Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

by Staff
February 9, 2018
Adesa-AFC Parent Acquires Stratim

Stratim co-founder Sean Behr, who spoke at the 2017 Fleet Forward Conference, assumes the role of Stratim's president.

2 min to read


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

Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
hand holding phone and Turo logo
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service

Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.

Read More →
plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental Operations•September 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental Operations•September 11, 2026

European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country

Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 8, 2026

Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?

As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.

Read More →
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental Operations•September 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operations•by Staff•August 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operations•by Staff•August 14, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...