Cars.com Inc. functions as a prominent digital ecosystem within the automotive industry, primarily connecting prospective car buyers with various sellers. Utilizing its extensive online marketplace, custom dealer websites, and a range of digital offerings, the company effectively highlights available vehicle inventories, bolsters the brand visibility of both dealerships and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), pairs sellers with actively searching consumers, and equips shoppers with the essential tools and insights needed to make well-informed vehicle purchase decisions. The firm's service portfolio encompasses marketplace solutions such as subscription-based advertising and social selling features; digital capabilities including website platform hosting, AI-driven chat functionalities, online retail tools, and reputation management; and diverse advertising options like display advertising, instant loan screening and approval services, broader digital advertising, and in-market audio promotions. As of December 31, 2021, Cars.com Inc. supported 19,179 dealer partners, covering both franchised and independent operations with digital and physical showrooms across all 50 states, alongside major automakers selling vehicles in the U.S. Its customer base primarily includes local automobile dealerships, OEMs, and other national advertisers. Founded in 1998, Cars.com Inc. is based in Chicago, Illinois.