We rely on Internet search engines to drive traffic to our website, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected.
The success of our business relies heavily on our marketing and branding efforts, especially with respect to the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications, as well as those efforts of the affinity group marketing partners whose websites we power, and these efforts may not be successful.
If consumers and dealers do not respond positively to our branding, our financial performance and our ability to grow unique visitor traffic and expand our dealer network could be negatively affected.
We are subject to a complex framework of regulations, many of which are unsettled, still developing and
3


contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model or otherwise harm our business.
We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.
We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our number of unique visitors, revenue and operating results fluctuate due to seasonality.
We may fail to meet our publicly announced guidance or other expectations about our business and future operating results, which could cause our stock price to decline.
4




TRUECAR, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
(Unaudited)
 September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Assets  
Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents (includes restricted cash of $2,205 and $0 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
$145,474 $175,518 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,001 and $1,073 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
14,046 13,786 
Prepaid expenses6,086 5,969 
Other current assets1,775 2,562 
Total current assets167,381 197,835 
Property and equipment, net19,535 18,902 
Operating lease right-of-use assets11,247 16,940 
Intangible assets, net9,978 13,969 
Other assets3,801 3,881 
Total assets$211,942 $251,527 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity  
Current liabilities  
Accounts payable$9,956 $8,655 
Accrued employee expenses7,969 7,378 
Operating lease liabilities, current5,282 4,514 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities10,455 10,232 
Total current liabilities33,662 30,779 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion14,559 18,500 
Other liabilities3,847 4,981 
Total liabilities52,068 54,260 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Stockholders’ Equity  
Preferred stock — $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
  
Common stock — $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; 90,542,616 and 88,439,088 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
9 9 
Additional paid-in capital720,261 709,790 
Accumulated deficit(560,396)(512,532)
Total stockholders’ equity159,874 $197,267 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$211,942 $251,527 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5


TRUECAR, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below)3,813 3,880 11,590 12,643 
Sales and marketing 23,153 25,130 77,099 78,535 
Technology and development9,341 12,742 35,349 34,377 
General and administrative9,525 11,364 33,099 34,025 
Depreciation and amortization4,894 4,284 13,176 11,729 
Goodwill impairment 59,775  59,775 
Total costs and operating expenses50,726 117,175 170,313 231,084 
Loss from operations(9,580)(78,123)(52,894)(106,224)
Interest income1,706 879 5,044 1,185 
Gain from equity method investment   1,845 
Loss before income taxes(7,874)(77,244)(47,850)(103,194)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes1 (131)14 (2,648)
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)(47,864)(100,546)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted$(0.09)$(0.85)(0.54)(1.09)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508 
Other comprehensive loss:
  
Comprehensive loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6


TRUECAR, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands except share data)
(Unaudited) 


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 Common Stock Accumulated
Deficit
Stockholders’
Equity
 SharesAmountAPIC
Balance at December 31, 202288,439,088 $9 $709,790 $(512,532)$197,267 
Net loss— — — (19,565)(19,565)
Stock-based compensation— — 4,930 — 4,930 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes622,680 — (1,006)— (1,006)
Balance at March 31, 202389,061,768 $9 $713,714 $(532,097)$181,626 
Net loss— — — (20,424)(20,424)
Stock-based compensation— — 4,116 — 4,116 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes903,574 — (1,009)— (1,009)
Balance at June 30, 202389,965,342 $9 $716,821 $(552,521)$164,309 
Net loss— $— — (7,875)(7,875)
Stock-based compensation— $— 3,477 — 3,477 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes577,274 $— (37)— (37)
Balance at September 30, 202390,542,616 $9 $720,261 $(560,396)$159,874 



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.























7



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
 Common Stock Accumulated
Deficit
Stockholders’
Equity
 SharesAmountAPIC
Balance at December 31, 202196,213,243 $10 $723,623 $(393,847)$329,786 
Net loss— — — (12,414)(12,414)
Repurchase of common stock(3,107,370)— (11,028)— (11,028)
Stock-based compensation— — 3,744 — 3,744 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes481,122 — (861)— (861)
Balance at March 31, 202293,586,995 $10 $715,478 $(406,261)$309,227 
Net loss— — — (11,019)(11,019)
Repurchase of common stock(3,731,415)— (14,075)— (14,075)
Stock-based compensation— — 4,777 — 4,777 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes654,005 — (849)— (849)
Balance at June 30, 202290,509,585 $10 $705,331 $(417,280)$288,061 
Net loss— $— $— $(77,113)$(77,113)
Repurchase of common stock— $— $— $— $— 
Stock-based compensation— $— $5,437 $— $5,437 
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes447,000 $— $(535)$— $(535)
Balance at September 30, 202290,956,585 $10 $710,233 $(494,393)$215,850 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
8


TRUECAR, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20232022
Cash flows from operating activities  
Net loss$(47,864)$(100,546)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization13,176 11,729 
Goodwill impairment 59,775 
Deferred income taxes (2,661)
Bad debt expense and other reserves465 421 
Stock-based compensation11,872 13,174 
Increase in the fair value of contingent consideration liability771 179 
Amortization of lease right-of-use assets2,350 3,031 
Gain from equity method investment (1,845)
Impairment of right-of-use assets 2,376  
Other noncash expense (gain)382 (14)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(725)3,250 
Prepaid expenses and other assets1,471 (1,741)
Accounts payable1,254 (2,538)
Accrued employee expenses742 1,978 
Operating lease liabilities(3,173)(4,036)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities245 (368)
Other liabilities43  
Net cash used in operating activities(16,615)(20,212)
Cash flows from investing activities  
Purchase of property and equipment(9,469)(8,332)
Cash from sale of equity method investment 15,745 
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired (12,093)
Net cash used in investing activities(9,469)(4,680)
Cash flows from financing activities  
Payment of contingent consideration liability(1,908) 
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options502 179 
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(2,554)(2,422)
Payments for the repurchase of common stock (25,103)
Net cash used in financing activities(3,960)(27,346)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(30,044)(52,238)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period175,518 245,217 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$145,474 $192,979 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
9


TRUECAR, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
20232022
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
Stock-based compensation capitalized for software development$651 $784 
Capitalized assets included in accounts payable, accrued employee expenses and other accrued expenses
1,009 1,198 
Changes in right-of-use assets for operating lease obligations136 3,047 
Changes in lease liabilities for operating lease obligations136 3,636 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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TRUECAR, INC. 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.    Organization and Nature of Business
TrueCar, Inc. is an Internet-based information, technology, and communication services company. Hereinafter, TrueCar, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc., Digital Motors Corporation, and TrueCar Wholesale Solutions, Inc. are collectively referred to as “TrueCar” or the “Company”; TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc. is referred to as “TCDS,” Digital Motors Corporation is referred to as “Digital Motors,” and TrueCar Wholesale Solutions, Inc. is referred to as “TCWS.” TrueCar was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2005 and began business operations in April 2005. Its principal corporate offices are located in Santa Monica, California.
TrueCar is a digital automotive marketplace that (i) provides pricing transparency about what other people paid for their cars and enables consumers to engage with TrueCar Certified Dealers who are committed to providing a superior purchase experience; (ii) empowers Certified Dealers to attract these informed, in-market consumers in a cost-effective, accountable manner; and (iii) allows automobile manufacturers (“OEMs”) to more effectively target their incentive spending at deep-in-market consumers during their purchase process. TrueCar has established a diverse software ecosystem on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Consumers access TrueCar’s platform through the TrueCar.com website and TrueCar mobile applications or through the car buying websites and mobile applications that TrueCar operates for its affinity group marketing partners (“Auto Buying Programs”). An affinity group is comprised of a network of members or employees that provides discounts to its members.
Through its subsidiary, TCDS, the Company provides its Trade and Payments solutions. TCDS also supports the Company’s Sell Your Car product. The Sell Your Car and Trade solutions give consumers information on the value of the vehicle they wish to sell or trade-in and enables them to obtain a guaranteed trade-in price before setting foot in the dealership. This valuation is, in turn, backed by a guarantee to dealers that the vehicles will be repurchased at the indicated price if the dealer does not want to keep them. The Company’s Payments solution helps consumers calculate accurate monthly payments.

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10-1 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, some information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueCar and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Business acquisitions are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The Company’s purchase accounting results in all assets and liabilities of acquired businesses being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
11


during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Assets and liabilities that are subject to judgment and use of estimates include sales allowances and allowances for doubtful accounts, contract assets, the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, the recoverability and related impairment of long-lived assets, valuation allowances with respect to deferred tax assets, useful lives associated with property and equipment and intangible assets, measurement of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, contingencies, and the valuation and assumptions underlying stock-based compensation awards. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company engaged valuation specialists to assist with management’s determination of the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations and performance-based stock units.
Segments
The Company has one operating segment. The Company has gone through various organizational changes in the current year, including the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) on June 15, 2023 and the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) on February 16, 2023, who was subsequently terminated on September 23, 2023, with such termination effective on October 2, 2023. On September 23, 2023 the Company appointed a new CFO, with such appointment effective on October 30, 2023. As a result of these organizational changes, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the "CODM") was comprised of the President and CEO and the CFO and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") from January 1, 2023 through February 15, 2023; the President and CEO, the COO, and the CFO from February 16, 2023 through June 14, 2023; and the President and CEO and the CFO from June 15, 2023 through September 30, 2023; who jointly managed the Company’s operations based on consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources.
The CODM reviews financial information on a consolidated basis, accompanied by information about dealer revenue, OEM incentive revenue, and other revenue (Note 10). All of the Company’s principal operations, decision-making functions and assets are located in the United States.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents included $2.2 million of restricted cash that is used to collateralize a letter of credit to secure certain of the Company’s obligations under one of its office leases.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and specific circumstances that make it likely that recovery will not occur. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts periodically and assesses the aging of account balances, with an emphasis on those that are past due over ninety days. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company determines that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.
The Company considers the need to adjust historical information to reflect the extent to which the Company expects current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. The primary current and future economic indicators that the Company uses to develop its current estimate of expected credit losses include the current and forecast U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Company calculates the expected credit losses on a pool basis for those trade receivables that have similar risk characteristics. For those trade receivables that do not share similar risk characteristics, the allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated on an individual basis. Risk characteristics relevant to the Company’s accounts receivable include revenue billing model and aging status.
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The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
Allowances, at beginning of period$1,172 $1,605 $1,073 $3,099 
Charged as a reduction of revenue585 601 2,081 2,070 
Charged to bad debt expense in general and administrative expenses125 243 465 421 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(881)(1,185)(2,618)(4,326)
Allowances, at end of period$1,001 $1,264 $1,001 $1,264 
The Company’s assessment considered business and market disruptions impacting its customers and estimates of expected emerging credit and collectability trends. The continued volatility in market conditions and interest rates and the impact of ongoing supply chain disruptions are difficult to predict, causing variability and volatility that may have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for credit losses in future periods.

3.    Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accounting standards describe a fair value hierarchy based on the following three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, liabilities, or funds.
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.
The Company recorded a contingent consideration liability upon the acquisition of Digital Motors in 2022. The contingent consideration is measured at fair value and is based on significant inputs not observable in the market which include the probability of achieving certain future targets. This represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair-value hierarchy. The valuation of contingent consideration uses assumptions the Company believes a market participant would make. The Company assesses these estimates on an ongoing basis as it obtains additional data impacting the assumptions. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to updated assumptions and estimates are recognized within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. During the second quarter of 2023 the Company amended the purchase agreement in connection with its Restructuring Plan (Note 5) such that the future targets were considered 100% achieved, and as a result, there were no significant unobservable inputs used to measure the contingent considerations liability as of September 30, 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $1.8 million from changes in fair value of a derivative asset recognized from the sale of its equity method investment in Accu-Trade.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 by level within the fair value hierarchy. The current and non-current portions of contingent consideration reside within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities”, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022
  Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents$124,477 $ $ $124,477 $57,518 $ $ $57,518 
Total assets$124,477 $ $ $124,477 $57,518 $ $ $57,518 
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022

 Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration, current$ $ $1,932 $1,932 $ $ $1,983 $1,983 
Contingent consideration, non-current  3,500 3,500   4,678 4,678 
Total liabilities$ $ $5,432 $5,432 $ $ $6,661 $6,661 
Contingent Consideration Obligations
The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation related to the Company’s acquisition of Digital Motors (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Fair value, beginning of period$5,316 $6,661 
Cash payments (2,000)
Changes in fair value116 771 
Fair value, end of period$5,432 $5,432 


4.    Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Computer equipment and internally developed software$85,657 $88,638 
Furniture and fixtures2,457 3,013 
Leasehold improvements11,740 11,740 
 99,854 103,391 
Less: Accumulated depreciation(80,319)(84,489)
Total property and equipment, net$19,535 $18,902 
Included in the table above are property and equipment of $1.3 million and $1.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are capitalizable but had not yet been placed in service. These balances were comprised primarily of capitalized software not ready for its intended use.
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Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $3.3 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $9.2 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $2.8 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $8.4 million and $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company disposed of or retired certain computer equipment, internally developed software and furniture and fixtures with an original cost basis of $13.3 million and accumulated depreciation of $12.9 million. The remaining net book value of $0.4 million was recorded as depreciation and amortization expense.

5.    Commitments and Contingencies
Reorganization
In June 2023, the Company committed to a restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”) in furtherance of its efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency, preserve profitability and streamline its organizational structure to better align operations with its long-term commitment to providing an enhanced consumer experience. The Company recorded restructuring costs of approximately $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 in connection with the Restructuring Plan. Of the total, the Company recorded $0.2 million in cost of revenue, $2.2 million in sales and marketing, $2.7 million in technology and development and $2.0 million in general and administrative expenses within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The majority of the liability for the restructuring costs was paid as of September 30, 2023. The Company does not expect to incur significant additional charges in future periods related to the Restructuring Plan.
The following table presents a roll forward of the Restructuring Plan costs liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
Restructuring Costs Liability
Accrual at December 31, 2022$ 
Expense7,141 
Cash Payments(6,005)
Accrual at September 30, 2023$1,136 
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into employment contracts with certain executives of the Company. Employment under these contracts is at-will employment. However, under the provisions of the contracts, the Company would incur severance obligations of up to twelve months of the executive’s annual base salary for certain events such as involuntary terminations.
Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnities of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, investors, directors, officers, employees and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or
15


intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. While the Company’s future obligations under certain of these agreements may contain limitations on liability for indemnification, other agreements do not contain such limitations and under such agreements it is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by the Company under such indemnities have not had a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, the Company does not believe that any amounts that it may be required to pay under these indemnities in the future will be material to the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. 

6.    Stock-based Awards
Stock Options
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:
 Number of
Options
Weighted-Average Exercise PriceWeighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   (in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 20225,114,490 $9.50 4.7
Granted   
Exercised(212,867)2.36  
Forfeited/expired(2,507,929)9.30  
Outstanding at September 30, 20232,393,694 $10.35 3.1
At September 30, 2023, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested stock option awards was $0.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Activity in connection with restricted stock units is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
 Number of
Shares
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested — December 31, 202210,007,869 $4.04 
Granted6,541,317 2.45 
Vested(2,927,643)3.64 
Forfeited(4,184,764)3.35 
Non-vested — September 30, 20239,436,779 $3.37 
At September 30, 2023, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock units was $21.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $3.1 million and $4.8 million in stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $11.0 million and $12.1 million in stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units, respectively.
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Stock-based Compensation Cost
The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options and restricted stock units in the following categories on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Cost of revenue$44 $51 $148 $134 
Sales and marketing493 1,219 3,215 3,627 
Technology and development1,031 1,126 3,028 3,082 
General and administrative1,705 2,793 5,481 6,331 
Total stock-based compensation expense3,273 5,189 11,872 13,174 
Amount capitalized to internal software use204 248 651 784 
Total stock-based compensation cost$3,477 $5,437 $12,523 $13,958 

7.    Income Taxes
In determining quarterly provisions for income taxes, the Company uses the annual estimated effective tax rate applied to the actual year-to-date loss, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. The Company’s annual estimated effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily as a result of state taxes and changes in the Company’s valuation allowance.
The Company recorded income tax expense of less than $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded income tax expense of less than $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $2.6 million, respectively. The Company’s provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflects state income tax expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s income tax benefit primarily reflects the discrete impact for reduction of indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities resulting from the impairment of book goodwill. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s income tax benefit primarily reflects the release of valuation allowance resulting from net deferred tax liabilities recorded in Digital Motors acquisition accounting providing a source of income in assessing realization of the Company’s consolidated net deferred tax assets. The Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance as it is more likely than not that the Company’s net deferred tax assets will not be realized.
There were no material changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the Company does not expect to have significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits through the end of the fiscal year.
The Company is subject to United States federal and state taxation. Due to the presence of net operating loss carryforwards, all income tax years remain open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS’) and various state taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under IRS or state tax examination.

8.    Net Loss Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508 
Net loss per share, basic and diluted$(0.09)$(0.85)$(0.54)$(1.09)
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The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share at September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30,
 20232022
Options to purchase common stock2,394 5,203 
Non-vested restricted stock unit awards9,437 10,452 
Total shares excluded from net loss per share11,831 15,655 
Share Repurchase Program
In July 2020, the Company’s board of directors authorized an open market stock repurchase program (the “Program”) of up to $75 million to allow for the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock through September 30, 2022. In May 2021, the Company’s board of directors increased the authorization of the Program by an additional $75 million, bringing the total authorization to $150 million. In July 2022, the Company’s board of directors extended the expiration of the Program until September 30, 2024. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by Company management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Repurchases of the Company’s common stock may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit common stock to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws, open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not obligate the Company to purchase any minimum number of shares. The Company had no share repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had a remaining authorization of $45.8 million for future share repurchases.
9.    Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Accu-Trade
On March 1, 2022, the Company sold its 20% ownership interests in Accu-Trade at the investment’s carrying value and no longer considers Accu-Trade a related party after the sale. The Company recognized contra-revenue of $0.1 million and cost of revenue of $1.1 million for the two months ended March 1, 2022 related to a software and data licensing agreement that was terminated as part of the sale. No amounts were due to Accu-Trade at September 30, 2023 or at December 31, 2022.

10.    Revenue Information
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates revenue into three revenue streams: dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and other revenue. The following table presents the Company’s revenue categories during the periods presented (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Dealer revenue$36,068 $37,722 $107,553 $120,713 
OEM incentives revenue4,944 1,189 9,490 3,613 
Other revenue134 141 376 534 
Total revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
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Contract Balances
The Company’s contract asset balance for estimated variable consideration to be received upon the occurrence of subsequent vehicle sales is included within other current assets and is distinguished from accounts receivable in that these amounts are conditional upon subsequent sales and not only upon the passage of time. Substantially all of the contract asset balances of $0.9 million at December 31, 2022 were transferred to accounts receivable during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as vehicle sales occurred, with no significant changes in the estimate. A contract asset of $1.0 million and $0.9 million was recorded as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, for leads delivered where consideration to be received was still conditional upon subsequent vehicle sales.
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Item 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 1 “Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
TrueCar is a leading automotive digital marketplace that enables car buyers to connect to our network of Certified Dealers. We are building the industry’s most personalized and efficient car buying experience as we seek to bring more of the purchasing process online.
We have established a diverse software ecosystem on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Our company-branded platform is available on our TrueCar website and mobile applications. In addition, we customize and operate our platform on a co-branded basis for our many affinity group marketing partners, including financial institutions such as Navy Federal, PenFed and American Express; membership-based organizations such as Consumer Reports, AARP, Sam’s Club, and AAA; and employee buying programs for large enterprises such as IBM and Walmart. We enable users to obtain market-based pricing data on new and used cars, and to connect with our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. We also allow automobile manufacturers, known in the industry as OEMs, to connect with TrueCar users during the purchase process and efficiently deliver targeted incentives to consumers.
We benefit consumers by providing information related to what others have paid for a make, model and trim of car in their area and price offers on actual vehicle inventory, which we refer to as VIN-based offers, from our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. VIN-based offers provide consumers with price offers for specific vehicles from specific dealers. We benefit our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers by enabling them to attract these informed, in-market consumers in a cost-effective, accountable manner, which we believe helps them to sell more cars profitably. We benefit OEMs by allowing them to more effectively target their incentive spending at deep-in-market consumers during their purchase process.
Our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers consists primarily of new car franchises, representing all major makes of cars, as well as independent dealers selling used vehicles. TrueCar Certified Dealers operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Our subsidiary, TCDS, provides our Trade and Payments solutions. TCDS also supports our Sell Your Car product. Our Sell Your Car and Trade solutions give consumers information on the value of the vehicle they wish to sell or trade-in and enables them to obtain a guaranteed price before setting foot in the dealership. This valuation is, in turn, backed by a third-party guarantee to dealers that the vehicles will be repurchased at the indicated price if the dealer does not want to keep them. Our Payments solution leverages the digital retailing technology from our DealerScience acquisition to help consumers calculate accurate monthly payments.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we generated revenues of $41.1 million and recorded a loss of $7.9 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we generated revenues of $39.1 million and recorded a loss of $77.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we generated revenues of $117.4 million and recorded a loss of $47.9 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we generated revenues of $124.9 million and recorded a loss of $100.5 million.

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Market Environment
The larger macroeconomic environment has resulted and will continue to result in significant economic disruptions to the Company’s business. Economic uncertainty, resulting in part from the coronavirus pandemic, limited new vehicle inventories, rising vehicle costs and the automotive chip shortage, have affected our business, operations and financial results as reflected in the decline in revenues experienced in previous quarters, while we experienced an increase in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2023, and we may not sustain such increases and may experience negative effects on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in the future due to numerous uncertainties. OEMs have been forced to cut production because of supply-chain disruption and the global automotive semiconductor chip shortage. The ensuing automobile inventory shortage resulted in significant unmet demand, with automotive dealers seeing some incoming new car shipments presold. At the same time, wider economic inflation has led to the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, which along with the expectation that interest rates will remain high for the foreseeable future will continue to impact the U.S. economy. Domestically, consumers are concerned about inflation and while employment remains strong, a possible recession stemming from tighter monetary policy is also negatively weighing on consumer sentiment and spending. The resumption of student loan payments and higher interest rates could also reduce consumer demand. Dealers may also respond to higher interest rates by reducing the amount of inventory purchased due to higher financing costs. Inventory shortages along with pressure on consumer demand may impact the decision of our current network of Certified Dealers and OEMs to cancel or pause our services and product offerings and could discourage new dealers and OEMs from joining our network. Refer to Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional disclosures of risks related to the macroeconomic climate, the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the global automotive semiconductor chip shortage, and interest rates.
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Key Metrics
We regularly review a number of key metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make operating and strategic decisions.
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Average Monthly Unique Visitors8,058,367 7,600,847 8,349,586 7,358,008 
Units (1)82,851 82,206 241,965 263,918 
Monetization$495 $473 $484 $471 
Franchise Dealer Count8,097 7,776 8,097 7,776 
Independent Dealer Count3,406 4,196 3,406 4,196 
(1)We issued full credits of the amount originally invoiced with respect to 1,044 units and 1,702 units during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We issued full credits of the amount originally invoiced with respect to 3,480 units and 6,309 units during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The number of units has not been adjusted downward related to units credited as discussed in the description of the unit metric below.
Average Monthly Unique Visitors
We define a monthly unique visitor as an individual who has visited our website, our landing page on our affinity group marketing partner sites, or our mobile applications within a calendar month. We identify unique visitors through cookies for browser-based visits on either a desktop computer or mobile device and through device IDs for mobile application visits. In addition, if a TrueCar.com user logs in, we supplement their identification with their log-in credentials to attempt to avoid double counting on TrueCar.com across devices, browsers and mobile applications. If an individual accesses our service using different devices or different browsers on the same device within a given month, the first access through each such device or browser is counted as a separate monthly unique visitor, except where adjusted based upon TrueCar.com log-in information. We calculate average monthly unique visitors as the sum of the monthly unique visitors in a given period, divided by the number of months in the period. We view our average monthly unique visitors as a key indicator of the growth in our business and audience reach, the strength of our brand, and the visibility of car-buying services to the member base of our affinity group marketing partners.
The number of average monthly unique visitors increased 6.0% to approximately 8.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 from approximately 7.6 million in the same period of 2022. The number of average monthly unique visitors increased 13.5% to approximately 8.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from approximately 7.4 million in the same period of 2022 as we continue to optimize the efficiency of our acquisition spend.
Units
We define units as the number of automobiles purchased from TrueCar Certified Dealers that are matched to users of TrueCar.com, our TrueCar-branded mobile applications or the car-buying sites and mobile applications we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. A unit is counted after we have matched the sale to a TrueCar user with a TrueCar Certified Dealer. We view units as a key indicator of the health of our business, the effectiveness of our product and the size and geographic coverage of our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers.
On occasion, we issue credits to our TrueCar Certified Dealers with respect to units sold. However, we do not adjust our unit metric for these credits as we believe that in most cases a vehicle has in fact been purchased through our platform given the high degree of accuracy of our sales matching process. Credits are most frequently issued to a dealer that claims that it had a pre-existing relationship with a purchaser of a vehicle, and we determine whether we will issue a credit based on a number of factors, including the facts and circumstances related to the dealer claim and the level of claim activity at the dealership. In most cases, we issue credits in order to maintain strong business relations with the dealer and not because we have made an erroneous sales match or billing error.
The number of units increased 0.8% to 82,851 units in the three months ended September 30, 2023 from 82,206 units in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The number of units decreased 8.3% to 241,965 units in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from 263,918 units in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The unit decrease is primarily due to pressure on our conversion rates brought on by continuing elevated vehicle prices despite modest declines in the same, rising interest rates, and lingering constraints on dealer inventory.
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Monetization
We define monetization as the average transaction revenue per unit, which we calculate by dividing all of our transaction revenue (dealer revenue and OEM incentives revenue) in a given period by the number of units in that period. Our monetization increased to $495 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $473 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Our monetization increased to $484 for nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $471 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher OEM incentives revenue.
Franchise Dealer Count
We define franchise dealer count as the number of franchise dealers in the network of TrueCar Certified Dealers at the end of a given period. This number is calculated by counting the number of brands of new cars sold at each individual location, or rooftop, regardless of the size of the dealership that owns the rooftop. The network is comprised of dealers with a range of unit sales volume per dealer, with dealers representing certain brands consistently achieving higher than average unit sales volume. We view our ability to increase our franchise dealer count, particularly dealers representing high volume brands, as an indicator of our market penetration and the likelihood of converting users of our platform into unit sales. Our TrueCar Certified Dealer network includes independent non-franchised dealers that primarily sell used cars and are not included in franchise dealer count.
Our franchise dealer count was 8,097 at September 30, 2023, an increase from 7,776 at September 30, 2022 and 7,924 at December 31, 2022. The increase in franchise dealer count is primarily due to the increase in new vehicle inventory, resulting in franchise dealers beginning to increase their spending on marketing.
Independent Dealer Count
We define independent dealer count as the number of dealers in the network of TrueCar Certified Dealers at the end of a given period that exclusively sell used vehicles. This number is calculated by counting each location, or rooftop, individually, regardless of the size of the dealership that owns the rooftop. Our independent dealer count was 3,406 at September 30, 2023, a decrease from 4,196 at September 30, 2022, and a decrease from 4,148 at December 31, 2022. The decrease in independent dealer count is primarily due to certain of our independent dealers being acquired in recent industry consolidations or going out of business as higher interest rates on dealer floor plans have put pressure on dealers along with price volatility.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted to exclude interest income, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, gain from equity method investment, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liability, lease exit costs, impairment of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, transaction costs, restructuring charges, goodwill impairment, and income taxes. We have provided below a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our Adjusted EBITDA measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations as they may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as we calculate this measure. 
We use Adjusted EBITDA as an operating performance measure as it is (i) an integral part of our reporting and planning processes; (ii) used by our management and board of directors to assess our operational performance, and together with operational objectives, as a measure in evaluating employee compensation and bonuses; and (iii) used by our management to make financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operating investments. We believe that using Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis because it excludes variations primarily caused by changes in the excluded items noted above. In addition, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts, rating agencies and other parties in evaluating companies as measures of financial performance and debt service capabilities.
Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the receipt of interest or the payment of income taxes; 
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; 
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditures or any other contractual commitments;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect lease exit costs or impairment charges on our ROU assets associated with subleasing;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the charges associated with the Restructuring Plan initiated and completed in the second quarter of 2023 to improve efficiency and reduce expenses or a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure initiated in the third quarter of 2023;
Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of shares issued or to be issued in connection with stock-based compensation; and
other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including our net loss, our other GAAP results, and various cash flow metrics. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA you should be aware that in the future we will incur expenses such as those that are the subject of adjustments in deriving Adjusted EBITDA, and you should not infer from our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA that our future results will not be affected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items.
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The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
 (in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:  
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)
Non-GAAP adjustments: 
Interest income(1,706)(879)(5,044)(1,185)
Depreciation and amortization4,894 4,284 13,176 11,729 
Stock-based compensation3,273 5,189 11,872 13,174 
Gain from equity method investment (1)— — — (1,845)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability116 179 771 179 
Lease exit costs (2)— — — 214 
Impairment of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets (3)323 — 2,376 — 
Transaction costs (4)— 29 — 1,200 
Restructuring charges (5)1,806 — 8,947 — 
Goodwill impairment (6)
— 59,775 — 59,775 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(131)14 (2,648)
Adjusted EBITDA$832 $(8,667)$(15,752)$(19,953)
(1)The excluded amounts include a $1.8 million gain from changes in fair value of a derivative asset recognized from the sale of our equity method investment in Accu-Trade in the first quarter of 2022.
(2)The excluded amount represents lease exit costs associated with certain of our existing office locations. We consider these charges to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion is appropriate to facilitate period-to-period operating performance comparisons.
(3)The excluded amount represents impairment charges on our ROU assets associated with certain of our existing office locations. We consider these charges to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion is appropriate to facilitate period-to-period operating performance comparisons.
(4)The excluded amounts represent external legal, accounting, consulting and other third-party fees and costs we incurred in connection with the Digital Motors acquisition, and $0.25 million associated with acceleration of unvested options to purchase shares of Digital Motors stock held by Digital Motors employees at the time of the acquisition that are accounted for as post-combination compensation expense. These expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. We consider these fees and costs, which are associated with merger and acquisition transactions outside the normal course of our operations, to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion provides investors with a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business operations.
(5)The excluded amounts represent charges associated with the Restructuring Plan undertaken in the second quarter of 2023 to improve efficiency and reduce expenses and charges associated with the realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023. We consider these charges to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion is appropriate to facilitate period-to-period operating performance comparisons.
(6)The excluded amounts represent a non-cash impairment charge we recognized on our goodwill during the third quarter of 2022.

