Global classifieds giant OLX Group, a subsidiary of Prosus, has signed an agreement to acquire La Centrale, one of France’s most trusted auto classifieds platforms, in an all-cash deal valued at about $1.3 billion (€1.1 billion). The transaction, subject to customary approvals and France’s employee consultation process, is expected to close by the end of the fourth quarter.
Key Deal Highlights
- Deal Value: Around $1.3 billion (€1.1 billion), fully cash-funded.
- Buyer: OLX Group (owned by Prosus).
- Seller: Providence Equity Partners.
- Target Asset: La Centrale, a leading specialist marketplace for cars in France.
- Closing Timeline: Q4 2025, pending approvals and consultations.
Why La Centrale Matters
La Centrale has long been a go-to destination in France for used-vehicle listings, professional dealer inventories, and higher-value car segments. Its strong reputation comes from:
- Reliable vehicle data and pricing tools.
- Dealer-focused software for inventory management, sourcing, and merchandising.
- An established brand identity built on trust and transparency.
In a market where consumer confidence is heavily influenced by verified listings and transparent pricing, La Centrale’s positioning makes it a defensible player with network effects that competitors struggle to replicate.
Strategic Fit for OLX and Prosus
The acquisition strengthens OLX’s presence in Western Europe’s second-largest auto market, complementing its existing footprint in Central and Eastern Europe.
By combining La Centrale’s specialist depth with OLX’s broader ecosystem, the group expects to leverage shared capabilities across:
- Advertising and payments solutions.
- Identity verification and trust frameworks.
- AI-driven recommendations to boost engagement and conversions.
For Prosus, this aligns with its long-term strategy to expand a sustainable ecommerce and marketplaces network across Europe.
Market Context: France’s Used-Car Boom
France’s auto market is witnessing strong momentum in the used-vehicle sector, which continues to outpace new car sales. Key drivers include:
- Value-driven consumers turning to pre-owned cars.
- Dealers capturing a larger share of used-car sales through warranties and financing options.
- Growing demand for digital-first platforms with compliance and quality guarantees.
This environment gives vertical specialists like La Centrale an advantage over generalist platforms.
Synergy Opportunities
OLX expects multiple growth levers from the integration:
- AI & Product Innovation: Enhancing listing quality, dynamic pricing, lead scoring, and image optimization.
- Dealer Monetization: New subscription models, premium placements, and SaaS bundles to improve revenue per dealer.
- Trust & Safety: Shared anti-fraud systems and identity checks to improve buyer confidence.
- Marketing Scale: Stronger SEO and performance marketing to lower customer acquisition costs.
What It Means for Dealers and Buyers
- Dealers will gain more advanced tools for stock management, automated merchandising, and access to higher-quality leads.
- Consumers can expect richer car histories, more accurate pricing signals, and better seller verification for safer transactions.
Initially, OLX is expected to maintain La Centrale’s brand identity, while upgrading the underlying technology infrastructure to prepare for new features.
Competitive Landscape
France’s classifieds space is competitive, with both broad generalist platforms and niche vertical players competing for traffic. However, depth of vehicle data, trusted dealer tools, and AI-enabled workflows increasingly matter more than pure listing volume.
With OLX’s backing, La Centrale is positioned to compete on quality and trust, rather than simply scale.
Closing Conditions and Next Steps
The deal is expected to wrap up by year-end Q4 2025, once France’s employee consultation process and regulatory checks are complete. Integration planning is underway, though consumer-facing changes will roll out gradually to avoid disruption during the holiday and new-year sales cycles
