Marbanc International to Acquire Cars.net Automotive Research Platform

Deal News | May 16, 2025 | Globenewswire

New York-based global investment firm Marbanc International is set to acquire Cars.net, an automotive research platform, following a 30-day exclusive due diligence period. Cars.net, launched in 2021, aids consumers in obtaining optimal vehicle prices while connecting them to dealers across the U.S. The acquisition includes pivotal assets like software, database, intellectual property, and the domain name. Marbanc plans to broaden Cars.net's reach globally, with particular focus on markets in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, establishing joint ventures with seasoned automotive professionals. The transaction is anticipated to conclude by June 2025. Comparatively, the automotive domain industry has seen monumental growth with Cars.com valued at $872 million in 2016, emphasizing the lucrative nature of domain names.

Sectors

Automotive Technology
Private Equity

Geography

United States – Cars.net operates within the U.S. market, and Marbanc International is based in New York, reflecting the U.S. connection in the transaction.
United Kingdom – Marbanc International plans to expand Cars.net to the UK market, indicating strategic geographical targets.
Australia – Marbanc International also intends to extend operations into the Australian automotive market, broadening Cars.net’s reach.

Industry

Automotive Technology – The article revolves around Cars.net, a platform combining automotive data analytics and consumer research to facilitate car purchases.
Private Equity – Marbanc International, the investment firm involved in acquiring Cars.net, represents the private equity sector by facilitating this transaction.

Financials

US$872 million – The valuation of the Cars.com domain name in 2016, used as a comparative benchmark for domain valuations.

Participants

Name	Role	Type	Description
Marbanc International	Bidding Company	Company	A global investment firm orchestrating the acquisition of Cars.net.
Cars.net	Target company	Company	An automotive research platform developed to help consumers find competitive car prices.
Cars.com	Industry Comparator	Company	Allows for a point of comparison with Cars.net due to its sizable domain valuation.
CAR Group Limited	Industry Comparator	Company	An ASX-listed company showcasing the value and market capitalization of data-driven automotive platforms.