TrueCar Inc. named Chip Perry its new chief executive as the online automotive shopping site tries to regain its footing following a year of financial and legal troubles.

Mr. Perry, the former CEO of AutoTrader.com, takes over on Dec. 15. He replaces TrueCar founder Scott Painter, who announced in August he would leave the company by the end of the year.

TrueCar is in the midst of trying to rebuild its dealer relationships which have eroded and resulted in some filing lawsuits claiming the company's business practices are deceitful and violate state consumer protection laws. TrueCar has said the claims are baseless and will fight them in court.

TrueCar also took an image hit when AutoNation Inc., one of its biggest clients, ended its relationship earlier this year after the two clashed over sharing consumer data.

"My initial focus will be on TrueCar's dealer partners—listening to them and finding ways to serve them better," the 62-year-old Mr. Perry said.

Mr. Perry guided AutoTrader, also an online shopping site, from 1993 through 2013. The company now generates $1.5 billion in annual revenue and handles more than 16 million visitors to its website.

TrueCar generated revenue of $196.3 million through the first nine months of this year compared with $151.2 million for the same period a year earlier. Its net loss has narrowed to $37.5 million compared with $38.6 million.

Write to Jeff Bennett at jeff.bennett@wsj.com

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 23, 2015 12:15 ET (17:15 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024 Click Here for more AutoNation Charts.
AutoNation (NYSE:AN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024 Click Here for more AutoNation Charts.