Guazi
Guazi is a Chinese used car export platform that sources inspection-backed vehicles from individual owners across China and sells them to international dealers and importers in 50+ countries via online auctions, fixed-price listings, and integrated global shipping.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBeijing, China
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Guazi does
Guazi is a Chinese used car e-commerce platform that has evolved from a domestic C2C used car marketplace into a cross-border export platform serving international dealers and importers across 50+ countries. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chongqing (legal entity: Chongqing Guazi Enterprise Consulting Service Co., Ltd.), the company operates an online marketplace that combines a daily sealed-bid auction with a fixed-price "Buy It Now" channel, listing 200,000+ vehicles annually from individual owners across 200 Chinese cities. Every listed vehicle passes a proprietary 200+ point inspection performed by certified technicians, producing standardized condition reports with HD photos and videos and an S/A/B/C/D grade classification.
The core technology stack is an online automotive trading platform built around standardized inspection, real-time inventory management, sealed-bid auction mechanics, and integrated global logistics via 4,000+ shipping routes. Product surface includes the auction platform (~4,500 vehicles under auction at any time), Buy It Now fixed-price inventory (~216,000 vehicles), a Vehicle Finder search tool, a Direct Sourcing Service for custom procurement, end-to-end container and Ro-Ro shipping, and tiered membership plans. Brand coverage spans Toyota, BYD, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Chinese OEMs including Chery, Geely Auto, JETOUR, CHANGAN, Great Wall, MG, Xiaomi Auto, and Li Auto.
Guazi's business model combines three revenue streams: per-transaction commissions on auction and fixed-price sales (both priced FOB), a $249 annual paid membership that gates access to recently sold auction prices and full inspection reports, and fees from the Direct Sourcing Service that sources specific vehicles from individual owners on behalf of dealers. Customer base is overwhelmingly SMB and mid-market international dealers and importers, with named buyers spanning Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Ghana, El Salvador, Georgia, and other emerging markets. Backers include SoftBank Vision Fund, Sequoia Capital, IDG Capital, Tencent, and HIKE Capital.
Guazi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Guazi
- Legal name
- Chongqing Guazi Enterprise Consulting Service Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://guazi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Guazi is a Chinese used car export platform that sources inspection-backed vehicles from individual owners across China and sells them to international dealers and importers in 50+ countries via online auctions, fixed-price listings, and integrated global shipping.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Guazi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Used Vehicle Online Marketplace
- NAICS
- Used Car Dealers (44112)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wholesale Vehicle Auctions (Physical & Online) (TLABAKAA)
Keywords
Where Guazi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beijing
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Guazi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vehicle Transaction Commission: Guazi earns revenue through transaction fees and commissions on vehicle sales facilitated through its platform. Both auction and Buy It Now purchase models contribute to revenue.
- Membership Fees: The platform offers tiered membership plans with a free Guest tier and paid Member tier ($249), providing access to auction prices, inspection reports, and priority services.
- Direct Sourcing Service: Custom procurement service where Guazi sources specific vehicles from individual owners across China based on dealer requirements, adding value through their network and inspection capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Guest - Free tier for browsing auction vehicles |
| Subscription | Annual | Member - Paid tier for active buyers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vehicle FOB Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Guazi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Guazi operates an online used car export and auction platform enabling international buyers and dealers to source verified, inspection-backed vehicles directly from China. The platform lists 200,000+ vehicles annually through sealed-bid auctions and Buy It Now fixed FOB-price purchases, supported by a standardized 200+ point inspection system and integrated global logistics to 50+ countries. Complementary services include a direct sourcing procurement service for custom vehicle requests and tiered membership subscriptions.
Product overview
Guazi operates as a unified used car export platform combining three core components: (1) an online marketplace with 200,000+ vehicles available via auction or Buy It Now, (2) the Guazi Inspected certification service providing standardized 200+ point inspection reports, and (3) integrated global logistics for shipping to 50+ countries. The platform also offers Vehicle Finder search tools, Direct Sourcing for custom procurement, and tiered membership plans. Key market segments include Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Used Car Export/Auction Platform Core online marketplace enabling overseas buyers and dealers to source used vehicles from China through auction and fixed FOB price purchase models, with access to standardized 200+ point inspection reports and direct-from-owner inventory across 200,000+ vehicles.
