CARS Worldwide

What CARS Worldwide does

CARS Worldwide (Classic Automotive Relocation Services), founded in 1994 and headquartered in Chedburgh, Suffolk, United Kingdom, is a specialized global vehicle logistics provider serving the high-value collector car market. The company transports rare, historic, and exotic vehicles internationally via air freight, sea freight, and enclosed road transport, supplemented by in-house customs brokerage, Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) and ATA Carnet issuance, secure climate-controlled storage in four countries, and vehicle registration services for the UK and UAE. With approximately 41 employees and offices across five regions (UK, Netherlands, United States with locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and New York, UAE in Dubai, and Japan in Yokohama), the company is structured as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Rock-It Company, a diversified specialty logistics platform.

The company's technology stack is centered on regulatory and systems integration rather than intelligence layers: direct integration with UK HMRC and US Customs ACE systems for electronic customs declarations, IATA registration for air cargo compliance, FIA approval as a CPD Carnet issuing administrator in the UK, and proprietary real-time GPS-based vehicle tracking during road transport. Storage facilities are staffed by trained mechanics capable of vehicle conditioning and mechanical triage. Notable regulatory credentials include Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, IATA registration, and memberships in BIFA, NCBFAA, and NAFL, collectively forming a compliance moat that is difficult and time-consuming for competitors to replicate.

CARS Worldwide operates a sales-led, relationship-driven go-to-market model targeting high-net-worth collectors, auction houses, and event organizers. Revenue is generated across six streams: freight transportation (transaction fees), customs brokerage (professional services), Carnet issuance (professional services, GBP 238-278 per booklet as of January 2025), secure vehicle storage (subscription/recurring), vehicle registration (professional services), and optional marine transit insurance (professional services). Transportation and storage pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed. The company's marketing relies heavily on official event partnerships (RM Sotheby's, Pebble Beach Concours, Bonhams, Gumball 3000, HERO-ERA, Rally The Globe, Amelia Concours, Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, Supercars Majlis, and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run) alongside a website quote system and email newsletter.

Name

CARS Worldwide

Legal name

CARS Limited

Website

https://carsworldwide.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CARS Worldwide is a UK-based specialty vehicle logistics provider founded in 1994 that transports rare, historic, and exotic vehicles globally via air, sea, and enclosed road freight. Serving high-net-worth collectors, auction houses, and event organizers across five regions, the company offers integrated customs brokerage, Carnet documentation, secure storage, and registration services as a Rock-It Company subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Transportation Logistics

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Classic, Exotic & High-Value Vehicle Transport (HSAKAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enclosed Auto Transport (Door-to-Door) (HSAKAFAB), Cross-Border Vehicle Logistics & Customs/Compliance (VIN, Documentation) (TLADAJAL), Vehicle Pickup/Delivery & Concierge (Key Handling, Inspections, Condition Reports) (HSAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Vehicle transportation services
• Classic car shipping
• International vehicle logistics
• Customs brokerage services
• Secure vehicle storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Chedburgh, Suffolk

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Freight Transportation Services: Revenue from transporting vehicles via air, sea, and road freight. Services include collection, shipping line booking, vehicle preparation, condition reports, secure loading, customs formalities, and destination delivery.
2. Customs Brokerage: In-house customs brokerage services for UK, Europe, US, and Middle East. Handles all customs inquiries, documentation, bonded warehouse access, and compliance with HMRC, DOT, EPA, and GCC requirements.
3. Carnet Services: Issuing and managing Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) and ATA Carnets for temporary vehicle importation. Pricing from GBP 238-278 depending on page count, plus security deposits.
4. Vehicle Storage: Secure indoor and climate-controlled storage facilities in UK, US, Netherlands, and UAE. Includes maintenance services, insurance coverage options, and detailing.
5. Vehicle Registration Services: Registration services for UK and UAE including MOT testing, IVA applications, DVLA submissions, road tax arrangement, and RTA passing tests.
6. Marine Transit Insurance: Comprehensive worldwide insurance coverage for sea freight shipments, offered as optional add-on to shipping services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CARS Worldwide provides global door-to-door logistics for rare, classic, and high-value vehicles via air, sea, and enclosed road freight. The offering is built around an integrated suite that pairs physical transportation with in-house customs brokerage, Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) and ATA Carnet issuance, secure climate-controlled vehicle storage, and event transportation for concours, rallies, and auctions. Services also include vehicle registration in the UK and UAE.

