AUTO1 Group Secures €1.6 Billion Inventory Financing to Fuel European Expansion

AUTO1 Group SE has successfully upsized and extended its inventory asset-backed securitizations, enabling the company to finance up to €1.6 billion in used car inventory. This represents a 45% increase in financing capacity that will support the digital automotive platform's ambitious growth plans across Europe.

The transaction expands AUTO1 Group's bank group from six to thirteen leading financial institutions, providing stronger positioning for future inventory financing needs. According to Philip Reicherstorfer, VP Treasury, IR & Captive Finance of AUTO1 Group, "With upsizing our inventory financing we are strongly positioned for the anticipated business growth in 2026." The company expressed gratitude to its banking partners for their ongoing support, which enables AUTO1 Group to provide services and a broad selection of cars to partner dealers and customers.

The €1.6 billion total inventory financing capacity comprises up to €1.3 billion of senior notes from the enlarged bank group, augmented by up to €0.3 billion of junior notes by AUTO1 Group. In addition to the increased financing amount, the revolving period has been extended to November 2027, providing longer-term stability for the company's operations. The transaction also includes reduced interest margins and improved economic conditions, enhancing the overall financing terms for the company.

Credit Agricole CIB acted as lead arranger for the main inventory backed facility, while BNP Paribas acted as lead arranger for the Italian facility. Legal representation included Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advising AUTO1 Group and Hogan Lovells advising the lenders. AUTO1 Group operates Europe's leading digital automotive platform for buying, selling, and financing used cars through three primary brands: wirkaufendeinauto.de, Autohero, and AUTO1.com.

The increased financing capacity comes at a critical time for the European used car market, where digital platforms continue to transform traditional automotive transactions. AUTO1 Group's ability to secure expanded financing from a broader banking consortium signals strong institutional confidence in the company's business model and growth trajectory. The company, which went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in February 2021 and is part of the MDAX index, reported revenue of €6.3 billion and sold 690,000 cars in 2024 while employing 6,300 people across over 30 countries.

This financing development has significant implications for Europe's automotive ecosystem, particularly for the thousands of partner dealers who rely on AUTO1 Group's wholesale trading platform to source inventory. The expanded capacity enables AUTO1 Group to maintain and potentially increase its inventory levels, ensuring partner dealers have access to a wider selection of vehicles. For consumers, this financial strengthening supports the continued availability of the company's retail brand Autohero, which makes choosing, buying, and financing high-quality used cars more accessible across European markets.

The transaction represents a strategic move to capitalize on anticipated market growth in 2026 and beyond, positioning AUTO1 Group to potentially expand its market share in Europe's fragmented used car industry. The involvement of thirteen leading banks in the financing arrangement demonstrates growing institutional acceptance of asset-backed securitization in the automotive sector and reflects broader trends toward digital transformation in traditional industries.