Aramis Group

Aramis Group is a French automotive retail group built around the online sale and purchase of used, refurbished, and, in some markets, new vehicles. Its business combines digital marketplaces with physical customer centers, vehicle logistics, financing, trade-in services, maintenance, and industrial-scale refurbishment. Rather than operating only as a classified-advertising platform, the group generally takes a more integrated retail role: it sources vehicles, prepares them for resale, presents them through country-specific digital brands, and provides customers with purchasing and after-sales services. The company originated in France as Aramisauto, founded on September 25, 2001, by Guillaume Paoli and Nicolas Chartier. Its early development focused on using the internet to simplify vehicle retail and broaden customer access to cars. The company received the French government's “Gazelle” growth-company designation in 2007. It began selling used vehicles in January 2009 and introduced a trade-in service without a compulsory purchase in September 2010. These steps helped extend the business beyond the sale of new vehicles and toward a circular, multi-service used-car model. Aramisauto expanded its operational capabilities during the 2010s. Its website ranked sixth among French online sales websites by revenue in 2013, according to the referenced Wikipedia material. That year, the company opened its first vehicle-refurbishment factory in Donzère. By 2015, more than 5,000 used vehicles had been refurbished there. The model subsequently developed into a network of industrial preparation and refurbishment facilities, allowing the group to standardize vehicle inspection, repair, presentation, and resale at greater scale. A major ownership and strategic milestone came in 2016, when PSA Peugeot-Citroën, now part of Stellantis, entered into a capital and strategic alliance with Aramisauto and became the majority shareholder of the parent group. Aramis Group then pursued an international acquisition strategy. It acquired Spanish online automotive platform Clicars in 2017, Belgian retailer Cardoen in 2018, a majority stake in the British CarSupermarket platform in 2021, Austrian online used-car seller Onlinecars in 2022, and Italian online retailer and car-subscription company Brumbrum later in 2022. These businesses gave Aramis Group a local operating presence and brand portfolio across six European markets. The group went public on Euronext Paris on June 18, 2021, raising approximately €250 million for European expansion. The reference material reports that Aramis Group generated €1.1 billion in revenue, sold 66,000 vehicles to individual customers, employed 1,400 people, operated 60 agencies, and had three industrial refurbishment sites in 2020. It also reports first-half fiscal-year 2021–2022 revenue of €872.6 million and a net loss of €20.3 million, with vehicle-supply constraints affecting the result. Those figures are historical and should not be treated as current performance. By November 2022, the group was described as operating in six European countries, with eight industrial-scale refurbishment centers, annual B2C vehicle sales above 90,000, and more than 70 million annual visits to its digital platforms. Its operating brands include Aramisauto in France, Clicars in Spain, Cardoen in Belgium, CarSupermarket in the United Kingdom, Onlinecars in Austria, and Brumbrum in Italy. The group’s strategic proposition is to combine the convenience and reach of online retail with the trust-building functions of inspection, refurbishment, physical service locations, financing, warranties, and trade-in support. Its principal challenges include vehicle availability, used-car pricing, logistics, refurbishment capacity, regulatory requirements, and the complexity of integrating acquired country-specific businesses.

