CarsGuide
{{Short description|Australian online marketplace and content platform}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = CarsGuide
| logo = CarsGuide logo.png
| foundation = November 2011
| location = Sydney
| key_people = Shaun Cornelius (CEO)
| industry = Automotive
E-commerce
Media
| products =
| num_employees = 69
| parent = eBay Classifieds Group
| homepage = {{Official|http://www.CarsGuide.com.au}}
}}
CarsGuide is an online marketplace and content platform based in Sydney, Australia. The company specializes in automotive sales and purchases, as well as car news, advice and reviews.
The company was founded in 2011 as a News Corp Australia company,{{Cite web|url=http://www.newscorpaustralia.com/brand/carsguide|title=Carsguide {{!}} News Corp Australia|date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824201856/http://www.newscorpaustralia.com/brand/carsguide|access-date=3 December 2018|archive-date=24 August 2013}} and in 2016 merged with the Australian branch of Cox Automotive, which is ultimately owned by Cox Enterprises.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bandt.com.au/media/news-corp-sells-stake-carsguide-forms-part-new-automotive-venture|title=News Corp Sells Stake In CarsGuide As Merger Sees It Become Part Of Cox Automotive – B&T|date=9 August 2016|work=B&T|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.carsguide.com.au/about-carsguide|title=About CarsGuide.com.au|work=CarsGuide|access-date=3 December 2018}} In May 2020, eBay Classifieds group acquired Cox Media, the subsidiary of Cox Enterprises that runs CarsGuide.{{Cite web|last=Marceux|first=Pavel|title=EBay Classifieds acquires Cox Australia – AIM Group|url=https://aimgroup.com/2020/06/02/gumtree-australia-gets-green-light-to-acquire-autotrader-carsguide-2/|access-date=27 June 2020|website=aimgroup.com/|language=en-US}}
History
In November 2011, News Corp Australia and a network of Australian automotive groups set out to build a destination for Australians to buy and sell cars.{{Failed verification|date=May 2019}} This gave launch to CarsGuide in late 2011.{{cn|date=May 2019}}
Following a rebrand in late 2014, led by MediaCom, BWM and Interbrand,{{Cite news|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/news/carsguide-preps-rebrand-appoints-three-agencies|title=CarsGuide preps rebrand, appoints three agencies – AdNews|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}} the company launched a new strategy which included a location-based search and free listings for private sellers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jlim/2014/09/14/carsguide-maps-out-strategy-to-overtake-carsales-in-australia/|title=CarsGuide Maps Out Strategy To Overtake CarSales In Australia|last=Lim|first=Jason|work=Forbes|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/a-david-and-goliath-story-of-the-australian-car-classifieds-industry-and-why-being-bold-is-the-key-to-success-2015-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214023250/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/a-david-and-goliath-story-of-the-australian-car-classifieds-industry-and-why-being-bold-is-the-key-to-success-2015-2|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2015|title=What CarsGuide has learned being the challenger in the Australian car classifieds industry|last=Kimmorley|first=Sarah|date=1 February 2015|work=Business Insider Australia|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}
In 2016, News Corp Australia sold their 55% share in the company, and the company signed a merger agreement with Dealer Solutions, Manheim and Sell My Car to form Cox Automotive Australia, a branch of the Atlanta-based company of the same name, which was completed in late 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessnewsaus.com.au/articles/us-auto-conglomerate-to-take-over-carsguide.html|title=US AUTO CONGLOMERATE TO TAKE OVER CARSGUIDE|website=Business News Australia|access-date=3 December 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/business/media-and-marketing/news-corp-to-exit-carsguide-20160808-gqo315|title=News Corp to exit CarsGuide|date=9 August 2016|work=Financial Review|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en-US}}
In November 2017, the company launched an in-house content agency, Joyride, led by Jamie Clift, formerly of Droga5 and Saatchi & Saatchi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/news/carsguide-launches-in-house-content-agency|title=Carsguide launches in-house content agency – AdNews|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}
February 2018 saw CEO Lauren Williams leave the company.{{Cite web|url=https://aimgroup.com/2018/02/09/carsguide-ceo-lauren-williams-departs/|title=CarsGuide CEO Lauren Williams departs – AIM Group|last=Hawksford|first=Angela|website=aimgroup.com|language=en-US|access-date=3 December 2018}} The vacant position was filled in October by Shaun Cornelius, previously of Deloitte and eBay.{{Cite news|url=https://premium.goauto.com.au/new-ceo-for-carsguide/|title=New CEO for CarsGuide|date=2 October 2018|work=GoAutoNews Premium|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en-US}} The company is now owned by eBay Classifieds group, who bought out Cox Media in 2020 to acquire both CarsGuide and Autotrader.com.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official|https://www.CarsGuide.com.au}}
{{COX}}
Category:News Corporation subsidiaries
Category:Internet properties established in 2011