What CitNOW does

CitNOW is a UK-based SaaS provider of video and digital communication software purpose-built for the automotive retail industry. Founded in 2004 (or 2008 per some sources) and headquartered in Wokingham, the company serves automotive dealerships and vehicle manufacturers with a suite of more than 11 products spanning the full vehicle lifecycle — from marketing lead generation (Imaging, Dealerweb) through showroom sales (Sales, Appraise, Triage) to aftersales and workshop operations (Workshop, Bodyshop, RTC Aftersales, Auto360 CRM, Conversations, DataHub AI). The platform enables dealership staff to record and send personalized videos for vehicle walkarounds, repair explanations, remote appraisals, and customer follow-ups, while supporting multi-channel messaging including WhatsApp. Underlying technology is cloud-based SaaS with mobile applications on iOS and Android, complemented by AI features in imaging (computer vision) and the recently launched DataHub AI (data integration and analytics).

CitNOW operates a quote-based B2B enterprise sales model with annual subscription billing, distributing through direct field sales teams and, critically, through OEM partnership channels where vehicle manufacturers recommend or mandate the platform across their dealer networks. Named OEM customers include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Ford Europe (deployed at 1,650 dealers across 14 countries), alongside major dealer groups such as Vertu Motors, Inchcape, Lookers, Arnold Clark, Sytner, and Jardine Motors. The company has expanded to 20,000+ global retailers across 15+ countries in Europe, the Nordics, Baltics, North America, and Oceania, supported by regional offices in the US (Alpharetta), Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, France, and Australia. CitNOW has pursued growth through two acquisitions — Dealerweb in 2020 and Quik in 2021 (US market entry) — and received private equity investment from Tenzing in 2018 to fund international expansion. It is accredited to ISO/IEC 27001 and has been recognized on the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 and Financial Times FT1000.

Name

CitNOW

Legal name

Zype TV Limited

Website

https://citnow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CitNOW is a UK-based SaaS provider of video and digital communication software serving automotive dealerships and OEMs across 15+ countries, with 11+ products spanning sales, workshop, aftersales, and AI-powered data analytics for 20,000+ global retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Retail Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer Service/Support CRM & Contact Center Platforms (BPAFAFAK)

Keywords

• Automotive video software
• Dealership CRM software
• Vehicle appraisal tools
• Dealer video platform
• Automotive digital communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Wokingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription Services: CitNOW operates as a cloud-based SaaS provider offering subscription-based access to its video and digital communication platform. Customers pay recurring subscription fees to access the platform's video creation, customer communication, and analytics tools across Marketing, Showroom, and Aftersales workflows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CitNOW provides a cloud-based SaaS platform of video and digital communication products built specifically for automotive retailers, enabling sales staff, technicians, and advisors to send personalized video walkarounds, workshop repair updates, vehicle appraisals, and multi-channel customer messages. The platform covers the full customer journey across Marketing, Showroom, and Aftersales workflows, with supporting products for AI-powered imaging, automotive CRM, data analytics, and lead management. The platform is sold on a subscription basis to automotive dealerships, dealer groups, and OEM manufacturer networks across more than 14 countries.

Product overview

CitNOW is a unified automotive retail video and digital communications platform offering 11 distinct products across sales, marketing, and aftersales workflows. The core offering centres on personalised video communication products (Sales, Workshop, Appraise, Bodyshop, Triage) that enable dealership staff to send video content to customers throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Supporting products include Imaging (AI-powered vehicle photography), Conversations (multi-channel messaging including WhatsApp), Auto360 (automotive CRM), Dealerweb (sales management), and DataHub AI (data analytics). The platform is complemented by Academy training services. All products are available via mobile apps for Android and iOS, with availability listed on Google Play.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CitNOW: Video, Imaging and Conversations solutions for automotive retail
• Dealerweb
• Dealerdesk
• RTC
• Quik
• WEB1ON1

