December 17th, 2019
Hellman & Friedman to Acquire AutoScout24
MUNICH, Germany
AutoScout24, the leading European digital car marketplace, today announced that affiliates of Hellman & Friedman LLC (“H&F”) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the company from Scout24.
With over 10 million monthly users, 2.5 million cars listed and 45,000 car dealer customers, AutoScout24 is the leading online car classifieds platform in Europe. The company is based in Munich and has a presence in 18 countries.
Blake Kleinman, Partner of Hellman & Friedman said: “We have known AutoScout24 for many years. We are excited to partner with the AutoScout24 team to build upon the historical successes that we achieved together. We are strong believers in AutoScout24’s consumer-centric approach; we look forward to working with its dealer customers to offer them value-added marketing solutions as they continue to digitalise their business models. This transaction will help AutoScout24 focus on the growth opportunities ahead.”
Tobias Hartmann, CEO of Scout24 added: “This transaction is an important milestone for Scout24. Separating ImmoScout24 and AutoScout24 will help each business focus on their respective growth opportunities and accelerate shareholder value creation.”
“We are delighted to resume our partnership with AutoScout24. We sincerely thank Hans-Holger Albrecht and the Supervisory Board as well as Tobias Hartmann and the entire Scout24 Management Board for the opportunity to support the business once more. This transaction is an outstanding outcome for Scout24, its shareholders as well as for AutoScout24” added Patrick Healy, CEO of Hellman & Friedman.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020. J.P. Morgan acted as sole financial advisor, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as legal counsel to H&F for this transaction.
About Hellman & Friedman LLC
Hellman & Friedman is a leading private equity investment firm with offices in San Francisco, New York, and London. Since its founding in 1984, H&F has raised over $50 billion of committed capital. The firm focuses on investing in outstanding business franchises and serving as a value-added partner to management in select industries including financial services, business & information services, software, healthcare, internet & media, retail & consumer, and industrials & energy. For more information, please visit www.hf.com.
About Scout24
AutoScout24 is the largest pan-European online car marketplace. The marketplace allows users to easily find, buy and finance the right car. With more than 36 million downloads, AutoScout24’s app was awarded the title of Germany’s best car app*. The Company generated €235m in 2018 and has delivered consistent double-digit revenue growth and margin expansion throughout the last decade. The company is headquartered in Munich and operates in 18 markets. In addition to the AutoScout24 car classifieds websites, the transaction perimeter includes Finanzcheck, a leading German online brokerage business.
*by Focus Money
For further information, please contact:
Felix Schönauer
+49 69 92 18 74-59