Introduction
New cars are very expensive today. The average new car costs about $50,000, according to Cox Automotive. A three-year-old used car costs about $30,000. That big gap pushes many buyers to shop for used cars first. General Motors has noticed. It has rebuilt its used car business into a website called CarBravo. The site lists used cars from its dealers across the United States. But here is the clever part: about 38% of people who come looking for a used car end up buying a new one instead.
What Happened
CarBravo is an online shop for used cars with a GM stamp of approval. Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers list their checked and fixed used cars on the site. The cars can come from any brand, not only GM cars. A used Ford or a used Ram can be listed too. About 1,615 of GM’s 3,700 dealers have joined the programme. Cadillac has its own separate used car programme. GM wants CarBravo to reach about 250,000 sales in 2026. Its boss for the programme says fewer than half of those sales will be new cars, but the used car sales still bring buyers to the dealers.
Why It Happened
The trick is the monthly payment. A new car costs more, but buyers can stretch the loan over more years and get help from the car maker. That can make the monthly cost of a new Silverado only $10 or $15 more than a used Ford. For many buyers, that small gap is worth it for a brand-new car with a full warranty. Long loans are now very common. More than one in four new car loans in the third quarter lasted 84 months, or seven years, according to Edmunds. That is a record. Long loans make the monthly bill smaller, but the buyer pays more interest over time.
Why It Matters
CarBravo is also a way to find new customers. About 50% of the buyers GM gains through CarBravo are new to the brand. GM had no record of them before. About 70% of them had never visited the dealer where they ended up buying. That matters because a dealer visit is a chance to sell more. The buyer may come back for service and repairs. They may also buy their next car from the same dealer. Toyota told CNBC that about 40% of its used car shoppers also end up buying new, so GM is not alone in this trick. Cheaper cars are selling fast across the whole market, and buyers are hunting for value wherever they can find it.
What Happens Next
GM will keep growing CarBravo. More dealers may join, and more used cars will be listed. The company will watch whether the 38% number holds as more people use the site. If it does, CarBravo will keep sending buyers into GM showrooms. Buyers should still do the maths. A new car with a seven-year loan can cost much more in total than a used car. The monthly bill looks small, but the interest adds up over seven years.
Final Thoughts
CarBravo shows how car makers are changing. They are not only selling cars. They are selling a monthly payment that feels easy. For GM, the used car site is really a door that leads many shoppers to a new car. Car makers face a tougher 2027 as costs rise, so tricks like this one matter more than ever.
Key Figures
- Dealers in CarBravo: 1,615 out of 3,700
- Sales goal for 2026: about 250,000
- Used-car shoppers who buy new: about 38%
- Buyers new to GM: about 50%
- Average new car price: about $50,000; average 3-year-old used car: about $30,000
Quick Questions
What is CarBravo?
CarBravo is GM’s website for certified used cars. Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers list checked used cars there, including cars from other brands.
Why do used car shoppers buy new cars?
Long loans and car maker deals can make a new car’s monthly payment only a little higher than a used car’s. About 38% of CarBravo shoppers choose new.
Are seven-year car loans a good idea?
They make the monthly bill smaller, but the buyer pays more interest over seven years. The total cost can be much higher than it looks.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sources: CNBC — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/10/gm-carbravo-used-car-shoppers.html ; CNBC report summary — https://longbridge.com/en/news/305015268