On August 16, 2024, AutoScout24, the leading pan-European online automotive marketplace, agreed to acquire TRADER Corporation ("TRADER Canada") from Thoma Bravo. The transaction, expected to close in Q4 2024, includes an incremental equity investment in AutoScout24 by existing majority shareholder Hellman & Friedman (H&F).

This acquisition marks AutoScout24’s expansion beyond Europe, strengthening its global position and extending its service offerings into automotive dealer software and lender solutions. TRADER Canada, headquartered in Toronto, operates the leading online automotive marketplaces in Canada, AutoTrader.ca and AutoHebdo.net, with 26 million monthly visits, 450,000 vehicle listings, and 5,000 dealer partners. Additionally, it offers automotive dealer software through AutoSync and operates Dealertrack, the top Canadian portal for dealer-lender connections.

RBC Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank served as M&A advisors to AutoScout24, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Davies Ward Philipps & Vineberg LLP, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP providing legal counsel. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as lead financial advisor to TRADER, with BofA Securities, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Kirkland & Ellis LLP, McMillan LLP, and Goodmans LLP also advising on the deal.