J.D. Power Expands Automotive Data and Analytics Portfolio in Europe, Australia With Acquisition

Data analytics provider J.D. Power announced an agreement to acquire Autovista Group, a pan-European and Australian automotive data, analytics and industry insights provider. The deal complements its vehicle valuation and vehicle specification data and analytics while broadening its footprint into the European and Australian automotive markets.

The deal brings together Autovista Group’s European and Australian market intelligence with J.D. Power’s predictive analytics and valuation and customer experience data sets. The complementary offerings will give original equipment manufacturers, dealers, insurers and financing companies a global view of critical trends influencing the industry, along with the tools to accurately forecast risk, capitalize on burgeoning trends, and align sales strategy with real-time market dynamics.

“Precise vehicle valuations and detailed vehicle specifications are the central underpinning to every data-driven strategy in the automotive industry—from optimizing vehicle production to calculating residual values to all manner of insurance—and finance-related risk assessment and repair models, and the combined assets of J.D. Power and Autovista Group will create truly comprehensive, global valuation and forecasting solutions,” said J.D. Power President and CEO Dave Habiger. “Additionally, as U.S. consumers increasingly adopt the European model of configuring and ordering a custom vehicle specification, rather than picking whatever the dealer has on the lot, Autovista’s detailed, vehicle-specific data and analytics will give OEMs critical information they need to navigate this change in consumer behavior. We are excited for the Autovista team to join J.D. Power and for the future growth opportunities we will pursue together.”

Through its five leading brands—Autovista, Eurotax, Glass’s, Schwacke and Rødboka—Autovista Group standardizes and categorizes hundreds of technical attributes for virtually every vehicle produced in the European and Australian markets, providing clients with a 360-degree view of detailed vehicle data for use in valuations, forecasts and repair estimates. Its analytic solutions and analysts are relied upon by stakeholders throughout the automobile industry for detailed insights and benchmarks for vehicle values and ownership, repair and replacement costs.

“The global automobile industry is undergoing a historic transformation in which an ever-increasing array of models and fuel types, volatile swings in used car values and lingering supply chain challenges are making it more difficult than ever to project future value and understand total cost of ownership,” said Autovista CEO Lindsey Roberts. “By pairing our leading pan-Europe- and Australia-focused datasets with J.D. Power’s robust North American and Asian market data, analytics and insights, we are creating the truly global solution the industry needs to manage through this period of radical change.”

“The addition of Autovista Group broadens our global presence allowing us to serve our customers across key global markets including North America, Europe and Asia/Australia,” said J.D. Power Chief Strategy Officer Pete Cimmet. “We look forward to partnering with the Autovista team to launch innovative new products and pursue strategic add-on acquisitions in Europe and Australia.”

Autovista Group’s senior leadership and 700 employees will continue with the company and become J.D. Power’s automotive data and analytics platform for Europe and Australia. Roberts will continue to lead the team as president, J.D. Power Europe reporting to Habiger.

Autovista Group is currently owned by Hayfin Capital Management, a leading European alternative asset management firm.

The acquisition of Autovista Group is expected to close by the end of the year and is subject to customary closing conditions as well as regulatory review and approval.

RBC Capital Markets served as exclusive financial adviser, and Kirkland & Ellis served as legal adviser to J.D. Power. TD Cowen served as exclusive financial adviser, and Macfarlanes, Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Mishcon de Reya served as legal advisers to Autovista Group and Hayfin.