DriverSide

About DriverSide

DriverSide was an online automotive platform established in 2007 to address the post-purchase phase of vehicle ownership, a segment distinct from the saturated car buying and selling market. The company was founded in San Francisco by Trevor Traina, John Dunning, and Adam Jackson. This team of serial entrepreneurs had a track record, having previously launched and sold two companies together, one to Microsoft and another to Intuit.

The platform's core mission was to empower car owners with information, aiming to demystify automotive care. For consumers, DriverSide was a free resource offering features like a diagnostic tool to understand potential car problems, repair cost estimators based on local data, and access to a panel of mechanics to answer user-specific questions. Users could also receive service reminders and recall alerts for their specific vehicle model. By aggregating and presenting data from partners like Hearst's Black Book and retailers such as Advance Auto Parts and eBay, the company provided a comprehensive knowledge base for maintenance and repair.

DriverSide's business model was multifaceted, generating revenue from several streams. It earned referral fees for leads sent to auto parts stores and repair shops. Specifically, the company received a commission of 8% to 15% on parts purchased through its partnership with Advance Auto Parts and fees for referrals leading to insurance sales or oil changes. Another significant revenue source was a subscription-based service for automotive professionals, such as mechanics and dealers. For a monthly fee ranging from $300 to $1,000, these businesses could set up "virtual garages" to send automated reminders and marketing messages to their customers, thereby helping to retain and recover clientele. By March 2009, the company had raised approximately $8.52 million in venture capital.