Carizy

Carizy operates as a digital intermediary in the French peer-to-peer used car market, aiming to simplify and secure transactions for private individuals. The company was founded in 2015 by Mathias Hioco, Vincent Farion, Fabien Gagnot, and Nicolas Robin. One of the co-founders and current CEO, Yann, is an engineer by training. The platform was created to address the complexities and lack of security often faced by individuals when buying or selling a used vehicle.

The business model is centered on a C2B2C framework where Carizy acts as a trusted third party but never owns the vehicles. Revenue is generated by charging the seller a commission of 5% to 6% of the vehicle's sale price, which is significantly lower than the typical 25% to 30% charged by traditional dealers. This commission is only due if the sale is completed. The company also earns revenue from offering additional services such as extended warranties, insurance, and financing options.

Carizy's service provides a fully assisted, digital customer journey. For sellers, the process begins with an expert inspection of the vehicle at their home, covering 100 control points and a road test. These state-approved experts also take professional photos to create the online listing. The seller then grants Carizy a five-week exclusivity period to find a buyer. For buyers, the platform offers a secure payment process and handles administrative tasks, providing transparency and peace of mind. A significant milestone for Carizy was its acquisition by Groupe Renault in November 2018, which was part of Renault's strategy to expand into the C2C used vehicle market. In June 2016, the company had secured a €1 million fundraising round from Macif and Matmut. More recently, in February 2024, Cofidis Group acquired Carizy from Mobility Trader Holding, the parent company of the heycar group.

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