Caramel just got a sweet deal.

The end-to-end online automotive transaction platform will be acquired by eBay, signing a “definitive agreement” with the global e-commerce marketplace. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter.

In a news release, eBay said Caramel’s technology platform provides “a secure and seamless digital transaction experience that handles all of the complexities of a vehicle sale,” including paperwork, ownership transfer, financing, transportation and more, whether the transaction takes place on Caramel’s site or app, through an independent dealer or on Caramel’s marketplace and auction partners.

“Caramel set out to make buying or selling a vehicle online as simple and convenient as buying or selling anything else online,” Caramel co-CEO and co-founder Craig Nehamen said, “minimizing fraud and risk, and all with just a few clicks or taps. Joining with eBay will enable us to continue bringing our seamless, safe solution to our current customers and new customers alike.”

eBay said the addition of Caramel will make buying and selling vehicles on eBay Motors simpler, with a safe online platform to conduct vehicle purchases regardless of which U.S. state the vehicle and the buyer are located in, noting nearly 80% of U.S. vehicle purchases made on its platform in 2024 were cross-state transactions.

“eBay’s acquisition of Caramel is about creating trust for vehicle buyers,” eBay Motors general manager Chris Prill said. “Buying a car is a big moment. Caramel’s platform brings it all into one simple, seamless process: title and identity verification, insurance, financing — even shipping the car to the buyer after purchase.

“With Caramel and eBay combining forces, both buyers and sellers will be able to complete vehicle transactions on eBay with greater peace of mind, and Caramel can further establish itself across a myriad of platforms.”

Caramel co-CEO and co-founder Edward Brojerdi said the company, founded in 2021, has delivered “a fully digital e-commerce experience” to many of the industry’s top used-vehicle marketplaces and auction sites.

“eBay is the ideal partner for Caramel,” he said, “because its entire purpose is to reinvent the future of e-commerce for enthusiasts, connect people and build communities. I am excited that our team and innovative technology will improve the car-buying experience for even more vehicle enthusiasts in the U.S.”

Brojerdi and Nehamen discussed Caramel’s origin and platform in an episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast from 2023. Listen to the conversation in the window below.