CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KAR Auction
Services, Inc., d/b/a/ KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) has signed a
definitive agreement to acquire CARWAVE Holdings LLC ("CARWAVE")
subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing
conditions. CARWAVE is an online dealer-to-dealer marketplace
featuring certified mechanical inspections, buyer guarantees and a
24/7, direct offer trading format with semi-weekly live auctions.
Upon closing, the acquisition will build on KAR's consistent growth
in the dealer-to-dealer segment, enhance KAR's position in the
highly fragmented wholesale used vehicle market, and accelerate the
company's overall transformation to a digital marketplace
company.
"This acquisition will advance our clear growth strategy in the
dealer-to-dealer segment and accelerate the positive momentum we've
sustained over the past several quarters," said Peter Kelly, CEO of KAR Global. "CARWAVE has a
strong, active dealer network in California — the country's largest wholesale
automotive market, as well as a growing presence in Arizona and Texas. The acquisition will enhance our
continued growth in all of these areas while providing each
company's unique customers with greater choice through an expanded
buyer and seller base. CARWAVE's asset-light, technology-forward
business model, with approximately 100,000 vehicles sold over the
past 12 months, will enable us to continue driving innovation,
achieve immediate profitability across our dealer-to-dealer
offerings and enhance our position in the highly competitive
dealer-to-dealer space."
CARWAVE was founded in 2009 in California and currently serves a broad
network of franchise and independent dealers across Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. The company's online platform enables
dealers to conveniently wholesale trade-ins and aged frontline
units directly from their lot and quickly source new inventory from
anywhere.
After the transaction closes, key CARWAVE leadership including
co-founders John Lauer and
Bill Lauer will remain with the
company, and KAR intends to continue operating CARWAVE's
Escondido, California
headquarters.
"We started CARWAVE to provide dealers with a low cost, low
stress and hassle-free alternative to physical wholesale auctions,"
said John Lauer, president of
CARWAVE. "KAR has truly embraced these core principles, and their
progressive approach continues to lead the digital transformation
of our industry. Our two organizations share a passion for
innovation, a dedication to customer service and a commitment to
making wholesale easy. And we look forward to combining our great
networks of trusted dealers and delivering the best, most
convenient and profitable wholesale solutions possible."
The purchase price of the acquisition is $450 million and the transaction is expected to
close prior to year-end pending the requisite legal and regulatory
approvals. Winston & Strawn LLP is serving as legal advisor to
KAR Global. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to
CARWAVE.
Media
Inquiries:
|
Analyst
Inquiries:
|
Tobin
Richer
|
Mike
Eliason
|
(317)
665-0366
|
(317)
249-4559
|
tobin.richer@karglobal.com
|
mike.eliason@karglobal.com
|
About KAR
KAR Auction Services, Inc. d/b/a KAR Global (NYSE: KAR),
provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used
vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing
solutions. KAR Global's unique end-to-end platform supports whole
car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services,
including the sale of nearly 3.1 million units valued at over
$40 billion through our auctions in
2020. Our integrated physical, online and mobile marketplaces
reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for
customers in about 75 countries. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, KAR Global has employees
across the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Uruguay, United
Kingdom and Europe. For
more information and the latest KAR Global news, go to
www.karglobal.com and follow us on Twitter @KARspeaks.
About CARWAVE
Founded in 2009, CARWAVE is the dealership's eyes and ears when
purchasing a wholesale vehicle. The company is displacing the
$100 billion traditional
brick-and-mortar wholesale automobile auction industry with its
innovative, internet-based business model. By using the platform,
franchise and independent dealerships can increase profit margins,
find high-quality cars easier, and avoid the operational headache
of traveling to auction houses each month. For more information,
please visit https://www.carwave.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release includes certain statements that may be
deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended
to be covered by the safe harbor provisions thereof. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this press release that address activities, events or developments
that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the
future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance and we caution you not to
place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements
are generally identifiable by the use of the words "may," "will,"
"should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend,"
"project," "continue," or the negative of these words, or other
similar words or terms.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond our control, that may cause our actual results, performance
or achievements to be materially different from future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking
statements made by us. Factors and risks to our business that could
cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements are described in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, potential risks and uncertainties
relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
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SOURCE KAR Global