Automotive

AutoNation Corporate Office

AutoNation has its roots in the 1981 founding of Republic Industries, a company specializing in waste disposal. The company began selling used cars with the acquisition of Auto Nation USA in 1996. Some dealers began seeking out Republic to sell their dealerships because of the long-term contracts. In 1996, Republic built twelve AutoNation locations.

In 1997, Republic began purchasing new car dealerships. The same year, the company acquired Alamo Rent A Car. The next year Republic acquired several more car rental companies, including Spirit Rent-A-Car, Value Rent-A-Car, Snappy Car Rental, and EuroDollar Rent A Car.

In 2009, AutoNation announced the AutoNation Payment Protection program, which promised that any Autonation dealership would buy back any car at market value, should the owner lose their job.

In August 2013, AutoNation announced the sale of its 9 Millionth vehicle, a record achievement in the auto industry.

In late 2017, AutoNation announced that Waymo, a developer of self-driving technology, enlisted AutoNation to maintain and repair their driverless fleet vehicles.

Today AutoNation is the largest automotive retailer in the United States and is the leading provider of new and pre-owned vehicles. The company owns and operates 371 dealerships across America selling 32 different manufacturing brands in 15 states.

AutoNation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AN, is a member of the S&P 500, and is #177 in the Fortune 500. AutoNation has 26,000 employees and had $20.86 billion in revenue in 2016.

In June 2023, AutoNation stock rallied and CEO Michael Manley scooped up 1 million shares for his portfolio.

Also in June 2023, AutoNation purchase 5 privately owned auto dealerships in the San Diego, California, area.

AutoNation maintains a corporate office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

AutoNation

History

In 2009, AutoNation announced the AutoNation Payment Protection program, which promised that any Autonation dealership would buy back any car at market value, should the owner lose their job.

In August 2013, AutoNation announced the sale of its 9 Millionth vehicle, a record achievement in the auto industry.

In late 2017, AutoNation announced that Waymo, a developer of self-driving technology, enlisted AutoNation to maintain and repair their driverless fleet vehicles.

In June 2023, AutoNation stock rallied and CEO Michael Manley scooped up 1 million shares for his portfolio.

Also in June 2023, AutoNation purchase 5 privately owned auto dealerships in the San Diego, California, area.

AutoNation maintains a corporate office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

JM Family Enterprises Corporate Office

JM Family Enterprises began when Jim Moran spent his $360 in savings on a Sinclair gas station in 1939. This gas station soon became the largest volume gas station in Chicago.

Jim Moran opened Courtesy Motors, a Hudson dealership, in Chicago in 1948. Later, in the 1950’s, Moran was one of the first dealers to advertise cars on television.

In 1961 Jim Moran was featured on the cover of Time magazine’s “Heydey of the Haggle: The Buyer’s Market in Cars.”

In 1968 Moran signed an agreement to make JM Family Enterprises the exclusive distributor of Toyotas in the southeastern United States.

Today JM Family Enterprises is a diversified automotive corporation with its principal business in vehicle distribution and processing, financial services, finance, insurance products, retail sales, marketing, consulting, and dealer technology products and services.

JM Family is a “Fortune 100 Best” company, has 3,800 employees throughout North America, is #27 on the Forbes list of America’s Largest Private Companies, and had $11.5 billion in revenue in 2012.

JM Family Enterprises

JM Family Enterprises began when Jim Moran spent his $360 in savings on a Sinclair gas station in 1939. This gas station soon became the largest volume gas station in Chicago.

Jim Moran opened Courtesy Motors, a Hudson dealership, in Chicago in 1948. Later, in the 1950’s, Moran was one of the first dealers to advertise cars on television.

In 1961 Jim Moran was featured on the cover of Time magazine’s “Heydey of the Haggle: The Buyer’s Market in Cars.”

History

In 1968 Moran signed an agreement to make JM Family Enterprises the exclusive distributor of Toyotas in the southeastern United States.

U.S. Auto Parts Network Corporate Office

U.S. Auto Parts Network was founded in 1995, originally servicing auto body shops in Los Angeles.

In 2000 the company launched its first e-commerce site selling auto parts.