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Components of Operating Results 
Revenues
Our revenues are comprised primarily of dealer revenue and OEM incentives revenue. We recognize transaction revenue for certain of our Auto Buying Program and OEM incentives arrangements at the time introductions and incentives are delivered based upon expected subsequent vehicle sales between the Auto Buying Program user and the dealer.
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of Revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenue includes expenses related to the fulfillment of our services, consisting primarily of data costs and licensing fees paid to third-party service providers and expenses related to operating our website and mobile applications, including those associated with hosting fees, data processing costs required to deliver introductions to our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, employee costs related to certain dealer operations, and facilities costs. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization of software costs and other hosting and data infrastructure equipment used to operate our platforms, which are included in the depreciation and amortization line item on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of television, digital, and radio advertising; media production costs; affinity group partner marketing fees, which also include loan subvention costs where we pay certain affinity group marketing partners a portion of consumers’ borrowing costs for car loan products offered by these affinity group marketing partners; marketing sponsorship programs; and digital customer acquisition. In addition, sales and marketing expenses include employee-related expenses for sales, customer support, marketing and public relations employees, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses; third-party contractor fees; and facilities costs. Marketing and advertising costs promote our services and are expensed as incurred, except for media production costs, which are expensed the first time the advertisement is aired.
Technology and Development. Technology and development expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses; third-party contractor fees; facilities costs; software costs; and costs associated with our product development, product management, research and analytics, and internal IT functions.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses for executive, finance, accounting, legal, and human resources functions. General and administrative expenses also include legal, accounting, and other third-party professional service fees, bad debt, and facilities costs.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation consists primarily of depreciation expense recorded on property and equipment. Amortization expense consists primarily of amortization recorded on intangible assets, capitalized software costs and leasehold improvements.
Interest Income. Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes. We are subject to federal and state income taxes in the United States. We provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, as it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. As a result of the valuation allowance, our provision for income taxes is significantly less than the federal statutory rate of 21%.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our provision for income taxes reflects state income tax expense. Our benefit from income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily reflects the release of valuation allowance resulting from net deferred tax liabilities recorded in Digital Motors acquisition accounting providing a source of income in assessing realization of our consolidated net deferred tax assets.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated statements of operations data for each of the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 2023202220232022

(in thousands)
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:  
Revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
Costs and operating expenses: 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below)3,813 3,880 11,590 12,643 
Sales and marketing 23,153 25,130 77,099 78,535 
Technology and development9,341 12,742 35,349 34,377 
General and administrative9,525 11,364 33,099 34,025 
Depreciation and amortization4,894 4,284 13,176 11,729 
Goodwill impairment— 59,775 — 59,775 
Total costs and operating expenses50,726 117,175 170,313 231,084 
Loss from operations(9,580)(78,123)(52,894)(106,224)
Interest income1,706 879 5,044 1,185 
Gain from equity method investment— — — 1,845 
Loss before income taxes(7,874)(77,244)(47,850)(103,194)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(131)14 (2,648)
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)
Other Non-GAAP Financial Information:  
Adjusted EBITDA$832 $(8,667)$(15,752)$(19,953)
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Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
Revenues
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (in thousands)
Dealer revenue$36,068 $37,722 $107,553 $120,713 
OEM incentives revenue4,944 1,189 9,490 3,613 
Other revenue134 141 376 534 
Total revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. Total revenues increased $2.1 million, or 5.4%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was due to an increase in OEM incentives revenue due to the activation of new incentive programs and an increase in franchise dealer revenue. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in revenue from independent dealers, which experienced pressure from continuing elevated vehicle prices despite recent modest declines in the same and rising interest rates. Dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and Other revenue represented 87.7%, 12.0%, and 0.3%, respectively, of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to 96.6%, 3.0%, and 0.4%, respectively, for the same period in 2022.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. Total revenues decreased $7.4 million, or 6.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in Dealer revenue resulting from pressure brought on by continuing elevated vehicle prices despite recent modest declines in the same and rising interest rates. This decrease was partially offset by OEM incentives revenue due to the activation of new incentive programs. Dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and Other revenue represented 91.6%, 8.1%, and 0.3%, respectively, of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to 96.7%, 2.9%, and 0.4%, respectively, for the same period in 2022.
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of Revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (dollars in thousands)
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)$3,813 $3,880 $11,590 $12,643 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of revenues9.3 %9.9 %9.9 %10.1 %
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. Cost of revenue was relatively flat, decreasing $0.1 million, or 1.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022..
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. Cost of revenue decreased $1.1 million, or 8.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily due to a $1.1 million decrease in fees paid to Accu-Trade related to a software and data licensing agreement that was terminated as part of the sale of our equity method investment in Accu-Trade and a $0.8 million decrease in data licensing and hosting costs. The decrease was partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in employee-related expenses, including $0.2 million in charges associated with the June 2023 Restructuring Plan.
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Sales and Marketing Expenses
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (dollars in thousands)
Sales and marketing expenses$23,153 $25,130 $77,099 $78,535 
Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues56.3 %64.4 %65.7 %62.9 %
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. Sales and marketing expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 7.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 primarily due to a $2.9 million net decrease in recurring employee-related expenses due to decreased headcount and a $0.6 million decrease in branded media spend. The decrease was partially offset by $0.4 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023 and a $0.9 million increase in revenue share paid to our affinity marketing partners. Revenue share that we pay to our affinity marketing partners is tied to revenue and units and will fluctuate along with those results. We expect branded media spend to continue to fluctuate as continuing elevated vehicle prices despite recent modest declines in the same, rising interest rates, and lingering constraints on dealer inventory impact conversion rates and the efficiency of branded media spend. We expect to incur incremental branded media expenses to support further rollout of our TrueCar+ initiatives.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. Sales and marketing expenses decreased $1.4 million, or 1.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease primarily reflects a $4.4 million decrease in recurring employee-related expenses due to decreased headcount, a $0.7 million decrease in revenue share paid to our affinity marketing partners, and a $0.4 million decrease in facilities costs. The decrease was partially offset by $2.2 million in charges associated with the June 2023 Restructuring Plan, $0.4 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023, $0.4 million increase in travel and entertainment costs, a $0.4 million increase in professional services and a $0.4 million increase in branded media spend. We expect branded media spend to continue to fluctuate as continuing elevated vehicle prices despite recent declines in the same, rising interest rates, and lingering constraints on dealer inventory impact conversion rates and the efficiency of branded media spend. We expect to incur incremental branded media expenses to support further rollout of our TrueCar+ initiatives. Revenue share that we pay to our affinity marketing partners is tied to revenue and units and will fluctuate along with those results.
Technology and Development Expenses
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (dollars in thousands)
Technology and development expenses$9,341 $12,742 $35,349 $34,377 
Technology and development expenses as a percentage of revenues22.7 %32.6 %30.1 %27.5 %
Capitalized software costs$2,396 $2,936 $9,582 $8,732 
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. Technology and development expenses decreased $3.4 million, or 26.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 primarily due to a $3.0 million net decrease in recurring employee-related expenses and a $0.9 million decrease in professional services. The decrease was partially offset by $0.8 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023.
Capitalized software costs decreased by $0.5 million, primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in third-party software costs and a $0.2 million decrease in internal capitalized software costs.
We expect technology and development expenses to continue to be affected by variations in headcount.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. Technology and development expenses increased $1.0 million, or 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily due to $2.7 million in charges associated with the June 2023 Restructuring Plan
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and $0.8 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in professional services, a $0.7 million decrease in recurring employee-related expenses, and a $0.5 million decrease in facilities cost.
Capitalized software costs increased by $0.9 million, primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in internal capitalized software costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (dollars in thousands)
General and administrative expenses$9,525 $11,364 $33,099 $34,025 
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues23.1 %29.1 %28.2 %27.3 %
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. General and administrative expenses decreased $1.8 million, or 16.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease primarily reflects a $1.7 million decrease in recurring employee-related expenses and a $0.6 million decrease in professional services. The decrease was partially offset by $0.5 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023 and a $0.3 million impairment charge on our right-of-use asset associated with office leases recognized in the third quarter of 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. General and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 2.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease primarily reflects a $3.2 million decrease in recurring employee-related expenses, a $2.1 million decrease in professional services, including $1.0 million related to the Digital Motors transaction in the second quarter of 2022, a $0.4 million decrease in insurance premiums, and a $0.4 million decrease in ongoing facilities cost. The decrease was partially offset by $2.4 million of impairment charges on our right-of-use asset associated with office leases recognized in 2023, $2.0 million in charges associated with the Restructuring Plan undertaken in June 2023, and $0.5 million in charges associated with a realignment of the Company’s leadership structure in the third quarter of 2023 .
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization expenses$4,894 $4,284 $13,176 $11,729 
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to three months ended September 30, 2022. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $0.6 million, or 14.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. We expect our depreciation and amortization expenses to continue to be affected by the amount of capitalized internally developed software costs and the timing of placing projects in service.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2022. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $1.4 million, or 12.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase primarily reflects additional amortization on the acquired technology from the Digital Motors transaction.
Goodwill Impairment
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $59.8 million, which represents the amount that the carrying value of our single reporting unit was in excess of its estimated fair value at September 30, 2022.
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Gain from Equity Method Investment
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized a gain of $1.8 million from changes in fair value of a derivative asset recognized from the sale of our equity method investment in Accu-Trade. No gain or loss was recognized at the time of the sale as the fair value of the sales proceeds received including the initial fair value of the derivative asset was equal to the then carrying value of the investment.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2023202220232022
 (in thousands)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes$$(131)$14 $(2,648)
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, our provision for income taxes reflects state income tax expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, our benefit from income taxes primarily reflects the discrete impact for reduction of indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities resulting from the impairment of book goodwill. Our provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflects state income tax expense. Our benefit from income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily reflects the release of valuation allowance resulting from net deferred tax liabilities recorded in Digital Motors acquisition accounting providing a source of income in assessing realization of consolidated net deferred tax assets.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity were cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaling $145.5 million.
We have incurred cumulative losses of $560.4 million from our operations through September 30, 2023, and expect to incur additional losses in the future. We generate cash inflows from operations primarily from selling services to dealers participating in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, and cash outflows to enable our business operations, develop new services and core technologies that further enhance our online automotive marketplace, and fund repurchases of our common stock based on our evaluation of market conditions and other factors. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. However, our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our revenue levels, the timing and extent of our spending to support our technology and development efforts, costs related to potential acquisitions to further expand our business and product offerings, collection of accounts receivable, macroeconomic activity, and the length and severity of business disruptions resulting from the inventory constraints caused by the global automobile semiconductor chip shortage. To the extent that existing cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and cash from operations, are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all.
Share Repurchase Program
In the third quarter of 2020, our board of directors authorized an open market stock repurchase program (the “Program”) of up to $75 million to allow for the repurchase of shares of our common stock through September 30, 2022. In the second quarter of 2021, our board of directors increased the authorization of the Program by an additional $75 million, bringing the total authorization to $150 million. In the third quarter of 2022, our board of directors extended the Program’s expiration to September 30, 2024. The timing and amount of any repurchases is determined by us based on our evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Repurchases of our common stock may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit common stock to be repurchased when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws, open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not obligate us to purchase any minimum number of shares. The Company had no share repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had a remaining authorization of $45.8 million for future share repurchases.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes net cash derived from operating, investing, and financing activities:
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20232022
Consolidated Cash Flow Data:(in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities$(16,615)$(20,212)
Net cash used in investing activities(9,469)(4,680)
Net cash used in financing activities(3,960)(27,346)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$(30,044)$(52,238)
Operating Activities
Our net loss and cash flows used in operating activities are significantly influenced by our investments in headcount and infrastructure to support our growth and marketing, advertising, and sponsorship expenses. Our net loss has been significantly greater than cash used in operating activities due to the inclusion of non-cash expenses and charges.
Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $16.6 million. This was primarily due to our net loss of $47.9 million, adjusted for non-cash items such as, depreciation and amortization expense of $13.2 million, stock-based compensation expense of $11.9 million, amortization of lease right-of-use assets of $2.4 million, and impairment of right-of-use asset of $2.4 million. Net cash used in operations also reflected a decrease of $0.1 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, which primarily reflected a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $3.2 million and an increase in accounts receivable of $0.7 million. These decreases were offset by a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.5 million, an increase in accounts payable of $1.3 million, an increase in accrued employee expenses of $0.7 million, and an increase in accrued expenses of $0.2 million.
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Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $20.2 million. This was primarily due to our net loss of $100.5 million, adjusted for non-cash items, including goodwill impairment of $59.8 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $11.7 million, stock-based compensation expense of $13.2 million, amortization of lease right-of-use assets of $3.0 million, and a gain from equity method investment of $1.8 million. Net cash used in operations also reflected a decrease of $3.5 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, which primarily reflected a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $4.0 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.7 million, and a decrease in accounts payable of $2.5 million. These decreases were offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $3.3 million and an increase in accrued employee expenses of $2.0 million.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of capitalized software development costs.
Cash used in investing activities of $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of $12.1 million paid for our acquisition of Digital Motors and $8.3 million investments in software and computer hardware, offset by $15.7 million received from the sale of our equity method investment in Accu-Trade.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities of $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 represented a payment of $1.9 million for the first tranche of contingent cash consideration associated with our acquisition of Digital Motors and taxes paid of $2.6 million for the net share settlement of certain equity awards. These decreases were partially offset by proceeds received of $0.5 million from the exercise of employee stock options.
Cash used in financing activities of $27.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 represented payments of $25.1 million for the repurchase of shares of our common stock under our open market stock repurchase program and taxes paid of $2.4 million for the net share settlement of certain equity awards. These decreases were offset by proceeds received of $0.2 million from the exercise of employee stock options.
Contractual Obligations and Known Future Cash Requirements
Information related to the Company’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and expected cash requirements can be found in Note 4 and Note 11 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations and known future cash requirements since December 31, 2022.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgements, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Note 2 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Since December 31, 2022, there have been no material changes in our accounting policies that are impacted by judgements, assumptions and estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are no new accounting pronouncements not yet adopted or effective that are expected to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk represents the risk of loss that may affect our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. We do not believe that there is any material market risk exposure that would require disclosure under this item.
Interest Rate Risk
We had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $145.5 million at September 30, 2023, which consist entirely of bank deposits and short-term money market funds. Such interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. A hypothetical 25 basis points decrease in interest rates earned on our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance as of September 30, 2023 would result in a decrease in annual interest income of approximately $0.3 million.
We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure.
We believe that we do not have a material exposure to changes in fair value as a result of changes in interest rates.
Inflation Risk
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, if inflation leads to a significant decrease in consumer demand for vehicles, or if our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures and we are not able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases, inflation could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Historically, as our operations and sales have been primarily in the United States, we have not faced any significant foreign currency risk. If we plan for international expansion, our risks associated with fluctuation in currency rates will become greater, and we will continue to reassess our approach to managing this risk.
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Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level. 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Refer to the disclosure under the heading “Legal Proceedings” in Note 5 “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for legal proceedings. From time to time, we may be involved in various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of our business activities.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, and Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before making an investment in our common stock. If any of the following risks is realized, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not believed by us to be material could also impact us.
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Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Actions that we have taken and may take in the future to restructure our business in alignment with our strategic priorities may not be as effective as anticipated.
In June 2023, we announced a strategic restructuring, which we refer to as the Restructuring Plan. In connection with the Restructuring Plan, we reduced our workforce by approximately 24%. While the Restructuring Plan was designed to further our efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency, preserve profitability and streamline our organizational structure, we may encounter challenges in the execution of these efforts that could prevent us from recognizing the intended benefits of such efforts or otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As a result of this reduction in force, we have incurred and may continue to incur additional charges in the short term, including cash expenditures for severance costs, as well as non-cash expenditures related to vesting of stock-based compensation. These additional cash and non-cash expenditures could have the effect of reducing our operating margins. Our reduction in force may result in other unintended consequences, including employee attrition beyond our intended reduction in force, which may be further exacerbated by the actual or perceived declining value of our equity awards; damage to our corporate culture and decreased employee morale among our remaining employees, including as a result of reduced employee perks; diversion of management attention; damage to our reputation as an employer, which could make it more difficult for us to hire new employees in the future; and the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise of departing employees, as further described in the risk factor “An inability to retain, attract and integrate qualified personnel could harm our ability to develop and successfully grow our business.” If we experience any of these adverse consequences, our reduction in force and other restructuring efforts may not achieve or sustain their intended benefits, and any benefits, if achieved, may not be adequate to meet our long-term profitability and operational expectations, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, our reduction in force and other restructuring efforts could lead us to fail to meet, or cause delays in meeting, our operational and growth targets. While positions have been eliminated, functions that they performed remain necessary to our operations, and we may be unsuccessful in effectively and efficiently distributing the duties and obligations of departed employees among our remaining employees. The reduction in our workforce could also prevent us from pursuing new opportunities and initiatives or require us to adjust our growth strategy. If these factors lead us to fail to meet our operational and growth targets or to delays in meeting such targets, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
In addition, in connection with the Restructuring Plan, our former president and chief executive officer was terminated from his position and resigned from our board of directors, and our chief operating officer has been appointed as our new president and chief executive officer. Further, a number of executives, including our former senior vice president of partnerships, senior vice president of business development and senior vice president of Digital Motors, also departed in connection with the Restructuring Plan. In addition, in September 2023, we announced further leadership changes separate from the Restructuring Plan, including the hiring of a new chief financial officer and the replacement of our head of sales, and the creation of a new position, chief revenue officer. Our chief technology officer also departed in September 2023. As described in greater detail in the risk factor “Our business could be adversely affected by executive and other transitions in our senior management team or if any vacancies cannot be filled with qualified replacements in a timely manner,” executive leadership transition periods are often difficult as the new executives gain detailed knowledge of our operations, and friction can result from changes in strategy and management style. Executive management transitions, particularly at the principal executive officer level, inherently causes some loss of institutional knowledge, which can negatively affect strategy, execution and our ability to compete. In any event, changes in our organization as a result of executive management transition may have a disruptive impact on our ability to implement our strategy and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects.
As we continue to identify areas of cost savings and operating efficiencies, we may consider implementing further measures to reduce operating costs and improve operating margins. We may not be successful in implementing such initiatives, including as a result of factors beyond our control. If we are unable to realize the anticipated savings and efficiencies from our reductions in force, other potential restructuring efforts and future strategic initiatives, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.
Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other factors.
Our business is sensitive to adverse conditions affecting automobile dealers, manufacturers, their suppliers and the market for automobiles in the United States generally. For example, beginning in 2020 with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the automotive industry experienced, and may continue to experience, a decline in inventory supply. Despite improvements in inventory levels beginning in the latter half of 2022, industry-wide levels have not reached pre-
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pandemic levels and certain manufacturers have experienced slower recoveries in inventory levels than others, so we cannot guarantee that inventory supply will return to historic levels. These recent low inventory levels are attributable to a number of factors, including supply chain disruptions and shortages of critical parts, such as automotive semiconductor chips, fewer trade-ins from diminished vehicle sales, lease extensions on vehicles that would otherwise have been returned to dealerships, the closure of or restrictions on the operations of wholesale auctions limiting dealers’ ability to source stock and replenish inventory and increases in the costs that dealers incur when purchasing inventory as a result of macroeconomic factors such as rising interest rates and inflation. The limited supply of inventory also led to an increase in wholesale auction prices and the prices that dealers charge consumers for automobiles.
The reduced inventory and increased prices have had, and may continue to have, several negative effects on our business, including: a reduction in dealers’ willingness to participate in our network, at our standard rates or at all, and corresponding pressure on our dealer count and revenue; an increase in competition for dealers’ marketing spending and a limitation on the effectiveness of our advertising; a reduction in automobile manufacturers’ incentive spending and willingness to partner with us on incentives; an adverse effect on consumer satisfaction with the experience we provide due to unusually high vehicle sale prices; and an adverse impact on the amount of inventory available on our sites, which could contribute to a decline in the number of consumer visits to our sites and the number of connections between consumers and dealers through our platform and” disrupt our search-engine optimization efforts. We cannot predict when, if ever, these automobile inventory-related issues will be fully resolved, and until they are, they are likely to continue to adversely impact our business, results of operations and prospects.
Labor disputes, strikes or similar activities, whether impacting automobile manufacturers or their major suppliers, may have an adverse impact on our business if such disruptions result in reduced automobile inventory supply, an increase in the prices of automobiles or otherwise reduce the demand for new automobiles. For example, on September 15, 2023, the United Auto Workers labor union declared a simultaneous strike against Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis. While it appears that the United Auto Workers and these OEMs have reached a tentative settlement effectively ending the strike, it is not yet possible to determine the impact the strike will have on dealer inventories, the larger automotive ecosystem or on our business, and this labor activity may negatively affect our business and results.
In addition, our business may be negatively affected by challenges to the larger automotive ecosystem, including challenges arising from growth in car manufacturer subscription service offerings, automotive tariffs, natural disasters, pandemics and other macroeconomic issues. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Decreases in the quality or quantity of the leads we provide to dealers adversely affect our business and revenue by, among other things, decreasing our unit volume and causing some dealers on our network to lose faith in our value proposition and choose to leave our network or insist on lower subscription rates.
Our Auto Buying Program introduces consumers to TrueCar Certified Dealers, who either pay us a subscription fee or a fee per vehicle sold to our users introduced to them through our platform. The quality and quantity of these leads are important variables in the success of our business and depend on many factors, including the attractiveness of our car-buying experience, the efficiency of the algorithm that matches our users with TrueCar Certified Dealers and consumers’ loyalty to our brand or to that of the partner through which they were introduced to the Auto Buying Program, among others. When our lead quality or quantity declines, for example, in response to macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, inventory shortages or inflation, our unit volume declines, which results in lower revenues from pay-per-sale billing arrangements, as well as a greater difficulty in justifying our value proposition to dealers. Additionally, diminished lead quality or quantity often causes TrueCar Certified Dealers to be dissatisfied with our program, which makes it more likely that they choose to leave our network or insist on lower subscription rates.
Historically, some of our TrueCar Certified Dealers have expressed concern about our lead quality, and we first observed an increase in this concern in the first half of 2019. Further, in 2020, the wind-down and subsequent termination of our affinity partnership with USAA Federal Savings Bank, or USAA, adversely affected our overall lead quantity and lead quality. Additionally, during the first several months of the coronavirus pandemic, we noticed a substantial but temporary decrease in lead quantity, and since 2021, we continue to experience a material decline in lead quality. We believe that the lead quality challenges that we have experienced since 2021 are substantially related to the contemporaneous industry-wide automobile inventory shortages, which we discuss in greater detail in the risk factor “Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other issues.” We cannot predict how further developments will affect our lead quantity and quality, and negative developments in these metrics, like many others in the total value proposition that we provide to our TrueCar Certified Dealers, have adversely affected our revenues, results of operations and business and may continue to do so in the future.

