Barrett-Jackson Revenue and Sale Volume
Barrett-Jackson is one of the largest classic and collector car auction companies in the United States. The company is owned by Cox Automotive, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, and operates under the umbrella of the broader automotive marketplace ecosystem. Barrett-Jackson holds multiple multi-day auctions annually across locations including Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Palm Beach, Florida. In its most recent public filings and earnings commentary, Barrett-Jackson has reported total auction revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year, with the exact figure varying by event volume and market conditions. The company does not typically break out a single average revenue per sale in its public disclosures, but analysts and industry observers estimate the average transaction value per vehicle based on disclosed gross proceeds and unit counts from major events. For context on how auction houses like Barrett-Jackson fit into the broader automotive retail and remarketing industry, see this overview of Cox Automotive's business model Forbes.
Barrett-Jackson's revenue mix includes seller commissions, buyer premiums, and ancillary services such as financing, insurance, and vehicle transport coordination. The company's events are known for high-value consignments, with many vehicles selling for six figures and some exceeding seven figures per unit. According to industry reports, Barrett-Jackson has facilitated billions of dollars in cumulative sales since its founding in 1971. The company's flagship Scottsdale auction alone has historically generated hundreds of millions in gross sales over a single week-long event. These figures position Barrett-Jackson as a premium segment auction house, distinct from general remarketing platforms that handle high-volume, lower-value transactions.
Fee Structure and Revenue Per Transaction
Barrett-Jackson charges sellers a commission based on the final sale price of each vehicle, and buyers typically pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. The exact commission and premium rates can vary depending on the event, the vehicle category, and the specific consignment agreement. Industry estimates suggest that auction houses in this segment often charge seller commissions in the range of 5 to 10 percent of the sale price, with buyer premiums adding an additional percentage. These fees are the primary drivers of Barrett-Jackson's per-sale revenue. For a general explanation of how auction commissions work in the automotive sector, see this guide on car auction fees Car and Driver.
The per-sale revenue for Barrett-Jackson is not a fixed dollar amount because it depends on the sale price of each individual vehicle. A vehicle that sells for 50,000 dollars generates a different commission than one that sells for 500,000 dollars. Barrett-Jackson's financial disclosures and event summaries typically focus on total event revenue and gross proceeds rather than a simple average per vehicle. However, by dividing total gross auction proceeds by the number of vehicles sold, one can approximate the average revenue per sale. This metric fluctuates based on the mix of consigned vehicles, which can range from affordable classic cars to rare, museum-grade automobiles.
Recent Performance and Market Position
Barrett-Jackson remains a dominant name in the collector car auction space, competing with other major houses such as RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Mecum Auctions. The company's events are known for high attendance, extensive media coverage, and a strong brand association with authenticity and provenance. Barrett-Jackson has expanded its offerings to include live and online bidding platforms, increasing its reach beyond physical attendees. The company's parent organization, Cox Automotive, leverages data and technology to support pricing analytics and market trends, which helps consignors and buyers make