
Carvana is a publicly traded company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol CVNA.
The company was founded in 2012 by Ernie Garcia III, who serves as the company's chairman and CEO.
Carvana has disrupted the traditional car buying process with its online platform and 24/7 delivery service.
Carvana's business model is built around its e-commerce platform, which allows customers to browse and purchase vehicles online.
The company has grown rapidly since its founding, expanding to over 300 locations across the United States.
Carvana's focus on innovation and customer experience has earned it a reputation as a leader in the automotive retail industry.
Carvana Ownership Structure
Carvana's ownership structure is a bit complex, but let's break it down. The company was founded in 2012 by Ernest Garcia III, Ryan Keeton, and Ben Huston.
Ernest Garcia III is the CEO of Carvana, and his father, Ernest Garcia II, holds over 80% of the voting power through his Class B shares. This dual-class share structure has consistently ensured that the Garcia family retains substantial control over the company.
The Garcia family's influence remains paramount in the Carvana company ownership. Ernest Garcia II is the largest individual shareholder of Carvana stock, owning 80.58 million shares, representing 37.63% of the company.
As of June 26, 2025, there were 1,206 institutional owners and shareholders, collectively holding 131,628,151 shares, which accounts for 92.03% of the total shares outstanding. Key institutional shareholders include Price T. Rowe Associates Inc./MD, Vanguard Group Inc., Fmr LLC, and BlackRock, Inc.
Here's a breakdown of the top shareholders of Carvana as of June 26, 2025:
Carvana's ownership structure is dominated by the Garcia family, with Ernest Garcia II owning a 45.19% stake in the company. Other top shareholders include Price T. Rose Associates Inc, Fmr LLC, Baillie Gifford Co, Tiger Global Management, The Vanguard Group, Inc, and Morgan Stanley.
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Carvana History
Carvana was co-founded in 2012 by Ernest Garcia III, Ryan Keeton, and Ben Huston. The initial financial backing for the company came from DriveTime, a used car retailer and finance company.
The Garcia family's influence on Carvana's ownership structure began from the start. Ernest Garcia II, the father of one of the founders, provided significant financial support through DriveTime. He and his son have maintained substantial control since the beginning.
The company's structure was designed to ensure founder control, particularly after going public. This structure has allowed the founding team to retain significant influence over the company's strategic direction.
Here's a snapshot of the founding team's ownership:
Founded Carvana?
Carvana was co-founded in 2012 by Ernest Garcia III, Ryan Keeton, and Ben Huston.
The initial financial backing for the company came from DriveTime, a used car retailer and finance company founded by Ernest Garcia II, the father of one of the founders.
Ernest Garcia II, despite not holding a formal position due to past legal issues, provided significant financial support through DriveTime and maintained substantial control since the beginning.
The company's structure was designed to ensure founder control, particularly after going public, allowing the founding team to retain significant influence over the company's strategic direction.
A key aspect of Carvana's ownership structure is the involvement of the Garcia family, particularly Ernest Garcia II and his son Ernest Garcia III, who have maintained control despite past legal issues.
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Evolution
As Carvana's ownership has evolved over time, it's interesting to note that the company's initial public offering (IPO) in April 2017 was a significant turning point. The IPO introduced public shareholders and altered the company's capital structure.
The IPO priced shares at $15.00 each, which had a lasting impact on the company's ownership. By September 30, 2024, Carvana Co. held approximately 60.4% of Carvana Group, while the remaining 39.6% was owned by LLC Unitholders.
The Garcia family's influence remains paramount in the company's ownership. Ernest Garcia II, the controlling shareholder and father of CEO Ernest Garcia III, holds over 80% of the voting power through his Class B shares.
Ernest Garcia II is the largest individual shareholder of Carvana stock, owning 80.58 million shares, representing 37.63% of the company, valued at over $6 billion as of May 3, 2024.
Here's a breakdown of the top shareholders as of June 26, 2025:
Institutional investors also play a significant role in Carvana's ownership, with 1,206 institutional owners and shareholders collectively holding 131,628,151 shares, accounting for 92.03% of the total shares outstanding.
For another approach, see: Outstanding Common Stock Refers to the Total Number of Shares
Recent Developments
Carvana's ownership landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years. The company's stock price plummeted by 99% from its peak, but has since recovered remarkably.
As of June 26, 2025, the stock price was $306.41 per share, reflecting a 130.59% increase from June 27, 2024. This resurgence is a testament to the company's efforts to stabilize and regain investor confidence.
Ernest Garcia II, the controlling shareholder, has been selling shares through automated trading plans. He offloaded 3.1 million shares in May 2024, but the Garcia family still holds over 85% of the voting shares.
The Garcia family's significant voting power is a crucial aspect of Carvana's ownership structure. This influence will likely continue to shape the company's strategic direction.
Carvana's stock has seen a remarkable recovery, up nearly 150% since the start of 2024 and approximately 3,000% since late 2022. This improved investor confidence is a positive sign for the company's future.
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Key Facts

Carvana's ownership structure is quite complex, but let's break it down. The company was founded by Ernest Garcia III, Ryan Keeton, and Ben Huston, with DriveTime providing initial funding.
A dual-class share structure is in place, which means that Class B shares have super-voting rights. This gives the Garcia Parties a significant amount of control over the company's voting power.
The Garcia family maintains significant control through this dual-class share structure. Ernest Garcia II is the largest individual shareholder, holding a substantial percentage of the company.
Here are some key metrics to give you an idea of Carvana's financial performance:
Carvana Overview
Carvana's journey began in 2012 when Ernest Garcia III, Ryan Keeton, and Ben Huston founded the company with a vision to revolutionize car buying. Carvana's market cap is now a staggering $42.91 billion as of June 27, 2025.
The company's ownership structure is complex, but it's largely controlled by the Garcia family. Ernest Garcia II, the controlling shareholder and father of CEO Ernest Garcia III, holds over 80% of the voting power through his Class B shares.
Carvana's initial public offering (IPO) in April 2017 introduced public shareholders and significantly altered the company's capital structure. As of September 30, 2024, Carvana Co. held approximately 60.4% of Carvana Group, while the remaining 39.6% was owned by LLC Unitholders.
The Garcia family's influence remains paramount in the Carvana company ownership. Ernest Garcia II is the largest individual shareholder of Carvana stock, owning 80.58 million shares, representing 37.63% of the company, valued at over $6 billion as of May 3, 2024.
Here are the top shareholders of Carvana as of June 26, 2025:
Institutional investors are also major players in Carvana ownership, with 1,206 institutional owners and shareholders collectively holding 131,628,151 shares, which accounts for 92.03% of the total shares outstanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ernie Garcia Carvana a felon?
Ernie Garcia III, the founder of Carvana, has a felony conviction for bank fraud related to the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association collapse. He pled guilty to the charge in 1990.
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