CarsDirect

Type	Subsidiary of Internet Brands
Founded	1998
Headquarters	El Segundo, California
Parent	Internet Brands
Slogan	America's #1 Way to Buy Cars Online
Website	CarsDirect.com
Advertising	Yes

CarsDirect is an online automotive research portal and car buying service based in El Segundo, California that allows consumers to research, price, purchase, insure and finance a vehicle online. The company also provides lead generation and referral services to auto dealers.

Contents 1 History 2 Site Usage 3 Recognitions and Awards 4 See also 5 References

[edit] History

CarsDirect was founded in 1998, launched from the business incubator Idealab. It was the first company to sell vehicles online directly to consumers, rather than referring consumers to brick-and-mortar dealers as all other online car buying services did at the time.^[1][2] The company invented a consumer-advocacy approach to selling cars "haggle-free," an approach it continues to employ.^[3] In 2000, Roger Penske invested in the company and joined the Board of Directors.^[4]

In 2004, CarsDirect began to expand into additional "big ticket" consumer categories such as home mortgage and real estate with the acquisition of web properties including BestRate.com and LoanApp.com.^[5] Reflecting its growth and diversification, the company changed its name to Internet Brands in 2005, and the company was restructured into several divisions focused on vertical markets.^[6] The CarsDirect brand and its automotive research and car buying services became part of the automotive division of Internet Brands. CarsDirect continues to operate as a subsidiary of Internet Brands, focused on its core mission of helping consumers research and purchase vehicles online.

[edit] Site Usage

CarsDirect's research portal provides access to vehicle specifications, reviews, safety information, and vehicle pricing information, including available manufacturer rebates and incentives. This information is provided to users free of charge without obligation to purchase a vehicle through the company.

Should a consumer choose to purchase a vehicle, CarsDirect offers three car buying options: buying a new car online through the company's direct channel; being matched with a screened new car dealer via the CarsDirect Connect channel; or locating and purchasing a used vehicle through the CarsDirect Used channel.^[7][8]

[edit] Recognitions and Awards

• Auto Dealer Monthly magazine awarded CarsDirect the "Diamond Award for New Car Leads" in 2009, 2007 and 2005.^[9][10][11]

• PC World named CarsDirect a top 7 site for "buying or selling anything" in 2008.^[12]

• PC Magazine selected CarsDirect as a "Top 100 Classic Website" in 2003 and 2002.^[13]

• Time Magazine voted the site one of the "50 Best" in the world in 2002.^[14]

• Yahoo! Internet Life awarded CarsDirect a "Gold Star Site Honor for Excellence" in the category of "Buying a Car Online" in 2002 and 2001.^[15]

[edit] See also

• Internet Brands

[edit] References