Aracan

About Aracan

Aracan Co., Ltd. operates "Kababa," a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online marketplace for used cars, aiming to address inefficiencies and a lack of transparency in the used vehicle industry. The company was founded on March 18, 2019, by Kazuei Tanaka, who previously served as the COO of a major publicly traded used car sales company in Japan. Tanaka started Aracan to solve what he identified as two major industry problems: inefficient distribution and the exploitation of less-informed customers. The company is headquartered in Nagoya, with additional offices in Tokyo and Osaka.

Kababa's business model is designed to reduce distribution costs by facilitating direct C2C transactions, which it claims can cut traditional costs by as much as 75-80%. Unlike traditional models where profits are maximized on each transaction, Kababa utilizes a fixed-fee structure, enhancing profitability through streamlined operations and cost reduction. The platform addresses the information gap between professional dealers and private buyers by having qualified assessors evaluate each vehicle's condition and providing transparent market-based pricing. This allows any user, regardless of their automotive knowledge or negotiation skills, to trade vehicles at a fair price without haggling. The entire process, including quality disclosure, title transfer, vehicle transport, and warranties, is handled online.

Since its launch, Kababa has grown significantly, achieving a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 5 billion JPY within three years and boasting a customer satisfaction rate of 97%. Aracan has successfully raised a total of 1 billion JPY from investors including JAFCO Group, Z Venture Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, and Nagoya Television Ventures, and is aiming for an IPO. The company has also introduced additional services such as a "purchase price guarantee service" and a supercar sharing service. In February 2026, Aracan announced a Series C funding round and the launch of a new "Direct Offer" feature to further enhance usability.