About Us

The journey of Auto Trader began in 1981, in a humble East Auckland garage. Ed Lamont, a former car salesman and dealer, recognised a unique opportunity—why not create a magazine where private sellers and dealers could showcase their cars with a game-changing feature: actual photographs of the vehicles! This innovation was a breath of fresh air in an era dominated by text-only newspaper ads, and it didn’t take long for Auto Trader to become a household name across New Zealand. The magazine revolutionised the way used cars were advertised in print media, setting a new standard that resonated with buyers and sellers alike.

New Ownership, New Heights: In 1993, Auto Trader found new leadership when ACP Media (Australian Consolidated Press) acquired the title from Lamont. Under their leadership, the magazine was transformed into a glossy, full-colour publication. The baton was passed again in late 2012 to Bauer Media Group, who envisioned a bold future for Auto Trader, aligning it with modern trends and technologies. In a full-circle moment in 2019, Auto Trader returned to New Zealand ownership under Auto Trader Media Group, led by Ross Logue and Richie East, reaffirming its roots and commitment to the local market.

Embracing the Digital Era: AutoTrader.co.nz made its online debut in 2003, quickly becoming a go-to destination for buyers and sellers nationwide. By the following year, the site boasted over 40,000 vehicles for sale. Despite a few updates over the years, the website largely retained its original look and feel. However, in May 2020, just a year after the ownership transition, Auto Trader introduced a cutting-edge platform that brought the website into the modern age, enhancing the experience for New Zealand’s automotive buyers. In August 2024, another major rebrand launched.

Over Four Decades of Trust: Today, Auto Trader stands as New Zealand’s trusted platform for buying and selling cars online. With over 250,000 car buyers and sellers visiting each month, it continues to be a vital part of the automotive market. For private sellers, listing your car on Auto Trader is free!

Company profile

Trading name Auto Trader
Legal name Auto Trader Media Group Limited
Ownership Optimus Group New Zealand Limited
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