Autoquake
 |
|
| Type | Private (VC-Funded) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retailing |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Key people |
Dermot Halpin CEO , |
| Employees | ~120 (2009) |
| Website | www.autoquake.com |
Autoquake.com is a UK-based e-commerce company selling used cars online. It was founded in 2005 by Fredrik Skantze and Jeanette Moskovits and is backed by Accel Partners and Highland Capital Partners, two venture capital firms. Autoquake.com sold 5,000 cars in 2008 and according to Hitwise, it was the 3rd most visited car dealer website in the UK during the 1st half of 2009 [1].
Contents |
[edit] Concept
The two main differences compared to regular car dealers are the online focus and the car supply chain. Selling online lowers operational costs as the facilities used to prepare and store the cars are cheaper than the ones used by a conventional car dealership or car supermarket. The cars are displayed on the website with detailed pictures instead. Autoquake.com operates as a motor trader, selling cars direct to consumers on behalf of fleet companies, bypassing the car auction houses and effectively removes one intermediary in the used car supply chain.
From 17/03/2011 the company has gone into administration.[2]
[edit] Awards
Autoquake.com received the "Best Dealer Website" award at the AM Awards Ceremony in February 2009 [3]. and the "Internet Award" from Fleet World magazine [4].
[edit] References
- ^ "Hitwise Q4 2008". http://www.hitwise.com/awards/popup.html?market=uk&sDomain=www.autoquake.com&iDate=200902&iCatnum=25&Cal=&semi=1.
- ^ Massive online used car retailer Autoquake folds - March - 2011 - Which? News
- ^ "AM Awards 2009". http://www.am-awards.co.uk/Past_attendees.
- ^ "Fleet World Honours 2009". http://www.fleetworld.net/fleet-cars.php/news/?id=2239.
