McMillan Advises autoTRADER on its Sale to AutoScout24 GmbH

On December 11, 2024, Trader Corporation (“TRADER Canada”), a portfolio company of Thoma Bravo, completed its sale to AutoScout24 GmbH (“AutoScout 24”).

TRADER Canada operates Canada’s leading online automotive marketplaces, including AutoTrader.ca and AutoHebdo.net, in addition to providing additional dealer software solutions and services to those in the Canadian automotive market. AutoScout 24 operates leading automotive marketplaces throughout Europe, including LeasingMarkt.de and AutoProff. The acquisition will allow AutoScout 24 to expand its presence outside of the European market, while also representing a successful investment by Thoma Bravo.

Working alongside Kirkland & Ellis LLP, McMillan acted as Canadian counsel to TRADER Canada on this cross-border transaction, providing corporate support, leading the acquisition tax planning workstream, and liaising with subject matter specialists across the firm. Michael Whitcombe led McMillan’s multidisciplinary team, which included Todd Miller, Vaughan Rawes, Amir Kashdaran, Kristen Pennington, Yue Fei, Paul Boshyk, and Shahen Mirakian.

As a national business law firm with exceptional capabilities to lead businesses through cross-border transactions and investments into Canada and within multifaceted regulatory regimes, McMillan provides real-time business solutions to our clients. Our legal teams are skilled at structuring and closing complex deals in Canada, the US and internationally and in providing innovative transactional advice and solutions. Our understanding of business imperatives and our relationships with the regulators helps our clients stay ahead.