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If we are not successful in rolling out new offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers and dealers using those offerings, integrating our current and future offerings into such experiences or appropriately monetizing them, our business and prospects would be adversely affected.
We believe that our effort to build out our end-to-end consumer car-buying experience, TrueCar+, is critical to the success of our business. Through this initiative, we integrate certain of our current product offerings along with other offerings designed to provide an end-to-end car-buying experience into one seamless experience.
For example, we have historically offered our Trade solution to our dealers through a commercial partnership with Accu-Trade. In March 2022, our original agreement with Accu-Trade was terminated and replaced with a new commercial agreement with the Accu-Trade business in connection with the acquisition of Accu-Trade by Cars.com Inc. Accu-Trade, as a subsidiary of Cars.com, supplied the valuation data we used in providing offers and guarantees for those offers to dealers subscribed to our Trade product until our commercial relationship with Accu-Trade ceased in May 2023 upon the termination of our commercial agreement. Although we have continued offering valuation data for our Trade and “Sell Your Car” products with the support of our affiliate, TCWS, instead of Accu-Trade, we cannot guarantee that consumers or dealers will consider our replacement product comparable to what we have historically provided through our partnership with Accu-Trade. If dealers believe that this change decreases the value our product offerings, our business may be adversely affected. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to operationalize and implement the replacement support of TCWS at scale. If we are unable to do so, the TrueCar+ offering and our business and prospects will be adversely affected. The anticipated business model of TCWS also introduces additional risk to our business, including risks arising from the requirement that TCWS comply with certain laws and regulations governing the operations of automobile dealers, as further described in the risk factor “We are subject to a complex framework of laws and regulations, including, among others, those concerning vehicle sales, advertising and brokering, many of which are unsettled, still developing and contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model or otherwise harm our business.” Further, certain anticipated aspects of TCWS’ business model involve TCWS acquiring used cars from consumers and holding such cars in inventory, but if TCWS is unable to efficiently liquidate such inventory or recognize gains from the sale thereof, our revenue, results and business may be adversely affected.
Also, since 2020, we have introduced a number of other products to help streamline consumers’ car-buying experience. The first of these products allows consumers to connect with one of our insurance partners, from whom they may obtain car insurance. We also have partnered with financial institutions to, among other things, allow consumers to pre-qualify for a car loan, review their credit score to facilitate financing quotations and apply for credit from lenders. We have introduced, and intend to continue to introduce, additional other products to facilitate the implementation of our TrueCar+ offering. However, because these products are new and may be relatively untested, we may be unable to anticipate issues that arise following their introduction. This has resulted in our product development and rollout being an iterative process in which we may modify, pause or cease certain features or products, and we expect to continue this approach with future offerings. Consumers and dealers may view past or future alterations or removals of TrueCar+ features or products in a negative light, which could adversely affect the prospects of our TrueCar+ offering. For more information on potential risks to our reputation with dealers arising from these new products, refer to the risk factor “If key industry participants, including car dealers, affinity partners and automobile manufacturers, perceive us in a negative light or our relationships with them suffer harm, our ability to grow and our financial performance may be damaged.
Further, we completed the acquisition of Digital Motors Corporation in the second quarter of 2022. The acquisition was undertaken in part to allow us to pursue the integration of certain features of Digital Motors’ existing automotive retail and financial technology platform into our current and future product offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2022 we employed certain elements of Digital Motors’ credit application routing product to replace services that to that point had been supplied by a third-party vendor. However, we cannot guarantee that the benefits of any such integration will make TrueCar+ or any other offerings more attractive to dealers and consumers or that we will be able to successfully integrate any technology developed by Digital Motors into our own platforms in all cases. For more information on potential risks related our acquisitions and similar transactions, refer to the risk factor “We have in the past undertaken and may in the future pursue acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other similar transactions, which could divert our managements attention, result in additional dilution to our stockholders and otherwise disrupt our operations and harm our operating results, and if we do not manage them successfully or if acquired entities or investments fail to perform as expected, our financial results, business and prospects could be harmed.
Our TrueCar+ offering was structured as a pilot program in the initial stages of its rollout and dealers were able to access the offering for free during that period. At the beginning of 2023, we began monetizing our TrueCar+ offering which resulted in some dealers choosing to end their access to the offering and could result in decreased rates of dealer participation in the future. If we are not successful in rolling out the paid TrueCar+ offering, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers and dealers using it, integrating our current and future offerings into that experience or appropriately monetizing it, our business, revenue, operating results and prospects would be adversely affected.
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Additionally in 2023, we announced our plans to develop more personalized and dynamic product experiences tailored to different consumer and dealer profiles, which we refer to as cohorts. We cannot guarantee that any cohort of dealers or consumers will positively respond to these offerings, that these offerings will be appropriately tailored to any cohort or that they will increase our traffic or close rates, in which case our business may be adversely affected. Further, the resources dedicated to developing these offerings may detract from resources that would be otherwise dedicated to other product offerings.
Our cash and cash equivalents could be adversely affected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash and cash equivalents fail.
We regularly maintain cash balances at third-party financial institutions, including Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB, in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insurance limit. On March 10, 2023, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed SVB and appointed the FDIC as receiver. At that time, we held approximately 70% of our cash and cash equivalents, approximately $122 million, with SVB in order to comply with a covenant in our now-terminated credit facility with SVB. As a result of SVB’s closure, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents with SVB were temporarily unavailable until March 13, 2023, following the FDIC’s announcement that all SVB deposits would be guaranteed and that the bank would resume normal banking activities, including online banking. On March 27, 2023, all deposits of SVB were assumed by First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company.
Following the closure of SVB, we terminated our credit facility with SVB, which terminated the covenant requiring us to keep 70% of our cash and cash equivalents deposited with SVB. Although this allowed us to further diversify the financial institutions in which we deposit our cash and cash equivalents, our business operations necessitate maintaining a certain amount of cash in deposit accounts, and, as of September 30, 2023, approximately 13.9% of our cash and cash equivalents was held in deposit accounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limits and remain subject to the risk of bank failure. We cannot guarantee that additional financial intuitions, including those at which we have deposited our cash and cash equivalents, will not enter into receivership or that the FDIC or any governmental authority will protect uninsured depositors if there are future bank failures. In instances of future bank failures, we may be unable to access or may lose some or all of our cash and cash equivalents, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
The growth of our business relies significantly on our ability to maintain and increase the revenues that we derive from dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. Failure to do so would harm our financial performance.
We derive most of our revenues from dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. If we are unable to maintain and increase these revenues, our financial performance will be harmed. We seek to increase these revenues in a number of ways.
First, as described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, we work to develop, introduce and improve, new products for dealers, including our TrueCar+ offering, to increase revenue and drive dealer adoption of our offerings.
Second, we endeavor to support and maintain our currently active TrueCar Certified Dealers. As described in greater detail elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, the coronavirus pandemic imposed financial hardships on dealers that resulted in some of them going out of business or canceling or suspending their participation in our offerings, and the termination of our partnership with USAA in 2020 diminished the number of users that we refer to our dealers and decreased the average quality of the leads that we provide our dealers, and while we have taken actions intended to mitigate these effects on our dealers, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful.
Third, because an increasing majority of our unit volume from our dealers is subject to subscription billing arrangements, with the remainder being subject to pay-per-sale billing arrangements, our ability to properly manage dealer subscription rates is critical to maintaining and increasing our dealer revenues. If the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers on subscription billing arrangements increases relative to those on a pay-per-sale billing model, the growth of our business will be even more dependent on our ability to manage dealer subscription rates.
If we are unable to convince subscription-based dealers of our value proposition, we could be unable to maintain or increase dealer subscription rates even if our unit volume increases. Similarly, if our unit volume declines and we are not able to appropriately manage the subscription rates of affected dealers, those dealers could insist on lower subscription rates or terminate their participation in our dealer network. Any of these and other similar subscription-related eventualities could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, during the coronavirus pandemic, our monetization rates exhibited substantially greater volatility than historical levels. In response to this volatility, we provided automatic discounts to most of our subscription dealers during the second quarter of 2020. In the future, we expect to continue to adjust individual dealers’ subscription rates in an effort to bring their monetization rates into line with historical levels. If we do not successfully balance the need to maintain dealer relationships with appropriate subscription adjustments with the need to maintain our revenues, our business, operating results and financial condition could be negatively affected.
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Finally, we strive to grow and optimize the geographic coverage of dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and to improve the representation of high-volume brands in our network to increase the number of transactions between our users and dealers. Some automotive brands consistently achieve higher than average sales volume per dealer. As a consequence, dealers representing those brands make a disproportionately greater contribution to our unit volume. Our ability to grow and to optimize the geographic coverage of dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, increase the number of dealers representing high-volume brands and grow the overall number of dealers in our network is an important factor in growing our business.
As described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, car dealerships have sometimes viewed our business in a negative light. Although we have taken steps intended to improve our relationships with, and our reputation among, car dealerships, including the commitments made in our pledge to dealers, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful. Since the beginning of 2020, we have experienced the loss of a significant number of car dealers in our network and we may be unable to maintain or grow the number of car dealers in our network, in a geographically optimized manner or at all, or increase the proportion of dealers in our network representing high volume brands. As noted earlier in this “Risk Factors” section, many of our dealers canceled or suspended their participation in our network as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and have still not reengaged our services. The termination of our affinity partnership with USAA led to the loss of additional dealers from our network. If we continue to experience a protracted decline, or experience a similar decline in the future, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, our ability to increase the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers in an optimized manner depends on strong relationships with other constituents, including car manufacturers and state dealership associations. From time to time, car manufacturers have communicated concerns about our business to dealers in our network. For example, many car manufacturers maintain guidelines that prohibit dealers from advertising a car at a price that is below an established floor, referred to as “minimum allowable advertised price,” or MAAP, guidelines. In the past, manufacturers have taken the position that prices submitted by TrueCar Certified Dealers were in violation of their MAAP guidelines and discouraged franchise dealers from remaining in or joining the network, and any similar discord in the future with specific car manufacturers could impede our ability to grow our dealer network. Although we have implemented certain changes designed to accommodate existing MAAP guidelines, it is unclear whether we will be able to accommodate new, and continue to accommodate existing, guidelines without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience and, if we are not, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, state dealership associations maintain significant influence over the dealerships in their states as lobbying groups and as thought leaders. To the extent that these associations view us in a negative light, our reputation with car dealers in the corresponding states may be negatively affected. If our relationships with car manufacturers or state dealership associations suffer, our ability to maintain and grow the number of car dealers in our network would be harmed.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or increase the revenues that we derive from dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers in any of the ways described above, or otherwise, and failure to do so would harm our financial performance.
The loss of a critical mass of dealers, either nationally or in any given geographic area, could deprive us of the data we need to provide certain of our key features, our inventory supply and certain key elements of our TrueCar Deal Builder’s functionality, any of which would negatively affect our business.
As discussed in more detail under the risk factor “We rely on relationships with data providers and may experience interruptions in the data feeds or API services they provide, which could adversely affect our current and future product offerings, including TrueCar+, and could limit our ability to provide our complete platform to our consumers and dealer customers as well as the timeliness of the information we provide, and which may impair our ability to attract or retain consumers and TrueCar Certified Dealers and to timely invoice our dealers, and otherwise negatively affect our business,” we depend on data provided by our dealers to provide our users with information about what others paid for the same make and model of car, among other aspects of our user experience. If a critical mass of dealers nationally, or in any given geographic area, goes out of business, or cancels or suspends their participation in our network, we may be unable to provide comparable sales data, our used-car inventory count and certain key elements of our TrueCar Deal Builder experience to users in the affected areas, or the quality of the information or user experience could deteriorate in those areas. Although we introduced distance retailing in 2022 to allow consumers to choose from an expanded selection of inventory beyond their immediate geographic location, a majority of TrueCar consumers who ultimately purchase vehicles on our platform do so from dealers in their immediate geographic region
Additionally, because much of our organic traffic from search engines originates from used-car-related search terms, and our ranking for those terms is heavily influenced by our inventory levels, the loss of a critical mass of dealers in any given geographic area could also cause a loss of used-car inventory on our sites that would diminish our organic search traffic and therefore our number of monthly unique visitors. For example, a decrease in our relevant inventory would result in a decrease in
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pages that are available for search-engine indexation and a greater probability that a user leaves our pages early, which is generally a negative signal for ranking algorithms. For more information on the reliance of our business on search-engine results, refer to the risk factor “We rely, in part, on Internet search engines to drive traffic to our website, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected.”
While we do not believe that we have to date lost a critical mass of dealers in any particular geographic area, recent decreases in our dealer count have affected our ability to present a wide array of dealers and inventory to some of our users, which could harm our business. Further, if we do lose a critical mass of dealers nationally, in any geographic area or for any particular manufacturer, our business, reputation and results of operations would be negatively affected.
If we are unable to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users, the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers, and the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers, could decline, and our revenue and results of operations would suffer harm.
The user experience on our TrueCar-branded website platform has evolved since its launch in 2010, but has not changed dramatically. While we continue to devote substantial resources to the development of our platform and enhancement of our user experience, including the rollout of our TrueCar+ end-to-end car-buying solution, we cannot assure you that we will be able to create such an end-to-end car-buying solution, or provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users. Our failure to do so could cause the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers to decline, prevent us from effectively monetizing our user traffic and cause us to lose consumers to competitors’ platforms. In addition, as described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, if we are unable to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users, the quality of the leads we provide to dealers could decline, which could result in dealers leaving our network.
We believe that our ability to provide a compelling car-buying experience is subject to a number of factors, including:
the actions taken by other participants in the car-buying process, including dealers and automobile manufacturers;
our ability to provide our TrueCar+ offering in a manner that is user-friendly, accepted by dealers and differentiated from the offerings of our competitors;
our ability to provide users personalized experiences tailored to differing consumer and dealer profiles;
our ability to launch other new products that are effective and have a high degree of consumer engagement;
our ability to constantly innovate and improve our existing products, including in response to changes in consumer and dealer behavior and preferences, whether in response to the macroeconomic environment, such as inflation or increased interest rates, or otherwise;
the compliance of the dealers within our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers with applicable laws, regulations and the rules of our platform, including the requirement that they honor the prices they quote to our users;
our access to a sufficient amount of data to enable us to provide relevant vehicle and pricing information to consumers, including data provided by TrueCar Certified Dealers through our systems; and
our ability to constantly innovate and improve our mobile application and platform to enable us to provide products and services that users want to use on the devices they prefer.
Economic and other conditions that impact consumer demand for automobiles, including interest rates, inflation, fuel prices and the impacts of public health events such as the coronavirus pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Decreases in consumer demand could adversely affect the market for automobile purchases and, as a result, reduce the number of consumers using our platform. Consumer purchases of new and used automobiles generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods in which disposable income is adversely affected. For example, the number of new vehicle sales in the United States decreased from approximately 16.1 million in 2007 to approximately 10.4 million in 2009, and in connection with the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shortage of automobile semiconductor chips, dropped from 17.0 million in 2019 to 14.5 million in 2020, 14.9 million in 2021 and 13.8 million in 2022, according in each case to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Various economic uncertainties, including stock market and commodity pricing volatility, could lead to a downturn that may impact our business. Purchases of new and used automobiles are typically discretionary for consumers and have been, and may continue to be, affected by negative trends in the economy, including the rising costs of energy and gasoline, the availability and cost of credit, reductions in business and consumer confidence, inflation, stock market volatility, new tariffs or border adjustment taxes, increased unemployment and changes in environmental regulations and fuel economy standards. Similarly, a change in gasoline prices, such as the increases in gasoline prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the implementation of sanctions against Russia by Western and other governments, governmental policy or
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other macroeconomic factors could increase the relative demand for electric vehicles, many of which are currently sold directly to consumers by manufacturers such as Tesla without the involvement of franchised dealers such as the TrueCar Certified Dealers on our network, and which is a transaction structure we are not currently able to monetize.
Interest rates in particular can have a significant impact on automobile purchases and affordability due to the direct relationship between interest rates and monthly loan payments, a critical factor for many consumers. Interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve, such as those implemented in 2022, implemented to date in 2023 and additional increases that could occur in the future, could negatively affect the number of vehicles purchased by consumers, and any reduction in purchases could adversely affect automobile dealers and car manufacturers and lead to a reduction in other spending by these constituents, including targeted incentive programs. Higher interest rates combined with increased vehicle prices resulting from low inventory , as discussed in the risk factor “Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other issues.” or other factors may also increase the amount of time that consumers wait between purchasing vehicles as the ability for a consumer to trade in or sell an existing vehicle to finance a new purchase may be diminished if the value of any loans associated with such existing vehicle are high relative to the value of the vehicle itself. Increases in interest rates may also result in dealers purchasing lower amounts of inventory from manufacturers due to increases in dealers’ own financing costs.
Similarly, inflation, both with respect to new and used cars prices and the broader macroeconomic environment, may negatively affect consumer behavior and purchasing power, reducing the number of cars purchased by consumers during periods of heightened inflation, such as the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, during which consumer prices increased 9.1% according to the Department of Labor, and while inflationary trends have slowed since summer 2022, we cannot predict the extent prices will continue to rise, or the long-term effects these conditions may have on consumer behavior.
Further, economic impacts and the impacts on consumer behavior resulting from responses to the coronavirus pandemic negatively affected our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in a number of ways. Most directly, in the first and second quarters of 2020, a number of state and local governments took steps that prohibited or curtailed the sale of automobiles. On top of these legal restrictions, economic uncertainty, as well as a decrease in consumers’ need and willingness to make discretionary trips outside of the home, decreased the demand for cars. Cumulatively, these factors resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of cars bought by our users from our dealers. In the second and third quarters of 2020, for example, our units declined by approximately 22% over the same two-quarter period in 2019. Although we have experienced a marked improvement in our financial and operational metrics since the height of the pandemic, our business could suffer depending upon how employee, consumer or dealer behavior or the macroeconomic environment are affected by the long-term effects of the pandemic. For example, if consumer demand for cars is permanently decreased because remote working continues to be prevalent in the long term and the need for workers to commute reduced or if consumers become accustomed to contactless purchases and we are not able to successfully roll out our TrueCar+ experience, our business may be harmed. Further, many dealers were able to increase profits as a result of certain conditions caused by the pandemic, such as low inventory levels and marketing costs, and if dealers continue this operational approach, our business could be adversely affected. Additionally, the resumption student loan payments, which were temporarily paused with respect to most publicly-held student loans during the coronavirus pandemic, may have a negative impact on consumer spending, which could adversely affect demand for automobiles and our business.
The failure to attract manufacturers to participate in our car manufacturer incentive programs, or to induce manufacturers to remain participants in those programs, could reduce our growth or have an adverse effect on our operating results.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we derived approximately 8.1% of our revenue from our arrangements with car manufacturers to promote the sale of their vehicles through additional consumer incentives (for the year ended December 31, 2022, the corresponding figure was approximately 2.7%), and, while more volatile than other of our revenue sources, we believe that this revenue stream represents a potential growth opportunity for our business following the resolution of current automobile inventory shortages. Low vehicle inventories in 2021 and 2022 reduced manufacturers’ incentive spending, and while incentive spending by manufacturers has increased in 2023, such spending remains historically low compared to the period prior to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent inventory shortages and has trended toward financing and leasing offers, while our arrangements with car manufacturers has historically involved cash discount incentives offered to consumers. Certain manufacturers who currently participate in these programs have suspended their participation indefinitely due to the low inventory levels, and certain manufacturers who formerly participated in programs of this type have informed us that they will not consider partnering with us again until inventory returns to more typical levels. Failure to attract additional manufacturers to participate in these programs could reduce our growth and harm our operating results. For more information on the effect of low vehicle inventory levels on our business, refer to the risk factor “Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other factors” Additionally, our relationships with manufacturers typically begin with a short-term pilot arrangement and, even if a
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relationship progresses beyond the pilot stage, it may only be for a short term and may not be renewed by the manufacturer, which could cause fluctuations in our operating results. If we are unable to induce the manufacturers with which we currently have relationships to continue or expand their incentive programs on our platform, or to enter into longer-term arrangements, or if we are unable to attract new manufacturers to our platform, that would have an adverse effect on our business, revenue, operating results and prospects.
The loss of a significant affinity group marketing partner or a significant reduction in the number of cars purchased from our TrueCar Certified Dealers by members of our affinity group marketing partners would reduce our revenue and harm our operating results.
Our financial performance is substantially dependent upon the number of cars purchased from TrueCar Certified Dealers by users of the TrueCar website, our branded mobile applications and the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. A majority of the cars purchased by our users have historically been matched to the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners and our relationships with our affinity group marketing partners will remain critical to our business and financial performance. However, several aspects of our relationships with affinity groups might change in a manner that harms our business and financial performance, including:
affinity group marketing partners might terminate their relationship with us or make the relationship non-exclusive, resulting in a reduction in the number of transactions between users of our platform and TrueCar Certified Dealers; 
affinity group marketing partners might de-emphasize the car-buying programs within their offerings or alter the user experience for members in a way that results in a decrease in the number of transactions between their members and our TrueCar Certified Dealers; or 
the economic structure of our agreements with affinity group marketing partners might change, resulting in a decrease in our operating margins on transactions by their members.
For example, in 2020, USAA terminated its affinity marketing partnership with us. USAA accounted for a substantial share of our units and revenues and this termination had a materially adverse effect on our business, operating results and prospects. For more information on the termination of our affinity partnership with USAA, refer to the risk factor “The termination of our partnership with USAA adversely affected our business, and we may be unable to mitigate its negative financial effects.”
Additional changes like these to our relationships with our affinity group marketing partners could happen for a number of reasons both within and outside of our control. For example, we share certain information of our users with our affinity partners, and those partners may in turn use that information to offer enhanced value propositions to our users, such as manufacturer incentives or other benefits provided by third parties that we refer to as buyer’s bonuses, or for analytical or other business purposes. Affinity partners that derive value from that information may terminate their relationship with us, or change the relationship in a manner adverse to our business, if we cease or limit our sharing of the information, and we cannot assure you that we will not be required to do so due to market conditions or contractual counterparties, or by law or regulators given the rapidly evolving environment surrounding privacy matters in the United States. For more information on these matters, refer to the risk factor “We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.” Our relationships with our affinity group marketing partners could also be harmed by any number of macroeconomic, social, political, legal or regulatory changes or other factors and our and our partners’ respective responses to them or changes in our partners’ interpretations or existing regulations and other legal requirements.
Further, as discussed earlier in this “Risk Factors” section, the disruption occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic caused our average net monetization per unit to fall materially in the second quarter of 2020 because the proportional discounts we provided to dealers on subscription-based billing arrangements on average exceeded the proportional decrease in their units. Because our revenue sharing arrangements with our affinity partners are typically tied to our average net monetization, a decrease in this metric negatively affects the per-unit revenues that those partners receive from their partnership with us, and the decrease in our average net monetization could result in any of the adverse actions by affinity partners referred to above. In addition, when the quality of leads we provide declines, such as the declines in quality following the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent inventory shortages, the negative impact on the revenue of our affinity partners could harm our relationships with such affinity partners and our business and financial performance could be adversely affected.
A significant change to our relationships with affinity group marketing partners may have a negative effect on our business in other ways. For example, the termination by an affinity group marketing partner of our relationship may create the perception that our products and services are no longer beneficial to the members of affinity groups or a more general negative association with our business. In addition, a termination by an affinity group marketing partner may result in the loss of the data it provided to us about automobile transactions. This loss of data may decrease the quantity and quality of the information that
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we provide to consumers and may also reduce our ability to identify transactions for which we can invoice dealers. If our relationships with affinity group marketing partners change, our business, revenue, operating results and prospects may be harmed.
The termination of our partnership with USAA adversely affected our business and we may be unable to mitigate its negative financial effects.
The largest source of user traffic and unit sales from our affinity group marketing partners in 2019 came from the car-buying site we maintained for USAA. In 2019, 29% of all of our units during that year, were matched to users of that site. Our affinity group marketing agreement with USAA reached the end of its term in 2020, at which time we entered into a transition services agreement with USAA pursuant to which it briefly continued to offer its members an auto-buying program as it wound down the offering. Even as the partnership wound down during 2020, 20.1% of all of our units that year, were attributable to the program. As such, the number of units purchased using the USAA car-buying site has in the past had a significant influence on our operating results.
The termination of our affinity partnership with USAA had a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, operating results and prospects, and may have led to the loss of some dealers from our network. To the extent that we are not able to mitigate the adverse effects of the termination of our relationship with USAA, our business, revenues, results of operations and cash flows will continue to be materially negatively affected.
If key industry participants, including car dealers, affinity partners and automobile manufacturers, perceive us in a negative light or our relationships with them suffer harm, our ability to grow and our financial performance may be damaged.
Our primary source of revenue consists of fees paid by TrueCar Certified Dealers to us in connection with the opportunity to sell automobiles to our users. In addition, our value proposition to consumers depends on our ability to provide pricing information on automobiles from a sufficient number of automobile dealers by brand and in a given consumer’s geographic area. If our relationships with our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers suffer harm in a manner that leads to the departure of these dealers from our network, then our revenue and ability to maintain and grow unique visitor traffic would be adversely affected.
For example, at the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, due to regulatory and publicity-related challenges, many dealers canceled their agreements with us and our franchise dealer count fell from 5,571 at November 30, 2011 to 3,599 at February 28, 2012. In 2015, 279 franchise dealers became inactive as the result of a contractual dispute with a large dealer group, and our franchise dealer count decreased from 9,300 at June 30, 2015 to 8,702 at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2023, our franchise dealer count was 8,097.
TrueCar Certified Dealers have no contractual obligation to maintain their relationship with us. Accordingly, these dealers may leave our network at any time or may develop or use other products or services in lieu of ours. Further, while we believe that our service provides a lower cost, accountable customer acquisition channel, dealers may have difficulty rationalizing their marketing spend across TrueCar and other channels, which may dilute our dealer value proposition. If we are unable to create and maintain a compelling value proposition for dealers to become and remain TrueCar Certified Dealers, our dealer network may fail to grow and the number of dealers in our network could decline.
Similarly, if dealers come to view our products and services, in particular the products and services associated with TrueCar+ which we are currently rolling out to dealers, in a negative light, whether because they perceive them as competing with their own offerings or otherwise, our dealer network could be adversely affected.
In addition, although the automobile dealership industry is fragmented, a small number of groups have significant influence over the industry, including state and national dealership associations, state regulators, car manufacturers, consumer groups, individual dealers and consolidated dealer groups. If any of these groups comes to believe that automobile dealerships should not do business with us, this belief could become quickly and widely shared by automobile dealerships, and we could lose a significant number of dealers in our network. For example, in 2015, the California New Car Dealers Association, or CNCDA, filed a lawsuit alleging that we were operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. Although this litigation was ultimately settled, we cannot assure you that similar litigation will not be brought against us in the future. A significant number of automobile dealerships are also members of larger dealer groups, and if a group decides to leave our network, that decision would typically apply to all dealerships within the group.
Furthermore, automobile manufacturers may provide their franchise dealers with financial or other marketing support on the condition that they adhere to certain marketing guidelines, and these manufacturers may determine that the manner in which certain dealers use our platform is inconsistent with the terms of those guidelines. That determination could result in potential or actual loss of the manufacturers’ financial or other marketing support to the dealers whose use of the TrueCar platform is deemed objectionable. The potential or actual loss of marketing support could cause those dealers to cease being
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members of our TrueCar Certified Dealer network, which would adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow the number and productivity of dealers in our network or the revenue derived from those dealers. And, as discussed in greater detail in the risk factor “The loss of a significant affinity group marketing partner or a significant reduction in the number of cars purchased from our TrueCar Certified Dealers by members of our affinity group marketing partners would reduce our revenue and harm our operating results,” a majority of our units have historically been matched to the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners, and any deterioration in our reputation or relationships with those partners could result in a number of adverse effects on our business.
We cannot assure you that we will maintain strong relationships with the dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers or that we will not suffer dealer attrition in the future. We may also have disputes with dealers from time to time, including relating to the collection of fees from them and other matters. We may need to modify our products, change pricing or take other actions to address dealer concerns in the future. If a significant number of these automobile dealerships decide to leave our network or change their financial or business relationship with us, our business, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects would suffer.
Our business could be adversely affected by executive and other transitions in our senior management team or if any vacancies cannot be filled with qualified replacements in a timely manner.
We have recently experienced management turnover and could face additional management turnover in the future, which could divert our remaining management team’s attention from key business areas and negatively affect our business in other ways. Although we generally enter into employment agreements with our executives, the agreements have no specific duration and our executive officers are at-will employees. As a result, they may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time, and we cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of any of them. Our senior management’s knowledge of our business and industry would be difficult to replace, and any further turnover could negatively affect our business, growth, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows.

