Strengthened by an increasing comfort level among consumers in purchasing vehicles online, and a strengthening used car market, Vroom (VRM) reported upside 1Q21 results that featured a 96% surge in eCommerce units sold. Coming on the heels of competitor Carvana’s (CVNA) magnificent quarterly results last week, VRM’s well balanced performance relative to the consensus estimates doesn’t come as a total surprise. What stands out to us, though, is the sequential development seen in a couple key metrics.For instance, eCommerce revenue surged by 81% yr/yr to $422.3 mln, up very suddenly from last quarter’s 41% growth. Higher inventory levels and a boost in marketing expense, including from its first ever Super Bowl commercial, helped with the acceleration in sales. With VRM forecasting a 164% surge in eCommerce unit sales in Q2 to 17,500-18,000, the momentum is expected to go on.Also inspiring is the 36% gain in eCommerce vehicle gross profit per unit to $1,151. Last quarter, this metric was up with an exceptional 12% yr/yr. Initially, we expected that the improvement would be connected to an upswing in average selling prices. Yesterday’s surprising inflation data indicated that increasingly used car prices were the most remarkable factor behind the spike in the Consumer Price Index. In fact, the cost of used vehicles surged by 10% in April, representing the fastest climb in recorded history.