Adesa-AFC Parent Acquires Stratim
KAR Auction Services acquires mobility and fleet management software company Stratim, expanding the company's presence in on-demand carsharing and ride-hailing services.

Stratim co-founder Sean Behr, who spoke at the 2017 Fleet Forward Conference, assumes the role of Stratim's president.
KAR Auction Services, Inc. a global vehicle remarketing and technology solutions provider, announced the acquisition of mobility and fleet management software company Stratim. KAR owns Adesa auctions and Automotive Finance Corp. (AFC).

Stratim co-founder Sean Behr, who spoke at the 2017 Fleet Forward Conference, assumes the role of Stratim's president.
The addition of Stratim supplements KAR’s broad portfolio of wholesale used vehicle physical, online and digital auction marketplaces and ancillary service providers. The acquisition also expands the company’s presence into the rapidly growing market of on-demand car and ride sharing services, urban commute providers and autonomous vehicles, the company said in a statement.
“As the automotive industry continues to transform, we’re making meaningful investments in technology, data and analytics to meet the evolving needs of our customers and expand market opportunities,” said Jim Hallett, chairman and CEO of KAR. “Stratim’s first-of-its kind mobility management solution is already supporting the fleets of some of our commercial customers, and this is a natural extension of those relationships. We look forward to delivering integrated products and services through Stratim and fortifying our presence in the mobility space.”
San Francisco-based Stratim was founded in 2016 by a team of technology innovators from Google, eBay and Trulia with experience building platform and infrastructure technology. Stratim’s software utilizes real-time data and predictive analytics to digitize fleet management and help mobility service providers streamline operations.
Fleet owners can onboard, manage, service, dispatch and pay all their current vendors through Stratim’s automated vendor management platform. Stratim operates in more than 25 North American cities and has processed service transactions for many of the nation’s leading mobility service providers and automotive manufacturers.
“Stratim enables automotive companies to succeed in the new age of use-based transportation,” said Sean Behr, Stratim founder and president. “KAR shares our entrepreneurial spirit and has the resources to fuel our continued growth and expansion. We’re thrilled to join the KAR family and deliver technology and innovation that power our customers’ fleets.”
Stratim will maintain its current headquarters in San Francisco, and will be part of KAR’s digital services group. Sean Behr assumes the role of Stratim’s president.
“KAR is continuously scanning the automotive eco-system to identify solutions that modernize processes and enhance the customer experience,” said Don Gottwald, chief operating officer and chief strategy officer at KAR. “Integrating Stratim’s fleet management technology into KAR’s platform will give our customers a cost-effective, end-to-end, data-driven solution for better managing fleet vehicle service and optimizing logistics.”
More Rental Operations

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →Aug. 25 Webinar: Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →
U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius
The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.
Read More →
Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030
A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.
Read More →