We have experienced significant changes in our management team in 2023. In February 2023, we appointed a new chief financial officer , transitioned our prior chief financial officer to the role of chief operating officer and appointed a new chief commerce officer. As described in the risk factor “Actions that we have taken in the past and may take in the future to restructure our business in alignment with our strategic priorities may not be as effective as anticipated,” in June 2023, in connection with the Restructuring Plan, our former president and chief executive officer was terminated and resigned from our board of directors, and our chief operating officer was appointed as president and chief executive officer. In addition, in September 2023, we announced the replacement of both our chief financial officer and head of sales and the creation of a new position, chief revenue officer. Other executives that departed in 2023, whether in connection with the Restructuring Plan or otherwise, include our chief technology officer, chief communications officer, head of product, senior vice president of partnerships, senior vice president of business development and senior vice president of Digital Motors. As a result of turnover and open positions, our management team has been required to take on increased responsibilities in the past and may be required to do so again in the future.
Management transitions are often difficult and inherently cause some loss of institutional knowledge and a learning curve for new executives, which could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our ability to execute our business strategies may be adversely affected by the uncertainty associated with any such transition, and the time and attention from the board and management needed to fill any vacant roles and train any new hires could disrupt our business. If we are unable to successfully identify and attract adequate candidates for any vacancies in our management roles in a timely manner, we could experience increased employee turnover and harm to our business, growth, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows. We face significant competition for executives with the qualifications and experience we seek. The search for candidates for these positions has resulted, and may in the future result, in significant recruiting and relocation costs.
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An inability to retain, attract and integrate qualified personnel could harm our ability to develop and successfully grow our business.
We believe our success has depended, and continues to depend, on the efforts and talents of our executives and employees. The loss of key personnel, including members of management as well as key engineering, product and technology employees who understand our business and can innovate our products, could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, our future success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees, including our dealer, marketing, finance, accounting, legal and other personnel. Competition for qualified employees in our industry, particularly for software engineers, data scientists and other technical staff, is often intense, and we have historically faced significant competition in hiring and retaining them during competitive labor markets. Moreover, we have in the past conducted reductions in force, including in connection with the Restructuring Plan, and may undergo further reductions in the future as a result of our continued review of business needs, employee performance and other factors specific to our business as well as broader economic factors such as market demand for automotive products and services or advancements in technology. Recent as well as any future reductions could adversely affect employee morale, retention, recruiting efforts and result in the incurrence of severance-related costs, as described in the risk factor “Actions that we have taken in the past and may take in the future to restructure our business in alignment with our strategic priorities may not be as effective as anticipated.” We are also limited in our ability to recruit internationally by immigration and other laws.
To attract and retain executives and other key employees in this competitive marketplace, we must provide competitive compensation packages, including cash and stock-based compensation. Our primary forms of stock-based incentive awards are time-based restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock options. Our stock price has long experienced substantial volatility, which may negatively impact the extent to which our stock-based compensation is viewed as a valuable benefit. Further, in response to the financial disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we temporarily reduced executive base salaries and deferred employee bonuses, raises and promotions. Although these measures were temporary, executives’ and other employees’ bonuses have also been negatively affected by the disruptions we have faced in recent years, including the termination of the USAA partnership in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and the automobile inventory shortage. The fact that we have taken these actions, and if we take any similar measures in the future, could hamper our recruiting and retention. Further, the equity incentive plans under which we grant our employees stock-based compensation as well as the number of shares issuable thereunder are subject to periodic stockholder approval, which may restrict our ability to authorize the number of stock-based incentive awards to the extent we believe necessary to compensate our employees. If our total compensation packages are not considered competitive, our ability to attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees could be weakened. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees, retaining and motivating existing employees or integrating new employees, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
Further, since the first quarter of 2020, all of our employees have been on work-from-home status, a transition that was initially implemented as a result of the coronavirus in accordance with orders of relevant governmental authorities. In the future, we may permit or require certain employees to return to our offices, which could create a transition period in which business is disrupted or employee attrition, morale and productivity is negatively affected.
We may fail to respond adequately to changes in technology and consumer demands that could lead to decreased demand for automobiles on our platform.
In recent years, the market for motor vehicles has been characterized by rapid changes in technology and consumer demands. Self-driving technology, ride sharing, transportation networks and other fundamental changes in the automotive industry and transportation technology and infrastructure could have a substantial impact on consumer demand for the purchase or lease of automobiles. Moreover, if a broader nationwide shift toward work-from-home arrangements persists in the long term as a result of changes implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, consumer demand for cars could decrease. If we fail to respond adequately to a decline in the demand for automobile purchases, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
Additionally, we are not currently able to monetize transactions in which a manufacturer sells new automobiles directly to a consumer without the involvement of a TrueCar Certified Dealer, as Tesla and some other electric car manufacturers do in certain states, for example. Some more traditional manufacturers, such as Ford, have indicated an intent to adopt certain operating standards pioneered by the electric car industry with respect to their own electric vehicles, such as offering their electric models at fixed prices and supplying dealers with lower inventory. Some manufacturers are also promoting “build-to-order” models in which consumers can order a car with preselected options and features from a manufacturer via a dealership. If these practices become widespread, there may be a decrease in dealers’ and consumers’ dependence on third party services such as ours that incorporate the inventory selection that a dealer has at a given time and rely on the ability of dealers to negotiate price with consumers. If we are not able to adjust our business model in response to these and other developments in the industry, including in response to changing consumer demands, our business, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
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Our ability to enhance our current product offerings, or grow complementary product offerings, may be limited, which could negatively impact our growth rate, revenues and financial performance.
As we introduce new offerings, or enhance existing products and services on our platform, for example, in connection with our rollout of TrueCar+ or our efforts to create product experiences that are tailored to different consumer and dealer cohorts, we may incur losses or otherwise fail to introduce these products or product enhancements successfully. Our attempts to do so may place us in competitive and regulatory environments with which we are unfamiliar and involve various risks, including the need to invest significant resources and the possibility that returns on these investments are not achieved for several years, if at all.
In addition, we may not successfully demonstrate the value of these enhanced or complementary products to dealers or consumers, and failure to do so would compromise our ability to successfully expand our user experience and could harm our growth rate, revenue and operating performance.
Further, key contractual counterparties, including our affinity group marketing partners and automobile manufacturers who participate in our incentive programs, are increasingly requiring that our products adhere to certain technical standards, including accessibility and security standards, more stringent than those that we believe are currently required by applicable law. Ensuring that our products adhere to these requirements could divert our attention from key initiatives and require the investment of a significant amount of resources and, if we are unsuccessful in implementing the standards, could negatively affect our reputation and contractual relationships, which could adversely affect our growth rate, revenue and financial and operating performance.
Finally, as discussed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, the success of our platform depends in part on the utility it provides to consumers relative to the platforms of our competitors. If we are unable to incorporate features or technological advancements that become commonplace in other consumer-facing products, including those of our competitors, such as the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning and other emerging technologies, our products may be viewed less favorably by consumers, and our business, growth rate and performance may suffer.
We may make product and investment decisions that do not prioritize short-term financial results and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect.
We may make product and investment decisions that do not prioritize short-term financial results if we believe that those decisions are consistent with our mission or will otherwise improve our financial performance over the long term. For example, we completed a long-term replatforming of our technology platform in 2018 that required a substantial dedication of resources over a sustained period of time and therefore caused a delay in pursuing other projects that may have had a more immediate financial impact.
We also may introduce new features or other changes to existing products, or introduce new stand-alone products, that attract users away from products or use cases where we have more proven means of monetization. For example, in 2020, we introduced new consumer experiences that allow our users more control over the dealers to which their contact information is provided, the specific information so provided and the methods by which they are contacted. Although we believe that these experiences improved our product and will yield long-term financial benefits, in the short term, certain aspects of those new experiences had an incrementally negative impact on our monetization rates. Similarly, as discussed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, we believe that the rollout of our TrueCar+ offering is critical to the long-term success of our business. However, we cannot assure you that we will do so successfully, or, if we do, that it will improve our business.
These and other similar decisions may adversely affect our business and results of operations and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect.
Failure to maintain or increase our revenue, or to reduce our expenses as a percentage of revenue, would adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.
We expect to make significant future investments to support the further development and expansion of our business and these investments may not result in increased revenue or growth on a timely basis or at all, and may not be sufficient to replace the revenue that we historically derived from our partnership with USAA or that we generated prior to the coronavirus pandemic and recent automobile inventory shortages, each as discussed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section. Furthermore, these investments may not decrease as a percentage of revenue if our business grows. In particular, we may continue to make substantial expenditures to acquire or develop and launch new products and enhance our existing products and services, continue to grow and train our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and continue to upgrade and enhance our technology infrastructure. We also intend to continue investing to increase both dealer and consumer awareness of our brand, including channels such as television, video, digital, social, email, out-of-home, experiential and radio advertisements. There can be no assurance that these investments will have the effect of maintaining or increasing revenue or that we will eventually be able to
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decrease our expenses as a percentage of revenue, and failure to do so would adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.
Further, as a result of our transition to a remote workforce as described in the risk factor “An inability to retain, attract and integrate qualified personnel could harm our ability to develop and successfully grow our business,” we also no longer require the amount of office space we did prior to the pandemic yet we continue to incur costs related to leases that were in place prior to our transition to a remote workforce. We have not yet successfully sublet or terminated all of our leases with respect to all such unused property, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so in the future.
We cannot predict whether we will be able to maintain or grow our business. If we are unable to successfully respond to changes in the market, our business could be harmed.
Our business has grown when users and automobile dealers have increasingly used our products and services. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or grow our business. We expect that our business will evolve in ways that may be difficult to predict. For example, marketing expenditures in certain situations become inefficient, particularly with respect to the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications. Revenue growth may be dependent on a number of factors, including the success of our TrueCar+ offering or our ability to focus on increasing the number of transactions, subscriptions and other sources from which we derive revenue by growing our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, including dealers representing high-volume brands, both on an overall basis and in important geographies, as well as growth in the revenue we derive from car manufacturer incentive programs. It is also possible that dealers could broadly determine that they no longer believe in the value of our services. For example, as described in greater detail in the risk factor “Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other issues,” the automobile inventory shortage in recent periods reduced the attractiveness of our value proposition to many dealers.
In the event of these or any other developments, our continued success will depend on our ability to successfully adjust our strategy to meet the changing market dynamics. If we are unable to do so, our business could be harmed and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We rely on relationships with data providers and may experience interruptions in the data feeds or API services they provide, which could adversely affect our current and future product offerings, including TrueCar+, and could limit our ability to provide our complete platform to our consumers and dealer customers as well as the timeliness of the information we provide, and which may impair our ability to attract or retain consumers and TrueCar Certified Dealers and to timely invoice our dealers, and otherwise negatively affect our business.
We receive data that is important for our business, such as automobile purchase data, from many third-party data providers, including our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers; dealer management system, or DMS, data feed providers; data aggregators and integrators; survey companies; purveyors of registration data; our affinity group marketing partners; and other companies with which we partner from time to time. An interruption in our receipt of data from any of the data sources on which we rely could negatively affect our business.
For example, in the circumstances in which we employ a pay-per-sale billing model, we use automobile purchase data to match purchases from TrueCar Certified Dealers so that we may collect transaction fees from those dealers and recognize revenue from the related transactions. We also use that data to demonstrate to TrueCar Certified Dealers on a subscription billing model the value we provide to support maintaining or increasing our subscription rates.
From time to time, we experience interruptions in one or more data feeds that we receive from third-party data providers, particularly DMS data feed providers. These interruptions sometimes negatively affect our business, for example, by impacting our ability to timely invoice the dealers in our network. These interruptions may occur for a number of reasons, including changes to the software used by these data feed providers and difficulties in renewing our agreements with third-party data feed providers. If we are unable to renew data agreements as they expire, or use alternative data sources, and we experience a material disruption in the data provided to us, the information that we provide to our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers may be limited, the quality of this information may suffer, the user experience may be negatively affected and certain functionality on our platform may be disabled, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be materially and adversely affected.
In the circumstances in which we employ a pay-per-sale billing model, an interruption in the automobile purchase data feeds that we receive may affect our ability to match automobile purchases made by our users from TrueCar Certified Dealers, thereby delaying our submission of an invoice to a dealer in our network for a given transaction and delaying the timing of cash receipts from the dealer, and in circumstances in which we employ a subscription billing model, an interruption in those data feeds may affect our ability to justify maintaining or increasing our subscription rates. The redundancies of automobile purchase data feeds received from multiple providers may not result in sufficient data to match automobile purchases made by our users from TrueCar Certified Dealers. In the case of an interruption in these data feeds, our billing structure may transition
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to a subscription model for affected automobile dealers in our network until the interruption ceases. However, our subscription billing model may result in lower revenues during an interruption and, when an interruption ceases, we may not be able to retroactively match a transaction and collect a fee. In addition, our likelihood of collecting the fee owed to us for a given transaction decreases for those periods during which we are unable to submit an invoice to automobile dealers. Interruptions that occur in close proximity to the end of a given reporting period could result in delays in our ability to recognize those transaction revenues in that reporting period and these shortfalls in transaction revenue could be material to our operating results.
Finally, as described in greater detail in the risk factor “If we are not successful in rolling out new offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers and dealers using those offerings, integrating our current and future offerings into such experiences or appropriately monetizing them, our business and prospects would be adversely affected,” we depend on certain third-party providers of data and other services in providing our Access package of Trade and Payments solutions, and our TrueCar+ offering as well as our TrueCar Deal Builder and our ability to provide users with certain information about others pay for the same make and model of a car, all rely on a number of other third-party providers. If our access to any of these providers is interrupted, or if any of them ends or adversely alters its relationship with us or the data they provide, we may be required to modify or curtail features of our TrueCar+ and other existing offerings.
We rely, in part, on Internet search engines to drive traffic to our website, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected.
We depend in part on Internet search engines such as Google and Bing to drive traffic to our website, both through organic search results and the purchase of automotive and shopping-related keywords and phrases. For example, when a user types an automotive-related term into an Internet search engine, we rely on a high organic search ranking of our webpages in these search results to refer the user to our website. However, our ability to maintain high, non-paid search result rankings is not within our control. Our competitors’ Internet search engine optimization efforts may result in their websites receiving a higher search result page ranking than ours, or Internet search engines could revise their methodologies in a way that adversely affects our search result rankings. If Internet search engines modify their search algorithms in ways that are detrimental to us, or if our competitors’ search engine optimization efforts are more successful than ours, overall growth in our user base could slow, our user base could decline or we could attract a less in-market user base. Internet search engine providers could provide automobile dealer and pricing information directly in search results, align with our competitors or choose to develop competing services. Our website has experienced fluctuations in search result rankings in the past, and we anticipate similar fluctuations in the future.
We also purchase automotive-related keywords by anticipating what words, terms and phrases consumers will use to search for car purchases on search engines and then bid on those words and terms in the search engines’ auction systems. Search engines frequently update and change the logic that determines the placement and ordering of results on a user’s search, which may reduce the effectiveness of the keywords we have purchased. Search engines also frequently change and optimize the amount and placements of advertisements on a search results page which may impact the quantity and quality of traffic to our website. Further, we bid against our competitors and other advertisers for preferred placement on the search engines’ results pages. Many of our competitors have greater resources with which to bid and better brand recognition and consumer visibility than we do. We experience competition for paid advertisements, which increases the cost of paid Internet search advertising and as a result our marketing and advertising expenses. Search engines may also adopt a more aggressive auction-pricing system for keywords that causes us to incur higher advertising costs or reduces our market visibility to prospective users. If paid search advertising costs increase or become cost-prohibitive, whether because of increased competition, pricing system changes, algorithm changes or otherwise, our advertising expenses could rise significantly or we could reduce or discontinue our paid search advertisements. Moreover, the use of voice recognition technology such as Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri or the implementation of artificial intelligence into existing search engines such as Bing and Google may drive traffic away from traditional search engines, which could reduce traffic to our website. Any reduction in the number of users directed to our website through Internet search engines could harm our business and operating results.
Our users may in some cases require dealers who wish to communicate with them other than by email to communicate by text message rather than by calling. If consumers or dealers do not see value in this functionality, or if it results in privacy concerns, our business could be negatively affected.
We allow some of our users to choose how dealers contact them other than by email, whether both by telephone and by text message or only by text message. We believe that allowing users to select their methods of communication is beneficial to both consumers and dealers, but we cannot assure you that they will agree. To the extent that dealers perceive text-message connections to be less valuable, for example because dealers believe that they are able to sell fewer cars to our users when using it, our business and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Additionally, we use a third-party vendor to facilitate text message communications between our users and dealers, and we have access to those communications. If either we, or our third-party vendor, are perceived to violate our dealers’ or
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users’ privacy in connection with those communications, or any law or regulation that applies to those communications, our reputation and business could be harmed. For more information on this type of risk, refer to the risk factor “We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.
The success of our business relies heavily on our marketing and branding efforts, especially with respect to the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications, as well as those efforts of the affinity group marketing partners whose websites we power, and these efforts may not be successful.
We believe that the TrueCar website and our TrueCar-branded mobile applications are important components of the growth of our business. Because TrueCar.com is a consumer brand, we rely heavily on marketing, communications and advertising to increase the visibility of this brand with potential users of our products and services. We have historically advertised and intend to continue advertising in the future through a combination of television marketing campaigns, digital and online media, sponsorship programs and other means, the goals of which are to increase the strength and recognition of, and trust in, the TrueCar brand and to drive more unique visitors to our website and mobile applications, and we expect to continue to advertise in support of our branding initiatives and future product launches. For more information on this initiative, see the risk factor “If consumers and dealers do not respond positively to our branding, our financial performance and our ability to grow unique visitor traffic and expand our dealer network could be negatively affected.” We incurred expenses of $104.5 million and $136.5 million on sales and marketing during the years ended 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We strive to decrease incremental user acquisition costs by optimizing our marketing spend across various channels and scaling our business and revenues. In the past, our revenue growth has been highly influenced by marketing expenditures. In part because of our reliance on a subscription-based billing model, incremental marketing expenditures may not result in sufficient revenue to permit the recovery of incremental user acquisition costs through revenue growth. This limits the growth in revenue that can be achieved through marketing expenditures. If we are unable to recover our marketing costs through increases in user traffic and in the number of transactions by users of our platform, our growth, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Additionally, if we discontinue our broad marketing campaigns or elect to reduce our sales and marketing costs to decrease our losses, as we did at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, our ability to acquire consumers and dealers and grow our revenues would be adversely affected. Further, the ongoing industry-wide vehicle inventory shortages that began in 2021 resulted in increased vehicle prices that required us to discontinue long-running, high-performing advertising messages about the amount of savings that our users typically save off of the manufacturers’ suggested retail price, which we believe reduces the effectiveness of our advertising. For more information on these inventory shortage, see the risk factor “Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including inventory and global supply chain challenges, labor and other issues.
Our current and potential competitors may also have significantly more financial, marketing and other resources than we have and the ability to devote greater resources to the promotion and support of their products and services. The realities of competing for users and brand visibility, as well as ensuring the satisfaction of our dealers, may limit our ability to reduce our own marketing expenditures, potentially negatively impacting our operating margins and financial results.
Moreover, the number of transactions generated by the members of our affinity group marketing partners depends in part on the emphasis that these affinity group marketing partners place on marketing the purchase of cars within their platforms as well as third-party advertising platforms. Should one or more of our affinity group marketing partners decide to deemphasize the marketing of our platform, or if their marketing efforts are otherwise unsuccessful, our revenue, business and financial results would be harmed.
Finally, as noted above, we rely in part on digital and online media for our marketing efforts. Historically, this has involved, among other things, collecting, tracking, using and sharing certain personal data of consumers who interact with our webpages or application. The protection of the privacy of consumers’ data is a topic of heightened national political and commercial attention in a rapidly-changing landscape. The developments resulting from this heightened attention include, in addition to the legal and regulatory changes discussed in greater detail elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, numerous actual and potential actions by private entities to protect consumers’ data privacy. For example, recent versions of Apple’s iOS software require all applications on iPhones running that operating system to request permission from users before using their personal data. Because of this, Meta and other companies have restricted our ability to use the data of users of their platforms who are directed to our webpages or application. These restrictions have negatively impacted the effectiveness of our digital marketing, and we expect that similar future restrictions imposed on us by other third parties similar to Apple and Meta could have similar impacts, which may lead us to redirect resources to other marketing channels. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to mitigate the negative effects of these and other similar changes, and failure to do so could harm our revenue, business, operating margins and financial results.
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If consumers and dealers do not respond positively to our branding, our financial performance and our ability to grow unique visitor traffic and expand our dealer network could be negatively affected.
We regularly expend resources on the preservation and refreshment of our branding. For example, in 2020, shortly before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, we launched a rebranding campaign that included a change in our logo and extensive advertising and promotional activity and we plan to engage in additional branding campaigns in connection with the rollout of our TrueCar+ offering. We cannot guarantee that any given investment in our branding will improve our brand recognition or otherwise result in benefits that outweigh its costs. If consumers and dealers do not respond positively to our branding, our sales, performance and consumer and dealer relationships could be adversely affected.
Moreover, maintaining and enhancing our brand largely depends on the success of our efforts to maintain the trust of our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers and to deliver value to each of our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers. If our existing or potential users come to perceive that we are not focused primarily on providing them with a better car-buying experience, or if dealers do not perceive us as offering a compelling value proposition, our reputation and the strength of our brand would be adversely affected.
Complaints or negative publicity about our business practices, our marketing and advertising campaigns, our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the integrity of the data that we provide to users, our approach to data privacy and security issues and other aspects of our business, irrespective of their validity, could diminish users’ and dealers’ confidence in and use of our products and services and adversely affect our brand. These concerns could also diminish the trust of existing and potential affinity group marketing partners. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain or enhance our brand, and failure to do so could harm our business growth prospects and operating results.
We participate in a highly competitive market, and pressure from existing and new companies may adversely affect our business and operating results.
We face significant competition from companies that provide vehicle inventory listings, vehicle information, lead generation and car-buying services designed to reach consumers and enable dealers to reach these consumers.
Our competitors offer various products and services that compete with us. Some of these competitors include:
Internet search engines and online automotive sites such as Google, Amazon-hosted digital automotive showrooms, Autotrader.com, eBay Motors, AutoWeb.com (formerly Autobytel.com), KBB.com, CarSaver.com, CarGurus.com and Cars.com; 
sites operated by OEMs such as General Motors and Ford;
online automobile retailers such as Carvana, Vroom, CarMax (and its subsidiary Edmunds), DriveTime and Shift Technologies;
providers of offline, membership-based car-buying services such as the Costco Auto Program; and 
offline automotive classified listings, such as trade periodicals and local newspapers. 
We compete with many of the companies that provide the above-mentioned products and services, among other companies, for a share of car dealers’ overall marketing budget for online and offline media marketing spend. If car dealers come to view alternative marketing and media strategies to be superior to us, we may not be able to maintain or grow the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers and our TrueCar Certified Dealers may sell fewer cars to users of our platform, and our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed.
We also expect that new competitors will continue to enter the automotive retail industry with competing products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our revenue, business and financial results.
Our competitors could significantly impede our ability to expand and optimize our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and to reach consumers. Our competitors may also develop and market new technologies, including end-to-end consumer car-buying experiences that may compete with our TrueCar+ offering, that render our existing or future products and services less competitive, unmarketable or obsolete. Moreover, if our competitors develop products or services with similar or superior functionality to our solutions, we may need to decrease the prices for our solutions in order to remain competitive. If we are unable to maintain our current pricing structure due to competitive pressures, our revenue will be reduced and our operating results will be negatively affected.
Our current and potential competitors may have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have, and the ability to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and support of their products and services. Additionally, they may have more extensive automotive industry relationships, longer operating histories and greater name recognition than we have. As a result, these competitors may be better able to respond more quickly with new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and other emerging technologies. Our competitors may also be
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able to leverage their resources and relationships to undertake more extensive marketing or promotional campaigns. Further, if any of our competitors have existing relationships with dealers or automobile manufacturers for marketing or data analytics solutions, those dealers and automobile manufacturers may be unwilling to continue to partner with us. If we are unable to compete with these companies, the demand for our products and services could substantially decline.
In addition, if one or more of our competitors were to merge or partner with another of our competitors, the change in the competitive landscape could adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Our competitors may also establish or strengthen cooperative relationships with our current or future third-party data providers, technology partners or other parties with whom we have relationships, thereby limiting our ability to develop, improve and promote our solutions. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and competitive pressures may harm our revenue, business and financial results.
Further, our competitors may face challenges to their businesses distinct from the challenges we face, because of, among other things, the differences in the products and services offered by our competitors compared to those we offer, or because of the differences in the business and financial strategies of our competitors compared to our own. In some cases, particularly with respect to competitors whose business or financial challenges garner significant publicity, this could result in increased skepticism from consumers, dealers and investors of our own business and products, including our TrueCar+ service, as our product and services, or our industry generally may come to be viewed in a negative light. Further, to the extent we generate revenue from doing business with certain of our competitors, such as our competitors that list their own vehicles on our platform, our own revenue may decline as a result of challenges to the business of our competitors.
We are subject to a complex framework of laws and regulations, including, among others, those concerning vehicle sales, advertising and brokering, many of which are unsettled, still developing and contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model or otherwise harm our business.
Various aspects of our business are or may be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. laws and regulations. Failure to comply with those laws or regulations may result in the suspension or termination of our ability to do business in affected jurisdictions or the imposition of significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines or the award of significant damages against us and our TrueCar Certified Dealers in class action or other civil litigation.
Motor Vehicle Sales, Advertising and Brokering Laws
The advertising and sale of new or used motor vehicles is highly regulated by the jurisdictions in which we do business. Although we do not sell motor vehicles to consumers, regulatory authorities or third parties could take the position that certain regulations applicable to dealers who sell motor vehicles to consumers or the manner in which motor vehicles are advertised and sold generally are directly applicable to our business. If our products or services are determined not to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, we or our TrueCar Certified Dealers could be subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation, as well as orders interfering with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain jurisdictions. In addition, even without a determination that our products or services do not comply with relevant regulatory requirements, if dealers are uncertain about the applicability of those laws and regulations to our business, we may lose, or have difficulty increasing the number of, TrueCar Certified Dealers in our network, which would adversely affect our future growth.
Several jurisdictions in which we do business have laws and regulations that strictly regulate or prohibit the brokering of motor vehicles or the making of so-called “bird-dog” payments by dealers to third parties in connection with the sale of motor vehicles through persons other than licensed salespersons. If our products or services are determined to fall within the scope of those laws or regulations, we may be forced to implement new measures, which could be costly, to reduce our exposure to those obligations, including the discontinuation of certain products or services in affected jurisdictions. Additionally, if regulators conclude that our products or services fall within the scope of those laws and regulations, we or our TrueCar Certified Dealers could be subject to significant civil or criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation.
In addition to generally applicable consumer protection laws, many jurisdictions in which we do business have laws and regulations that specifically regulate the advertising for sale of new or used motor vehicles. These advertising laws and regulations are frequently subject to multiple interpretations and are not uniform from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, sometimes imposing inconsistent requirements on the advertiser of a new or used motor vehicle. If the content displayed on the websites we operate is determined or alleged to be inaccurate or misleading, under motor vehicle advertising laws, generally applicable consumer protection laws or otherwise, we could be subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation. Moreover, allegations like these, even if unfounded or decided in our favor, could be extremely costly to defend, could require us to pay significant sums in settlements and could interfere with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain jurisdictions.
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From time to time, certain authorities, dealer associations and others have taken the position that aspects of our products and services violate brokering, “bird-dog” or advertising laws. When these allegations have arisen, we have endeavored to resolve the identified concerns on a consensual and expeditious basis, through negotiation and education efforts, without resorting to the judicial process. In some instances, we have nevertheless been required to suspend all or certain aspects of our business operations in a jurisdiction pending the resolution of these issues, the resolution of which included the payment of fines in 2011 and 2012 in an aggregate amount of approximately $26,000. For example, in the beginning of 2012, following implementation of our first nationwide television advertising campaign, regulatory inquiries into the compliance of our products and services with brokering, “bird-dog” and advertising laws intensified to a degree we had not previously experienced. Responding to and resolving these inquiries, as well as our efforts to ameliorate the related adverse publicity and loss of TrueCar Certified Dealers from our network, resulted in decreased revenues and increased expenses and, accordingly, increased our losses during much of 2012.
Further, as we expand our business model to offer new products or services, we may become subject to motor vehicle sales, advertising and brokering laws that have not historically applied to our business and with which we are not operationally experienced. For example, following the wind down of our commercial relationship with Accu-Trade as discussed in the risk factor entitled “If we are not successful in rolling out new offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers and dealers using those offerings, integrating our current and future offerings into such experiences or appropriately monetizing them, our business and prospects would be adversely affected,” we now provide certain services to our dealers and users with the support of our affiliate, TCWS, instead of Accu-Trade. This has resulted in TCWS being subject to laws and regulatory schemes with which we have no previous operational experience. It may also result in TrueCar, Inc. being subject to laws and regulatory schemes that were not previously applicable to our business.
Actions Brought by Regulators and Other Governmental Authorities
In 2015, we received a letter from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, which we refer to as the Texas DMV Notice, asserting that certain aspects of our advertising in Texas constituted false, deceptive, unfair or misleading advertising within the meaning of applicable Texas law. We then responded to the Texas DMV Notice in an effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Texas DMV Notice without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience in Texas. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter following our response to the Texas DMV Notice, we consider the issues raised by the Texas DMV Notice to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In 2016, we received a letter from the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission, which we refer to as the Mississippi MVC Letter, asserting that an aspect of our advertising in Mississippi was not in compliance with a regulation adopted by the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission. We responded to the Mississippi MVC Letter in an effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Mississippi MVC Letter without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience in Mississippi. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter following our response to the Mississippi MVC Letter, we consider the issues raised by the Mississippi MVC Letter to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
Also in 2016, we met with investigators from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or the California DMV, regarding an allegation made by a dealer that we were operating as an unlicensed automobile auction in California, which we refer to as the Unlicensed Auction Allegation. We provided the investigators with information about our business in an effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation. Later that year, we were informally advised by an investigator for the California DMV that the concerns raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation had been resolved, but that the investigators will continue to evaluate our responses regarding certain matters related to the advertising of new motor vehicles. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter, we consider the issues raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In 2017, we received an investigatory subpoena from the Consumer Protection Section of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Ohio issued pursuant to the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The investigatory subpoena requested certain information about online content we displayed related to vehicles listed for sale by TrueCar Certified Dealers in Ohio. We responded to the investigatory subpoena and supplied the information it sought. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter subsequent to our response to the investigatory subpoena, we consider this matter to be resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
Actions Brought by Dealers, Consumers and Other Third Parties
In 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the CNCDA in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief based on allegations that we were operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. In 2017, the parties entered into a binding settlement agreement to fully resolve the lawsuit, and the litigation was dismissed.
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Also in 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles by numerous dealers participating on the TrueCar platform. The complaint, as subsequently amended, sought declaratory and injunctive relief based on allegations that we were engaging in unfairly competitive practices and were operating as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker in contravention of various state laws. Later that year, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit “without prejudice,” which means that while this litigation is currently resolved, it could be re-commenced at a later date.
Also in 2015, we were named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit filed by Gordon Rose in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, which we refer to as the California Consumer Class Action. The complaint asserted claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based in part on allegations that we are operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. After the trial and appellate courts rejected the plaintiff’s motion for class certification, he voluntarily dismissed the remainder of his case, meaning that the California Consumer Class Action is currently resolved.
In 2017, we were named as a defendant in a putative class action filed by Kip Haas in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint asserted claims for violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based principally on allegations of false and misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The complaint sought an award of unspecified damages, interest, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. Later that year, the parties entered into a binding settlement agreement, and the litigation was dismissed.
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If regulators or other third parties take the position in the future that our products or services violate applicable brokering, “bird-dog” or advertising laws or regulations, responding to those allegations could be costly, require us to pay significant sums in settlements, require us to pay civil and criminal penalties, including fines, interfere with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain jurisdictions or require us to make adjustments to our products and services or the manner in which we derive revenue from our participating dealers, any or all of which could result in substantial adverse publicity, loss of TrueCar Certified Dealers from our network, decreased revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.
Insurance Regulatory Laws
The advertising and sale of automobile insurance is highly regulated by the jurisdictions in which we do business. Although we do not sell insurance, certain of our partners sell insurance to the public in general, and may sell insurance to our users in particular. Further, we enter into arrangements with certain such partners from time to time pursuant to which we receive fees based in whole or in part on the volume of our users who choose to interact with those partners. We cannot guarantee you that regulatory authorities or third parties will not take the position that some of the regulations applicable to insurance brokers or to the manner in which insurance products are advertised or sold generally apply to our platforms or business. If our products or services are determined to fall within the scope of those laws or regulations, we or our partners may be required to implement new measures, which could be costly, to reduce our or their exposure to those obligations, including the discontinuation of certain products or services in affected jurisdictions. Additionally, if our products or services are determined not to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, we or our partners could be subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation, as well as orders interfering with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain jurisdictions. Even without a determination that our products or services fall within the scope of those laws or regulations or do not comply their requirements, if any of our current or prospective affinity or other partners is uncertain about the applicability of those laws and regulations to our business, those partners may terminate or curtail their business with us, or we could have difficulty attracting new partners, which would adversely affect our future growth. Any or all of these adverse effects could result in substantial negative publicity, decreased revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.
Laws Relating to Financial Products
The provision of financial products, including related to the purchase, financing or lease of automobiles, is highly regulated by the jurisdictions in which we do business. Although we do not provide financing or extend credit to consumers, certain of our partners provide automobile financing or other financial products to the public in general, and may provide automobile financing products to our users in particular. In connection with certain of the products provided by these commercial partners, our platform collects and transmits certain information related to consumer credit applications. Further, we enter into arrangements with certain such partners from time to time pursuant to which we receive fees based in whole or in part on the volume of our users who choose to interact with those partners, including arrangements based upon the volume of our users who complete transactions with those partners. We cannot assure you that relevant regulatory authorities or third parties will not take the position that some of the regulations applicable to financial product providers, or to the manner in which such products are advertised or sold, apply to our platforms or business. If our products or services, including products or services that we may offer in the future, are determined to fall within the scope of those laws or regulations in a manner that
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would require us or our partners to implement additional measures to comply with these laws and regulations, we may be forced to incur additional compliance costs or be required to discontinue or limit the offering of certain products or services in affected jurisdictions. Additionally, if our products or services are determined not to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, we or our partners could be subject to possibly significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation, as well as orders interfering with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain jurisdictions. Even without a determination that our products or services are not in compliance with those law or regulations, if any of our current or prospective affinity or other partners is uncertain about the applicability of such laws and regulations to our business, those partners may terminate or curtail their business with us, or we could have difficulty attracting new partners, which would adversely affect our future growth. Any or all of these adverse effects could result in substantial negative publicity, increased regulatory scrutiny, decreased revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.
Federal Advertising Regulations
The Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, has authority to take actions to remedy or prevent advertising practices that it considers to be unfair or deceptive and that affect commerce in the United States. If the FTC takes the position in the future that any aspect of our business constitutes an unfair or deceptive advertising practice, responding to those allegations could require us to pay significant damages, settlements and civil penalties, or could require us to make adjustments to our products and services, any or all of which could result in substantial adverse publicity, loss of participating dealers, lost revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.
In March 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit purportedly filed on behalf of numerous automotive dealers who were not on the TrueCar platform in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint sought injunctive relief in addition to over $250 million in damages based on allegations that we violated the Lanham Act as well as various state laws prohibiting unfair competition and deceptive acts or practices related to our advertising and promotional activities. In July 2019, the court granted our motion for summary judgment as to the plaintiffs’ Lanham Act claim and, in light of the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ sole federal claim, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over their state-law claims and therefore dismissed them without prejudice.
Federal Antitrust Laws
The antitrust laws prohibit, among other things, any joint conduct among competitors that would lessen competition in the marketplace. Some of the information that we obtain from dealers is competitively sensitive and, if disclosed inappropriately, could potentially be used by dealers to impede competition or otherwise diminish independent pricing activity. A governmental or private civil action alleging the improper exchange of information, or unlawful participation in price maintenance or other unlawful or anticompetitive activity, even if unfounded, could be costly to defend and adversely impact our ability to maintain and grow our dealer network.
In addition, governmental or private civil actions under the antitrust laws could result in orders suspending or terminating our ability to do business or otherwise altering or limiting certain of our business practices, including the manner in which we handle or disclose dealer pricing information, or the imposition of significant civil or criminal penalties, including fines or the award of significant damages against us and our TrueCar Certified Dealers in class action or other civil litigation.
Privacy Laws
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations that relate to privacy, data protection and personal information, which in some cases can be enforced by private parties in addition to government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change. As a result, the application, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations are often uncertain, and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and inconsistently with our current practices and policies. For example, legislative or regulatory actions affecting the manner in which we display content to our users, use or share information or obtain consent to use or share information could adversely affect the manner in which we provide our services or adversely affect our financial results. For more information concerning these and other similar potential actions, refer to the risk factor “We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.”
Other
The foregoing description of laws and regulations to which we are or may be subject is not exhaustive, and the regulatory framework governing our operations is subject to continuous change. The enactment of new laws and regulations or the interpretation of existing laws and regulations in an unfavorable way may affect the operation of our business, directly or indirectly, which could result in substantial regulatory compliance costs, civil or criminal penalties, including fines, adverse publicity, loss of participating dealers, lost revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability. Further, investigations by government agencies, including the FTC, into allegedly anticompetitive, unfair, deceptive or otherwise unlawful business
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practices by us or our TrueCar Certified Dealers, could cause us to incur additional expenses and, if adversely concluded, could result in substantial civil or criminal penalties and significant legal liability. Finally, the evolution of our business, in particular in connection with the development and implementation of our TrueCar+ offering, could implicate additional regulatory frameworks with which we have not had prior experience. For example, regulators could take the position that our permitting consumers to use our technology solutions and interactive platform to arrange with our dealers for transportation of vehicles they purchase from those dealers implicates regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Further, some states have enacted laws which prohibit the sale of certain items, including cars, on specific days of the week. If a state were to conclude that the use of certain planned features of our TrueCar+ offering, such as the ability for a user to reserve a car and pay the purchase price online, on days affected by such laws would result in a violation of such laws, the ability of users to access these features could be diminished and the value of our TrueCar+ offering may be adversely affected. If any additional regulatory frameworks are finally determined to apply to our business, or if we are found for any reason not to comply with any applicable regulations, our business could be negatively impacted.
Our business, TrueCar Certified Dealers and the automotive industry may be impacted by laws, regulations and other policies put in place in response to climate change.
Federal, state and local governmental authorities have enacted, and will likely continue to enact initiatives aimed to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change. Although some of these initiatives may not be directly applicable to our business, many impact the larger automotive ecosystem. For example, vehicle manufacturers are subject to government-mandated fuel economy and greenhouse gas, or GHG, emission standards, which continue to change and become more stringent over time. Substantial changes to fuel economy requirements or new restrictions on GHG emissions that may be imposed on vehicles and fuels could adversely affect consumer demand for vehicles or increase the costs of operations for manufacturers and dealers. We also cannot predict whether future regulations will be designed to apply directly to businesses such as ours, which may be viewed by regulators as promoting the use and consumption of fossil fuels.
Consumers may also change their behavior as a result of concerns over climate change, including by seeking to reduce their reliance on automobiles generally or increasing demand for electric vehicles, some of which, as described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, are sold directly to consumers by manufacturers without the involvement of franchised dealers such as the TrueCar Certified Dealers on our network.
Further, in March 2022, the SEC proposed broad rules requiring increased climate change-related disclosure in certain public company SEC filings and, in October 2023, California’s governor signed two climate disclosure bills into law, and while the full impact that these requirements may have on our own reporting obligations is not yet clear, any future increase in our reporting obligations from these rules or future rules may require us to spend significant resources and divert management attention.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully adapt our operations in response to any climate-related changes or comply with any increased reporting obligations in a cost-effective manner, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.
We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data provided by consumers and dealers. We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to effect secure transmission of this information. From time to time, concerns have been expressed about whether our products, services or processes compromise the privacy of our users. Concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information or other privacy-related matters, even if unfounded, could harm our business and operating results.
There are many federal, state, local and foreign laws regarding privacy and the collection, processing, storage, sharing, disclosure, use or protection of personal information and other data. The scope of these laws is changing, they are subject to differing interpretations and they may be costly to comply with and may be inconsistent between countries and jurisdictions or conflict with other rules.
Numerous jurisdictions in which we do business are currently considering, or have enacted, data protection legislation, most prominently, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which we refer to as the CCPA. The CCPA imposes sweeping data protection obligations on many companies doing business in California and provides for substantial fines for non-compliance and, in some cases, a private right of action for consumers who are victims of data breaches involving their unencrypted personal information. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. Moreover, California voters approved the California Privacy Rights Act in 2020, which amended the CCPA to, among other things, further restrict information sharing, heighten penalties
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and establish a new governmental agency to enforce the CCPA. The CCPA has increased our compliance costs and potential liability. Modifications to our data processing practices and policies, products and consumer experience that we have made to comply with the CCPA and similar legislation, or that we may be required to make in the future as a result of the continuing changes to the requirements under that legislation or similar future legislation, may materially negatively impact our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
Legislation similar to the CCPA has also passed and has been proposed in a number of other states. The potential effects of these states’ legislation are far-reaching and may require us to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply, and it is unclear whether, and if so how, the United States Congress will respond to these overlapping, state-by-state enactments.
Further, many laws, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act of 2019, regulate outbound contacts with consumers, such as phone calls, texts or emails. If we, or dealers on our network, are perceived to have violated these or other similar laws and regulations, our brand and reputation could be negatively affected and we could face potentially costly litigation.
There are also emerging cases in which plaintiffs have asserted novel claims under existing privacy and data security laws in the United States, such as federal and state wiretapping laws, in ways which may impact our ability to offer certain products or employ widely used technologies that allow website and mobile app operators to understand how their users interact with their services. The outcome of these cases could cause us to make changes to our products or operations to avoid costly litigation, government enforcement actions, damages, and penalties under these laws, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and our financial condition.
Our business operations and data handling procedures are based on industry standards. We maintain and update privacy and information security policies and employ an audit and assurance program designed to ensure that we comply with privacy and security-related obligations to third parties. We strive to monitor the changing regulatory environment and to address the new requirements of applicable laws and regulations and other mandatory obligations relating to privacy and data protection. However, it is possible that these obligations may be interpreted and applied in new ways or in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another, that they may conflict with other rules or our practices or that new regulations could be enacted. In addition to the increasing technical and financial burdens they impose on our business, the rapid legislative and other legal developments in this field create considerable uncertainties and impose substantial compliance costs and challenges. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to consumers or other third parties or our privacy-related legal obligations, including those imposed by the CCPA and other state privacy laws, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of sensitive information, which may include personally identifiable information or other user data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others. Any of these consequences could cause consumers and automobile dealers to lose trust in us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Additionally, if vendors, developers or other third parties that we work with violate applicable laws or our policies, such violations may also put consumer or dealer information at risk and could in turn harm our reputation, business and operating results.
We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits. These claims may arise from a wide variety of business practices and initiatives, including product innovations, the content and functionality of the websites and mobile applications that we operate, our advertising practices and content, our use and storage of data, our use of intellectual property, M&A transactions and business transactions or other business relationships, such as those with our users, participating dealers, affinity partners, OEM partners, licensors, licensees landlords, tenants and employees. Additionally, as a public company, we face the risk of stockholder lawsuits, particularly if we experience declines in the price of our common stock. Adverse outcomes in any claim or lawsuit against us could result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. Examples of litigation to which we are, and have been, subject include:
Stockholder Litigation
Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation
In March 2018, Leon Milbeck filed a putative securities class action against us and certain of our then-current and former officers and directors in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which we refer to as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. The complaint, as amended, sought an award of unspecified damages and other relief based on allegations that the defendants made false or misleading statements about our business, operations, prospects and performance during a purported class period of February 16, 2017 through November 6, 2017 in violation of applicable securities laws in connection with our secondary offering of common stock that occurred during the class period. On May 26, 2020, the case was
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dismissed pursuant to a settlement. As a result, the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation is resolved, and we do not anticipate a loss related to this matter, because the settlement was covered by our directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. However, if similar litigation is filed against us, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damages awards. If any such matter is not ultimately resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs or adverse changes in our dealer network, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Derivative Litigation
In August 2019, three purported stockholder derivative actions were filed in Delaware alleging a variety of claims nominally on our behalf arising out of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty under Delaware law based upon substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. The complaints named us, certain of our then-current and former directors and officers, USAA and, in one of the actions, certain of entities affiliated with USAA as defendants. On October 7, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery consolidated the cases into a single action, which we refer to as the Delaware Consolidated Derivative Litigation. On September 30, 2020, the court dismissed the Delaware Consolidated Derivative Litigation with prejudice for failure to make a pre-suit demand and failure to state a claim and the plaintiffs did not appeal the ruling. As a result, the Delaware Consolidated Derivative Litigation has been resolved.
Following the court’s decision, the plaintiffs sent a letter to us demanding that we pursue claims against certain current and former officers for various alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties, based substantially on the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. On November 18, 2020, our board of directors established a special committee of the board, which we refer to as the Special Committee, to investigate the claims in the Delaware Consolidated Derivative Litigation, the Lee Derivative Litigation (described below) and other related stockholder demands. In October 2021, following the aforementioned investigation, our board of directors adopted the Special Committee’s recommendation that our board refuse the demands in their entirety and conclude that no further action is necessary.
Further, in December 2019, Sulgi Lee, a purported stockholder, filed a derivative action in the Delaware Court of Chancery alleging a variety of claims nominally on our behalf arising out of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty under Delaware law based upon substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation, which we refer to as the Lee Derivative Litigation and, together with the Delaware Consolidated Derivative Litigation, the Derivative Litigation. The complaint named us, certain of our then-current and former directors and officers and USAA as defendants. The plaintiff sought an award of damages against the defendants on our behalf and various alleged corporate governance reforms. Following the board’s action on the Special Committee’s recommendation, which is described above, the plaintiff dismissed her claims on June 22, 2022. As a result, the Lee Derivative Litigation is resolved, and we do not anticipate a loss related to this matter. However, if similar litigation is filed against us, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damages awards. If any such matter is not ultimately resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs or adverse changes in our dealer network, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
***
In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market prices of a particular company’s securities, securities class action lawsuits have often been instituted against affected companies, and as noted above, this type of lawsuit has been instituted against us in the form of the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation and the Derivative Litigation, among others. Additional lawsuits of this type or similar types, if instituted against us or one or more of our officers or directors, whether arising from alleged facts the same as, similar to or different from those alleged in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation or the Derivative Litigation, could result in significant legal fees, settlements or damage awards, as well as the diversion of our management’s attention and resources, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have incurred significant legal fees in our defense of certain of the matters referred to above and we may incur additional fees and other liabilities in connection with those matters that are still pending and any additional lawsuits that may be filed against us or one or more of our officers or directors hereafter. Our insurance policies may not provide sufficient coverage to adequately mitigate the legal fees and potential liabilities arising from these matters and, even where fees and liabilities are covered by those policies, we may be unable to fully collect the insurance proceeds in a timely manner or at all. As a result, these fees and other liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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We have in the past undertaken and may in the future pursue acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other similar transactions, which could divert our managements attention, result in additional dilution to our stockholders and otherwise disrupt our operations and harm our operating results, and if we do not manage them successfully or if acquired entities or investments fail to perform as expected, our financial results, business and prospects could be harmed.
In pursuing our business strategy, we routinely discuss and evaluate potential acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other similar transactions. For example, we may seek to expand or complement our existing products and services through the acquisition of or investment in attractive businesses and technologies rather than through internal development, such as our acquisitions of DealerScience in 2018 and Digital Motors in 2022, our investment in Accu-Trade in 2019 and divestment thereof in 2022 and our divestiture of our ALG, Inc. subsidiary, or, ALG, in 2020.
Transactions such as these require significant management time and resources and have the potential to divert our attention from our ongoing business, and we may not manage them successfully. We may be required to make substantial investments of resources to support any such transaction, and we cannot assure you that they will be successful. Additionally, strategic investments in and partnerships with other businesses expose us to the risk that we may not be able to control the operations of those businesses, which could decrease the benefits we realize from a particular relationship. We are also exposed to the risk that our partners in strategic investments may encounter financial difficulties that could lead to disruption of their activities, or impairment of assets acquired, which could adversely affect future reported results of operations and stockholders’ equity. 
The risks we face in connection with transactions such as these include: 
diversion of management time and focus from operating our business; 
additional operating losses and expenses of other businesses;
integration of acquisitions, including coordination of technology, research and development and sales and marketing functions; 
transition of the other business’s users to our website and mobile applications; 
retention of employees from an acquired business, or separation of employees from a divested business; 
cultural and other challenges associated with integrating employees from an acquired business into our organization; 
integration of an acquired business’s accounting, management information, human resources, legal and other administrative systems, or extrication of such systems from a divested business; 
the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies at a business that prior to the transaction may have lacked effective controls, procedures and policies; 
potential write-offs of intangibles or other assets acquired in acquisitions or similar transactions, or write-downs of investments, that may have an adverse effect our operating results in a given period;
the risks associated with the businesses, products or technologies in question, which may differ from or be more significant than the risks our business faces;
the risks associated with obtaining necessary regulatory approval for a transaction;
liability for the activities, products or services of the business, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities;
risk related to the payment of contingent consideration; and 
litigation or other claims in connection with the business, product or technology in question, including claims from terminated employees, consumers, former stockholders or other third parties.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future transactions could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of those transactions, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business generally. Future transactions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities; the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses; or the write-off of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition, and the anticipated benefits of any transaction may not materialize.
For example, the total consideration of $135 million payable in connection with the divestiture of ALG in 2020, included up to a maximum of $22.5 million in contingent consideration, comprising one payment of up to $7.5 million payable based on ALG’s achievement of certain revenue metrics in 2020 and another payment of up to $15 million payable based on its achievement of certain other revenue metrics in 2022. The first tranche of $7.5 million in contingent consideration was paid in
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the first quarter of 2021, but on April 17, 2023, ALG provided us with notice that it failed to achieve the 2022 revenue metrics required for us to be entitled to any of the $15 million contingent consideration. As we review the basis of this notice there can be no assurance that we will be entitled to any of the contingent consideration. If we enter into future transactions in which any amount of consideration is payable contingent upon factors beyond our control, we will be unable to guarantee that such payments will be received.
Further, we acquired our Digital Motors subsidiary in the second quarter of 2022 in part to integrate certain features of its existing automotive retail and financial technology platform into our current and future product offerings, including our TrueCar+ offering. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully integrate some or any technology developed by Digital Motors into our own platforms or that the benefits of any such integration will make our offerings more attractive to dealers and consumers. We also cannot guarantee that any benefits that result from our acquisition of Digital Motors or any other acquisition will outweigh the costs incurred due to the allocation of financial and other resources to such acquisition, or result in a meaningful return on our investment. For example, in June 2023, in order to preserve flexibility in how we employed the assets obtained in the Digital Motors acquisition, we entered into an agreement with the former shareholders of Digital Motors to waive certain product development and revenue milestones that the Digital Motors business would have otherwise been required to achieve to be entitled to certain contingent consideration under our acquisition agreement.
Our platform must integrate with a variety of web browsers and operating systems, both on desktop computers and mobile devices, that are developed by others, and our business is dependent on our ability to maintain our platform’s functionality and deliver a compelling user experience across those browsers and operating systems.
We interact with users through our Internet-based platform, which is designed to operate on a variety of network, hardware and software platforms that are developed by others and over which we have no control, including the numerous web browsers and operating systems that consumers use to access the Internet, both on desktop computers and mobile devices. As a result, we need to continuously modify and enhance our platform to keep pace with consumers’ evolving expectations and changes in network, hardware, software, communication and browser technologies.
For example, some web browsers have begun to discontinue third-party cookie tracking, and the providers of certain other web browsers have announced an intention to do so as well. Certain of our marketing efforts currently rely on cookies to identify in-market consumers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to mitigate any adverse effects that result from browsers blocking our cookies, or altering the manner in which, or the extent to which, they support our cookies.
If we are unable to respond in a timely and cost-effective manner to the rapid technological developments in the network, hardware and software programs that consumers use to interact with us and our dealers and partners, or otherwise to provide a compelling user experience across each of the devices and browsers that consumers prefer to use, our platform could become obsolete or otherwise attract fewer users, which could adversely impact our revenues, business and operating results.
The success of our business depends on consumers’ continued and unimpeded access to our platform on the Internet.
Consumers must have Internet access to use our platform. Some providers may take measures that affect consumers’ ability to use our platform, such as degrading the quality of the connections through which we transmit data packets over their lines, giving those packets lower priority, giving other packets higher priority than ours, blocking our packets entirely or attempting to charge their customers more for using our platform. If network operators attempt to interfere with our services, extract fees from us to deliver our platform or otherwise engage in discriminatory practices, our business could be adversely affected.
In December 2010, the FCC adopted so-called “net neutrality” rules barring Internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to online content, protecting services like ours from this type of interference, which we refer to as the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. Effective June 11, 2018, however, the FCC repealed the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations, and considerable uncertainty currently surrounds the regulatory environment in this field. For example, multiple states have enacted legislation intended to implement rules similar to the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations at the state level, which, in some instances, has led to legal challenges, including litigation over the preemptive effects of the FCC’s regulatory authority in this area of law. Further, on April 10, 2019, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that would reinstate the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations and in September 2023, the FTC announced its intent to restore the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. As a result, there is considerable uncertainty in this area of the law and we cannot predict the final outcome of the challenges to legal protections of net neutrality at the state and federal level. In this regulatory environment, we could experience discriminatory or anti-competitive practices that could impede our growth, cause us to incur additional expense or otherwise negatively affect our business.
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Security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, or other hacking and phishing attacks on our systems, could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Our industry is prone to cyberattacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to our data or users’ data or to disrupt our ability to provide service. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, including personal information, content or payment information from users, could result in the loss or misuse of such data, which could harm our business and reputation and diminish our competitive position. In addition, computer malware, viruses, social engineering (such as spear phishing attacks) and general hacking have become more prevalent in our industry, have occurred on our systems in the past and are likely to occur on our systems in the future. Such attacks may cause interruptions to the services we provide, degrade the user experience, cause users to lose confidence and trust in our products, impair our internal systems or result in financial harm to us. Further, these risks could be heightened by the fact that most of our employees work from home.
Our efforts to protect our data or the data we receive could also be unsuccessful due to software bugs or other technical malfunctions; employee, contractor or vendor error or malfeasance; government surveillance; or other threats. In addition, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose information to gain access to our data or our users’ data. Cyberattacks continue to evolve in sophistication and volume and may be inherently difficult to detect for long periods of time. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect our data and user data, to prevent data loss and to prevent or detect security breaches, we cannot assure you that such measures will provide absolute security, and we may need to expend significant resources in protecting against or remediating security breaches and cyberattacks.
In addition, some of our third-party partners, including developers, affinity group marketing partners and OEM partners, may receive or store information that we or our users provide. If these partners fail to adopt or adhere to adequate data security practices, or suffer a breach of their networks, our data or our users’ data could be improperly accessed, used or disclosed. Affected users or government authorities could initiate legal or regulatory actions against us in connection with any actual or perceived security breaches or improper disclosure of data, which could cause us to incur significant expense and liability or result in orders or consent decrees requiring us to modify our business practices. Such incidents or our efforts to remediate those incidents could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation or financial results.
Our products and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical. If it contains undetected errors or vulnerabilities, our business could be adversely affected.
Our products and internal systems rely on software, including software developed or maintained internally or by third parties, that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our products and internal systems depend on the ability of that software to store, retrieve, process and manage substantial amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained, and may in the future contain, undetected errors, bugs or vulnerabilities. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors, vulnerabilities or other design defects within the software on which we rely have in the past, and may in the future, result in a negative experience for consumers, dealers and partners who use our products, delay product introductions or enhancements, result in targeting, measurement or billing errors, compromise our ability to protect consumers’, dealers’ and partners’ data and our intellectual property or lead to reductions in our ability to provide some or all of our products and services. In addition, any errors, bugs, vulnerabilities or defects discovered in the software on which we rely, and any associated degradation or interruption of service, could result in damage to our reputation, loss of users, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Our business is dependent on our ability to maintain and scale our technical infrastructure, and any significant disruption in service on our website or mobile applications could damage our reputation and result in a loss of consumers, which could harm our business, brand, operating results and financial condition.
Our brand, reputation and ability to attract consumers, affinity groups and advertisers depend on the reliable performance of our technology platform and content delivery. We have on occasion in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, interruptions with our systems. Interruptions in these systems, whether due to system failures, computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks or physical or electronic break-ins, could affect the security or availability of our products and services on our website and mobile application and prevent or inhibit the ability of consumers to access our products and services. To the extent that our consumer base, the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers and the number of parties with which we maintain commercial relationships grow, we would need an increasing amount of technical infrastructure, including network capacity and computing power, to satisfy consumers’ and dealers’ needs and maintain and grow business operations with commercial partners, and we may not effectively scale and grow our technical infrastructure to accommodate any increased demands. Problems with the reliability or security of our systems or with the upgrading, architectural unification or scaling of those systems could harm our reputation, result in a loss of consumers, dealers and affinity group marketing partners and result in additional costs. In addition, a significant disruption in our billing systems could affect our ability to match automobile
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purchases made by our users from TrueCar Certified Dealers and delay or prevent us from submitting invoices to TrueCar Certified Dealers, receiving payment for invoices and recognizing revenue related to purchases.
Any errors, defects, disruptions or other performance or reliability problems with our network operations, or with the services we receive from third-party network infrastructure providers, could cause interruptions in access to our products and could harm our reputation, business, operating results and financial condition.
We rely on Amazon Web Services for the majority of our computing, storage, bandwidth and other services. Any disruption of or interference with our use of Amazon Web Services would negatively affect our operations and seriously harm our business.
Amazon provides a distributed computing infrastructure platform for business operations, or what is commonly referred to as a “cloud” computing service, and we currently run nearly all of our computing on Amazon Web Services.
Any transition of the cloud services currently provided by Amazon Web Services to another cloud provider would be difficult to implement and would cause us to incur significant time and expense. We have built our software and computer systems to use computing, storage capabilities, bandwidth and other services provided by Amazon, some of which do not have a readily available alternative in the market. Given this, any significant disruption of or interference with our use of Amazon Web Services would negatively impact our operations and seriously harm our business.
If our users or partners are not able to access our products and services through Amazon Web Services or encounter difficulties in doing so, we may lose customers, dealers, partners and revenue. The level of service provided by Amazon Web Services or similar providers may also impact our customers’, dealers’ and partners’ usage of our products and services and satisfaction with us. If Amazon Web Services or similar providers experience interruptions in service regularly or for a prolonged period of time, or other similar issues, our business would be seriously harmed. Hosting costs also have increased in the past and may continue to increase to the extent that our user base and user engagement grow and may seriously harm our business if we are unable to grow our revenues faster than the cost of using the services of Amazon or similar providers.
Amazon has broad discretion to change and interpret its terms of service and other policies that apply to us, and those actions may be unfavorable to us. Amazon may also alter how we are able to process data on the Amazon Web Services platform. If Amazon makes changes or interpretations that are unfavorable to us, our business could be seriously harmed. Additionally, any disruption of or interference with the use of Amazon Web Services, including disruptions due to system failures, denial-of-service or other cyberattacks and computer viruses, or an interruption to Amazon’s systems or in the infrastructure that allows us to connect to them for an extended period, may impact our ability to operate the business and would adversely impact our operations and our business.
Our growth in prior years may not be indicative of our future growth.
Our revenue grew from $38.1 million in 2010 to $335.0 million in 2019. However, our overall revenue declined by 16.9% in 2021 to $231.7 million and by an additional 30.3% in 2022 to $161.5 million. In light of the termination of our partnership with USAA in 2020 and the automobile inventory shortage and other factors that have affected our business since 2021, our revenue in the near future may continue to be lower than it has been in past periods. In addition, our ability to grow our revenue is dependent on our ability to:
successfully develop and roll out our TrueCar+ offering and other new product offerings;
expand our dealer network in a geographically optimized manner, including increasing dealers in our network representing high-volume brands; 
increase the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers;
increase dealer subscription rates, and manage dealer churn;
grow the revenue we derive from car manufacturer incentive programs;
increase the number of dealers subscribing to our other products;
maintain and grow our affinity group marketing partner relationships and increase the productivity of our current affinity group marketing partners, and to replace the units generated by our former partnership with USAA; 
increase the number of users of our products and services, and in particular the number of unique visitors to the TrueCar website and our TrueCar-branded mobile applications, including by improving our search-engine optimization; 
enhance our consumer experience and increase the rate at which site visitors prospect with a TrueCar Certified Dealer and purchase from the prospected dealer;
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improve the quality of our existing products and services, and introduce high-quality new products and services; 
maintain our existing product offerings, including our Trade and Sell Your Car offerings following the termination of our commercial relationship with Accu-Trade; and  
introduce third-party ancillary products and services, including by integrating acquired products and services into our business.
We may not successfully accomplish any of these objectives. We plan to continue our investment in future growth. Among other things, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on:
marketing and advertising; 
dealer outreach and training;
technology and product development, including the continuing development of TrueCar+, other new products and new features for existing products;
strategic partnerships, investments and acquisitions; and 
general administration, including legal, accounting and other compliance expenses related to being a public company.
We have a history of losses and we may not be profitable in the future.
We have not been profitable since inception. We had an accumulated deficit of $560.4 million at September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had a net loss of $47.9 million. From time to time in the past, we have made significant investments in our operations that have not resulted in corresponding revenue growth and, as a result, increased our losses. We continue to make significant investments to support the further development and expansion of our business and these investments may not result in increased revenue or growth on a timely basis or at all. Our revenue growth has been highly influenced by marketing expenditures. Incremental marketing expenditures in certain situations do not result in sufficient incremental revenue to cover their cost. This limits the growth in revenue that can be achieved through marketing expenditures. In addition, as a public company, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses.
We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including slowing demand for our products and services, increasing competition, weakness in the automobile industry generally and other risks described in this report, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, and other unknown factors. If we incur losses in the future, we may not be able to reduce costs effectively because many of our costs are fixed. In addition, if we reduce variable costs to respond to losses, this may affect our ability to acquire users and dealers, improve our products and services and grow our revenues. Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and we may continue to incur significant losses in the future, and this could seriously harm our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Our number of unique visitors, revenue and operating results fluctuate due to seasonality.
Our number of unique visitors, revenue trends and operating results reflect consumers’ car buying patterns. Across the automotive industry, consumers tend to purchase a higher volume of cars in the second and third quarters of each year, due in part to the introduction of new vehicle models from manufacturers. In the past, these seasonal trends have not been pronounced due to the overall growth of our business, and more recently the effects of seasonality on our results have been outweighed by disruptions to our business, such as the termination of our partnership with USAA, the coronavirus pandemic and the automobile inventory shortage, but we expect that in the future our revenues may be affected more by these seasonal trends. Our business could also be impacted by cyclical trends affecting the overall economy, specifically the retail automobile industry, as well as by actual or threatened inflation, recession, severe weather or other significant events outside of our control.
Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could harm our business and operating results.
Our business depends on our intellectual property, the protection of which is crucial to our success. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright law and contractual restrictions to protect our intellectual property. In addition, we attempt to protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information by requiring our employees and consultants to enter into confidentiality and assignment of inventions agreements and third parties to enter into nondisclosure agreements. These agreements may not effectively prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our website features, software and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary.
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Competitors may adopt service names similar to ours, thereby harming our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to user confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of the term “TrueCar.”
We have also registered trademarks under the laws of certain jurisdictions outside of the United States. If applicable authorities determine that we do not conduct sufficient activities in such jurisdictions to maintain our rights over such trademarks, our ability to expand our business and our brand into new markets in the future could be harmed.
We currently hold the “TrueCar.com” and “True.com” Internet domain names as well as various other related domain names. The regulation of domain names in the United States is subject to change. Regulatory bodies could establish additional top-level domains, appoint additional domain name registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names. As a result, we may not be able to acquire or maintain all domain names that use the name TrueCar.
We are occasionally party to intellectual property disputes, which can be costly and could harm our business and operating results.
From time to time, we face allegations that we, or businesses we acquired or in which we invested, have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities. For example, in the second quarter of 2020, a Florida dealer sued us claiming that our “BUY SMARTER DRIVE HAPPIER” tagline, which is featured in some of our marketing materials, infringed its “BUY SMART BE HAPPY” trademark. Although this litigation was resolved without any effect on our business, if any similar litigation is brought and decided adversely to us, we could be required to change our tagline and replace the marketing materials in which it is featured, which would be costly and could damage our brand. Moreover, as discussed in greater detail under the risk factor “Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could harm our business and operating results,” from time to time, we take legal action to protect our own intellectual property.
Patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering some features, purchase licenses or modify our products and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes or may result in significant settlement costs.
In addition, we use open-source software in our products and expect to use open-source software in the future. From time to time, we may face claims by companies that incorporate open-source software into their products, claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, the open-source software or derivative works that were developed using the software, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open-source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our platform or services, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and operating results.
Even if these matters do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary to litigate or resolve them, could harm our business, operating results and reputation.
The impairment of our goodwill, or any intangible or other long-lived assets or investments has required us in the past, and could further require us in the future, to record a non-cash charge to our earnings, which has materially and adversely affected our results of operations, and may again in the future.
At September 30, 2023, we had intangible assets of $10.0 million. Prior to the interim quantitative impairment test conducted as of September 30, 2022, discussed below, we had goodwill of $59.8 million. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we review our goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We review our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For example, in the first quarter of 2020, in light of the global economic disruption and uncertainty occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic and the announcement of the then-impending termination of our affinity partnership with USAA, we performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of March 31, 2020, which concluded that the carrying value of our single reporting unit was greater than its fair value. Accordingly, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $10.2 million, of which $1.9 million was included in discontinued operations. Further, following a decline in our stock price in the third quarter of 2022 and continued macroeconomic disruptions impacting our business, we performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of September 30, 2022, which concluded that the carrying value of our single reporting unit exceeded the fair value and, accordingly, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $59.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
We cannot guarantee that in future periods we will not be required to recognize additional impairment charges, whether in our goodwill, to the extent it is regained in the future, or other intangible assets, nor that we will be able to avoid a significant charge to earnings in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which an impairment is determined
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to exist. As a result, the carrying value of our goodwill, to the extent it is regained in the future, and intangible assets may not be recoverable due to factors such as a decline in our stock price and market capitalization, reduced estimates of future revenues or cash flows or slower growth rates in our industry. Estimates of future revenues and cash flows are based on a long-term financial outlook of our operations. Actual performance in the near-term or long-term could be materially different from these forecasts, which could impact future estimates and the recorded value of the intangible assets. Impairments to our goodwill have materially and adversely affected our results of operations in the past, as could future reductions in the carrying value of any intangible assets.
If our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes is limited, we may not receive the benefit of those assets.
We had federal net operating loss carryforwards that begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2034 and state net operating losses that began to expire in the year ended December 31, 2022. Federal net operating losses generated after December 31, 2017 will not expire and will carry forward indefinitely, but will be limited in any given year to offsetting a maximum of 80% of our taxable income for the year, determined without regard to the application of such net operating loss carryforwards. We had federal research and development credit carryforwards that begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2040 and state research and development credit carryforwards that can be carried forward indefinitely.
Sections 382 and 383 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code impose substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses and other tax attributes in the event of a cumulative “ownership change” of a corporation of more than 50% over a three-year period. Accordingly, if we generate taxable income in the future, changes in our stock ownership, including equity offerings and share repurchase programs, as well as other changes that may be outside our control, could potentially result in material limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss and research tax credit carryforwards.
Changes in applicable tax law and resolutions of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results.
We are subject to taxation in the United States. Changes in tax laws applicable to us, including interpretations thereof and related accounting standards, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, in 2018, the United States Supreme Court decided South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. That decision overturned earlier case law that online sellers are not required to collect sales and use taxes unless they have a physical presence in the buyer’s state. Although the Wayfair decision has not had a material effect on our business, it has resulted in nationwide uncertainty over sales tax liability and could precipitate responses from federal and state legislators, regulators and courts that materially increase our tax administrative costs and tax risk. Many states have also adopted laws requiring so-called “marketplace facilitators” to collect and remit sales taxes on behalf of participants in their marketplaces. Certain states also require sales tax to be collected and remitted with respect to the provision of software as a service (SaaS), downloadable software, information services, data processing services and, under certain circumstances, lead generating services. To the extent regulators take the position that such laws require us to collect and remit sales taxes related to the sales of cars to consumers by TrueCar Certified Dealers or characterize any of our existing or future product offerings as taxable SaaS, downloadable software, information services, data processing services, lead generation services or as any other taxable product or service, our business could be adversely affected.
States may also enact legislation that effectively diminishes our tax assets, such as the suspension California placed on the ability for certain companies to deduct net operating losses between 2020 and 2021, which impacted our ability to offset income received from the 2020 divestiture of our ALG subsidiary in California with net operating losses.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, research and development costs are no longer fully deductible in the current year and are required to be capitalized and amortized for U.S. tax purposes effective January 1, 2022. Unless repealed or modified through legislative processes, this mandatory capitalization may increase our cash tax liabilities.
We continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of potential and enacted changes in applicable federal and state tax law.
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
We may fail to meet our publicly announced guidance or other expectations about our business and future operating results, which could cause our stock price to decline.
We typically provide guidance about our business and future operating results as part of our press releases, investor conference calls or otherwise. In developing any such guidance, our management must make certain assumptions and judgments about our future performance. For example, in the second quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2018, our business results varied significantly from guidance for the quarter and the price of our common stock declined. Our future business results may vary significantly from our guidance due to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, and which could materially and adversely affect our operations, financial condition and operating results. For example, in connection with the Restructuring Plan undertaken in June 2023, we modified our previously issued guidance under which we had expected to have an aggregate cash balance in excess of $125 million when we achieved breakeven or positive EBITDA by the fourth quarter of 2023, stating that instead we expected that our aggregate cash balance could drop below $125 million, in part as a result of expenses associated with the Restructuring Plan. If our publicly-announced guidance of future operating results fails to meet the expectations of securities analysts, investors or other interested parties, the price of our common stock could decline. Given the volatility of our business recently during the coronavirus pandemic, the ongoing automobile inventory shortage and following the termination of our partnership with USAA, we refrained from providing guidance about our future operating results in certain recent quarters, and may choose to refrain from doing so again in the future. This practice may also have caused, and may in the future cause, additional volatility in the trading price of our common stock.
The price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile, and the value of your investment could decline.
The trading price of our common stock has been volatile since our initial public offering and is likely to continue to fluctuate substantially. These fluctuations could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in our common stock since you might be unable to sell your shares at or above the price you paid. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from a low of $1.84 per share to a high of $3.49 per share. The trading price of our common stock depends on a number of factors, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section, many of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. Additional factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include the following:
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; 
volatility in the market prices and trading volumes of technology stocks; 
changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other technology companies generally, or those in the automotive industry in particular; 
sales of shares of our common stock by us or our stockholders;
the failure of securities analysts to maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates or recommendations by any securities analysts who follow our company; 
our failure to meet our publicly-announced guidance of future operating results or otherwise to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in this regard;
announcements by us or our competitors of new products or innovations to existing products; 
the public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements and filings with the SEC, including the guidance regarding our future operating results or the absence of such guidance;
rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry; 
actual or anticipated changes in our operating results or fluctuations in our operating results; 
actual or anticipated developments in our business, our competitors’ businesses or the competitive landscape generally; 
our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses;
litigation involving us, our industry or both, or investigations by regulators into our operations or those of our competitors; 
developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; 
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announced or completed acquisitions, divestitures, investments or other similar transactions involving us or our competitors;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business; 
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations or principles; 
any significant change in our management; 
conditions in the automobile industry and broader macroeconomic trends; and 
general macroeconomic conditions and the growth rate of our markets and the impact of ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic on these conditions and markets.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry factors, including those relating to events such as the coronavirus pandemic, may seriously affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Additionally, as a public company, we face the risk of shareholder lawsuits, particularly if we experience declines in the price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market prices of our securities, securities class action lawsuits have often been instituted against us, and we may in the future be subject to these legal actions.  
Concentration of ownership among our existing executive officers and directors, their affiliates and holders of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
As of September 30, 2023, our executive officers, directors and holders of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock (based upon the most recent filings on Schedule 13G with the SEC with respect to each such holder) beneficially owned, in the aggregate, approximately 54% of our outstanding shares of common stock (assuming exercise of all beneficially owned shares). Some of these persons or entities may have interests that are different from yours. For example, these stockholders may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree or which are not in your interests. These stockholders are able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without the support of these stockholders, which in turn could reduce the price of our common stock.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of the sale of substantial amounts of our common stock, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders, a large number of shares of our common stock becoming available for sale or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares.
At September 30, 2023, approximately 90.5 million shares of our common stock were outstanding. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, there were 2.4 million shares underlying options and 9.4 million shares underlying restricted stock units. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold in the public market, the trading price of our stock could decline. Under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, shares held by non-affiliates for more than six months may generally be sold without restriction, other than a current public information requirement, and may be sold freely without any restrictions after one year. Shares held by affiliates may also be sold under Rule 144, subject to applicable restrictions, including volume and manner of sale limitations.
In January 2017, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which we refer to as the 2017 Registration Statement. Under the 2017 Registration Statement, we sold 1.15 million shares of common stock and certain selling stockholders sold 9.2 million shares of common stock.
Although the 2017 Registration Statement has expired and we have deregistered the unsold shares thereunder, we may file a subsequent registration statement with the SEC, after which we or selling stockholders may periodically offer additional securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. If we do so, we will prepare and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering.
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
If our existing stockholders, including employees and service providers who obtain equity, sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline. All of our outstanding shares are
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eligible for sale in the public market, other than approximately 2.9 million shares (including vested options) as of September 30, 2023 held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates that are subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. Our employees, other service providers and directors are subject to our trading blackout periods. In addition, we have reserved shares for issuance under our equity incentive plans. The issuance and subsequent sale of these shares will be dilutive to our existing stockholders and the trading price of our common stock could decline.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. Our corporate governance documents include provisions: 
creating a classified board of directors whose members serve staggered three-year terms;
authorizing “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our board of directors without stockholder approval and may contain voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; 
limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers; 
limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings; 
requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors; 
controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of board of directors and stockholder meetings; and 
providing our board of directors with the express power to postpone previously scheduled annual meetings and to cancel previously scheduled special meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management.
As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prevents some stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of substantially all of our outstanding common stock.
Any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we otherwise agree, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for:
any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; 
any action asserting a claim against us under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; 
any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; and
any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal-affairs doctrine. 
This exclusive-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, employees and other agents. If a court were to find this exclusive-forum provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business.
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We do not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors may need to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.
We cannot guarantee that our share repurchase program will be fully used or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility of the trading price of our stock and will diminish our cash reserves.
Although our board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program, the program does not require us to spend any specific dollar amount on repurchases or to repurchase any specific number of shares of our common stock. We cannot guarantee when or if the repurchases authorized under the program will be made or that the program will enhance long-term stockholder value. For example, we made no repurchases of shares under our share repurchase program in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Further, in August 2022, Congress enacted a 1% excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which went into effect on January 1, 2023 and will increase the costs of repurchasing shares of our common stock in the future. The program could affect the trading price of our stock and increase volatility, and any announcement of a termination of the program may result in a decrease in the trading price of our stock. In addition, to the extent that repurchases are made, implementation of this program will diminish our cash reserves.

