February 26, 2018 — We’re still not through February but there have been 14 investments, acquisitions and mergers already this year with vendors in the automotive retail space, up from two in the first quarter of last year. Seven of the deals have been in the online transaction space where investments have continued a frenzied…
Februrary 9, 2018 — Welcome to our fourth annual TBR Automotive Retail Vendor M&A Report. Our M&A reports on vendor acquisition and investment activity are published quarterly along with an annual year-end report. The reports provide insight and analysis of each acquisition, investment and IPO from the previous year including an outlook for the upcoming…
January 25, 2018 — The Banks Report research has found 21 companies that offer some type of online vehicle transaction solution. In the last four years, companies offering such solutions have exploded onto the scene attracting more than $1 billion in investment money — more than $200 million since July (Not including Fair’s $1 billion… Continue Reading
January 24, 2018 — Over the last several months, numerous automakers and dealers have launched flexible ownership models creating a new means of interacting with customers beyond the typical loan or lease. The question is whether flexible ownership and vehicle subscriptions will move beyond being a novel and cool idea to becoming an accepted method of…
October 9, 2017 — IHS Markit’s acquisition of Automotive Mastermind, one of the year’s biggest U.S.-based deals, brought an active third quarter to a close last week. The other big story of the quarter — and perhaps the year — is the nearly $200 million invested in six startups specializing in online automotive transaction solutions.…
August 17, 2017 — Following a first quarter with only one announced acquisition, the second quarter ended with eight acquisitions, two public offerings and three investments, bringing the mid-year total to 13 deals in the automotive retail vendor space. The rebound puts 2017 on a similar pace with 2016 which saw 31 total deals. Much of…
May 22, 2017 — Imagine a world where automotive vehicles are no longer depreciating assets, but are profit generating machines. That world may be here much sooner than we think. Automakers are beginning to explore blockchain, a new and disruptive technology that may prove to be critical to the creation of a mobile ecosystem where autonomous… Continue Reading
May 22, 2017 — The downward trend in dealership buy-sell activity which began in 2016 continued into the first quarter of this year with a 36% year-over-year decline, according to data compiled by The Banks Report. Also in the first quarter report, Audi continues to be aggressive in using the Right of First Refusal to…
May 14, 2017 — Acquisition activity among auto retail vendors is slowly rebounding following a first quarter that brought only one deal. In recent weeks, Dominion Web Solutions, Drivin, Automatic and World Dealer were acquired while Carvana launched an initial public offering (IPO). Next up is Cars.com which will begin trading on the New York…
May 9, 2017 — Tesla’s moment of truth is nearly here. This year’s introduction of its Model 3 may be the auto industry’s most critical vehicle launch since Ford’s Model T took over America’s roads more than a century ago. Whether the fledgling company becomes the ultimate disruptor and a truly viable automaker will be determined by the…