Aramis Group traces its origins to Aramisauto, established in France on September 25, 2001, by Guillaume Paoli and Nicolas Chartier. The founders developed an internet-centered model for vehicle retail, seeking to make car purchasing more accessible through digital presentation, remote transactions, and a broader selection than a conventional local dealership could typically provide. The company’s early growth was recognized in 2007, when it received the French “Gazelle” designation associated with high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises. Its business subsequently moved more decisively into the used-car market. In January 2009, Aramisauto began offering used vehicles. In September 2010, it added a trade-in service that did not require the customer to purchase another vehicle, broadening the platform’s role from vehicle seller to vehicle buyer and remarketer. Aramisauto expanded its digital reach and industrial infrastructure during the following years. In 2013, its website was ranked sixth among French online sales websites by revenue in the cited reference material. At the end of that year, the company opened a vehicle-refurbishment plant in Donzère. This facility supported a more controlled process for inspecting, repairing, preparing, and reselling used cars. More than 5,000 vehicles were reported as refurbished in 2015, illustrating the increasing importance of preparation capacity to the company’s operating model. In 2016, PSA Peugeot-Citroën entered into a capital and strategic alliance with Aramisauto and became the majority shareholder of Aramis Group, the parent structure for the French operation and its subsequent international activities. The relationship connected Aramis Group to a major automotive manufacturer while leaving the group positioned as a multi-brand retailer rather than a single-marque dealership network. International expansion accelerated through acquisitions. In 2017, Aramis Group bought Clicars, a Spanish digital platform involved in the sale, purchase, and financing of new and refurbished vehicles. In 2018, it acquired Cardoen, a major Belgian car retailer. During the same year, the Donzère site reportedly refurbished more than 12,000 vehicles. The acquired businesses provided local market knowledge, customer-facing brands, physical facilities, and additional refurbishment or service capacity. The group’s reported 2020 scale included €1.1 billion in revenue, 66,000 vehicles sold to individual customers, 1,400 employees, 60 agencies, and three industrial refurbishment sites. These are historical figures for 2020. Aramis Group became a public company on Euronext Paris on June 18, 2021, raising approximately €250 million to finance further European expansion. In the same year it acquired a majority stake in CarSupermarket, a British platform focused on buying and selling used vehicles. Expansion continued in 2022. In June, Aramis Group acquired Onlinecars, an Austrian B2C used-car seller with locations including Velden, Vienna, and Graz and a refurbishment facility near Graz. In October, it entered Italy through the acquisition of Brumbrum, an online car retailer and car-subscription business headquartered in Milan, with a refurbishment center in Reggio Emilia. By November 2022, the group was described as operating in six European countries, with eight industrial-scale refurbishment centers, more than 90,000 annual B2C vehicle sales, nearly €2 billion in revenue, and over 70 million annual visits to its digital platforms. The group’s operating architecture combined national brands with shared capabilities in sourcing, refurbishment, digital commerce, financing, logistics, and customer support. Its central strategic challenge has been to scale a consistent, trusted used-car proposition while adapting to different national markets and managing fluctuations in vehicle supply and pricing.

1. 2022Onlinecars acquisition

   The group acquired Austrian B2C used-car seller Onlinecars in June.

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2. 2022Brumbrum acquisition and Italian entry

   Aramis Group acquired Italian online retailer and car-subscription company Brumbrum in October.

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3. 2021Euronext Paris listing

   Aramis Group began trading on Euronext Paris on June 18, raising approximately €250 million for European expansion.

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4. 2021CarSupermarket acquisition

   Aramis Group acquired a majority stake in the British used-car platform CarSupermarket.

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5. 2018Cardoen acquisition

   The group acquired Belgian automotive retailer Cardoen.

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6. 2017Clicars acquisition

   Aramis Group acquired Spanish online automotive platform Clicars.

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7. 2016PSA becomes majority shareholder

   PSA Peugeot-Citroën formed a capital and strategic alliance with Aramisauto and became the majority shareholder of Aramis Group.

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8. 2013First refurbishment factory opens

   Aramisauto opened its first used-vehicle refurbishment factory in Donzère at the end of the year.

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9. 2010Trade-in service introduced

   The company launched a used-vehicle trade-in service without requiring the customer to buy another vehicle.

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10. 2009Used-vehicle sales begin

    Aramisauto began offering used vehicles, expanding beyond its earlier online automotive retail proposition.

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11. 2007Recognition as a high-growth company

    The company received the French “Gazelle” designation from the minister responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises and commerce.

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12. 2001Aramisauto is founded

    Guillaume Paoli and Nicolas Chartier founded Aramisauto in France on September 25, 2001.

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A pan-European omnichannel automotive retailer that combines digital vehicle commerce with vehicle sourcing, industrial refurbishment, financing, trade-in, delivery, customer centers, and after-sales services.

• AramisautoFrench online automotive retail2001

  Aramisauto is the group’s French operating brand and original business. It sells new, used, and refurbished vehicles through digital channels, supported by customer agencies, trade-in services, financing, delivery, and after-sales assistance. Its French operating infrastructure includes refurbishment facilities in Donzère and Nemours.

• ClicarsSpanish online car retailer2017

  Clicars is Aramis Group’s Spanish digital automotive brand. It specializes in the online purchase and sale of new and refurbished vehicles and also provides vehicle financing and acquisition services. The business operates an in-house refurbishment center in Madrid.