General Risk Factors
We have incurred and will continue to incur substantial costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management has been and will be required to continue to devote substantial time to compliance with our public company responsibilities and corporate governance practices.
As a public company, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and other laws and rules implemented by the SEC and Nasdaq impose various requirements on public companies, including in relation to corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, changing rules and regulations may increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time consuming and costly. If, despite our efforts to comply with new or changing laws, regulations and standards, we fail to comply, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us, and our business may be harmed. Further, failure to comply with these laws, regulations and standards may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage, which could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or board committees or as executive officers.
Our compliance with applicable provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to management assessment of internal controls requires that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management time on compliance-related issues as we implement additional corporate governance practices and comply with reporting requirements. If we or our independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
Furthermore, investor perceptions of our company may suffer if, in the future, material weaknesses are found, and this could cause a decline in the market price of our stock. Irrespective of compliance with Section 404, any failure of our internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our stated operating results and harm our reputation. If we are unable to implement and maintain internal controls effectively or efficiently, it could harm our operations, financial reporting or financial results and could result in an adverse opinion on internal control from our independent registered public accounting firm.
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If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about us, our business or our market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. The analysts who cover us have from time to time in the past changed their recommendation regarding our stock adversely, and provided more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, which has in the past caused our stock price to decline. Any of these analysts could do so again, which could cause our stock price to decline again. Additionally, from time to time, analysts who cover us have ceased coverage of our company, and if any further analysts who cover us were to cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Natural disasters, public health crises, political crises and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control could damage our facilities or the facilities of third parties on which we depend, and could impact consumer spending.
Our corporate headquarters, many of our employees and many of our essential business operations are located in the Los Angeles area, near major geologic faults that have experienced earthquakes in the past. An earthquake or other natural disaster or power shortage or outage could disrupt operations or impair critical systems. Any of these disruptions or other events outside of our control could affect our business negatively, harming our operating results. In addition, if any of our facilities or the facilities of our third-party service providers, dealers or partners is affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, power shortages, floods, public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics), political crises (such as terrorism, war, political instability or other conflict) or other events outside our control, including a cyberattack, our critical business or IT systems could be destroyed or disrupted and our ability to conduct normal business operations and our revenues and operating results could be adversely affected. Moreover, these types of events could negatively impact consumer spending in the impacted regions or, depending upon the severity, globally, which could adversely impact our operating results.
For example, as discussed in the risk factor “General economic and other conditions that impact consumer demand for automobiles, including interest rates, inflation, fuel prices and the impacts of public health events such as the coronavirus pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations,” responses to the coronavirus pandemic negatively affected our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in a number of ways, and we cannot predict whether future outbreaks of the coronavirus, including its variants and subvariants, or of other infectious diseases will result in renewed governmental restrictions on consumer and dealer behavior, any of which could have negative financial and operational impacts on our business.
We may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances. If capital is not available to us, our operating results, business and financial condition may be harmed.
Since our founding, we have raised substantial equity and debt financing to support the growth of our business. Because we intend to continue to make investments to support the growth of our business, we may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances, including to develop new products or services or further improve existing products and services, enhance our operating infrastructure and acquire complementary businesses and technologies. Accordingly, we may need to engage in further equity or debt financings to secure additional funds. However, additional funds may not be available when we need them, on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. Volatility in the credit markets, including increased volatility due to the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, may also have an adverse effect on our ability to obtain debt financing.
If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our common stock. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to pursue our business objectives and to respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances could be significantly limited, and our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.
If we raise additional funds through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of the securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in the past, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or
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securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid in the past. In addition, if we were to issue securities in connection with our acquisition of complementary businesses, products or technologies, our stockholders would also experience dilution.
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Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.

