Auto Auctions: M&A is Reshaping Vehicle Remarketing

The auto auction industry is in the midst of a transformation. A wave of strategic M&A is reshaping how vehicles are bought, sold, and remarketed—both in-person and online.

From aggressive regional consolidation to digital-first platforms that simplify transactions, industry players are retooling to meet the demands of a faster, smarter, and more connected marketplace.

Let’s break down the key deals and what they reveal about where the industry is headed.

America’s Group: Scaling Fast with Strategic Acquisitions

America’s Group, the parent of America’s Auto Auction and AXLE Funding, has been the most active consolidator in the auto remarketing sector. Following its December 2021 acquisition by XLerate Group, a national auction platform owned by Brightstar Capital Partners, the company has moved quickly to expand its geographic footprint and technological capabilities. America’s Group was previously known as America’s Auto Auction and its affiliated financing company, Auction Credit Enterprises, and was owned by Trinity Hunt.

Here are the five major acquisitions America’s Group has completed in the past year:

Car-Tech Auto Auction (Feb 5, 2025): Marking its entry into the New Jersey market, America’s Auto Auction acquired Car-Tech Auto Auction in Freehold, NJ. This move gives the company access to the densely populated Northeast corridor and a critical foothold in the Tri-State area.
AuctionVcommerce (Jan 8, 2025): A strategic digital investment, America’s Group acquired AVC, a technology platform that enables dealers to manage multiple auction connections through a single interface. This positions America’s Group as a more seamless, tech-forward partner for dealers.
Z66 Tulsa Auto Auction (Aug 26, 2024): With the acquisition of this 29-acre facility in Oklahoma, the company deepened its presence in the Midwest and extended its reach into new dealer relationships across surrounding states.
Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction (Aug 1, 2024): America’s Group added this long-standing Virginia auction to strengthen its position in the Mid-Atlantic and expand its East Coast network.
San Antonio Auto Auction (Apr 2024): This 44-acre location in Texas was the company’s first acquisition of 2024 and served to bolster its Southern U.S. operations, alongside an earlier acquisition of the Corpus Christi Auto Auction.

These moves highlight a focused expansion strategy: grow density in key regional markets, standardize service delivery, and integrate technology that simplifies the auction experience for dealers. With AXLE Funding in-house, America’s Group is also uniquely positioned to provide floorplan financing and end-to-end service.

Christie’s Re-Enters the Classic Car Arena

In September 2024, Christie’s made its return to the classic car auction world by acquiring Gooding & Company, one of the premier firms in the collector vehicle space.

Gooding & Company is known for record-setting sales, including a $20.47 million McLaren F1 in 2021. The move comes after a 17-year hiatus for Christie’s from the automotive space and reflects a strategic diversification as the fine art market cools.

It also confirms that the collector car niche remains resilient—and valuable—for global auction brands looking to expand beyond traditional verticals.

eBay Acquires Caramel to Modernize Vehicle Transaction

In January 2025, eBay acquired Caramel, a tech platform that makes private-party auto transactions smoother and more secure.

Caramel handles every step of the process: title transfers, financing, shipping, insurance, and paperwork. This acquisition aims to modernize eBay Motors and eliminate friction for buyers and sellers alike.

It’s a smart move for a platform that wants to keep private sellers and independent dealers engaged—and deliver a more dealership-like experience from the comfort of your phone.

Cars.com Moves into Wholesale with DealerClub

Cars.com entered the wholesale auction market in January 2025 by acquiring DealerClub, a digital auction platform built around reputation, trust, and verified dealer networks. The deal included $25 million in upfront cash with potential payouts totaling $113 million.

This move supports Cars.com’s Trade & Appraisal strategy and positions it to tap into the $10+ billion wholesale used car market. DealerClub adds new functionality and expands the company’s role beyond retail listings into deeper inventory and pricing insights for dealers.

Carvana Turns Auctions into Logistics Infrastructure

Carvana continues to redefine the boundaries between digital retail and auction infrastructure:

ADESA U.S. Acquisition (May 2022): Carvana’s $2.2 billion purchase of 56 ADESA auction sites gave it unparalleled reach and reconditioning capacity. Today, 78% of the U.S. population lives within 100 miles of a Carvana/ADESA location.
Megasite Transformation (2024): Carvana is converting those auction sites into high-capacity reconditioning and delivery hubs—or “Megasites.” In markets like Framingham, MA; Kansas City; and Las Vegas, this enables faster delivery and expands inventory availability.

Rather than relying on auction revenue, Carvana is turning physical assets into operational horsepower to serve its retail model more efficiently

What’s Driving the Shift?

These deals point to several clear industry trends:

Consolidation: Whether it’s America’s Group or Cars.com, the industry is moving toward fewer, more integrated players with broad reach and standardized service.
Digital Enablement: From Caramel to AVC, technology is no longer a bolt-on—it’s central to the customer experience and operational model.
Retail + Wholesale Convergence: Carvana and Cars.com show that the wall between B2B and B2C is crumbling. Retail platforms are entering wholesale. Auction infrastructure is powering retail.

The Bottom Line

Vehicle remarketing is evolving fast. Strategic buyers are reshaping the landscape with acquisitions that combine scale, data, logistics, and technology.

For investors, operators, and anyone serving the automotive space, this isn’t a corner market anymore. It’s a sector where speed, software, and scale are the new competitive edge.

Let’s connect if you’re thinking about where this is heading—or want to talk through opportunities in the space.