Products and services

• CitNOW Sales Personalized video solution that enables automotive sales staff to create and send video walkarounds and messages to prospective customers, addressing customer enquiries and supporting remote sales.
• CitNOW Workshop Workshop video communication tool that allows technicians to record personalized videos of vehicle repairs from the ramp, showing customers exactly what work has been done on their vehicles.
• CitNOW Imaging Professional grade vehicle image and video capture solution that creates consistent, AI-processed digital forecourt content for automotive retailers.
• CitNOW Conversations Multi-channel customer communication platform enabling seamless messaging across WhatsApp and other channels, including AI-assisted chatbots for automated customer interactions.
• CitNOW DataHub AI AI-powered data integration and analytics platform that connects disparate dealer data sources, removes data silos, and provides actionable business intelligence for automotive retailers.
• CitNOW Auto360 Automotive-specific CRM solution that manages customer relationships and vehicle data, designed for the workflows of automotive retail.
• CitNOW Appraise Digital remote vehicle appraisal solution that enables dealers to conduct vehicle condition assessments remotely.
• CitNOW Triage Digital pre-diagnosis communication tool that enables early identification and communication of vehicle issues to customers prior to workshop visits.
• CitNOW Bodyshop Vehicle condition assessment tool for body shop operations that streamlines and ensures accuracy in damage documentation.
• CitNOW RTC Aftersales Real-time communications solution designed to optimize aftersales performance and customer engagement for automotive retailers.
• CitNOW Dealerweb Lead and sales management solution designed to maximize sales performance for automotive dealers by managing enquiries and pipeline.
• CitNOW Web Web-based platform for vehicle advertising and inventory management that enables automotive retailers to advertise vehicles within hours using consistent images.
• CitNOW Academy Training and certification service providing webinars, eLearning modules, Quick Learns, remote training, and onsite training to help automotive retail customers maximize personalized video potential.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15% more sales per month per site
• +19 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• QuikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2021Acquired Quik, a cloud-based SaaS provider in the automotive industry, to expand CitNOW's presence in US auto dealerships. The acquisition aimed to develop digital tools for dealership services and enhance customer experiences across markets. This strategic acquisition supported CitNOW's expansion into the North American market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DealerSocket (now part of Metaurus): Automotive CRM and dealership management software for sales, marketing, and service workflows. Direct peer in the dealer CRM and engagement software category.
• Tekion: Cloud-native dealer management system and automotive retail SaaS platform serving dealers and OEMs with integrated CRM, sales, service, and digital experience modules. Closest direct competitor to CitNOW's full-lifecycle platform vision.
• Dominion Dealer Solutions: Provider of CRM, DMS, digital marketing, and dealer engagement software for automotive retailers. Direct peer in dealer CRM and customer communication software.

Emerging players

• Podium: Customer communication and messaging platform with a strong automotive vertical presence, offering text, review, and payment workflows. Adjacent peer competing for the same dealer communication and CRM wallet share.
• DealerCenter: Dealer management and CRM platform for independent and franchise automotive dealers. Emerging player offering integrated sales, CRM, and desking tools that overlap with Auto360 and Dealerweb.
• Gubagoo: Digital retailing and AI messaging platform for automotive dealers, focused on lead conversion, live chat, and personalized video. Emerging player overlapping with CitNOW's video and Conversations offerings.
• Impel: AI-powered customer engagement platform purpose-built for automotive retailers, offering conversational AI and merchandising tools. Emerging player competing on AI-driven customer communication, overlapping with CitNOW's Conversations and DataHub AI.

Broad incumbents

• Reynolds and Reynolds: Established provider of dealer management systems, forms, and retail technology solutions to franchised automotive dealers and OEMs. Broad incumbent competitor in dealer software.
• Cox Automotive: Global automotive services and technology provider (Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim) serving dealers and OEMs with dealer software, marketing, and inventory tools. A large broad incumbent directly comparable to CitNOW's customer base.
• CDK Global: Major provider of dealer management systems and integrated technology for automotive retailers, dealerships, and OEMs. Broad incumbent in the same vertical with overlapping CRM, marketing, and digital retailing capabilities.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/citnow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CitNowVideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/CitNow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citnowltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CitNOW