(b)Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
On August 6, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized a share repurchase program of up to $75 million to allow for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, with such authorization effective until September 30, 2022. In May 2021, the Board increased the authorization of the share repurchase program by an additional $75 million, bringing the total authorization to $150 million. In July 2022, the Board extended the expiration of the repurchase program to September 30, 2024 without increasing the total dollar amount authorized for repurchases. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount of its shares.
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Item 6.   Exhibits
The documents listed below are incorporated by reference or are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in each case as indicated therein (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
Exhibit 
Number
DescriptionIncorporated by 
Reference From Form
Incorporated 
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
Date Filed
3.1August 7, 2020
3.4May 5, 2014
  
  
32.1 (1)
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.  
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentFiled herewith  
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith  
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith  
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith  
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith  
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XRBL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibit 101)Filed herewith
#    Indicates a compensatory plan.
(1)This certification is deemed not filed for purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
   
 TRUECAR, INC.
  
Date:November 7, 2023By:/s/ Jantoon E. Reigersman
  Jantoon E. Reigersman
  President & Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date:November 7, 2023By:
/s/ Oliver M. Foley
  
Oliver M. Foley
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)
   

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Exhibit 10.1
TRUECAR, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of September 25, 2023 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”) and Oliver Foley (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
    WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain the services of Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recital and the respective undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1.Duties and Obligations.
(a)Duties and Scope of Employment. As of October 30, 2023 (the “Start Date”), Executive will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”), but at any time following the Start Date, the Company may change the reporting structure such that instead of reporting to the CEO, Executive would report to another executive of the Company (the “Managing Executive”) and, for purposes of clarification, such change in reporting structure would not constitute “Good Reason” (as defined below) for purposes of this Agreement. Executive will have the authority generally allowed to persons discharging the duties of such position. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of Executive’s duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to Executive by the CEO or, as applicable, the Managing Executive. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”
(b)Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform Executive’s duties faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability and will devote Executive’s full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Employment Term for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO or the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Executive will not engage in any other activities that conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company.
2.At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without notice. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment.
3.Compensation.
(a)Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $400,000.00 as compensation for Executive’s services (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject




to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.
(b)Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a bonus targeted annually at 50% of Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Bonus”). Any Bonus may be based on a variety of metrics including Executive’s performance and the Company’s performance and such other factors as the Board or the Compensation and Workforce Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) deem appropriate, and will be paid in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee.  Because a primary objective of the Bonus is employee retention, Executive will only be eligible to earn a Bonus if Executive remains employed by the Company in good standing on the date that the Bonus is paid.  The Bonus, if awarded, is generally paid, less the usual, required withholding, on an annual basis and generally paid to employees during the quarter immediately following the end of the annual performance period to which the Bonus relates, and in all cases, not later than March 15th of the year after the year to which the Bonus relates. All or a portion of the Bonus may, at the discretion of the Company, instead of annual payment be paid in the form of quarterly, “spot” or periodic bonuses that may be paid throughout the year or in such other form as the Company determines. Any Bonus Executive receives for calendar year 2023 will reflect a pro-ration based on Executive’s Start Date. The Company’s bonus program is subject to change at the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may, in its discretion, grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to Executive.
(c)Equity.
(i)Initial RSU Award. As a material inducement to Executive accepting employment with the Company, at the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Start Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted an award of restricted stock units covering 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Initial RSUs”). The Company will recommend that the Initial RSUs have a vesting commencement date of the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month after the Start Date and will vest in approximately equal quarterly amounts over sixteen (16) quarters, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the three (3)-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date. All Initial RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan or such other equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company and a restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the Initial RSUs, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.
(ii)Initial PRSU Award. As a material inducement to Executive accepting employment with the Company, at the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Start Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted an award of performance-based restricted stock units covering 224,493 shares of the Company’s common stock at target performance (the “Initial PRSUs”). The Company will recommend that the Initial PRSUs be granted on substantially the same terms and conditions (other than the number of shares subject to the award), including vesting conditions, as the 2023 annual performance-based equity awards to its other non-CEO executives. All Initial PRSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan or such other equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company and a performance-based restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the Initial PRSUs, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.
(iii)General Eligibility for Additional Equity Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based equity awards or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms
    -2-



of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.
(d)Signing Bonus. Executive will be paid a signing bonus of $75,000 (the “Signing Bonus”), which will be paid in the first payroll period following Executive’s Start Date, subject to the usual, required withholding. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) for Cause by the Company, in either event, prior to October 30, 2024, then Executive will be required to repay to the Company a prorated portion of the Signing Bonus, based upon the number of months remaining in the period measured from the Start Date through and including October 30, 2024. For purposes of clarification, if (i) the Company terminates Executive’s employment for a reason other than Cause; (ii) Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability; or (iii) Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, then Executive will not be required to repay any portion of the Signing Bonus to the Company.
4.Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in benefit plans and programs of the Company (including vacation and/or paid-time off), maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees if any, on the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated employees to the extent that Executive’s position, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make Executive eligible to participate in such plans or programs, subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. Executive will be provided with additional information about those benefits upon or shortly following Executive’s Start Date. The Company reserves the right to modify employee compensation and cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time in its discretion.
5.Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
6.Severance Benefits.
(a)Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs prior to a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards as to the number of shares subject to each such Equity Award that otherwise would have vested had Executive remained an employee of the Company through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (“COBRA”) during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity
    -3-



Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the terms of this Agreement may restrict the Company’s ability to make future modifications, including but not limited to the vesting schedule and/or payment timing, to Executive’s restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units without risking a violation of Section 409A (as defined below).
(b)Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, regardless of whether before, on or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive or, if applicable, Executive’s estate (in which case references to “Executive” in this Section 6(b) and in Section 6(d) will be deemed to refer to Executive’s estate) will receive as severance from the Company: (i) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award, and (ii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
(c)Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason on or after a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs upon or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s outstanding Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the date of the termination of Executive’s employment and were granted at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
(d)COBRA Benefits. Any COBRA reimbursements under this Agreement will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense
    -4-



reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the Company substantiating Executive’s payments for COBRA coverage. However, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the “COBRA Benefits”) that otherwise would be due to Executive under this Section 6, the Company will not provide, and Executive will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits or any payments in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits, in each case, to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(b), but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(a) or Section 6(c) of this Agreement, provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment (“Healthcare Premium Payment”) for the number of months in the Severance Period in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue Executive’s group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Executive, the Company also will provide Executive with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Executive with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Executive at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Executive). For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section 6(d) without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive such payment, any further COBRA Benefits or any payments or benefits in lieu thereof.
(e)Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) for Cause by the Company, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits (including continued vesting) except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then-existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other then-effective written agreements with the Company that have not been superseded by this Agreement.
(f)Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of and supersede any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company otherwise may be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract or in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
7.Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control that occurs while Executive remains an employee of the Company, if Executive remains employed with the Company (or any successor of the Company or subsidiary thereof) as of the first day immediately following the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing of the Change in Control (such day, the “Post-CIC Anniversary Date”), then 100% of any Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the Post-CIC Anniversary Date and were granted to Executive at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control will vest and become fully exercisable (to the extent applicable) at such time; provided, however, that any such Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the
    -5-



award agreement related to such Equity Award. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, but granted prior to the Closing, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
8.Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.
(a)Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The payment of any severance set forth in Section 6(a), Section 6(b), Section 6(c) and Section 6(d) above is contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking a separation and release of claims agreement with the Company (which may include an agreement not to disparage the Company, non-solicit provisions and/or other standard terms and conditions) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) upon or following Executive’s separation from service and such Release becoming effective no later than sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. Any severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service, or, if later, such time as required by Section 8(b)(ii); provided, however, that any acceleration of vesting of options and restricted stock will be provided on the Release effectiveness date. Except as required by Section 8(b)(ii), any payments and benefits that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60)-day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In no event will Executive have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any severance payments or benefits.
(b)Section 409A.
(i)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
(ii)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 8(b)(ii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
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(iii)Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any payments or benefits due under Section 6 of this Agreement will be paid as provided under this Agreement, but in no event later than the last day of the second taxable year of Executive following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive’s separation from service from the Company occurs.
(iv)For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
(v)The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance or other payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. In no event will the Company have any liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless Executive for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Executive as a result of Section 409A. Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.
(c)Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with:
(i) the terms of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 11), and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of this Section 8(c), all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 6 will immediately cease.
(d)No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.
9.Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:
(a)delivered in full, or
(b)delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an
    -7-



after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and/or other payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that payments or benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Executive, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.
Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 9 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 9. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.
10.Definitions.
(a)Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) Executive’s failure to perform Executive’s assigned duties or responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement (including, but not limited to, the Confidential Information Agreement) between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime. For purposes of clarity, Executive’s termination of employment due to death or Disability is not, by itself, deemed to be a termination by the Company other than for Cause or a resignation for Good Reason.
(b)Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(i)Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control and, provided, further; that the Board may, in its reasonable judgment, determine that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as
    -8-



a result of a financing of the Company or otherwise, in the determination of the Board, for fundraising purposes, in each case that is approved by the Board prior to such change in ownership also will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(ii)Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (ii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (ii)(B)(3) and, provided, further; that the Board may determine that certain asset transfers that should not, in the reasonable judgment of the Board (as constituted immediately prior to such asset transfers), be considered to be a “Change in Control” due to extenuating factors such as, for example, a determination being made to continue its business using only a certain subset of its assets rendering the remainder obsolete or retention of the proceeds from such sale by the Company for subsequent business use. For purposes of this subsection (ii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For purposes of this definition of Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(c)Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Closing” means the closing of the first transaction constituting a Change in Control that occurs on or following the Start Date.
(d)Deferred Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, “Deferred Payments” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries) pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), that in each case, when considered together, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.
(e)Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of
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not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees.
(f)Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means any of Executive’s stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (including unvested shares Executive has purchased through an early exercise of a stock option grant), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and any other equity compensation awards granted by the Company or any successor of the Company.
(g)Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary which reduction is not applicable to a majority of the Company’s senior management, provided that any material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary for which there is a substitution with compensation and benefits that, in the aggregate, are substantially equivalent in value to the reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, will not constitute “Good Reason”; (ii) except as provided in Section 1(a) of this Agreement, a material reduction of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, unless Executive is provided with a comparable position; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities primarily by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of fifty (50) miles or less from Executive’s then present location or to Executive’s home as Executive’s primary work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, and such grounds must not have been cured during such time. Any resignation for Good Reason must occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”.
(h)Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Period” means the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is six (6) months following such separation date, plus an additional two (2) months for every fully completed Year of Service; provided, however, that in all cases the Severance Period will end no later than on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment.
(i)Year of Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Year of Service” means the twelve (12)-month period measured from Executive’s Start Date.
11.Confidential Information. As a condition to employment, Executive will enter into the Company’s standard At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) upon or prior to commencing employment hereunder. This Agreement requires, among other provisions, Executive’s assignment of intellectual property rights to any invention made during Executive’s employment at the Company and non-disclosure of proprietary information.
12.Identity Verification and Employment Authorization. Pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Company is required to verify the identity and employment
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authorization of all new hires. To comply with this legal obligation, the Company must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 within three (3) days of Executive’s Start Date or the Company’s employment relationship with Executive may be terminated. Information about what Executive will need to bring to work to complete this form will be provided to Executive as soon as possible following Executive’s execution and return of this Agreement.
13.Reference and Background Checks. This offer of employment with the Company is contingent upon the Company’s satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, proof of Executive’s authorization to work in the United States and Executive’s execution of the provided Confidential Information Agreement.
14.No Conflicting Obligations. Executive confirms that Executive is not under any existing obligations that may impact Executive’s eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which Executive may be employed. Executive agrees not to bring any third-party confidential information to the Company, including that of Executive’s former employer, and that Executive will not in any way utilize any such information in performing Executive’s duties for the Company.
15.Successors.
(a)The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 15(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b)Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
16.Notices.
(a)General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or when delivered by a private courier service such as UPS, DHL or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to Executive at the home address which Executive most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(b)Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or as a result of a voluntary resignation will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 16(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any
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right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder.
17.Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.
18.Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral, but this Agreement does not supersede any applicable Company policy with respect to the treatment of Company equity awards upon death or disability. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the Parties by a written instrument executed by the Parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.
19.Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
20.Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
21.Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.
22.Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).
23.Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement.
24.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
25.Deadline for Execution. The offer under this Agreement will expire at the close of business on September 26, 2023, if the Company has not received Executive’s signed Agreement and Confidential Information Agreement by that date.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:
TRUECAR, INC.

By:     /s/ Jantoon Reigersman                    
Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer    

EXECUTIVE:
    /s/ Oliver Foley                            
Oliver Foley

























[SIGNATURE PAGE TO OLIVER FOLEY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

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Exhibit 10.2

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made by and between Teresa Luong (“Employee”) and TrueCar, Inc. (“Company”) (collectively, referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company;

WHEREAS, Employee signed an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company on January 31, 2014 (“Confidentiality Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Employee signed an Employment Agreement with the Company entered into as of February 16, 2023 (the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have entered into (i) Stock Option Agreements as of the dates set forth in Exhibit A, pursuant to each of which Employee was granted the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (each such grant, an “Option” and together, the “Options”), (ii) Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements as of the dates set forth in Exhibit A, pursuant to each of which Employee was granted an award of restricted stock units that at no time were subject to performance-based vesting (each such award, an “RSU Award” and together, the “RSU Awards”) and (iii) Performance Unit Award Agreements as of the dates set forth on Exhibit A pursuant to each of which Employee was granted an award of performance-based restricted stock units (each such award, a “PSU Award” and together, the “PSU Awards”), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement, the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement or the Performance Unit Award Agreement, as applicable, related to the award (collectively with the Plan, the “Stock Agreements”);

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with the Company terminated effective October 2, 2023 (the “Termination Date”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees as defined below, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:

COVENANTS

1.Consideration. In consideration of Employee’s execution of this Agreement and Employee’s fulfillment of all of its terms and conditions, the Company agrees as follows:

a.Payment. Subject to Section 15, the Company will pay to Employee a total lump sum payment equivalent to twelve (12) months of Employee’s base salary, in the amount of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) (the “Severance”). The Severance shall be paid to Employee, less applicable withholdings, no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, provided that this Agreement has become effective and irrevocable by that date.

b.COBRA Continuation.
i.Subject to Section 1.b.ii below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Employee for the payments Employee makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (“COBRA”) during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date or until Employee has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Employee timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage.
ii.Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the “COBRA Benefits”) that otherwise would be due to Employee under this Section, the Company will not provide, and Employee will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits, but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Section, provide to Employee a taxable monthly payment



(“Healthcare Premium Payment”) in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Employee would be required to pay to continue Employee’s group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Employee’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Employee elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Employee, the Company also will provide Employee with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Employee with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Employee at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Employee). Any Healthcare Premium Payments and any related gross-up payments will cease to be provided when, and under the same terms and conditions, COBRA Benefits would have ceased under this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Employee will not receive such payment or any further COBRA Benefits.

c.Acceleration of Equity Awards. Subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement as provided herein, Employee’s vesting in each of the Options and each of the RSU Awards shall accelerate as to the number of shares subject to the applicable Option or applicable RSU Award that otherwise would have vested within the twelve (12) month period immediately following the Termination Date had Employee remained employed by the Company through such period (and assuming for this purposes that no Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Plan) occurred during such period) (the “Severance Acceleration”). Subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement as provided herein, the Severance Acceleration of Options will be provided on the Effective Date and, subject to Section 15, the accelerated portions of the RSU Awards will be settled within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the vesting of the PSU Awards shall not be subject to the Severance Acceleration set forth herein and shall be subject to the treatment set forth in Section 2.

d.General. Employee acknowledges that without this Agreement, Employee is otherwise not entitled to the consideration listed in this Section 1. Employee acknowledges that the consideration listed in Section 1.a. through 1.c. represents full and complete satisfaction of any severance obligations of the Company to Employee under the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees that no payments under this Agreement constitute a raise or a bonus, nor is this Agreement a condition of employment or continued employment.

2.Equity. The Parties agree that for purposes of determining the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that Employee is entitled to purchase from the Company, pursuant to the exercise of the outstanding Options, or that Employee has vested in pursuant to the RSU Awards, Employee will be considered to have vested only up to the Termination Date, including, if applicable, in accordance with the Severance Acceleration, and no more. The PSU Awards shall remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Stock Agreements under which such PSU Awards were granted (which terms, for the avoidance of doubt, include the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement). Employee acknowledges that as of the Termination Date and after the application of the Severance Acceleration, Employee will have vested in the number of shares subject to the Options and the RSU Awards as listed on Exhibit A hereto and no more. As noted above, the PSU Awards will remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Stock Agreements under which the applicable PSU Award was granted. Employee acknowledges that, as noted in Exhibit A, if the Severance Acceleration does not become effective (due to this Agreement not timely becoming effective and irrevocable), the number of shares subject to the Options that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date and the number of shares subject to the RSU Awards that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown on Exhibit A. Except as provided herein, the exercise of Employee’s vested Options, the shares purchased thereunder and Employee’s RSU Awards and PSU Awards shall continue to be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Agreements.

3.Benefits. Employee’s Company-sponsored health insurance benefits will cease no later than on the last day of the month in which the Termination Date occurs, subject to Employee’s right to continue Employee’s health insurance under COBRA. Employee’s participation in all benefits and incidents of employment, including, but not limited to, vesting in equity awards (other than pursuant to any applicable Severance Acceleration and as applicable for the PSU Awards), the accrual of bonuses, vacation, and paid time off, shall cease as of the Termination Date.

4.Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Employee acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration set forth in this Agreement, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, restricted stock units and other equity awards, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee.




5.Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, professional employer organizations or co-employers, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the date Employee signs this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.    any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship, including claims under any offer letter, employment agreement, or other agreement with the Company;

        b.    any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

c.    any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; constructive discharge; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

d.    any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code; the California Workers’ Compensation Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; and the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;

e.    any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

f.    any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;

g.    any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any proceeds received by Employee from the Company; and

h.    any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this Section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement. This release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law. Any and all disputed wage claims that are released herein shall be subject to binding arbitration in accordance with this Agreement, except as required by applicable law. This release does not extend to any right Employee may have to unemployment compensation benefits.

