COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 441120

Used Car Dealers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1920–1998founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedSeddon Group Ltd.FoundedSeddon Group Ltd.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedDriveTime Automotive Group Inc.FoundedDriveTime Automotive Group Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedAmerica's Car-Mart, Inc.FoundedAmerica's Car-Mart, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedUnited Auto Group, Inc.FoundedUnited Auto Group, Inc.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedCarMax, Inc.FoundedCarMax, Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedGroup 1 Automotive, Inc.FoundedGroup 1 Automotive, Inc.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedAutoNation, Inc.FoundedAutoNation, Inc.
1998
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Seddon Group Ltd. →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Seddon Group Ltd.
Seddon Group Ltd. →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Seddon Group Ltd.
DriveTime Automotive Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
DriveTime Automotive Group Inc.
DriveTime Automotive Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
DriveTime Automotive Group Inc.
America's Car-Mart, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
America's Car-Mart, Inc., operates a chain of more than 70 used-car dealerships.
America's Car-Mart, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
America's Car-Mart, Inc., operates a chain of more than 70 used-car dealerships.
United Auto Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
United Auto Group, Inc., is a leading acquirer, consolidator, and operator of franchised automobile and light-truck…
United Auto Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
United Auto Group, Inc., is a leading acquirer, consolidator, and operator of franchised automobile and light-truck…
CarMax, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
CarMax, Inc.
CarMax, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
CarMax, Inc.
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
AutoNation, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
AutoNation, Inc.
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