Autohome reports lower revenue and profit in Q3 2026
Autohome Inc. reported a significant decline in revenue for the third quarter of 2026, citing reduced advertising spending by automakers. The company announced a new dividend payment and continued share repurchases.
Autohome Inc., a Chinese automotive digital platform, announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2026, showing a decrease in performance compared to the same period last year. Net revenues totaled 1.315 billion RMB ($196.1 million), down from 1.778 billion RMB in 2025. Net income also fell to 195 million RMB from 436.6 million RMB year-over-year.
The company attributes the downturn primarily to decreased advertising budgets from automotive manufacturers amid a broader slump in vehicle sales. Revenue from both core media services and lead generation tools declined as the industry faces shifting demand.
In response to market pressures, Autohome is focusing on diversifying its business model through a new retail framework and AI-driven tools. The company recently launched "Cheese Car Butler," a proprietary AI agent designed to assist with vehicle service decisions. CEO Chi Liu noted that the strategy aims to move the platform from simple information matching toward more integrated fulfillment services.
Regarding capital allocation, Autohome continues to execute a $400 million share repurchase program, having spent $155.4 million as of late October. Additionally, the company declared a cash dividend of approximately 1 billion RMB, scheduled for payment in the first quarter of 2027.