From 2000 to 2005 U.S. Auto Parts Network launched a network of e-commerce sites, each one aimed at a different consumer segment.

In 2007 the company went public, trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol PRTS.

In 2010 U.S. Auto Parts Network acquired JC Whitney, an accessories company, therefore expanding its product base.

Today U.S. Auto Parts Network offers 2 million aftermarket auto parts for all makes and models of domestic and foreign cars and trucks. The company also sells products for all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and RVs. Most of the company’s business s done online, though catalogs and two stores also contribute to sales.

U.S. Auto Parts Network has over 1,000 employees and had revenue of $257.87 million in 2012.

U.S. Auto Parts Network

U.S. Auto Parts Network was founded in 1995, originally servicing auto body shops in Los Angeles.

In 2000 the company launched its first e-commerce site selling auto parts.

From 2000 to 2005 U.S. Auto Parts Network launched a network of e-commerce sites, each one aimed at a different consumer segment.

History

In 2007 the company went public, trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol PRTS.

In 2010 U.S. Auto Parts Network acquired JC Whitney, an accessories company, therefore expanding its product base.

U.S. Auto Parts Network has over 1,000 employees and had revenue of $257.87 million in 2012.

Gilt Groupe Corporate Office

Kevin Ryan had the idea for Gilt Groupe in 2007. He invited Mike Bryzek and Phong Nguyen to be part of the team as the technical masterminds. He later invited Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who had backgrounds in e-commerce and luxury goods.

This founding team of five created a members-only website where new sales last 36-48 hours and feature merchandise from a single brand or a small group of brands. Gilt purchases inventory at a deep discount and adds a margin on top of that price to make a profit.

The company started with women’s clothing in 2007 and expanded to men’s clothing in 2008. In 2009 Gilt Groupe expanded to Japan, began Gilt Fuse, and started travel site Jettsetter. Gilt City and Gilt Home began in 2010, and Gilt Taste in 2011.

Gilt Groupe had $450 million in sales in 2011 and $550 million in sales in 2012. The company is valued at $1 billion and is beginning to talk about a possible future IPO.

Gilt Groupe

History

Gilt Groupe had $450 million in sales in 2011 and $550 million in sales in 2012. The company is valued at $1 billion and is beginning to talk about a possible future IPO.

Overstock.com Corporate Office

Patrick M. Byrne founded Overstock.com in 1997 to sell surplus and returned inventory of retail stores, liquidating the inventories of at least 18 failed dot-com companies at prices that were below wholesale.

The first year of operation, Overstock.com had $1.8 million in revenue.

The company showed a profit for the first time in 2008. In 2009 the company resumed making losses and finally became profitable in 2010.

In recent years Overstock.com has expanded to sell new merchandise. From 2004 to 2011 the company offered online auctions but the practice was ultimately retired.

Overstock.com began rebranding in 2011 as “O.co” in an effort to simplify and unify its international operations. However, customer confusion led to a temporary retraction of the rebranding.

Today Overstock.com is an internet retailer providing discounts on brand name, non-brand name, and closeout merchandise in the United States and internationally. The company also has a vehicle selling service.

In September 2018, the company announced that it was selling Bitcoin through its website using Bitsey Wallet.

In August 2019, CEO Patrick Byrne stepped down after making claims that he had been an FBI informant and that he was involved romantically with a Russian spy. Jonathan Johnson was named as interim CEO.

Many products are made specifically for overstock.com and the company also sells merchandise of other retailers through its website. Overstock. com has 1,800 employees and had $1.745 billion in revenue in 2017.

Overstock.com

History

The first year of operation, Overstock.com had $1.8 million in revenue.

The company showed a profit for the first time in 2008. In 2009 the company resumed making losses and finally became profitable in 2010.

In recent years Overstock.com has expanded to sell new merchandise. From 2004 to 2011 the company offered online auctions but the practice was ultimately retired.

Overstock.com began rebranding in 2011 as “O.co” in an effort to simplify and unify its international operations. However, customer confusion led to a temporary retraction of the rebranding.

In September 2018, the company announced that it was selling Bitcoin through its website using Bitsey Wallet.