Gone are the days when you used to just buy and sell cars in the offline market; now you can do it online, and sure enough, a trusted and most reliable way to do it is by checking out the CarDekho platform. It is quite literally one of the biggest names in this specific niche right here in India. And if you think that they earn the majority of their income through commissions, well, you’re correct, but that’s not the only way that gives a boost to their revenue. There are several other ways that they make money. So, if you’re confused about the CarDekho Business Model or how Cardekho makes money, well, just keep on reading to find that out.
How CarDekho Got Started?
CarDekho was founded in 2008 when two brothers, Amit and Anurag Jain, decided to create a simple website using photos from Delhi’s Auto Expo. The aim was initially to help friends compare cars online, nothing more. But if we take a look at today’s scenario, that tiny idea has become India’s leading auto-tech platform. CarDekho, as of March 2024, is making a revenue of ₹2,074 crore annually and has a monthly user base of almost 60 million. The company is now also a member of the unicorn club, with an estimated value of about $1.2 billion.
| Company / Brand Name | CarDekho Group |
| Establishment Year | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Founder / Owner | Amit Jain and Anurag Jain |
| Industry | Auto-tech (Automotive e-commerce, Fin-tech, Insure-tech) |
| Net Worth / Valuation | US $1.2 billion (Feb 2024) |
| Total Revenue in 2024 | ₹2,074 crore (FY 2023-24) |
What Does CarDekho Do Now?
Essentially, CarDekho is a one-stop online platform dealing with everything about cars. CarDekho allows you to look for new cars, verify the price, read the reviews, apply for a loan, buy insurance, and resell your car, all through their website and app.
CarDekho provides the dealers and automobile producers with valuable resources like publicity spaces, lead management software, and virtual showrooms. The platform is also a bank and a fintech customer originator, as it assists financial institutions in establishing connections with new customers.
As part of their growth strategy, they purchased companies such as Gaadi.com, ZigWheels, and PowerDrift, a YouTube channel that has more than 3 million subscribers. What’s more, they have taken the Southeast Asian market by storm with the OTO.com brand.
How Does CarDekho Make Money?
1. Advertising and Featured Listings
Automobile producers and dealers make a financial investment in the promotion of their cars through banner advertisements, prominently displayed listings, and content that is sponsored on the platform. Because potential buyers are present to study and contrast vehicles, these advertisements have good results and thus they attract a continuous flow of money for the car industry.
2. Dealer Software and Lead Fees
CarDekho offers monthly subscription packages for dealerships that include services like CRM software and call tracking systems. A lead is created when a user browsing the site inquires about a vehicle and finalizes a purchase at a dealer. CarDekho then earns a commission from the dealer for the lead generated.
3. Auto Loans via Rupyy
Rupyy, CarDekho’s financial technology branch, is in touch with 37 different lenders to provide vehicle loans to their customers. On each successful loan, they make a commission, which is generally in the range of 1% to 3% of the loan amount. Rupyy made car loans of around 2 billion US dollars in 2024, thus being the primary driver of the income increase.
4. Insurance via InsuranceDekho
InsuranceDekho is another platform operated by CarDekho where people can purchase health, vehicle, or life insurance policies. They receive a percentage for every policy sold and also receive a regular income when the policies are renewed. In the fiscal year 2024, InsuranceDekho had a turnover of ₹33 billion for premiums and made a profit of ₹86 crore.
5. Used-Car Auctions
CarDekho has switched to an auction model, which is more convenient for them as they don’t have to physically hold the inventory. They check the seller’s vehicle, put it up for auction, and after a dealer purchases it, CarDekho shares a part of the revenue with the seller. They don’t have to go through the hassle of managing stores or stocks; thus, their operating costs are kept low and efficient.
6. Content and Media Revenue
Their content platforms, such as PowerDrift and ZigWheels, are advertising revenue generators, deriving money from YouTube and sponsored content. Besides, these channels elevate visits to the CarDekho website, which is the base of their business.
7. Reports and Subscriptions
CarDekho provides the car valuation details report or the analytics report on request, which are data-driven and paid reports for which users and businesses can make a purchase. This segment is less in proportion but has high margins and is like a backbone that holds the entire ecosystem.