- Guazi Inspected (200+ Point Inspection Service) Standardized inspection service where every listed vehicle undergoes comprehensive 200+ point inspection by certified technicians covering engine, transmission, safety, interior and exterior condition, electrical systems, and accident or flood history, accompanied by HD photo and video condition reports.
- Direct Sourcing Service
- Global Shipping & Logistics End-to-end cross-border logistics service offering container (20ft/40ft) and Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping to major ports across 50+ countries via 4,000+ shipping routes, with average 30-45 day delivery and full handling of export clearance and customs documentation.
- Membership Plans Tiered subscription membership system with a free Guest tier (browsing, vehicle alerts, 30-day bidding without deposit, limited-time free access to inspection reports and sold prices) and a $249/year Member tier providing full auction access, inspection reports, and priority customer service.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30+ million vehicles inspected across 200 Chinese cities with standardized reports
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Guazi
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Guazi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Guazi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AIG GeorgiacoreGuazi has established a partnership with AIG in Georgia to support cross-border used vehicle sourcing. This partnership enables local dealers in Georgia to access Guazi's inspection-backed vehicle inventory from China, facilitating the well-established re-export corridor from Georgia to Central Asia.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Guazi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carsome: Southeast Asia-based online used-car marketplace with B2B and B2C channels, inspection services, and cross-border ambitions. Operates a very similar model to Guazi in sourcing, grading, and transacting used vehicles for dealers and consumers.
- Carro: Singapore-headquartered used-car platform serving Southeast Asian dealers and consumers with inspection-backed inventory and financing. Directly comparable to Guazi in combining marketplace, inspection, and dealer tooling.
- Kavak: Mexico-born used-car platform expanding across Latin America and the Middle East, with reconditioning hubs and dealer marketplace. Highly comparable in cross-border, emerging-market orientation and inspection-led value proposition.
- Youxin (优信二手车): One of China's largest online used-car platforms, originally Nasdaq-listed and now focused on used-car transactions domestically. Direct competitor in the Chinese used-car B2C/B2B marketplace category.
- Renrenche (人人车): Chinese C2C and B2C used-car platform offering inspection services and dealer connections. Direct domestic competitor to Guazi in China's used-car e-commerce market.
- Droom: India's largest online used-vehicle marketplace with inspection, pricing intelligence, and dealer tools. Comparable in marketplace-led model serving emerging-market dealers and individual buyers.
Broad incumbents
- CarMax: Largest US used-car retailer with omnichannel marketplace, inspection/reconditioning, and dealer auctions. Broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities in used-car inspection and branded retail.
- Copart: Global online vehicle auction company primarily serving salvage, insurance, and dealer buyers. Comparable in operating online vehicle auctions at scale across multiple geographies.
- Manheim: Cox Automotive's wholesale vehicle auction business and the dominant US dealer-to-dealer auction platform. Overlaps with Guazi in the wholesale used-car auction category but with a US-centric dealer base.
- Auto Trader: UK's largest digital automotive marketplace, listing new and used vehicles from dealers and private sellers. Comparable as a marketplace-driven used-car platform with established dealer relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Guazi social profiles
Digital presenceGuazi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Guazi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Guazi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Guazi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Guazi
What does Guazi do?
Guazi operates an online used car export and auction platform enabling international buyers and dealers to source verified, inspection-backed vehicles directly from China. The platform lists 200,000+ vehicles annually through sealed-bid auctions and Buy It Now fixed FOB-price purchases, supported by a standardized 200+ point inspection system and integrated global logistics to 50+ countries. Complementary services include a direct sourcing procurement service for custom vehicle requests and tiered membership subscriptions.
Is Guazi a public or private company?
Guazi is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Guazi founded?
Guazi was founded in 2015. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Guazi based?
Guazi is headquartered in Beijing, China, in the Asia region.
How does Guazi make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Vehicle Transaction Commission is the primary driver. The others are membership Fees and direct Sourcing Service.
Who are Guazi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carsome, Carro, Kavak, Youxin (优信二手车), Renrenche (人人车) and Droom. Broad incumbents are CarMax, Copart, Manheim and Auto Trader.
Does Guazi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Guazi.
What industry is Guazi in?
Guazi's product category is Used Vehicle Online Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAKAA, Wholesale Vehicle Auctions (Physical & Online). Its NAICS code is 44112 and its SIC code is 5010.