Cars.com: A Trailblazer in Online Automotive Advertising

Cars.com: Leading the Way in Digital Car Marketplaces

Founded in June 1998, Cars.com quickly established itself as one of the leading automotive listing platforms worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the site offers comprehensive car marketing solutions and ranks as the second-largest auto classifieds platform globally. Owned by Cars.com Inc., it was initially created by William Swislow, Mitch Golub, and CEO Alex Vetter. Previously part of Classified Ventures, LLC—a joint venture among major media companies—Gannett acquired full ownership in 2014 for $2.5 billion, further strengthening its market position.

Cars.com was recognized as a dedicated automotive marketing platform by Library Journal in 2003. The company expanded its reach through a 2004 partnership with Kelley Blue Book, enabling national advertising. By 2007, Cars.com announced its largest marketing campaign to date for 2008, and that year Yahoo began integrating Cars.com listings into its auto services. Following its spin-off from Gannett, Cars.com became an independent publicly traded entity in 2017, listed on the NYSE.

Today, Cars.com owns several properties, including Auto.Com, DealerRater, DealerInspire, PickupTrucks.com, and NewCars.com. The platform has revolutionized vehicle shopping by connecting consumers with dealerships across all fifty states. With trusted expert content, extensive vehicle listings, research tools, pricing data, and consumer reviews, Cars.com has transformed the online car buying experience, making it more informed and accessible for millions worldwide.