Quikr, a online classifieds business, said it has acquired Stepni, a Bangalore-based platform that connects vehicle owners with service providers like mechanics, garages and car accessory outlets near them.
The move strengthens the company’s service offerings under QuikrCars, its vertical that focuses on all types of automobiles including cars, bikes and commercial vehicles, said the company.
It also opens cross-selling opportunities for QuikrServices the company’s vertical that provides a range of services to consumers, the company added.
Stepni’s founders and team will join QuikrCars.
Atul Tewari, Head of QuikrCars and COO of Quikr said,”At QuikrCars, we believe there is an acute need and a large opportunity for someone to innovate in the auto buying selling space in India. Over the last couple of years, we have turned QuikrCars into the country’s leading auto platform that cuts across new and used car transactions – in new cars, we are working closely with OEMs to address their marketing needs, and in used cars, we are by far the no. 1 destination for inspected, consumer-owned cars. Stepni’s business model will now allow us to develop a longer term relationship with car owners as opposed to only at the point of buying-selling. We plan to scale vehicle maintenance services to all major cities over the next three months. ”
Quikr has been aggressive in expanding its vertical-focused brands such as QuikrCars, Dazzlr (for artists) and so on. The company, along with OLX and eBay, dominates the online classifieds business in India.
Vinay Singh, Co-Founder of Stepni, said,”Teaming up with Quikr brings tremendous possibilities for our business model on the demand side and it will help to scale the platform seamlessly across multiple cities. We look forward to combining our experience in the vehicle maintenance domain with Quikr’s scale and reach to make vehicle services convenient and affordable for all.”
Quikr is one of India’s largest online classifieds platform that is used by over 30 million unique users a month.