• CardoenBelgian automotive retailer2018

  Cardoen is the group’s Belgian retail brand. It combines car sales with a national physical service footprint, including maintenance centers distributed across Belgium, and operates a refurbishment center in Antwerp. The brand gives Aramis Group a locally established retail presence alongside its digital activities.

• CarSupermarketUnited Kingdom used-car platform2021

  CarSupermarket is Aramis Group’s British platform for buying and selling used vehicles. In addition to its online operation, it has customer centers and a refurbishment facility, linking digital vehicle retail with physical inspection, preparation, and customer support.

• OnlinecarsAustrian online used-car retailer2022

  Onlinecars is the group’s Austrian B2C used-car business. It has a presence in Velden, Vienna, and Graz and operates its own refurbishment center near Graz, supporting the preparation and resale of vehicles acquired for the Austrian market.

• BrumbrumItalian online automotive retailer and subscription service2022

  Brumbrum is Aramis Group’s Italian brand, headquartered in Milan. It combines online vehicle retail with car-subscription services and operates a refurbishment center in Reggio Emilia. Its acquisition marked the group’s entry into Italy.

• 2022Acquisitions in Austria and ItalyM&A

  Aramis Group continued building a geographically diversified European used-car platform after its stock-market listing.

  What changed. The group acquired Onlinecars in Austria in June and Brumbrum in Italy in October.

  Aftermath. The acquisitions extended the group’s operating footprint to six European countries and added Austrian refurbishment capacity and Italian retail and subscription capabilities.

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• 2021Public listing to fund European expansionOther

  After building a multi-country operating model, Aramis Group sought public capital to accelerate its expansion across Europe.

  What changed. The group listed on Euronext Paris on June 18, 2021, raising approximately €250 million.

  Aftermath. The listing provided a public-market funding platform and was followed by further expansion, including the acquisition of a majority stake in CarSupermarket.

  IPO proceeds. approximately €250 million raised (June 18, 2021)

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• 2016Strategic alliance with PSA Peugeot-CitroënM&A

  Aramisauto was seeking the capital and strategic support needed to scale its multi-brand automotive retail model.

  What changed. PSA Peugeot-Citroën entered a capital and strategic alliance and became the majority shareholder of Aramis Group.

  Aftermath. The transaction established the ownership relationship that supported Aramis Group’s subsequent international acquisition program.

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• 2013Investment in industrial refurbishmentStrategy

  Scaling online used-car retail required consistent inspection, repair, preparation, and presentation of vehicles before resale.

  What changed. Aramisauto opened its first refurbishment factory in Donzère.

  Aftermath. The group developed a larger industrial preparation model and later expanded its refurbishment network across Europe.

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• 2010Launch of no-purchase-obligation trade-inStrategy

  The company aimed to participate in both sides of the used-car transaction and make vehicle disposal easier for customers.

  What changed. Aramisauto introduced a used-vehicle trade-in service that did not oblige customers to purchase another vehicle.

  Aftermath. The service strengthened the group’s role as a vehicle buyer and helped support future resale inventory.

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• 2009Expansion into used vehiclesStrategy

  Aramisauto initially developed as an online automotive retailer and subsequently sought to broaden its addressable market and increase the range of vehicles it could source and resell.

  What changed. The company began offering used vehicles in January 2009.

  Aftermath. The move became the basis for the group’s later emphasis on vehicle acquisition, refurbishment, trade-in, and used-car retail.

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• 2022Aramis Group reports first-half fiscal-year 2021–2022 results amid vehicle shortages

  The group reported €872.6 million in revenue and a €20.3 million net loss for the first half of fiscal year 2021–2022. The cited material linked the weaker result to reduced availability of new vehicles.

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• 2022Aramis Group expands its European used-car network

  Following the acquisitions of Onlinecars in Austria and Brumbrum in Italy, the group was described as operating across six European countries by November 2022.

  M&A
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• 2021Aramis Group completes its initial public offering on Euronext Paris

  Aramis Group listed on Euronext Paris on June 18, 2021, raising approximately €250 million to support international expansion in Europe.

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1. Aramis Group