6.Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee understands and acknowledges that Employee is waiving and releasing any rights Employee may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the date Employee signs this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has seven (7) days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor



does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that Employee has knowingly, freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the person executing this Agreement on the Company’s behalf that is received prior to the Effective Date. The Parties agree that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period.

7.California Civil Code Section 1542. Employee acknowledges that Employee has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights Employee may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.

8.No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that Employee has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in Employee’s name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that Employee does not intend to bring any claims on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees.

9.Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property; Clawback Policy. Subject to the “Protected Activity Not Prohibited” section, Employee acknowledges that, separate from this Agreement, Employee remains under continuing obligations to the Company under the Confidentiality Agreement, including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information. Employee’s signature below constitutes Employee’s certification under penalty of perjury that Employee has returned all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company (including Company-issued or provided computers, equipment, and technology), developed or obtained by Employee in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company (with the exception of a copy of the Company’s employee handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to Employee). Employee agrees and acknowledges that any incentive-based compensation provided to Employee shall be subject to the Company’s Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy, and any clawback policy adopted pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or that is otherwise adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law.

10.Nondisparagement. Subject to the “Protected Activity Not Prohibited” section below, Employee agrees to refrain from any disparagement, defamation, libel, or slander of any of the Releasees, and agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of any of the Releasees. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department.

11.No Cooperation. Subject to the “Protected Activity Not Prohibited” section below, Employee agrees that Employee will not knowingly encourage, counsel, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or upon written request from an administrative agency or the legislature or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Employee agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature. Subject to the “Protected Activity Not Prohibited” section below, if approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Employee shall state no more than that Employee cannot provide counsel or assistance.

12.Breach. In addition to the rights provided in the “Attorneys’ Fees” section below, Employee acknowledges and agrees that any material breach of this Agreement, unless such breach constitutes a legal action by Employee challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, or of any provision of the Confidentiality Agreement shall entitle the Company immediately to recover and/or cease providing the consideration provided to Employee under this Agreement and to obtain damages, except as provided by law.




13.No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that with respect to all claims released herein, this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.

14.Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.

15.Taxes; Section 409A.

a.The Company makes no representations or warranties with respect to the tax consequences of the payments and any other consideration provided to Employee or made on Employee’s behalf under the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees and understands that Employee is responsible for payment, if any, of personal local, personal state, and/or personal federal taxes on the payments and any other consideration provided hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon. Employee further agrees to indemnify and hold the Releasees harmless from any claims, demands, deficiencies, penalties, interest, assessments, executions, judgments, or recoveries by any government agency against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of (a) Employee’s failure to pay or delayed payment of federal or state taxes, or (b) damages sustained by the Company by reason of any such claims, including attorneys’ fees and costs. The Parties agree and acknowledge that the payments made pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement and any payments that are made pursuant to the Stock Agreements covering the PSU Awards are not related to sexual harassment or sexual abuse and not intended to fall within the scope of 26 U.S.C. Section 162(q). It is intended that none of the severance payments or benefits under this Agreement will constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any final regulations and guidance under that statute, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be amended or promulgated from time to time (together, “Section 409A”), but rather such payments and benefits will be exempt from Section 409A as payable only within the “short-term deferral period” pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), or as resulting from an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) that does not exceed the applicable amount and time limits set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise be exempt or comply with Section 409A so that none of the payments to be provided under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms will be interpreted in such manner. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement or otherwise is intended to constitute a separate payment under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Employee to an additional tax under Section 409A, any payments or benefits deemed to be separation-related deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether under this Agreement or any other arrangement, payable to Employee will be delayed until the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following Employee’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), except that in the event of Employee’s death, any such delayed payments will be paid as soon as practicable after the date of Employee’s death, and in each case all subsequent payments and benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment or benefit. In no event will the Releasees have any liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Employee for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Employee as a result of Section 409A. In no event will Employee have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any separation-related payments.

b.Limitation on Payments. In the event that any payment or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 15.b, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

ii.delivered in full, or

iii.delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Employee, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will



be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Employee on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Employee have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

Unless the Company and Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 15.b will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 15.b, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Employee will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 15.b.

16.ARBITRATION. EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, THEIR INTERPRETATION, EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMS THEREOF, OR ANY OF THE MATTERS HEREIN RELEASED, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT (THE “FAA”) AND THAT THE FAA SHALL GOVERN AND APPLY TO THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT WITH FULL FORCE AND EFFECT; HOWEVER, WITHOUT LIMITING ANY PROVISIONS OF THE FAA, A MOTION OR PETITION OR ACTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION MAY ALSO BE BROUGHT IN STATE COURT UNDER THE PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS OF SUCH STATE’S LAWS RELATING TO MOTIONS OR PETITIONS OR ACTIONS TO COMPEL ARBITRATION. EMPLOYEE AGREES THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EMPLOYEE MAY BRING ANY SUCH ARBITRATION PROCEEDING ONLY IN EMPLOYEE’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. ANY CLAIMS EMPLOYEE MAY BRING PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL ACT (“PAGA”) ON BEHALF OF THE LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MUST BE ARBITRATED ONLY IN EMPLOYEE’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY WITHOUT ANY JOINDER OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE VIOLATIONS THAT WERE OR COULD BE ASSERTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES. ANY ARBITRATION WILL OCCUR IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, BEFORE JAMS, PURSUANT TO ITS EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES (“JAMS RULES”), EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ANY MOTIONS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY TO THE ARBITRATION, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND/OR ADJUDICATION, AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS AND DEMURRERS, APPLYING THE STANDARDS SET FORTH UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECISION ON THE MERITS. THE PARTIES ALSO AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. THE ARBITRATOR MAY GRANT INJUNCTIONS AND OTHER RELIEF IN SUCH DISPUTES. THE DECISION OF THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FINAL, CONCLUSIVE, AND BINDING ON THE PARTIES TO THE ARBITRATION. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE PREVAILING PARTY IN ANY ARBITRATION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO ENFORCE THE ARBITRATION AWARD. THE PARTIES TO THE ARBITRATION SHALL EACH PAY AN EQUAL SHARE OF THE COSTS AND EXPENSES OF SUCH ARBITRATION, AND EACH PARTY SHALL SEPARATELY PAY FOR ITS RESPECTIVE COUNSEL FEES AND EXPENSES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY, EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM RESOLVED IN A COURT OF LAW BY A JUDGE OR JURY. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS SECTION WILL NOT PREVENT EITHER PARTY FROM SEEKING INJUNCTIVE RELIEF (OR ANY OTHER PROVISIONAL REMEDY) FROM ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES AND THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THEIR DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE AGREEMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. SHOULD ANY PART OF THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION CONFLICT WITH ANY OTHER ARBITRATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ARBITRATION SECTION OF THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT IN THIS SECTION SHALL GOVERN.

17.Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has the capacity to act on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through Employee to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.




18.No Waiver. The failure of the Company to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions in this Agreement, or the failure to prosecute any breach of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed thereafter as a waiver of any such terms or conditions. This entire Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or failure of performance had occurred.

19.No Representations. Employee represents that Employee has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

20.Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.

21.Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.

22.Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company, including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement, with the exception of the Confidentiality Agreement and the Stock Agreements, except as otherwise modified or superseded herein.

23.No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.

24.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice-of-law provisions, except that any dispute regarding the enforceability of the “Arbitration” section of this Agreement shall be governed by the FAA. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the applicable state or federal courts in Los Angeles County, California.

25.Effective Date. Employee understands that this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by Employee within twenty-one (21) days from the date this Agreement is presented to Employee.  Employee has seven (7) days after Employee signs this Agreement to revoke it. To be effective, any such revocation must be made in writing and delivered to Jill Angel on or before 11:59 p.m. PT on the seventh (7th) day after Employee signs this Agreement. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by Employee before that date (“Effective Date”).

26.Protected Activity Not Prohibited. Employee understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Employee from engaging in any Protected Activity. Protected Activity includes: (i) filing and/or pursuing a charge, complaint, or report with, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any federal, state or local government agency or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”); and/or (ii) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any Company trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential information that does not involve unlawful acts in the workplace or the activity otherwise protected herein. Employee further understands that Protected Activity does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications or attorney work product. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Finally, nothing in this Agreement constitutes a waiver of any rights Employee may have under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). For purposes of clarity, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to impair or limit Employee’s participation in any legally protected activities, such as (i) forming, joining, or supporting labor unions, (ii) bargaining



collectively through representatives of employees’ choosing, (iii) discussing wages, benefits, or terms and conditions of employment, and (iv) discussing, or raising complaints about, working conditions for the purpose of mutual aid or protection of Employee or the Company’s other current or former employees, to the extent such activities are protected by Section 7 of the NLRA. Employee understands that nothing in the Confidentiality Agreement shall limit or prohibit Employee from engaging in any protected conduct set forth in this Section.

27.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and each counterpart shall be deemed an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.  The counterparts of this Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile, photo, email PDF, or other electronic transmission or signature.


[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]






28.Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that Employee executed this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of Employee’s claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Employee acknowledges that:

(a)    Employee has read this Agreement;

(b)    Employee has a right to consult with an attorney regarding this Agreement, and has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by an attorney of Employee’s own choice or has elected not to retain an attorney;

(c)    Employee understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains;

(d)    Employee is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement; and

(e)     Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

        TERESA LUONG, an individual

Dated: October 5, 2023    /s/ Teresa Luong    
        Teresa Luong


        TRUECAR, INC.

Dated: October 5, 2023    By /s/ Jill Angel    
        Jill Angel
        EVP, Chief People Officer














EXHIBIT A


EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS AND RSUs AS OF TERMINATION DATE, INCLUDING SEVERANCE ACCELERATION*


EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS

Date of GrantPlan Under Which Option Was GrantedNumber of Shares Granted under OptionNumber of Shares Vested as of Termination Date*
May 1, 20142005 Stock Plan16,66616,666
May 15, 20142005 Perf Plan7,0086,203
February 3, 20152014 Equity Incentive Plan1,8021,802
August 11, 20162014 Equity Incentive Plan9,0359,035
June 10, 20172014 Equity Incentive Plan22,50022,500
June 10, 20172014 Equity Incentive Plan6,0486,048
November 27, 20182014 Equity Incentive Plan10,63910,639
March 15, 20192014 Equity Incentive Plan12,09612,096
March 16, 20202014 Equity Incentive Plan22,72722,727
Total:108,521107,716


EMPLOYEE’S RSUs

Date of GrantPlan Under Which RSU Was GrantedNumber of Shares Granted under RSU AwardNumber of Shares Vested as of Termination Date*
February 3, 20152014 Equity Incentive Plan972972
May 28, 20152014 Equity Incentive Plan730730
August 27, 20152014 Equity Incentive Plan700700
October 1, 20152014 Equity Incentive Plan3,4263,426
January 27, 20162014 Equity Incentive Plan1,5991,599
March 14, 20162014 Equity Incentive Plan4,0004,000
July 1, 20162014 Equity Incentive Plan3,9653,965
June 10, 20172014 Equity Incentive Plan2,9762,976
May 12, 20182014 Equity Incentive Plan13,30013,300
June 13, 20182014 Equity Incentive Plan557557
March 15, 20192014 Equity Incentive Plan13,54813,548
March 15, 20192014 Equity Incentive Plan923923
March 16, 20202014 Equity Incentive Plan20,83320,833
March 16, 20202014 Equity Incentive Plan29,16729,167
May 11, 20212014 Equity Incentive Plan50,00040,625
March 31, 20222014 Equity Incentive Plan26,66616,666
February 25, 20232014 Equity Incentive Plan105,26339,474
Total:278,625193,461

EMPLOYEE’S PSUs




Date of GrantPlan Under Which PSU Was GrantedNumber of Shares Granted under PSU AwardNumber of Shares Vested as of Termination Date
May 21, 20142014 Equity Incentive Plan3,1472,786
March 31, 20222014 Equity Incentive Plan31,4960
March 1, 20232014 Equity Incentive Plan122,1500
Total:156,7932,786


* This assumes the Severance Acceleration applies, and includes for this purpose the Severance Acceleration as if applied on the Termination Date (the Severance Acceleration of Options and RSU Awards will be provided as set forth in the Agreement). If the Severance Acceleration does not become effective, the number of shares subject to the Options and RSU Awards that will have vested as of the Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown in this table. Similarly, if Options are exercised on or prior to such date, the shares outstanding as of such date may differ from the numbers shown in this table.

**Each PSU Award will remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the Stock Agreements under which it was granted.

Exhibit 10.3
TRUECAR, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of February 10, 2023 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”) and Jay Ku (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
    WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain the services of Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recital and the respective undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1.Duties and Obligations.
(a)Duties and Scope of Employment. As of February 13, 2023 (the “Start Date”), Executive will serve as Chief Commerce Officer of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (the “COO”), but at any time following the Start Date, the Company may change the reporting structure such that instead of reporting to the COO, Executive would report to another executive of the Company (the “Managing Executive”) and, for purposes of clarification, such change in reporting structure would not constitute “Good Reason” (as defined below) for purposes of this Agreement. Executive will have the authority generally allowed to persons discharging the duties of such position. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him by the COO or, as applicable, the Managing Executive. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”
(b)Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his ability and will devote his full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Employment Term for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) or the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Executive will not engage in any other activities that conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company.
2.At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without notice. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment.
3.Compensation.
(a)Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $400,000.00 as compensation for his services (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.




(b)Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a bonus targeted annually at 50% of Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Bonus”). Any Bonus may be based on a variety of metrics including Executive’s performance and the Company’s performance and such other factors as the Board or the Compensation and Workforce Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) deem appropriate, and will be paid in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee.  Because a primary objective of the Bonus is employee retention, Executive will only be eligible to earn a Bonus if Executive remains employed by the Company in good standing on the date that the Bonus is paid.  The Bonus, if awarded, is generally paid, less the usual, required withholding, on an annual basis and generally paid to employees during the quarter immediately following the end of the annual performance period to which the Bonus relates, and in all cases, not later than March 15th of the year after the year to which the Bonus relates. All or a portion of the Bonus may, at the discretion of the Company, instead of annual payment be paid in the form of quarterly, “spot” or periodic bonuses that may be paid throughout the year or in such other form as the Company determines. Any Bonus Executive receives for calendar year 2023 will reflect a pro-ration based on Executive’s Start Date. The Company’s bonus program is subject to change at the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may, in its discretion, grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to Executive.
(c)Equity.
(i)Initial RSU Award. As a material inducement to Executive accepting employment with the Company, at the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Start Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted an award of restricted stock units covering 105,263 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Initial RSUs”). The Company will recommend that the Initial RSUs have a vesting commencement date of the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month after the Start Date and will vest in approximately equal quarterly amounts over sixteen (16) quarters, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the three (3)-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date. All Initial RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan or such other equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company and a restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the Initial RSUs, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.
(ii)Initial PRSU Award. As a material inducement to Executive accepting employment with the Company, at the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Start Date or, if later, at the same time that the Company grants 2023 annual performance-based equity awards to its other non-CEO executives (the “2023 Executive PRSUs”), the Company will recommend that Executive be granted an award of performance-based restricted stock units covering 122,150 shares of the Company’s common stock at target performance (the “Initial PRSUs”). The Company will recommend that the Initial PRSUs be granted on substantially the same terms and conditions (other than the number of shares subject to the award), including vesting conditions, as the 2023 Executive PRSUs. All Initial PRSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan or such other equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company and a performance-based restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the Initial PRSUs, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.
(iii)General Eligibility for Additional Equity Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based equity awards or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.
    -2-



4.Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in benefit plans and programs of the Company (including vacation and/or paid-time off), maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees if any, on the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated employees to the extent that Executive’s position, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make Executive eligible to participate in such plans or programs, subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. Executive will be provided with additional information about those benefits upon or shortly following Executive’s Start Date. The Company reserves the right to modify employee compensation and cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time in its discretion.
5.Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
6.Severance Benefits.
(a)Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs prior to a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards as to the number of shares subject to each such Equity Award that otherwise would have vested had he remained an employee of the Company through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (“COBRA”) during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the terms of this Agreement may restrict the Company’s ability to make future modifications, including but not limited to the vesting schedule and/or payment timing, to Executive’s restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units without risking a violation of Section 409A (as defined below).
(b)Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, regardless of whether before, on or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive or, if applicable, his estate (in which case references to “Executive” in this Section 6(b) and in Section 6(d) will be deemed to refer to Executive’s estate) will receive as severance from the Company: (i) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject
    -3-



to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award, and (ii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
(c)Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason on or after a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs upon or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s outstanding Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the date of the termination of Executive’s employment and were granted at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control; provided, however, that any Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
(d)COBRA Benefits. Any COBRA reimbursements under this Agreement will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the Company substantiating his payments for COBRA coverage. However, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the “COBRA Benefits”) that otherwise would be due to Executive under this Section 6, the Company will not provide, and Executive will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits or any payments in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits, in each case, to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(b), but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(a) or Section 6(c) of this Agreement, provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment (“Healthcare Premium Payment”) for the number of months in the Severance Period in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue his group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Executive, the Company also will provide
    -4-



Executive with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Executive with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Executive at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Executive). For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section 6(d) without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive such payment, any further COBRA Benefits or any payments or benefits in lieu thereof.
(e)Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) for Cause by the Company, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits (including continued vesting) except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then-existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other then-effective written agreements with the Company that have not been superseded by this Agreement.
(f)Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of and supersede any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company otherwise may be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract or in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
7.Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control that occurs while Executive remains an employee of the Company, if Executive remains employed with the Company (or any successor of the Company or subsidiary thereof) as of the first day immediately following the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing of the Change in Control (such day, the “Post-CIC Anniversary Date”), then 100% of any Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the Post-CIC Anniversary Date and were granted to Executive at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control will vest and become fully exercisable (to the extent applicable) at such time; provided, however, that any such Equity Award that, at any time such Equity Award was outstanding, was subject to performance-based vesting, will instead be treated as provided in the award agreement related to such Equity Award. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, but granted prior to the Closing, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.
8.Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.
(a)Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The payment of any severance set forth in Section 6(a), Section 6(b), Section 6(c) and Section 6(d) above is contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking a separation and release of claims agreement with the Company (which may include an agreement not to disparage the Company, non-solicit provisions and/or other standard terms and conditions) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) upon or following Executive’s separation from service and such Release becoming effective no later than sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit
    -5-



any rights to severance under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. Any severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service, or, if later, such time as required by Section 8(b)(ii); provided, however, that any acceleration of vesting of options and restricted stock will be provided on the Release effectiveness date. Except as required by Section 8(b)(ii), any payments and benefits that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60)-day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In no event will Executive have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any severance payments or benefits.
(b)Section 409A.
(i)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
(ii)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 8(b)(ii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
(iii)Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any payments or benefits due under Section 6 of this Agreement will be paid as provided under this Agreement, but in no event later than the last day of the second taxable year of Executive following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive’s separation from service from the Company occurs.
(iv)For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified
    -6-



plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
(v)The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance or other payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. In no event will the Company have any liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless Executive for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Executive as a result of Section 409A. Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.
(c)Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with:
(i) the terms of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 11), and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of this Section 8(c), all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 6 will immediately cease.
(d)No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.
9.Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:
(a)delivered in full, or
(b)delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and/or other payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that payments or benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Executive, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.
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Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 9 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 9. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.
10.Definitions.
(a)Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) Executive’s failure to perform his assigned duties or responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement (including, but not limited to, the Confidential Information Agreement) between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime. For purposes of clarity, Executive’s termination of employment due to death or Disability is not, by itself, deemed to be a termination by the Company other than for Cause or a resignation for Good Reason.
(b)Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(i)Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control and, provided, further; that the Board may, in its reasonable judgment, determine that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a financing of the Company or otherwise, in the determination of the Board, for fundraising purposes, in each case that is approved by the Board prior to such change in ownership also will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(ii)Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (ii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or
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indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (ii)(B)(3) and, provided, further; that the Board may determine that certain asset transfers that should not, in the reasonable judgment of the Board (as constituted immediately prior to such asset transfers), be considered to be a “Change in Control” due to extenuating factors such as, for example, a determination being made to continue its business using only a certain subset of its assets rendering the remainder obsolete or retention of the proceeds from such sale by the Company for subsequent business use. For purposes of this subsection (ii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For purposes of this definition of Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(c)Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Closing” means the closing of the first transaction constituting a Change in Control that occurs on or following the Start Date.
(d)Deferred Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, “Deferred Payments” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries) pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), that in each case, when considered together, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.
(e)Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees.
(f)Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means any of Executive’s stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (including unvested shares Executive has purchased through an early exercise of a stock option grant), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and any other equity compensation awards granted by the Company or any successor of the Company.
(g)Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary which reduction is not applicable to a majority of the Company’s senior management, provided that any material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary for which there is a substitution with compensation and benefits that, in the aggregate, are substantially equivalent in value to the reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, will not constitute
    -9-



“Good Reason”; (ii) except as provided in Section 1(a) of this Agreement, a material reduction of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, unless Executive is provided with a comparable position; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities primarily by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of fifty (50) miles or less from Executive’s then present location or to Executive’s home as his primary work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, and such grounds must not have been cured during such time. Any resignation for Good Reason must occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”.
(h)Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Period” means the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is six (6) months following such separation date, plus an additional two (2) months for every fully completed Year of Service; provided, however, that in all cases the Severance Period will end no later than on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment.
(i)Year of Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Year of Service” means the twelve (12)-month period measured from Executive’s Start Date.
11.Confidential Information. As a condition to employment, Executive will enter into the Company’s standard At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) upon or prior to commencing employment hereunder. This Agreement requires, among other provisions, Executive’s assignment of intellectual property rights to any invention made during Executive’s employment at the Company and non-disclosure of proprietary information.
12.Identity Verification and Employment Authorization. Pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Company is required to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new hires. To comply with this legal obligation, the Company must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 within three (3) days of Executive’s Start Date or the Company’s employment relationship with Executive may be terminated. Information about what Executive will need to bring to work to complete this form will be provided to Executive as soon as possible following Executive’s execution and return of this Agreement.
13.Reference and Background Checks. This offer of employment with the Company is contingent upon the Company’s satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, proof of Executive’s authorization to work in the United States and Executive’s execution of the provided Confidential Information Agreement.
14.No Conflicting Obligations. Executive confirms that Executive is not under any existing obligations that may impact Executive’s eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which Executive may be employed. Executive agrees not to bring any third-party confidential information to the Company, including that of Executive’s former employer, and that Executive will not in any way utilize any such information in performing Executive’s duties for the Company.
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15.Successors.
(a)The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 15(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b)Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
16.Notices.
(a)General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or when delivered by a private courier service such as UPS, DHL or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him at the home address which he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(b)Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or as a result of a voluntary resignation will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 16(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder.
17.Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.
18.Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral, but this Agreement does not supersede any applicable Company policy with respect to the treatment of Company equity awards upon death or disability. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the Parties by a written instrument executed by the Parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.
19.Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
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20.Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
21.Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.
22.Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).
23.Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement.
24.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
25.Deadline for Execution. The offer under this Agreement will expire at the close of business on February 13, 2023 if the Company has not received Executive’s signed Agreement and Confidential Information Agreement by that date.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:
TRUECAR, INC.

By:     /s/ Jill Angel                        
Title:     Chief People Officer            

EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Jay Ku                            
Jay Ku

























[SIGNATURE PAGE TO JAY KU EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

    -13-


Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to
Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Jantoon E. Reigersman, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of TrueCar, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date:November 7, 2023
 
/s/ Jantoon E. Reigersman
Jantoon E. Reigersman
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to
Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Oliver M. Foley, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of TrueCar, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and  procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date:November 7, 2023
 
/s/ Oliver M. Foley
Oliver M. Foley
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)



Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATIONS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


    In connection with the Quarterly Report of TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Jantoon E. Reigersman, as President and Chief Executive Officer and Oliver M. Foley, as Chief Financial Officer, of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350), to his knowledge:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
Date:November 7, 2023By:/s/ Jantoon E. Reigersman
Jantoon E. Reigersman
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:November 7, 2023By:/s/ Oliver M. Foley
Oliver M. Foley
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