Product overview

CARS Worldwide (Classic Automotive Relocation Services) is a global vehicle logistics platform offering an integrated suite of freight, customs, storage, and registration services. The core offering comprises three freight transport modes—Air Freight, Sea Freight, and Road Freight—which connect to customs clearance capabilities through the CPD Carnet and ATA Carnet document services, supplemented by Event Transportation for motorsport and concours logistics, Customs Brokerage for UK, US, and Middle East regions, and CARStorage for secure vehicle storage. The products work together as an end-to-end solution: freight services handle physical transport while carnet and customs services manage cross-border documentation and regulatory compliance, with storage and registration services bookending or extending the logistics cycle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Very low claims record surpassing industry standards for sea freight shipments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RM Sotheby'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial International Shipping Partner for RM Sotheby's global auction operations. CARS handles all logistics for vehicles being auctioned internationally, ensuring safe transport and customs clearance.
• Pebble Beach Concours d'ElegancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial International Logistics Partner for the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, managing vehicle logistics for one of the world's premier automotive events.
• Luxury Rally ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Global Logistics Partner for the Luxury Rally Club, providing comprehensive transport services for high-end rally events.
• BonhamscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics partner for Bonhams classic car auctions, handling vehicle transportation and international shipping for auction sales.
• Gumball 3000coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent transportation partner for the Gumball 3000 international rally event, providing vehicle logistics for participants.
• HERO-ERAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping partner for HERO-ERA (Historic Endurance Rally Organisation) events including the Badawï Trail, providing logistics for historic rally vehicles.
• Rally The GlobecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping Partner for Rally The Globe vintage and classic car rally events, handling all logistics for participants.
• The Amelia Concours d'ElegancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics partner for The Amelia Concours d'Elegance, providing vehicle transport and customs services for the prestigious US automotive event.
• Supercars MajlisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sponsor for the Supercars Majlis supercar community event in the UAE, providing brand visibility among high-net-worth automotive enthusiasts.
• Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'EstecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics partner for the prestigious Italian concours event, handling vehicle transport and coordination for participants.
• London to Brighton Veteran Car RuncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping partner for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the annual historic vehicle rally in the UK.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Auto Shippers (UK): UK-based vehicle transport company serving classic and performance car owners. Direct competitor to CARS within the UK and European collector transport segment.
• Cosdel: US-based transporter specializing in exotic, luxury, and collector vehicles using enclosed trailers. Comparable to CARS' road freight product for high-value cars in the US market.
• Horseless Carriage Auto Transport: US enclosed auto carrier specializing in classic and exotic vehicles. Closely comparable to CARS' enclosed road service and event/auction logistics for collector cars.
• PVS International: Dutch specialist in transportation of luxury and exclusive vehicles across Europe. Direct competitor in the European enclosed road transport segment where CARS operates its Nieuw-Vennep hub.
• Interloc Motor Carriage Services: UK-based enclosed transporter specializing in classic and collector cars within the UK and Europe. Direct competitor to CARS' road freight service for the British collector market.
• CFR Classic Rides: US-based enclosed transporter for classic, exotic, and high-value vehicles with auction-event logistics. Direct overlap with CARS' auction and event transportation service.
• Reliable Carriers: US-based enclosed auto transport specialist serving classic, exotic, and collector car dealers. Directly comparable to CARS' enclosed road freight product for high-value vehicles across North America.

Emerging players

• Camelot Event Logistics: Specialist logistics provider for events including automotive. Comparable to CARS' Event Transportation service for motorsport, concours, and rally events.
• The Armoured Group: Specialist in secure transport of high-value and armored vehicles. Adjacent competitor in the high-security vehicle logistics niche that CARS serves with its HNW collector focus.

Broad incumbents

• Montway Auto Transport: Large US generalist auto transport broker with a soft-tail and enclosed service. Not specialty-focused but overlaps on enclosed vehicle transport and competes for adjacent dealer/collector demand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carsworldwide

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CARS Worldwide