LA CENTRALE acquired by OLX GROUP
Context
OLX Group, a subsidiary of the Dutch investment group Prosus, has finalized the acquisition of the automotive classifieds platform La Centrale. Closed on November 17, 2025, the transaction facilitates the full exit of US private equity firm Providence Equity Partners, which had held a controlling stake since 2020, alongside the divestment of minority shares held by Axel Springer. For OLX Group, led by CEO Christian Gisy, the buyout represents a highly strategic move to penetrate the French used-car market and significantly expand its operational footprint across Western Europe. For La Centrale and its CEO Philippe Chainieux, joining the OLX portfolio provides the robust technological resources required to accelerate its digital roadmap, with no immediate buy-and-build M&A strategy planned. The joint commercial focus centers entirely on technological synergies, specifically leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence to enhance the consumer-facing marketplace and upgrade the company's SaaS solutions. This AI integration will optimize critical dealer tools—such as pricing analysis, inventory management, and vehicle sourcing—while supporting the continued rollout of La Centrale's newly launched used-car leasing (LOA) products. The buyer consortium was advised by BofA Securities and A&O Shearman, while Goldman Sachs and Kirkland & Ellis acted as counsel for Providence.
Providence Equity Partners had previously taken control of the company during an LBO in 2020.
LA CENTRALE, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2024, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level LOGIN than the average currently observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (14.3x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
La Centrale is the leading French online marketplace dedicated to the used vehicle sector, encompassing cars, utility vehicles, and two-wheelers. Attracting approximately 5.7 million unique visitors per month with an extensive inventory of nearly 385,000 listings, the platform seamlessly serves both the consumer and professional markets. On the B2B side, the company operates a comprehensive SaaS ecosystem utilized by 10,000 automotive distributors, offering critical tools for dynamic pricing positioning, inventory management, vehicle sourcing, advertising, and lead generation. Underpinned by heavy investments in its digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence to enhance the purchasing decision process and the recent strategic rollout of used-vehicle leasing (LOA) products, La Centrale aims to leverage its dominant domestic footprint to accelerate its international development and become a premier player in the broader European market.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with LA CENTRALE
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/2020 | PROVIDENCE EQUITY PARTNERS | LA CENTRALE | FRANCE | Media & Internet | US private equity firm Providence Equity Partners has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority controlling stake in Groupe La Centrale, France's premier automotive classifieds provider. Following a competitive auction process advised by Lazard, Providence successfully secured the deal over competing bidder AutoScout24. German media conglomerate Axel Springer, which had owned the platform since 2014, is divesting its majority control but will roll over equity to retain a minority shareholder position. The transaction is expected to reach completion in the first quarter of 2021, subject to customary works council consultations and antitrust regulatory clearances. For Providence Equity Partners, the buyout secures a robust platform to drive technological innovation and expand value-added services across the entire vehicle lifecycle, benefiting both automotive dealers and individual drivers. Leveraging Groupe La Centrale's four core brands (La Centrale, Promoneuve, Caradisiac, and MaVoitureCash) and its massive audience of 40 million monthly visitors, the sponsor intends to significantly accelerate the company's organic growth trajectory. For the exiting majority owner Axel Springer, the partial realization facilitates a strategic realignment, allowing the media group to concentrate its ongoing investments and operational focus strictly on its core digital classifieds verticals: real estate and jobs. |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b EUR
Revenue range: 50M - 100M EUR
EBITDA range: 25M - 50M EUR
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Target: la centrale
Acquirer: olx group