v3.23.3
Cover Page - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Nov. 03, 2023
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2023  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 001-36449  
Entity Registrant Name TRUECAR, INC.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 04-3807511  
Entity Address, Address Line One 1401 Ocean Ave  
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 200  
Entity Address, City or Town Santa Monica  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 90401  
City Area Code 800  
Local Phone Number 200-2000  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share  
Trading Symbol TRUE  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   90,780,216
Entity Central Index Key 0001327318  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2023  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag false  
v3.23.3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents (includes restricted cash of $2,205 and $0 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) $ 145,474 $ 175,518
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,001 and $1,073 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 14,046 13,786
Prepaid expenses 6,086 5,969
Other current assets 1,775 2,562
Total current assets 167,381 197,835
Property and equipment, net 19,535 18,902
Operating lease right-of-use assets 11,247 16,940
Intangible assets, net 9,978 13,969
Other assets 3,801 3,881
Total assets 211,942 251,527
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 9,956 8,655
Accrued employee expenses 7,969 7,378
Operating lease liabilities, current 5,282 4,514
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 10,455 10,232
Total current liabilities 33,662 30,779
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 14,559 18,500
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent 3,847 4,981
Total liabilities 52,068 54,260
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Stockholders’ Equity    
Preferred stock — $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 0 0
Common stock — $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; 90,542,616 and 88,439,088 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 9 9
Additional paid-in capital 720,261 709,790
Accumulated deficit (560,396) (512,532)
Total stockholders’ equity 159,874 197,267
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 211,942 $ 251,527
v3.23.3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Restricted cash $ 2,205 $ 0
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables- current $ 1,001 $ 1,073
Preferred stock, par value ( in dollar per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, share issued (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 0 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per shares) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 90,542,616 88,439,088
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 90,542,616 88,439,088
v3.23.3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]        
Revenues $ 41,146 $ 39,052 $ 117,419 $ 124,860
Costs and operating expenses:        
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below) 3,813 3,880 11,590 12,643
Sales and marketing 23,153 25,130 77,099 78,535
Technology and development 9,341 12,742 35,349 34,377
General and administrative 9,525 11,364 33,099 34,025
Depreciation and amortization 4,894 4,284 13,176 11,729
Goodwill impairment 0 59,775 0 59,775
Total costs and operating expenses 50,726 117,175 170,313 231,084
Loss from operations (9,580) (78,123) (52,894) (106,224)
Interest income 1,706 879 5,044 1,185
Gain from equity method investment 0 0 0 1,845
Loss before income taxes (7,874) (77,244) (47,850) (103,194)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 1 (131) 14 (2,648)
Net loss $ (7,875) $ (77,113) $ (47,864) $ (100,546)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted        
Continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share) $ (0.09) $ (0.85) $ (0.54) $ (1.09)
Continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share) $ (0.09) $ (0.85) $ (0.54) $ (1.09)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted        
Basic (in shares) 90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508
Diluted (in shares) 90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508
Other comprehensive loss:        
Comprehensive loss $ (7,875) $ (77,113) $ (47,864) $ (100,546)
v3.23.3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common stock
APIC
Accumulated Deficit
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021   96,213,243    
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021 $ 329,786 $ 10 $ 723,623 $ (393,847)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (12,414)     (12,414)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)   (3,107,370)    
Repurchase of common stock (11,028)   (11,028)  
Stock-based compensation 3,744   3,744  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   481,122    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (861)   (861)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022   93,586,995    
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022 309,227 $ 10 715,478 (406,261)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021   96,213,243    
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021 329,786 $ 10 723,623 (393,847)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (100,546)      
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2022   90,956,585    
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022 215,850 $ 10 710,233 (494,393)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022   93,586,995    
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2022 309,227 $ 10 715,478 (406,261)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (11,019)     (11,019)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)   (3,731,415)    
Repurchase of common stock (14,075)   (14,075)  
Stock-based compensation 4,777   4,777  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   654,005    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (849)   (849)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2022   90,509,585    
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022 288,061 $ 10 705,331 (417,280)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (77,113)     (77,113)
Stock-based compensation 5,437   5,437  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   447,000    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (535)   (535)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2022   90,956,585    
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022 $ 215,850 $ 10 710,233 (494,393)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 88,439,088 88,439,088    
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 197,267 $ 9 709,790 (512,532)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (19,565)     (19,565)
Stock-based compensation 4,930   4,930  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   622,680    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (1,006)   (1,006)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023   89,061,768    
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2023 $ 181,626 $ 9 713,714 (532,097)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 88,439,088 88,439,088    
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 197,267 $ 9 709,790 (512,532)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss $ (47,864)      
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023 90,542,616 90,542,616    
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023 $ 159,874 $ 9 720,261 (560,396)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023   89,061,768    
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2023 181,626 $ 9 713,714 (532,097)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (20,424)     (20,424)
Stock-based compensation 4,116   4,116  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   903,574    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (1,009)   (1,009)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023   89,965,342    
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023 164,309 $ 9 716,821 (552,521)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity        
Net loss (7,875)     (7,875)
Stock-based compensation 3,477   3,477  
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)   577,274    
Shares issued in connection with employee stock plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes $ (37)   (37)  
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023 90,542,616 90,542,616    
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023 $ 159,874 $ 9 $ 720,261 $ (560,396)
v3.23.3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]    
Net loss $ (47,864) $ (100,546)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 13,176 11,729
Goodwill impairment 0 59,775
Deferred income taxes 0 (2,661)
Bad debt expense and other reserves 465 421
Stock-based compensation 11,872 13,174
Increase in the fair value of contingent consideration liability 771 179
Amortization of lease right-of-use assets 2,350 3,031
Gain from equity method investment 0 (1,845)
Impairment of right-of-use assets 2,376 0
Other noncash expense (gain) 382 (14)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable (725) 3,250
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,471 (1,741)
Accounts payable 1,254 (2,538)
Accrued employee expenses 742 1,978
Operating lease liabilities (3,173) (4,036)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 245 (368)
Other liabilities 43 0
Net cash used in operating activities (16,615) (20,212)
Cash flows from investing activities    
Purchase of property and equipment (9,469) (8,332)
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments 0 15,745
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired 0 (12,093)
Net cash used in investing activities (9,469) (4,680)
Cash flows from financing activities    
Payment for Contingent Consideration Liability, Financing Activities (1,908) 0
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 502 179
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (2,554) (2,422)
Payments for the repurchase of common stock 0 (25,103)
Net cash used in financing activities (3,960) (27,346)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (30,044) (52,238)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 145,474 192,979
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 175,518 245,217
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities    
Stock-based compensation capitalized for software development 651 784
Capitalized assets included in accounts payable, accrued employee expenses and other accrued expenses 1,009 1,198
Changes in right-of-use assets for operating lease obligations 136 3,047
Changes in lease liabilities for operating lease obligations $ 136 $ 3,636
v3.23.3
Organization and Nature of Business
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Nature of Business Organization and Nature of Business
TrueCar, Inc. is an Internet-based information, technology, and communication services company. Hereinafter, TrueCar, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc., Digital Motors Corporation, and TrueCar Wholesale Solutions, Inc. are collectively referred to as “TrueCar” or the “Company”; TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc. is referred to as “TCDS,” Digital Motors Corporation is referred to as “Digital Motors,” and TrueCar Wholesale Solutions, Inc. is referred to as “TCWS.” TrueCar was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2005 and began business operations in April 2005. Its principal corporate offices are located in Santa Monica, California.
TrueCar is a digital automotive marketplace that (i) provides pricing transparency about what other people paid for their cars and enables consumers to engage with TrueCar Certified Dealers who are committed to providing a superior purchase experience; (ii) empowers Certified Dealers to attract these informed, in-market consumers in a cost-effective, accountable manner; and (iii) allows automobile manufacturers (“OEMs”) to more effectively target their incentive spending at deep-in-market consumers during their purchase process. TrueCar has established a diverse software ecosystem on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Consumers access TrueCar’s platform through the TrueCar.com website and TrueCar mobile applications or through the car buying websites and mobile applications that TrueCar operates for its affinity group marketing partners (“Auto Buying Programs”). An affinity group is comprised of a network of members or employees that provides discounts to its members.
Through its subsidiary, TCDS, the Company provides its Trade and Payments solutions. TCDS also supports the Company’s Sell Your Car product. The Sell Your Car and Trade solutions give consumers information on the value of the vehicle they wish to sell or trade-in and enables them to obtain a guaranteed trade-in price before setting foot in the dealership. This valuation is, in turn, backed by a guarantee to dealers that the vehicles will be repurchased at the indicated price if the dealer does not want to keep them. The Company’s Payments solution helps consumers calculate accurate monthly payments.
v3.23.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10-1 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, some information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueCar and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Business acquisitions are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The Company’s purchase accounting results in all assets and liabilities of acquired businesses being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Assets and liabilities that are subject to judgment and use of estimates include sales allowances and allowances for doubtful accounts, contract assets, the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, the recoverability and related impairment of long-lived assets, valuation allowances with respect to deferred tax assets, useful lives associated with property and equipment and intangible assets, measurement of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, contingencies, and the valuation and assumptions underlying stock-based compensation awards. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company engaged valuation specialists to assist with management’s determination of the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations and performance-based stock units.
Segments
The Company has one operating segment. The Company has gone through various organizational changes in the current year, including the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) on June 15, 2023 and the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) on February 16, 2023, who was subsequently terminated on September 23, 2023, with such termination effective on October 2, 2023. On September 23, 2023 the Company appointed a new CFO, with such appointment effective on October 30, 2023. As a result of these organizational changes, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the "CODM") was comprised of the President and CEO and the CFO and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") from January 1, 2023 through February 15, 2023; the President and CEO, the COO, and the CFO from February 16, 2023 through June 14, 2023; and the President and CEO and the CFO from June 15, 2023 through September 30, 2023; who jointly managed the Company’s operations based on consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources.
The CODM reviews financial information on a consolidated basis, accompanied by information about dealer revenue, OEM incentive revenue, and other revenue (Note 10). All of the Company’s principal operations, decision-making functions and assets are located in the United States.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents included $2.2 million of restricted cash that is used to collateralize a letter of credit to secure certain of the Company’s obligations under one of its office leases.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and specific circumstances that make it likely that recovery will not occur. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts periodically and assesses the aging of account balances, with an emphasis on those that are past due over ninety days. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company determines that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.
The Company considers the need to adjust historical information to reflect the extent to which the Company expects current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. The primary current and future economic indicators that the Company uses to develop its current estimate of expected credit losses include the current and forecast U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Company calculates the expected credit losses on a pool basis for those trade receivables that have similar risk characteristics. For those trade receivables that do not share similar risk characteristics, the allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated on an individual basis. Risk characteristics relevant to the Company’s accounts receivable include revenue billing model and aging status.
The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
Allowances, at beginning of period$1,172 $1,605 $1,073 $3,099 
Charged as a reduction of revenue585 601 2,081 2,070 
Charged to bad debt expense in general and administrative expenses125 243 465 421 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(881)(1,185)(2,618)(4,326)
Allowances, at end of period$1,001 $1,264 $1,001 $1,264 
The Company’s assessment considered business and market disruptions impacting its customers and estimates of expected emerging credit and collectability trends. The continued volatility in market conditions and interest rates and the impact of ongoing supply chain disruptions are difficult to predict, causing variability and volatility that may have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for credit losses in future periods
v3.23.3
Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accounting standards describe a fair value hierarchy based on the following three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, liabilities, or funds.
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.
The Company recorded a contingent consideration liability upon the acquisition of Digital Motors in 2022. The contingent consideration is measured at fair value and is based on significant inputs not observable in the market which include the probability of achieving certain future targets. This represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair-value hierarchy. The valuation of contingent consideration uses assumptions the Company believes a market participant would make. The Company assesses these estimates on an ongoing basis as it obtains additional data impacting the assumptions. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to updated assumptions and estimates are recognized within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. During the second quarter of 2023 the Company amended the purchase agreement in connection with its Restructuring Plan (Note 5) such that the future targets were considered 100% achieved, and as a result, there were no significant unobservable inputs used to measure the contingent considerations liability as of September 30, 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $1.8 million from changes in fair value of a derivative asset recognized from the sale of its equity method investment in Accu-Trade.
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 by level within the fair value hierarchy. The current and non-current portions of contingent consideration reside within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities”, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022
  Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents$124,477 $— $— $124,477 $57,518 $— $— $57,518 
Total assets$124,477 $— $— $124,477 $57,518 $— $— $57,518 
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022

 Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration, current$— $— $1,932 $1,932 $— $— $1,983 $1,983 
Contingent consideration, non-current— — 3,500 3,500 — — 4,678 4,678 
Total liabilities$— $— $5,432 $5,432 $— $— $6,661 $6,661 
Contingent Consideration Obligations
The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation related to the Company’s acquisition of Digital Motors (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Fair value, beginning of period$5,316 $6,661 
Cash payments— (2,000)
Changes in fair value116 771 
Fair value, end of period$5,432 $5,432 
v3.23.3
Property and Equipment, net
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment, net Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Computer equipment and internally developed software$85,657 $88,638 
Furniture and fixtures2,457 3,013 
Leasehold improvements11,740 11,740 
 99,854 103,391 
Less: Accumulated depreciation(80,319)(84,489)
Total property and equipment, net$19,535 $18,902 
Included in the table above are property and equipment of $1.3 million and $1.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are capitalizable but had not yet been placed in service. These balances were comprised primarily of capitalized software not ready for its intended use.
Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $3.3 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $9.2 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $2.8 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $8.4 million and $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company disposed of or retired certain computer equipment, internally developed software and furniture and fixtures with an original cost basis of $13.3 million and accumulated depreciation of $12.9 million. The remaining net book value of $0.4 million was recorded as depreciation and amortization expense.
v3.23.3
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Reorganization
In June 2023, the Company committed to a restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”) in furtherance of its efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency, preserve profitability and streamline its organizational structure to better align operations with its long-term commitment to providing an enhanced consumer experience. The Company recorded restructuring costs of approximately $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 in connection with the Restructuring Plan. Of the total, the Company recorded $0.2 million in cost of revenue, $2.2 million in sales and marketing, $2.7 million in technology and development and $2.0 million in general and administrative expenses within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The majority of the liability for the restructuring costs was paid as of September 30, 2023. The Company does not expect to incur significant additional charges in future periods related to the Restructuring Plan.
The following table presents a roll forward of the Restructuring Plan costs liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
Restructuring Costs Liability
Accrual at December 31, 2022$— 
Expense7,141 
Cash Payments(6,005)
Accrual at September 30, 2023$1,136 
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into employment contracts with certain executives of the Company. Employment under these contracts is at-will employment. However, under the provisions of the contracts, the Company would incur severance obligations of up to twelve months of the executive’s annual base salary for certain events such as involuntary terminations.
Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnities of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, investors, directors, officers, employees and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or
intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. While the Company’s future obligations under certain of these agreements may contain limitations on liability for indemnification, other agreements do not contain such limitations and under such agreements it is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by the Company under such indemnities have not had a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, the Company does not believe that any amounts that it may be required to pay under these indemnities in the future will be material to the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
v3.23.3
Stock-based Awards
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stock-based Awards Stock-based Awards
Stock Options
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:
 Number of
Options
Weighted-Average Exercise PriceWeighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   (in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 20225,114,490 $9.50 4.7
Granted— —  
Exercised(212,867)2.36  
Forfeited/expired(2,507,929)9.30  
Outstanding at September 30, 20232,393,694 $10.35 3.1
At September 30, 2023, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested stock option awards was $0.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Activity in connection with restricted stock units is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
 Number of
Shares
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested — December 31, 202210,007,869 $4.04 
Granted6,541,317 2.45 
Vested(2,927,643)3.64 
Forfeited(4,184,764)3.35 
Non-vested — September 30, 20239,436,779 $3.37 
At September 30, 2023, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock units was $21.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $3.1 million and $4.8 million in stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $11.0 million and $12.1 million in stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units, respectively.
Stock-based Compensation Cost
The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options and restricted stock units in the following categories on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Cost of revenue$44 $51 $148 $134 
Sales and marketing493 1,219 3,215 3,627 
Technology and development1,031 1,126 3,028 3,082 
General and administrative1,705 2,793 5,481 6,331 
Total stock-based compensation expense3,273 5,189 11,872 13,174 
Amount capitalized to internal software use204 248 651 784 
Total stock-based compensation cost$3,477 $5,437 $12,523 $13,958 
v3.23.3
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
In determining quarterly provisions for income taxes, the Company uses the annual estimated effective tax rate applied to the actual year-to-date loss, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. The Company’s annual estimated effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily as a result of state taxes and changes in the Company’s valuation allowance.
The Company recorded income tax expense of less than $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded income tax expense of less than $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $2.6 million, respectively. The Company’s provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflects state income tax expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s income tax benefit primarily reflects the discrete impact for reduction of indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities resulting from the impairment of book goodwill. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s income tax benefit primarily reflects the release of valuation allowance resulting from net deferred tax liabilities recorded in Digital Motors acquisition accounting providing a source of income in assessing realization of the Company’s consolidated net deferred tax assets. The Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance as it is more likely than not that the Company’s net deferred tax assets will not be realized.
There were no material changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the Company does not expect to have significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits through the end of the fiscal year.
The Company is subject to United States federal and state taxation. Due to the presence of net operating loss carryforwards, all income tax years remain open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS’) and various state taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under IRS or state tax examination.
v3.23.3
Net Loss Per Share
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Net Loss Per Share Net Loss Per ShareThe following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508 
Net loss per share, basic and diluted$(0.09)$(0.85)$(0.54)$(1.09)
The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share at September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30,
 20232022
Options to purchase common stock2,394 5,203 
Non-vested restricted stock unit awards9,437 10,452 
Total shares excluded from net loss per share11,831 15,655 
Share Repurchase Program
In July 2020, the Company’s board of directors authorized an open market stock repurchase program (the “Program”) of up to $75 million to allow for the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock through September 30, 2022. In May 2021, the Company’s board of directors increased the authorization of the Program by an additional $75 million, bringing the total authorization to $150 million. In July 2022, the Company’s board of directors extended the expiration of the Program until September 30, 2024. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined by Company management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Repurchases of the Company’s common stock may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit common stock to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws, open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not obligate the Company to purchase any minimum number of shares. The Company had no share repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had a remaining authorization of $45.8 million for future share repurchases.
v3.23.3
Related Party Transactions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Accu-Trade
On March 1, 2022, the Company sold its 20% ownership interests in Accu-Trade at the investment’s carrying value and no longer considers Accu-Trade a related party after the sale. The Company recognized contra-revenue of $0.1 million and cost of revenue of $1.1 million for the two months ended March 1, 2022 related to a software and data licensing agreement that was terminated as part of the sale. No amounts were due to Accu-Trade at September 30, 2023 or at December 31, 2022.
v3.23.3
Revenue Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue Information Revenue Information
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates revenue into three revenue streams: dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and other revenue. The following table presents the Company’s revenue categories during the periods presented (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Dealer revenue$36,068 $37,722 $107,553 $120,713 
OEM incentives revenue4,944 1,189 9,490 3,613 
Other revenue134 141 376 534 
Total revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
Contract Balances
The Company’s contract asset balance for estimated variable consideration to be received upon the occurrence of subsequent vehicle sales is included within other current assets and is distinguished from accounts receivable in that these amounts are conditional upon subsequent sales and not only upon the passage of time. Substantially all of the contract asset balances of $0.9 million at December 31, 2022 were transferred to accounts receivable during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as vehicle sales occurred, with no significant changes in the estimate. A contract asset of $1.0 million and $0.9 million was recorded as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, for leads delivered where consideration to be received was still conditional upon subsequent vehicle sales.
v3.23.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of presentation
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10-1 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, some information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023.
Principles of consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueCar and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Business acquisitions are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The Company’s purchase accounting results in all assets and liabilities of acquired businesses being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Assets and liabilities that are subject to judgment and use of estimates include sales allowances and allowances for doubtful accounts, contract assets, the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, the recoverability and related impairment of long-lived assets, valuation allowances with respect to deferred tax assets, useful lives associated with property and equipment and intangible assets, measurement of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, contingencies, and the valuation and assumptions underlying stock-based compensation awards. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company engaged valuation specialists to assist with management’s determination of the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations and performance-based stock units.
Segments
Segments
The Company has one operating segment. The Company has gone through various organizational changes in the current year, including the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) on June 15, 2023 and the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) on February 16, 2023, who was subsequently terminated on September 23, 2023, with such termination effective on October 2, 2023. On September 23, 2023 the Company appointed a new CFO, with such appointment effective on October 30, 2023. As a result of these organizational changes, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the "CODM") was comprised of the President and CEO and the CFO and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") from January 1, 2023 through February 15, 2023; the President and CEO, the COO, and the CFO from February 16, 2023 through June 14, 2023; and the President and CEO and the CFO from June 15, 2023 through September 30, 2023; who jointly managed the Company’s operations based on consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources.
The CODM reviews financial information on a consolidated basis, accompanied by information about dealer revenue, OEM incentive revenue, and other revenue (Note 10). All of the Company’s principal operations, decision-making functions and assets are located in the United States.
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and specific circumstances that make it likely that recovery will not occur. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts periodically and assesses the aging of account balances, with an emphasis on those that are past due over ninety days. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company determines that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.
The Company considers the need to adjust historical information to reflect the extent to which the Company expects current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. The primary current and future economic indicators that the Company uses to develop its current estimate of expected credit losses include the current and forecast U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Company calculates the expected credit losses on a pool basis for those trade receivables that have similar risk characteristics. For those trade receivables that do not share similar risk characteristics, the allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated on an individual basis. Risk characteristics relevant to the Company’s accounts receivable include revenue billing model and aging status.
Fair value measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accounting standards describe a fair value hierarchy based on the following three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, liabilities, or funds.
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.
The Company recorded a contingent consideration liability upon the acquisition of Digital Motors in 2022. The contingent consideration is measured at fair value and is based on significant inputs not observable in the market which include the probability of achieving certain future targets. This represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair-value hierarchy. The valuation of contingent consideration uses assumptions the Company believes a market participant would make. The Company assesses these estimates on an ongoing basis as it obtains additional data impacting the assumptions. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to updated assumptions and estimates are recognized within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. During the second quarter of 2023 the Company amended the purchase agreement in connection with its Restructuring Plan (Note 5) such that the future targets were considered 100% achieved, and as a result, there were no significant unobservable inputs used to measure the contingent considerations liability as of September 30, 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $1.8 million from changes in fair value of a derivative asset recognized from the sale of its equity method investment in Accu-Trade.
v3.23.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances
The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
Allowances, at beginning of period$1,172 $1,605 $1,073 $3,099 
Charged as a reduction of revenue585 601 2,081 2,070 
Charged to bad debt expense in general and administrative expenses125 243 465 421 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(881)(1,185)(2,618)(4,326)
Allowances, at end of period$1,001 $1,264 $1,001 $1,264 
v3.23.3
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Summary of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 by level within the fair value hierarchy. The current and non-current portions of contingent consideration reside within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities”, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022
  Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents$124,477 $— $— $124,477 $57,518 $— $— $57,518 
Total assets$124,477 $— $— $124,477 $57,518 $— $— $57,518 
 At September 30, 2023At December 31, 2022

 Total Fair Total Fair
Level 1Level 2Level 3ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Value
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration, current$— $— $1,932 $1,932 $— $— $1,983 $1,983 
Contingent consideration, non-current— — 3,500 3,500 — — 4,678 4,678 
Total liabilities$— $— $5,432 $5,432 $— $— $6,661 $6,661 
Schedule of changes in fair value of contingent consideration obligation The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation related to the Company’s acquisition of Digital Motors (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Fair value, beginning of period$5,316 $6,661 
Cash payments— (2,000)
Changes in fair value116 771 
Fair value, end of period$5,432 $5,432 
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques
v3.23.3
Property and Equipment, net (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Schedule of property and equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Computer equipment and internally developed software$85,657 $88,638 
Furniture and fixtures2,457 3,013 
Leasehold improvements11,740 11,740 
 99,854 103,391 
Less: Accumulated depreciation(80,319)(84,489)
Total property and equipment, net$19,535 $18,902 
v3.23.3
Commitment and Contingencies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of roll forward of Restructuring Plan The following table presents a roll forward of the Restructuring Plan costs liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
Restructuring Costs Liability
Accrual at December 31, 2022$— 
Expense7,141 
Cash Payments(6,005)
Accrual at September 30, 2023$1,136 
v3.23.3
Stock-based Awards (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Summary of stock option activity A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:
 Number of
Options
Weighted-Average Exercise PriceWeighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   (in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 20225,114,490 $9.50 4.7
Granted— —  
Exercised(212,867)2.36  
Forfeited/expired(2,507,929)9.30  
Outstanding at September 30, 20232,393,694 $10.35 3.1
Schedule of activity in connection with restricted stock
Activity in connection with restricted stock units is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
 Number of
Shares
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested — December 31, 202210,007,869 $4.04 
Granted6,541,317 2.45 
Vested(2,927,643)3.64 
Forfeited(4,184,764)3.35 
Non-vested — September 30, 20239,436,779 $3.37 
Schedule of stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options and restricted stock awards
The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options and restricted stock units in the following categories on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Cost of revenue$44 $51 $148 $134 
Sales and marketing493 1,219 3,215 3,627 
Technology and development1,031 1,126 3,028 3,082 
General and administrative1,705 2,793 5,481 6,331 
Total stock-based compensation expense3,273 5,189 11,872 13,174 
Amount capitalized to internal software use204 248 651 784 
Total stock-based compensation cost$3,477 $5,437 $12,523 $13,958 
v3.23.3
Net Loss Per Share (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Computation of basic and diluted net loss per share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Net loss$(7,875)$(77,113)$(47,864)$(100,546)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted90,176 90,687 89,407 92,508 
Net loss per share, basic and diluted$(0.09)$(0.85)$(0.54)$(1.09)
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share at September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
 September 30,
 20232022
Options to purchase common stock2,394 5,203 
Non-vested restricted stock unit awards9,437 10,452 
Total shares excluded from net loss per share11,831 15,655 
v3.23.3
Revenue Information (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Schedule of revenue categories The following table presents the Company’s revenue categories during the periods presented (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2023202220232022
Dealer revenue$36,068 $37,722 $107,553 $120,713 
OEM incentives revenue4,944 1,189 9,490 3,613 
Other revenue134 141 376 534 
Total revenues$41,146 $39,052 $117,419 $124,860 
v3.23.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
USD ($)
Segment
Dec. 31, 2022
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Number of operating segments | Segment 1  
Restricted cash | $ $ 2,205 $ 0
v3.23.3
Accounting Policies - Summary of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Allowances (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]        
Allowances, at beginning of period $ 1,172 $ 1,605 $ 1,073 $ 3,099
Charged as a reduction of revenue 585 601 2,081 2,070
Charged to bad debt expense in general and administrative expenses 125 243 465 421
Write-offs, net of recoveries (881) (1,185) (2,618) (4,326)
Allowances, at end of period $ 1,001 $ 1,264 $ 1,001 $ 1,264
v3.23.3
Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Millions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Recognized gain from changes in fair value of derivative asset $ 1.8
v3.23.3
Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Recurring - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Measurements    
Contingent consideration, current $ 1,932 $ 1,983
Contingent consideration, non-current 3,500 4,678
Total liabilities 5,432 6,661
Level 1    
Fair Value Measurements    
Cash equivalents 124,477 57,518
Total assets 124,477 57,518
Contingent consideration, current 0 0
Contingent consideration, non-current 0 0
Total liabilities 0 0
Level 2    
Fair Value Measurements    
Cash equivalents 0 0
Total assets 0 0
Contingent consideration, current 0 0
Contingent consideration, non-current 0 0
Total liabilities 0 0
Level 3    
Fair Value Measurements    
Cash equivalents 0 0
Total assets 0 0
Contingent consideration, current 1,932 1,983
Contingent consideration, non-current 3,500 4,678
Total liabilities 5,432 6,661
Total fair value    
Fair Value Measurements    
Cash equivalents 124,477 57,518
Total assets $ 124,477 $ 57,518
v3.23.3
Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]      
Increase in the fair value of contingent consideration liability   $ 771,000 $ 179,000
Level 3 | Recurring      
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]      
Fair value, beginning of period $ 5,316,000 6,661,000  
Cash payments 0 (2,000,000)  
Increase in the fair value of contingent consideration liability 116,000 771,000  
Fair value, end of period $ 5,432,000 $ 5,432,000  
v3.23.3
Property and Equipment, net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Dec. 31, 2022
Property and Equipment, net          
Property and equipment, gross $ 99,854   $ 99,854   $ 103,391
Less: Accumulated depreciation (80,319)   (80,319)   (84,489)
Total property and equipment, net 19,535   19,535   18,902
Property and equipment capitalized but not placed in service 1,300   1,300   1,500
Total depreciation and amortization expense 4,894 $ 4,284 13,176 $ 11,729  
Property and Equipment          
Property and Equipment, net          
Total depreciation and amortization expense 3,300 3,000 9,200 9,400  
Computer equipment and internally developed software          
Property and Equipment, net          
Property and equipment, gross 85,657   85,657   88,638
Furniture and fixtures          
Property and Equipment, net          
Property and equipment, gross 2,457   2,457   3,013
Leasehold improvements          
Property and Equipment, net          
Property and equipment, gross 11,740   11,740   $ 11,740
Internally developed software          
Property and Equipment, net          
Amortization $ 2,800 $ 2,900 8,400 $ 8,700  
Computer Equipment, Internally Developed Software And Furniture And Fixtures          
Property and Equipment, net          
Total depreciation and amortization expense     400    
Property and equipment disposals     13,300    
Accumulated depreciation     $ 12,900    
v3.23.3
Commitments and Contingencies - Reorganization (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2023
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring costs $ 7,100 $ 7,141
Cost of revenue    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring costs 200  
Sales and marketing    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring costs 2,200  
Technology and development    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring costs 2,700  
General and administrative    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring costs $ 2,000  
v3.23.3
Commitments and Contingencies - Employment Contracts (Details)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Employment contracts  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]  
Maximum term of executive's annual base salary to determine severance obligations (in months) 12 months
v3.23.3
Commitments and Contingencies - Restructuring Plan Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
Accrual at December 31, 2022   $ 0
Expense $ 7,100 7,141
Cash Payments   (6,005)
Accrual at September 30, 2023 $ 1,136 $ 1,136
v3.23.3
Stock-based Awards (Details - Options) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Dec. 31, 2022
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life          
Stock-based compensation expense $ 3,273 $ 5,189 $ 11,872 $ 13,174  
Options          
Number of Options          
Outstanding at the beginning of period (in shares)     5,114,490    
Granted (in shares)     0    
Exercised (in shares)     (212,867)    
Canceled/forfeited (in shares)     (2,507,929)    
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) 2,393,694   2,393,694   5,114,490
Weighted-Average Exercise Price          
Outstanding at the beginning of period (in dollars per share)     $ 9.50    
Granted (in dollars per share)     0    
Exercised (in dollars per share)     2.36    
Canceled/forfeited (in dollars per share)     9.30    
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) $ 10.35   $ 10.35   $ 9.50
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life          
Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)     3 years 1 month 6 days   4 years 8 months 12 days
Remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested awards $ 400   $ 400    
Weighted average period over which remaining stock based compensation expense for unvested awards is expected to be recognized (in years)     1 year 4 months 24 days    
Stock-based compensation expense $ 200 $ 300 $ 900 $ 1,100  
v3.23.3
Stock-based Awards (Details 2 - RSUs) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Stock based compensation expense $ 3,273 $ 5,189 $ 11,872 $ 13,174
Non-vested restricted stock unit awards        
Number of Shares        
Non-vested at the beginning of period (in shares)     10,007,869  
Granted (in shares)     6,541,317  
Vested (in shares)     (2,927,643)  
Canceled/forfeited (in shares)     (4,184,764)  
Non-vested at the end of the period (in per share) 9,436,779   9,436,779  
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Non-vested at the beginning of period (in dollars per share)     $ 4.04  
Granted (in dollars per share)     2.45  
Vested (in dollars per share)     3.64  
Canceled/forfeited (in dollars per share)     3.35  
Non-vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) $ 3.37   $ 3.37  
Remaining stock based compensation expense for non vested restricted stock units $ 21,500   $ 21,500  
Weighted average period over which remaining stock based compensation expense for unvested awards is expected to be recognized (in years)     2 years 4 months 24 days  
Stock based compensation expense $ 3,100 $ 4,800 $ 11,000 $ 12,100
v3.23.3
Stock-based Awards (Details 3 - Stock comp by FSLI) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Stock-based Compensation Cost        
Stock-based compensation expense $ 3,273 $ 5,189 $ 11,872 $ 13,174
Amount capitalized to internal software use 204 248 651 784
Total stock-based compensation cost 3,477 5,437 12,523 13,958
Cost of revenue        
Stock-based Compensation Cost        
Stock-based compensation expense 44 51 148 134
Sales and marketing        
Stock-based Compensation Cost        
Stock-based compensation expense 493 1,219 3,215 3,627
Technology and development        
Stock-based Compensation Cost        
Stock-based compensation expense 1,031 1,126 3,028 3,082
General and administrative        
Stock-based Compensation Cost        
Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,705 $ 2,793 $ 5,481 $ 6,331
v3.23.3
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes $ 1 $ (131) $ 14 $ (2,648)
Maximum        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes $ 100 $ (100) $ 100 $ (2,600)
v3.23.3
Net Loss Per Share - Computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Jun. 30, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]                
Net loss $ (7,875) $ (20,424) $ (19,565) $ (77,113) $ (11,019) $ (12,414) $ (47,864) $ (100,546)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted                
Diluted (in shares) 90,176     90,687     89,407 92,508
Basic (in shares) 90,176     90,687     89,407 92,508
Net loss per share, basic and diluted                
Continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share) $ (0.09)     $ (0.85)     $ (0.54) $ (1.09)
Continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share) $ (0.09)     $ (0.85)     $ (0.54) $ (1.09)
v3.23.3
Net Loss Per Share - Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share (Details) - shares
shares in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders    
Total shares excluded from net loss per share 11,831 15,655
Options to purchase common stock    
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders    
Total shares excluded from net loss per share 2,394 5,203
Non-vested restricted stock unit awards    
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders    
Total shares excluded from net loss per share 9,437 10,452
v3.23.3
Net Loss Per Share - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
May 31, 2021
Jul. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]      
Authorized amount   $ 150,000,000 $ 75,000,000
Additional authorized amount   $ 75,000,000  
Remaining authorized amount $ 45,800,000    
Share repurchases (in shares) 0    
v3.23.3
Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
2 Months Ended
Mar. 01, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Accu-Trade      
Related Party Transactions      
Ownership percent 20.00%    
Accu-Trade      
Related Party Transactions      
Amounts due   $ 0.0 $ 0.0
Accu-Trade | Contra-revenue      
Related Party Transactions      
Related party, amounts of transaction $ 0.1    
Accu-Trade | Cost of revenue      
Related Party Transactions      
Related party, amounts of transaction $ 1.1    
v3.23.3
Revenue Information - Schedule of Revenue Categories (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2022
Revenue Information        
Revenue $ 41,146 $ 39,052 $ 117,419 $ 124,860
Dealer revenue        
Revenue Information        
Revenue 36,068 37,722 107,553 120,713
OEM incentives revenue        
Revenue Information        
Revenue 4,944 1,189 9,490 3,613
Other revenue        
Revenue Information        
Revenue $ 134 $ 141 $ 376 $ 534
v3.23.3
Revenue Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]    
Contract asset $ 1.0 $ 0.9

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