CarGurus
| File:CarGurus company logo.png | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Template:NASDAQ (Class A) Russell 2000 Component S&P 600 Component | |
| Industry |
|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Langley Steinert |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Jason Trevisan (CEO) |
| Website | cargurus.com |
CarGurus, Inc. is a digital platform for automotive research and purchasing, serving customers and car dealers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada by enabling comparison of local new and used vehicle listings and facilitating direct communication with sellers.
History
Established in 2006 by Langley Steinert, who also co-founded TripAdvisor, CarGurus initially operated as an automotive community blog where users could share reviews and inquiries about local dealerships, repair shops, and vehicle models. Over time, dealer interest in advertising led the company to pivot its business model towards connecting buyers and sellers by listing vehicle inventories alongside "Deal Ratings," designed to help consumers assess the value of offers.[1] Langley Steinert served as CEO until January 2021, when Jason Trevisan, previously CFO, assumed the role.[2]
Between 2009 and 2011, the website experienced significant growth in traffic, rising from 9 million to 21 million monthly visitors.[3] Currently, CarGurus ranks among the top automotive shopping sites in the U.S., attracting over 40 million visitors each month.[4]
Business
Functioning as an automotive research and marketplace website, CarGurus assists users in locating and comparing local listings for both new and pre-owned vehicles. The platform employs proprietary algorithms to evaluate pricing and vehicle features across listings.[5] Customers can filter searches by price, specifications, and dealership reputation within their geographic area.[6] The company maintains operations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
CarGurus remained privately held until its initial public offering valued at $150 million on October 12, 2017.[7] Its board features prominent figures such as Steve Kaufer (TripAdvisor co-founder and former CEO), Greg Schwartz (President of Media and Marketplace at Zillow), Steve Conine (Wayfair co-founder), Lori Hickok (former EVP and CFO at Scripps Networks Interactive), and Manik Gupta (Corporate VP for Microsoft Teams at Microsoft).[8]
In 2018, CarGurus expanded its UK presence by acquiring the automotive website and online community forum PistonHeads for an undisclosed sum.[9] The company further grew through acquiring U.S.-based auto listings platform Autolist in 2020,[10] along with securing a majority interest (51%) in wholesale vehicle marketplace CarOffer that same year,[11] before completing full ownership in 2023.[12]
Recognition
CarGurus earned a spot on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies list for three consecutive years: 2011, 2012, and 2013. Additionally, it appeared on the Inc. 5000 rankings in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The company was also recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Promising Companies in 2015.
Partnerships
In 2025, CarGurus joined as a founding partner of Boston Common Golf, which is part of Fenway Sports Group and one of the six original teams in TGL, a league that merges virtual simulation with live gameplay. The roster includes major champions Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, and Keegan Bradley.
References
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- 2006 establishments in Massachusetts
- Online automotive companies of the United States
- Online marketplaces of the United States
- Auto dealerships of the United States
- Companies listed on the Nasdaq
- American companies established in 2006
- Retail companies established in 2006
- Internet properties established in 2006
- 2017 initial public offerings
- Used car market
- Companies based in Boston